TeenAIDS’ Guinness World Record Testing Youth

The Latest Information on TeenAIDS’ Guinness World Record Testing Youth

I want you to be the first to know that on September 7th, TeenAIDS will be setting an important Guinness World Record for the most youths tested “live” for HIV in a public venue at the same time. Our goal is to call attention to the rapidly growing youth epidemic (CDC), end the stigma against testing, and get many more teens aware of their status so they don’t unknowingly pass the unseen virus onto unsuspecting partners – and future babies. My press release is going out as soon as we've raised the needed funds to buy enough test kits ($39 each plus tax) and announce the number.

I need your financial help as soon as possible to buy these kits that are much too expensive for teens and college youth (your donation is tax-deductible).

What: The FDA approved the first over the counter sale of the test kits in mid-2012 for anyone 17 and older. Based on my knowledge of the problem, TeenAIDS became the only entity in the U.S. to bring testing directly to teens in public venues like busy city streets, at sports events, malls and skateboard parks. The test uses an oral swab that collects saliva, not blood and needles requiring lab work by medical technicians. In 20 minutes the results are ready with 99% accuracy. This new technology allows us to use the kits as an innovative breakthrough in the fight to stop youth HIV/AIDS.  We want others to follow our example.

In Washington, D.C. on June 13 Emma shows a high school couple how the test kit works. They tested negative and posted the news immediately on their Facebook pages. Nathan waits for other teens getting off at the metro stop as school gets out.

Why: Two decades ago in my doctoral thesis "Adolescents and AIDS: The Coming Wave" (Harvard, Ed.D.), I predicted that all maturing youth regardless of gender, ethnicity and orientation, would be at greater risk as the average age dropped lower and gained a foothold within the youth population. Many people scoffed at that claim but today the evidence is real. The CDC reports that one out of four new cases is occurring among 13-24 years olds, an amazing increase from the early years when the number was one out of twenty. Youth are now the fastest growing population with HIV. The CDC has recommended annual testing for everyone 13 and up -- but with little success. Currently 90% of young people have never been tested because they choose not to go to traditional testing sites like hospitals and clinics. Too many still believe that AIDS is only an adult problem. Nothing is further from the truth.

How: As many of you know, I have been an activist in the campaign to aggressively target youth. We buy kits as money comes in and then bring our AIDS prevention message and testing directly to often skeptical teens. Over the years I have developed special psychological hooks to grab their attention. My team of trained college interns put on live demonstrations under my direction. Curious crowds always gather. Any consenting young person 17 and older can take a free test after counseling and signing a waiver. Many of you will be surprised that young people feel more comfortable in a public environment because they are among empathetic peers, not serious adults in lab coats. Others find out that the kits can be easily bought at any drugstore for use at home similar to pregnancy tests. We never announce positive results but explain privately that it could be "false positive" or is indeterminate so a confirmatory test is needed (like a second opinion from doctors).

Our first major “live” testing took place in Virginia Beach on April 7 at our “5 K Run to Stop Youth AIDS.” High School senior Candice, 18, volunteered to be tested in front of a crowd of hundreds and TV cameras. No, I didn’t race but I cheered them on as I do for all youth helping our cause.

Where: We have been testing publicly across Virginia, rural North Carolina and downtown Washington, D.C. (see TV links at end). Now we are taking the campaign nationwide. Starting Labor Day, we are holding “live” demonstrations across eastern and central Massachusetts (Boston Common, Harvard Square, Concord MBTA train station and Worcester at Clark). And our Guinness Book of World Records' site is in Fitchburg my hometown, at a major youth festival with music, dance and the mass testing. Interested volunteers will step onto a stage in front of hundreds of attendees and TV cameras from the New England media market. Doctors, nurses, social workers and college interns are assisting during the mass testing. Bystanders always take out their cell phones to text, video and post to Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, bringing the news to tens of thousands in minutes. TV will inform half a million about this unique awareness and prevention technique, another TeenAIDS’ initiative with major local, regional and national impact.

Washington D.C. affiliates of CBS and ABC shoot our live testing on July 9 for the evening news. Because these are the first public events of its kind in the U.S. & world, media are attracted

When: Saturday, September 7th at 2 pm. We hope to have it streamed live and will post pictures immediately and videos within a few days. Like us on Facebook.

