Jamaica AIDS Support launches Anti Discrimination and Stigma Campaign

 

On October 1, the Jamaica AIDS Support launched its 2002 Anti Discrimination and Stigma campaign in Kingston with the unveiling of a stunning poster under the theme, “If you judge people, you will have no time to love them.”  (Mother Teresa).   The campaign sets out to counter the "stigma" and "discrimination" associated with the HIV/AIDS epidemic.  A wall sized print of the poster and accompanying 2003 calendar were unveiled by two of the models Jamaican actress Audrey Reid star of the hit movie “Dancehall Queen” and rising reggae artiste Abijah.  

At the ceremony which took place at the Kingston headquarters of the Jamaica AIDS Support, Public Defender, Howard Hamilton, who also posed for the poster and calendar reminded the gathering that "Stigma and discrimination are the two words that present the greatest harm to providing adequate care and treatment for persons living with HIV/AIDS.”

Some popular Jamaican personalities lent their faces for this new campaign.  These included Cecil Gutzmore, broadcasters Cliff Hughes, Fae Ellington and Elaine Wint, actress Barbara McCalla, story teller Amina Blackwood – Meeks, actor Chris Daley, Antonio Bernard, Miss World 1993 Lisa Hanna, Aston Cooke, Audrey Reid, NDTC dancers Arsenio Andrade and Carole Orane, Abijah, Howard Hamilton, Leonard Officer, former Miss Jamaica Michelle Moodie, Dr Peter Figueroa, little Maximillian and his Aunt, Hannah English, actress Leonie Forbes and Dr Caroline Cooper of the University of the West Indies.

Both the posters and the 2003 calendars are being sold through the Jamaica AIDS Support in Jamaica and will also be available at selected locations in London, New York, Washington, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Florida and Toronto.   Contact www.jamaicaaidssupport.com  to find out the closest outlet to you.  The poster is also available for download as wallpaper from that site.

The cost of Posters and Calendars are J$200, US$4.00, 3.00 Pounds Sterling and C$6. The organization is hoping to raise $2 million to go into the JAS Foundation, so please support this venture.