Photos say or shout a thousand words. Images featured in Chicago-based Test Positive Aware Network's fifth annual one-day photo exhibit Sept. 5, "A Day with HIV," at the Chicago Cultural Center sent a powerful message through photography: HIV and happiness aren't mutually exclusive.
"Together, we can start to overcome the stigma and shame," TPAN Publications Director and Positively Aware Editor Jeff Berry said.
The event kicked off an online photo initiative that invites peoplepositive or negativeto take photos of themselves. Highlighted photos allowed those with HIV to show resilience and allies to show solidarity.
"They're showing very intimate parts of their lives in a very public way," Berry said. "We think, individually, we can't do much. But, together, we can [do a lot]."
Some people with HIV have "come out" in this campaign. Coming out could open up a support system to them.
"It allows them to feel better about themselves," Berry said.
TPAN, he noted, has provided HIV testing, case management and support for nearly 30 years. Kevin Irvine of Albany Park, who has lived with HIV for more than 30 years, participated in three of the four campaigns so far. Irvine's been out about his HIV status since 1990. He stressed the campaign's importance.
"It moves us toward a world [where] everyone can live openly. I hope it shows we are everywhere. We are parents [or] the person next door. Someday, we might be them," Irvine said.
Positively Aware Creative Director Rick Guasco marveled at "A Day With HIV"'s success. Guasco said, during its five-year history, people from 11 countries on five continents submitted photos.
He modeled the campaign after "A Day in the Life of America." Photographers chronicled life in America in still photos on May 2, 1986.
"I'm touched that people would share their stories," he said.
Evany Turk of Woodlawn shared her story before and during her keynote speech. Turk has been HIV-positive for 13 years. She came out on the cover of Positively Aware.
"I've overcome a lot of stigma," she said. "I would like to show other people, you could live, be happy and be normal … whatever normal is … with HIV."
Turk said she tries to remind people that "everybody in the world deals with something." If people want compassion, she said, they should be prepared to show it. Turk stressed the unique thing about HIV.
"HIV is one of the only diseases that has stigma that can change someone's life," she said.
Tim Emond of Glenview is an allysomeone HIV-negativewho pondered participating in the campaign. Given Emond's understanding of "A Day With HIV"'s importance, whether he'll participate might be a foregone conclusion.
"It helps just to showcase that people can live a happy life with HIV," he said.
Heather Cummings of Hobart, Indiana, recognized the connection between "A Day With HIV" and "A Day in the Life of America" right away. She and her father submitted photos to the project. Cummings stressed what message she felt the current campaign sent.
"It shows [that], no matter whether you have HIV or not, it's no different than having diabetes or high blood pressure. You can get on with your life. Nobody should be treated any differently."
Attending the annual United States Conference on AIDS in 2013 earned TPAN an important ally. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control joined forces with the Chicago-based organization, given their similar goals. "Let's Stop HIV Together" is a CDC campaign aimed at increasing awareness and decreasing stigma.
According to the CDC, 1.1 million Americans are living with HIV. There are 50,000 new diagnoses annually.
TPAN Interim Executive Director Nancy Abbate said the venue helped expose unlikely people to the exhibit and information. Tourists, she said, wandered in to see other things and admire the Chicago Cultural Center's architecture and discovered "A Day With HIV."
"People can be changed and their minds opened," Abbate said.
On Tuesday, Sept. 9, Positively Aware is inviting everyone around the world, regardless of HIV status, to get in the picture and participate in the "A Day with HIV" photo campaign. Visit www.positivelyaware.com or www.tpan.com .