Rationale: The majority of teens begin sex by 16. At 18, a majority has had at least three partners often without using condoms. The CDC estimates that 20-25% of people living with HIV don’t know their status and are possibly transmitting the virus to others. I believe these numbers are underreported. A major health crisis requires bold action and needs adequate funding from concerned citizens like you. I don't deny that the concept is controversial and upsetting to some who wonder why teens and AIDS need to be a subject for polite public discourse. Virginia Beach, the largest city in the state tried to ban our work with threats of $10,000 fines and possible arrest but we proceeded nevertheless. After an official complaint was registered with Virginia's Attorney General, our lawyer demanded that my input be heard and filed a Freedom of Information request that was honored within two weeks. When I gave notice of possible court action in the event of an adverse ruling, the AG’s office declined to intercede. We won on "free speech" grounds. I never doubted the outcome. We are now free to test anywhere. 

We have secured all the necessary permits. Yet we have 2 days to pay for the liability insurance, buy tickets to Boston for me and a TeenAIDS’ coordinator, rent the tents and sound system, arrange printing and publicity -- and purchase the expensive test kits before a Guinness Book challenge can be achieved. It is my hope that our record is soon broken many times over in thousands of locations here and abroad because my goal is have as many youth tested as quickly as possible. If you have followed my career you know that I am determined to affect major changes in the ways that HIV/AIDS prevention with youth has traditionally been done.

I need your financial help as soon as possible (donations are tax-deductible). Please call me today with your credit/debit card and I will personally and confidentially handle your donation: 757-352-2055 (office) or 978-855-1668 (cell and best number to reach me after August 31 when I arrive in Massachusetts for a week of testing). You can also send money by Moneygram or Western Union care of “John Chittick” in Norfolk, Virginia; it’s cash that will be deposited the same day. Or you can go online to our website www.teenaids.org and securely pay by PayPal. Checks made out to “TeenAIDS” can be sent to P.O. Box 8460, Norfolk, VA 23503.

                                         You can make the difference.

Together we are educating vulnerable teens and saving young lives. From the bottom of my heart, Dr. John 

To my Massachusetts friends: I will be holding an informational “party” in Boston on Wednesday, September 4th starting at 5:30 pm (until 7 or so), to address a press conference about the Guinness Record and show clips from my public testing and global walks. Mayor Thomas Menino’s Proclamation making Friday, September 6^th “Youth AIDS Day” for our Boston Common testing will be read. The location is the trendy “Living Room Boston” Restaurant and Lounge at 101 Atlantic Avenue in the Mercantile Wharf Building on the Waterfront. Valet parking ($20) is available. A cash bar and appetizers can be ordered off the menu (dinner is also served). Please feel free to bring guests.

 

The Living Room Restaurant and Bar (previously “101 Atlantic”) has been long time supporters.

P.S. I am bringing public testing to NYC (Washington Square and Times Square) over Columbus Day weekend -- then onto LA and Miami in November.

Justin's HIV Journal: Justin Goes Skydiving

When someone is diagnosed with HIV, almost immediately a person's mindset changes; the mindset is most time turns into a negative way on thinking. I've learned that I cannot let HIV dictate how I live my life, as long as it turns into a healthier way of thinking. Sometimes I know that I fall short of this myself but the only thing I can do is try my best. I urge everyone to try their best in living their own lives. In my past I've always been on person that likes to travel in their own footsteps, and now through that mentality I have the change to live again. I've decided that I'm going to live, love and laugh freely. I'm trying to get the negativity out of my life trying to love myself and others more even if they speak or think negatively about me. I don't have time or energy to concentrate on that; all I can be is the best I can be.

Skydiving was an amazing experience and I recommend it to everyone. Honestly, I nearly crapped my pants, but I loved doing it. I was so nervous but the hardest part was honestly getting in the air in the passenger plane. The plane is noisy and small and the door was right next to where I was sitting. My head was where the pilot and instruments were. The instructor then straps himself to my back, next the door is opened and you can literally look down and see the ground and you can feel the wind everywhere. The instructor is strapped to my back and we are now half way out of the plane at this point and we lean and lean and jump.

When I was in free fall (falling without the parachute opened) I felt no control and I yelled. When the parachute opened I felt a sense of calm that came over me. I felt the sensation of serenity of giving control to someone without preservation. I gave up my will to another, and maybe I'm not necessarily talking about my instructor but to another. I realized that this life that I have I have to cherish more than I have, because ultimately it is only my own in a physical sense. I was the ultimate high to feeling that nobody (except my family) or nothing could replicate. All in all I felt free and this is truly the day I let go.

