Blogging While Brown Pt.2: The Red Pump Project (Rubber or no Rubber?)
June 26, 2009 5 CommentsI had the pleasure of attending The Red Pump Project Meetup & Afrobella (beauty blogger extraordinaire and good people) welcome, in Chicago the evening after the conference. Afrobella recently relocated to Chicago and fellow bloggers Luuvie & Karyn decided to throw her a welcome party and raise funds for the Chicago Women’s AIDS Project, the only gender-specific HIV/AIDS service organization in Chicago.
Hold up, what’s the Red Pump Project?
National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is March 10th every year, and there’s a whole lot of talking and educating happening all over the country in honor.
That’s how The Red Pump Project was born…Out of our desire to make a difference and ask others to do the same. When we put out the call for bloggers to join our cause, we hoped that we’d get a great response, but never really imagined something like this! 125 bloggers responded! Our goal was 100, so believe us when we say “Thank you from the bottoms of our hearts!”
The Red Pump Project is now a national initiative that is doing work on the ground and online to ensure that women are empowered with knowledge about HIV/AIDS and the issues surrounding it. We have 16 ambassadors in 14 states rocking the Red Pump to raise awareness about the impact of HIV/AIDS on women & girls. (Source: redpumpproject.com)
I’m late jumping on the bandwagon, but better late than never.
In the next week, the Red Pump project ladies will be launching the Red Tie Project to get our men involved in the fight- whoohoo!! I would personally love to see my fellow male bloggers rocking the red tie, panty dropper???
I was an hour late (smh) arriving at the cozy Three Peas Art Lounge, where the meetup was held. When I stepped in the door I was amazed at the turnout, chatted with Afrobella and some of the other bloggers at the conference, as well as others who attended to show their support that were not in attendance at the conference. Had a slamming mango martini, won a pair of beautiful earrings made by artist/activist Zahra Alabanza (on the low, my ears aren’t pierced shhh!!), and met someone who I never thought I would meet in million years.
Remember this cover of Essence?
Well it took me awhile to figure it out, and hell I even pointed, “No, that can’t be her?” Yea I met Rev. Rae Lewis Thorton, aids activist and motivational speaker. The once coined “gay disease” was shattered when young attractive and educated Thorton graced the cover of Essence telling her story of contracting the aids virus. As I laughed with her and watched her fish the cherry from the bottom of her glass, you could tell that she had made AIDS her bitch. That night after the meetup I thought of my own life, how precious it is and how none of us are immune to HIV & AIDS. Admittedly I’m not a fan of condoms. I know I’m not invisible, but I’d rather be in a monogamous serious relationship or celibate, than use a rubber. But even “monogamy” is not HIV-proof…..I’m at a stumbling block, and I’m sure many of you feel the same way as I do.
Tough question, but I’m sure your minds are up for it- when you’re getting to the exclusive point in your relationships (i.e. marriage or wifey status), do you stop using rubbers? Do you continue? Word is bond?
Itching to try the self-heating rubbers,
Tee’d Off
Lifestyle, Relationships, Sexuality
That’s cool that you were able to get together for such a good cause. Hopefully I’ll be able to make the conference next year. Oh and I’m so down with the Red Tie Project.
whooo!!! I can’t wait for the ladies to reveal the red tie project..its going to be dope!
Rippa I think the conference needs a strong male political/no nonsense blogger like yourself..def put that on your to do list for 2010
No lie, when I decide to lay down with a man, I get an AIDS, STD test.
I don’t mind a condom, but I like to just throw down and not have to get tied up with the unwrapping of it all.
Periodically, throughout the relationship we’ll get check-ups together as well.
The men I’ve been with respect the fact that I do that, and they appreciate my openness and honesty. We go to the board of health office together as a couple and it becomes our experience, just another thing that we do together as a couple.
Testing as a couple is hot! In fact tomorrow is National HIV testing day!!
I’m due for visit to the docs very soon, that has become the only reason I go to the docs because i hate hospitals & I’m one of those ppl who think that chicken soup, bed rest, & tylenol can cure everything lol…I think periodic testing is key when you’re in a comitted relationship, but its just startling how many married females have contracted the virus…more of us need to start scheduling third wheel dates: doc, boo, & you lolllll
I’m willing to support anything that you are. A big fan of The Red Pump Project now, and I am also happy that you were abled to get together with people for this excellent cause. Red Tie…hmmm, not sure about wearing one, but I will support that one too on the low low…shhhhh!!! (don’t tell anybody about this…lol) Just joking.
So far as wearing a condom with someone that I love that I plan on getting married too, which reminds me that I would not wear a condom with. I really don’t like condoms, but I will wear one if I have too, but at the same time I’d rather not have sex or have romantic sex if I have to wear one. Peace fam