Next....hmmmmm....Bungee Jumping Anyone?.... WE WILL SEE!!!

MISTER My Status Doesn't Define Me (Chandler Bearden)

My Status Doesn't Define Me I have been living with HIV for over 10 years. When I first found out that I was infected, it did redefine my life. Initially, I was lost. I was fortunate to know enough about HIV that I knew it was possible to live with… although my impression was still based on the experiences of those who lived with the disease in the beginning. I was afraid I was on a path of rapid decline. I saw a future of being sick frequently. I saw a future of shame. I saw a future of darkness and, for a while, I didn’t see a future at all. I lived in fear of myself and others. I tried to ignore it and pass my time quietly. My decision at the time was to disappear. My choices led me down a path ofisolation; I lost my friends, my jobs, and my home. I knew the streets well for some time. All of these losses were nothing in comparison the loss of myself in the process. And then I felt love. Not from or for myself, but from those who chose to step back into my life and lift me up out of myself and my despair. My family and my friends all brought truth back to my thoughts and breathed new life into my journey. I knew nothing of how to receive care for my condition. I didn’t have insurance or even a job at the time. It took a lot of research and we all worked together to find a healing path. Finally, I located a center that offered care with funding through the Ryan White program. I made my way to healthier living. Just getting the care I needed for my physical condition raised my spirits. The staff of the clinic were supportive and didn’t judge me, they just helped me and encouraged me. I returned to work and began returning to life. I built a network, carefully, of friends and professionals who helped me work though my insecurities and find myself again. As my network grew and resources came available like counseling and support groups, I finally reached a point whereI could walk on my own. I began working to help others who needed to find their feet and their path. Today, my HIV status no longer defines me. It is simply part of the whole picture of who I am. Today I am more than my status. I am a friend, a partner, a son, an uncle, a performer and an advocate. I have dedicated my life and my work to bringing these services to those who need them, so they don’t have to wait and lose and seek for any level of acceptance, care or hope. I walk for those who haven’t found their feet. I walk for those who are seeking a path and I walk for me. My name is Chandler Bearden, and I work for the MISTER Center of Positive Impact reaching out the community to educate, advocate and provide a gateway to world of assistance that many don't know exist. Please show your support by donating to the Atlanta AIDS Walk today, so that one day, others may walk with me. Click here to Donate Click here to donate. http://aidswalkatlanta.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1064637&supid=300535105 Every dollar counts. Every dollar helps.

Copyright © 2013 MISTER, All rights reserved. You are received this email because you signed up for notices at a workshop or online Our mailing address is: MISTER 60 Eleventh Street Atlanta,GA 30308 Add us to your address book unsubscribe from this list update subscription preferences

‎A&U Magazine Advice Column Just*in Time Justin on Dating & Disclosure & A SURPRISE ENDING

Justin,
I’m sure you get lots of messages, but wanted to say thanks for your videos and really good support they have given me. Every little bit helps. People like you are so needed. I got into the “system” by a surprise HIV diagnosis a month ago; it’s been tougher than I thought but I’m stronger than I expected so it’s okay. You’re one of three people who have put really good things on-line. It is strange almost because through work I come across stories about HIV and things all the time. I work in the Web hosting department for a U.S. TV/media company so I will hopefully be over in the U.S. soon, and, actually, I have a “brother” (from another mother) in L.A., where I go a lot. I love how the U.S. has changed attitudes and hope to be there for good one day. London is okay but getting too crowded and, being Swedish, I miss nature and the ocean. I do have just a quick question; maybe there is no easy answer. Suppose one meets a guy and everything goes really well but you need to tell him about the little blue devils (you know what I mean). Ugh, I should have said it upfront. One of my mates said, “You tell and if he doesn’t understand then he won’t be right anyway.”
—Joney  London, United Kingdom

Joney Your friend is right. I think the proper thing to do in these matters is to disclose, especially if you’ve already been intimate. But why not disclose before you’re intimate so that he knows what he is getting himself into? Not saying that having a partner who is HIV-positive is an issue, but to start off open and honest about your status is, in my opinion, the right thing to do. There is also a time and place to do everything. I suggest that you may want to feel around the question about HIV and see if he is okay with it by either coming straight out and telling him or being very cautious. There are many different ways to tell someone but be careful, especially if you have already been intimate. I don’t know what the laws are in the U.K. but we here in the United States have what we call HIV criminalization laws. These laws persecute anyone who doesn’t tell their sexual partners that they themselves are HIV-positive. If he doesn’t understand that, then don’t worry about it; I know there are plenty of men in the sea (or the English Channel) for you. Also make sure you take care of yourself and go to the doctor. A new HIV-positive diagnosis can make people feel like HIV is something they can write off. Take care of yourself first. You cannot take care of anyone unless you take care of yourself first. -Justin


[UPDATE]

Hey Joney,
How’s it going with the HIV diagnosis and did my advice help?
—Justin

Justin, People get complacent with HIV and I think it’s no big deal but in my case it caused early inflammation of the brain. I have had terrible headaches for the past months and they finally put me on meds now and hopefully they will improve. I nearly panicked at the waiting room for the meds, realizing this is really happening, and, when I took them for the first time, it really, really sunk in because in the back of my head there was always a slight denial that maybe I didn’t have it. Now I feel great relief; this thing is being taken care of and I can live my life again. Now about the boyfriend: I told him and he is fine and wants to marry me. Thank you for asking me it means a lot. The only problem is I was going to leave London—now I’m rethinking all of it. I know it’s silly giving up my dreams of L.A. for a man but I think he’s worth it.
 —Joney

#‎JustinBTerrySmith‬ on Dating & Disclosure & A SURPRISE ENDING....the latest ‪#‎JustinTime‬ Advice Column. Links to A&U Magazine Advice Column Just*in Time http://bit.ly/15RWkmr

Justin B. Terry-Smith has been fighting the good fight since 1999. He’s garnered recognition and awards for his work, but he’s more concerned about looking for new ways to transform society for the better than resting on his laurels. He started up in gay rights and HIV activism in 2005, published an HIV-themed children’s book, I Have A Secret (Creative House Press) in 2011, and created his own award-winning video blog called, “Justin’s HIV Journal”: justinshivjournal.blogspot.com. Now, with this column, Justin has found a way to give voice to the issues that people write to him about. Visit his main Web site at www.justinbsmith.com. He welcomes your questions at jsmithco98@hotmail.com.

Justin's HIV Journal Recognized as one of The 16 Best HIV/STD Health Blogs of 2013

Gay HIV-positive activist Justin B. Terry-Smith shares his story and more in Justin’s HIV Journal. His goal: to help people who have sex without protection understand the implications of it. -- Named one of 'The 16 Best HIV/STD Health Blogs of 2013'. I am so honored by this award. This is truly amazing thank you so much. I really appreciate I'm so glad that my message is getting out to the public it means a lot to me. We all make mistakes and I know I have as well. We just have to be more aware about making better desicions.

Justin's HIV Journal: Justin B Terry-Smith speaks on LGBT Youth Suicide

Justin B Terry-Smith speaks on LGBT Youth Suicide. Justin B. Terry-Smith remembers what it was like to come out to his family as a gay black man. This is episode #3 of Sources- A Suicide Prevention initiative produced by Still Eye Rise Films through a partnership with the DC Department of Mental Health. Special Thanks to Yasmin Shiraz!!

Advocate & Author ‪#‎JustinBTerrySmith‬ on ‪#‎polyamory‬ and negotiating Safer s3x in the latest Advice Column ‪#‎JustinTime‬ from A&U: America's AIDS Magazine!!

Just*in Time: July 2013
Just*in Time by Justin B. Terry-Smith

Justin—
We actually know each other on Facebook and throughout the community, but I wanted to write you this letter in confidence.

Photo by Don Harris © Don Harris Photographics, LLC. All rights reserved

 

My partner and I moved away to work on our relationship and now we are considering moving back to the area. After many discussions my partner is finally opening up to the idea of polyamory. I’ve been a polyamorist for a long time and my partner didn’t like the idea of a third person in our relationship, but, now, since we have talked, he is open to the idea. Well, we have found a third, but there is a slight problem. He likes to bareback. Since we are all trying to keep each other HIV-negative, my boyfriend and I refuse to have unprotected sex with him. Let me say, he agreed that he will not have unprotected sex with me or my boyfriend because he doesn’t want to hurt us in any way. He is HIV-negative and only has bareback sex with guys who tell him that they are undetectable, and he gets tested every six months. I understand that may lower the risk of HIV transmission, but I’m still feeling kind of funny about it.What should I do? Any advice is greatly appreciated. —PC

As a polyamorist myself, I feel first we need to describe what polyamory is to our readers. Polyamory is the practice, desire, or acceptance of having more than one intimate relationship at a time with the knowledge and consent of everyone involved. Okay, so are we all on the same page? Great!! Now back to you, Mac—I mean, PC. The fact that you and your partner are agreeing to this makes me feel happy because it means that the lines of communication are open. A lot of couples go through this and suffer permanent damage from either party not being able to convey the kind of love they want. Okay, he is having unprotected sex with guys who tell him they are undetectable. So, you know they could be lying just to have sex, right? I would advise him of that and make sure he gets tested every three months and not six months; to me, early detection of any health issue is key to survival.I suggest having a sit-down talk with him, your boyfriend, and yourself. This will give you the opportunity to talk things through with all parties represented. Communicate your fears and concerns with the issue; after all, HIV isn’t the only STI you would have to worry about. Now, if you can deal with him having unprotected sex outside of your relationship, okay, but, if you are still feeling funny about it, then there could be a molehill that could have the potential to be a mountain of a problem. Remember: Polyamory is a serious relationship among individuals who must honor each other with perfect love and perfect trust. My husband and I are polyamorist and protect each other and other people. We have been open and honest with each other from the very beginning about what and who we want. There are others (who shall remain nameless) who are not as honest, but we are always continuing to explore different avenues of love. Judging others because they are getting the love they want will not get us anywhere. Having an open dialogue will let us learn and teach us how to protect ourselves from HIV and other STDs, no matter what kind of relationship we are in. Being polyamorist does not spread HIV. Having an honest relationship will allow that polyamorist relationship to remain strong and defend itself against STI/STDs—but only if all parties are honest. We need that strength because we still live in a society that looks down upon polyamory in some respects. Let me know what happens! Justin B. Terry-Smith has been fighting the good fight since 1999. He’s garnered recognition and awards for his work, but he’s more concerned about looking for new ways to transform society for the better than resting on his laurels. He started up in gay rights and HIV activism in 2005, published an HIV-themed children’s book, I Have A Secret (Creative House Press) in 2011, and created his own award-winning video blog called, “Justin’s HIV Journal”: justinshivjournal.blogspot.com. Now, with this column, Justin has found a way to give voice to the issues that people write to him about. Visit his main Web site at www.justinbsmith.com. He welcomes your questions at jsmithco98@hotmail.com.

Justin's HIV Journal: Paula Deen & The "N-word" YOU KNOW I HAD TO

YES YES YES I did it.  jesus ohh so what I thought it was funny.  OKAY OKAY Paula Deen racist or non-racist.  Okay so she admitted to using the N Word okay yeah I see that. 
I mean I don't condone it at all but lets look at this.  She is a Old White Woman from the South (NOT SAYING that all Old White Woman from the South do this) I would not be surprised if she did use the N word in her life.  AGAIN not condoning at all.  Okay so there are plenty of people that we as black people know that use the n word but we do not even know they do.   We as black people think it's okay if we use it so why do we get so mad that others still do? I almost give people an excuse to use the N-word because when they see its being used by other who are black they think it's exceptable to use the word themselves. 

Paula of course has used the N-word DUHHHHH.  But that doesn't make it right.  She was just a dumb@$$ for a couple seconds. I mean that was very stupid of her to admit that she had used the N-word on TV. 

BYE BYE TV Show and BYE BYE Sponsorships and Endorsements.  STUPID MOVE GIRL REAL STUPID. 

She has now lost millions of dollars BUT  her book is selling like hot cakes now that she has done this.

She cracked another joke about her black assistant being too dark to see because the background to the place they were in was really dark.  People who heard her say this live laughed.  So by doing this your giving her permission that these jokes are okay to say.

In the words of the HodgeTwins "Good Luck B1tch"

WHAT SAY YOU??????  Please comment below

DEPOSTION SYNOPSIS
"Ok so this is going to be long: the woman, who is white, is suing for hostile racist work environment in the restaurant that she and her brother owned. Ms. Jackson was sexually harassed, assaulted and battered. Paula then made the woman hire black men for her brother's wedding. She told her she wanted "a bunch of little nggers to wear long white shirts, black short and bow ties like they did in the Shirley temple days, something about tap dancing. At the restaurant black employees were made to use the back entrance. Prohibited from using the front for anything, unlike the white employees. Black employees were forced to work in the back when hired for the front (hostesses). The brother made racially offensive slurs all the time, like saying send the Ns back to Africa, he assaulted kitchen staff, and them if they wanted to rub the black off themselves and be white like him. Even used the n word at a fundraising function too which the event coordinator (not an employee of the restaurant) mentioned to the woman that she found it offensive. She was subjected to his violent temper on more than on occasion. She complained at all levels of management and ownership and was ignored for 5 years. Complaints were registered to Paula, the COO, CPA, and attorney of operations. She even asked to be transferred and the response was that Paula would never let her leave the restaurant..... They told her they were going to hire a human resource manager to help with these situations but then turn around and decided that a manual by an evangelical Christian author about the subservience of woman would be better, all in front of an outside vendor. Who challenged it? Undue work hardship of the lady having to work 6 or 7 positions because the brother was using the money earmarked for hiring. So basically harassment, abuse, and hostile work environment, and the unwillingness of management (including Paula) to remedy the situations. The woman suffered medical conditions that made her stay away from work. When she finally quit she could not find work in her small town because she was black listed I guess"--Erin Mariah

Deposition Link
http://savannahnow.com/view-281-page-deposition-and-court-documents-filed-suit-against-paula-deen

Justin's HIV Journal: DNA Testing & Family Genealogy

Since I was a little boy I had been told stories about where my family is from. My Dad side were farmers and worked the lands were for the most part educated. They came from a background of Native Americans from the Creek-Cherokee tribes and Susquehanna Tribes. My mother’s sides were made up of Spanish Jews escaping the Spanish Inquisition, Mulatto slave owners and the family called Sasportas in South Carolina. I am glad to know of my family history whichever way you look at it, without it I wouldn’t be here. I opened up an Ancestry.com account and I always want to know more and more. I never really was one for just taking one side or opinion about something or someone. This has allowed me to look and see for myself. Genealogy has become a big interest to me and to know that one of my ancestors is a famous Jewish Rabbi from Spain, and I’m a relative of Cab Calloways. It is great to uncover and learn the truth. Thank you everyone ;-)

I didn’t want to bore you guys about my family history but I will copy and paste what Ancetry.com has told me about the regions from the DNA test:

About Southern European Ethnicity

Modern Day Location
Italy, Spain, Portugal

Did You Know?
One of the most common Italian surnames is Russo.

About Your Region
If you had to choose one region of Europe that has wielded the most influence over the course of western history, a strong candidate would be the land of your ancestors—an area that includes modern day Italy, Spain, and Portugal.

In ancient Italy, the Romans and their empire set the stage for modern European culture. After adopting Christianity in the 4th century, the Romans spread (along with their Latin language) to all corners of their realm. Centuries later, Italy again stepped to the forefront, leading the way out of the Middle Ages as brilliant artists and philosophers like Machiavelli, Leonardo Da Vinci, and Michelangelo ushered in the Renaissance.

Spain and Portugal experienced periods of great strength and influence during the Age of Discovery. Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand II of Spain funded the voyage of Christopher Columbus to the New World in 1492, initiating an era of global colonization and great wealth and influence. Today, as a result, Spanish is the second most spoken language on Earth. Portugal kept pace with its neighbor, establishing its own colonies around the world, most notably Brazil.

In the modern era, all three counties saw tumultuous transitions from monarchies to authoritarian dictatorships to modern republics. While their modern day borders may be much smaller than in the days of their powerful empires, their legacy still reaches around the globe.

Migrations into this region
Southern Europe shares a substantial amount of genetic affinity with North Africa. This is mostly because the Iberian Peninsula was conquered by Moorish (Berber) invaders, from present-day Morocco, in about 711 C.E. Their legacy can still be seen in Spain and Portugal, ranging up to 15% in some individuals.

Migrations from this region
During the Last Glacial Period, beginning about 21,000 years ago, glaciers and windswept tundra made much of northern and central Europe uninhabitable. Populations retreated into the southern glacial refugia of Spain and Italy. Then as the climate warmed, these Mesolithic people expanded out of southern Europe to occupy the entire continent, as far north as present-day Finland. The south-to-north pattern of genetic differences in Europe is attributed to this post-glacial expansion. Additionally, Iberia was the historic source of migration into the Americas. Populations throughout the Caribbean, Latin America, southern USA and South America can trace their lineages back to Spain and Portugal, usually through their paternal side.

About Scandinavian Ethnicity

Modern Day Location
Norway, Sweden, Denmark

Did You Know?
In the northern latitudes, the sun rarely dips below the horizon in the summer, meaning very long days and very short nights. However, the tables are turned the rest of the year, with almost no daylight at all in the middle winter months.

About Your Region
Looks like you may have some Viking blood in you. Your genetic ethnicity ties you to Scandinavia, which includes the modern-day nations of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. While the Vikings were feared by the coastal towns of medieval Europe as seaborne raiders and violent pillagers, they were also well-travelled merchants and ambitious explorers. They raided the Mediterranean coast of Africa, settled areas as far south as the Black Sea, and traded with the Byzantine Empire. And it was a Norse sailor, Leif Ericson, who is credited with being the first European to travel to North America—500 years before Columbus.

And it wasn't just the Vikings who had an irrepressible urge for adventure. In the days of the mighty Roman Empire, the Goths, originally from Sweden, wandered south and settled in what is now eastern Germany. In the year 410, they invaded and sacked Rome, setting the stage for the decline and fall of the Western Roman Empire.

In the more recent past, the Scandinavian nations have embraced a new identity. Considering their neutrality during the World Wars, high quality of life, and relatively egalitarian societies, they are known more for their peaceful ways than their ancient Viking lineage might suggest.

Migrations into this region
As the glaciers retreated from Northern Europe, roaming groups of hunter-gatherers from Southern Europe followed reindeer herds inland and marine resources along the Scandinavian coast. Neolithic farmers eventually settled the region beginning about 6,000 years ago. However, the tradition of hunting and reindeer-herding remains among the Sami people of northern Scandinavia. The Sami formerly occupied much of northern Scandinavia and Russia, and likely had connections with the Volga-Ural region (where there are other languages similar to Finnish and Sami).

Migrations from this region
The rise of the Viking culture spread Scandinavian ancestry far throughout Europe. Their earliest coastal voyages took them to Scotland, northeastern England and established the settlement of Dublin, Ireland. As their power continued to grow, the Vikings spread farther afield, down the Volga River in Russia, to the coast of France and Spain. But perhaps their most famous accomplishments were the oceanic voyages across the Atlantic, establishing villages in Iceland and Greenland and exploring the northern coast of Canada. Few, if any of the early Scandinavian settlers, are thought to have survived in the Americas. However, Iceland remains a flourishing post of Scandinavian language and culture.

About West African Ethnicity

Modern Day Location:
Senegal, Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Gabon, Congo, and various other nations along Africa's west coast, from The Gambia to Equatorial Guinea

Did You Know?
Yams were domesticated in Western Africa and are still a popular staple.

About Your Region
Your ethnicity indicates that you have ancestry from West Africa, an area that stretches along the continent's Atlantic coast from the desolate sands of the Sahara in Mauritania and Mali to the humid canopies of the central African rain forests in Gabon and Congo. Camel caravans once hauled rock salt from desert mines through the legendary city of Timbuktu. And it's the only place on Earth where you can see a lowland gorilla outside of a zoo.

The people of this region trace their ethnic and cultural roots to numerous different sources. The Tuareg Berbers in the predominantly Muslim north are descended from the desert nomads of the Sahara; the sub-Saharan African populations including the Hausa, Mandinka, and Youruba are descendents of the ancient western kingdoms that dominated the region before the arrival of European colonists; the Baka of Cameroon and Gabon, previously referred to as "pygmies," are some of the oldest residents of the area; and the Bantu language group, which originated in Cameroon, is spoken across the entire southern half of the continent.

European colonialism and exploitation, including a centuries-long slave trade, as well as brutal civil wars, despotism, and uncontrolled governmental corruption in the post-colonial era have kept the region mired in poverty. Since the end of Liberia's second civil war in 2003, the region has seen a stretch of relative peace and a decrease in corruption. Hopefully the future will bring prosperity to this region.

Migrations into this region
Western Africa was first occupied by modern humans about 50,000 years ago. More recently, the colonial period saw immigrants from many European countries establish colonies and trading posts throughout Western Africa. However, the genetic impact of these historical Europeans is thought to be very small.

Migrations from this region
The majority of African-Americans ancestry derives from Western Africa. This is mostly because during the Atlantic slave trade of the 18th and 19th centuries, African slaves from the coastal regions of Western Africa were captured and shipped to the Americas. Even groups further inland were sometimes captured and traded out to the coast for slavery.

Justin's HIV Journal: Justin & Patrick find out What does DC Black Pride mean and why the sepa...

Justin from Justin's HIV Journal & Patrick from pozlifeofpatrick find out 

"What does DC Black Pride mean and why the separation between Gay Prides"

PATRICK'S WORDS

I love to blog and always jump at the opportunity to be involved with TheBody.com.  At one point Justin and I had a conversation about working together on a project that was pride related.  We were originally going to stick with just Pride (Capital Pride) in generally; however, after Justin dealing with some of his Caucasian friend’s complaining about Black Gay Pride I knew that we were onto something.  By interviewing LGBT individuals and asking them what Black Gay Pride meant to them were able to find the driving force that keeps people coming back to DC from all over the country (and world) to attend this event.  The diverse individuals we interviewed felt a sense of community; a safe place to talk about issues specifically related to the African-American LGBT community; and the ability to be around fun and festivities.  Every person interviewed brought a very unique perspective.  The different aspects that people had of Black Pride were interesting, but summed up why so many spend their Memorial Day Holiday in the DC Area.  The many events that take place like the workshops and Health and Wellness Festival were also very popular among the attendees.  At the end of the process I realized that it is indeed important to have an overall all-inclusive pride; however, it is just as important to have prides for the many sub-groups (i.e. Latino, Black, Trans-gender, Asian-Pacific, etc). 
--
Patrick


JUSTIN'S WORDS

Patrick and I decided to do this project to get together for Capital Pride originally.  After an e-mail I received from a Caucasian friend asking, "so I only said what I said cause imagine the large uproar if people got together and decided to have a Gay White Pride".  I was not too happy about his comments.  After talking with him he still didn’t know what I meant at all.  So Patrick and I decided to make another video trying to find people that came to Black Gay Pride and really what it means to them. Hopefully this would enlighten others and my friend to understand that this was not made to threaten but enlighten others that didn’t understand why we have a Black Gay Pride.  Listening is probably the best thing.  But I did forego hosting a party to go to Black Gay Pride.  I realized that this was a demographic that I was born in.  The issues that we face may not be the same as other community BUT WE MUST HAVE THEM AT THE TABLE WITH US TO HELP AS WELL!!  WE MUST WORK TOGETHER.

This was great experience; especially working with Patrick another black gay HIV positive blogger I loved it.  We asked gay black men women and transgendered people what black pride meant to them.  Patrick then asked me to my surprise at the beginning of the interview what black pride mean to me.  I don’t really remember what I said but I will say this.  It means I'M PROUD TO BE A BLACK, GAY, MARRIED, FATHER, LEATHERMAN WHO HAPPENS TO KNOW HIS HIV STATUS!!!!

Justin B Terry-Smith

Justin's HIV Journal: Why is there a Black Gay Pride?

DC BLACK GAY PRIDE: Well it's been a long time. I've not been in about 5-6 years. Well it's about time I come back. I've missed a vital part of who I am and a community that needs me. I can't wait to enjoy the festivities, and if you have it leave the NEGATIVITY at the door. This weekend I want to make it fun and I want to enjoy the togetherness I feel with my Gay Black Brothers. Yes I belong to other communities (i.e. The Leather, HIV, Activism Communitys) but I feel I've neglected my responsibilities to this community. Let's be apart of the SOLUTION and not the PROBLEM. I'M PROUD TO BE A BLACK, GAY, MARRIED, FATHER, LEATHERMAN WHO HAPPENS TO KNOW HIS HIV STATUS!!!!

I was on Facebook and a friend I will call him MK said "so i only said what i said cause imagine the large uproar if people got together and decided to have a Gay White Pride..."

I added this video in my reply to him



This was my reply:

Do you realize that out of all the oppression, discrimination, and segregation that society has put on Black people that this is not surprising that there is Black Pride? Have you ever been to a Black Gay pride in DC before to see a difference at all in they way it's structured or even the difference in mindset at all? Also you can't really empathize with what Black Gay people have to go through being the minority of a minority or a minority? Stating the comment you just made one could ask why is there a Filipino pride? Why is there a Puerto Rican Pride Festival (NY) why is there a Jamaican pride festival (NY)? Simply put it's to celebrate culture. So why would Black culture assimilate into a culture that is different from there own when Pride is about celebrating your culture? If you had a White Pride do you also realize that that is the basis of organizations like Skinheads and/or Nazism, which was and is to oppress other people not like them at all? Black Pride does not exclude other races from to it's pride. And the reason why other cultures do come to Black Gay Pride is not because it's Black it's because it's a celebration of Black Gay Culture.