Sexual Health Buzz

I apologize for the seemingly random contact, but I got your information from your organization and thought that you may be interested in and able to help me with a project that I am working on. I’m an Associate Producer with MTV Networks and am currently working on a documentary following young people who are suffering from herpes.

You may or may not be familiar with MTV’s True Life — it’s a long-running, award winning documentary series that seeks to have young people share their stories, in their own words. The format is strictly first person, which is to say that we don’t filter the voices of our subjects through narrators or any similar third parties. All we do is follow them; it’s our hope that by allowing these people to use their own voices to tell their stories, and communicating directly with their peers, we can impact the way people interact and engage with the world they live in.

One of the themes we’re currently exploring for this particular episode is what it is like to be a young person living with herpes. We are interested in finding people who are currently seeking treatments and are learning more about their condition each day. We realize that a number of young people are suffering from herpes and we would like to offer them the opportunity to tell their story in a documentary setting.

If this sounds like something that you might consider, I’d love to give you more information about this project — and if you know of anyone else it might be beneficial to contact, please do let us know. Our episodes can be viewed online at mtv.com. I can be reached via email at kristen.chalos(AT)mtvnmix(DOT)com or by phone at (212) 846-8850.

I really like your site. Thanks for taking the time and effort to share your story and support others who are going through similar things. ~ C

When people write into me with words of encouragement and praise it makes me believe even more that I did the right thing creating the site back in 2003.

My first and primary objective has always been to help people realize that these things do not have to define you. You do not have to limit yourself to dating only people that have the virus and you do not have to limit yourself to mixing it up with people who want to do nothing but hide behind the virus.

I’m not against herpes dating sites OR herpes social groups and/or events … BUT when those people want to encourage you to hide in shame instead of seizing the opportunity to discuss how this is such a small thing in life … then I have to question whether or not that site OR group is the right one for you.

You see … if you are using these “herpes” only situations as a crutch because you are afraid or you don’t know what to do with your diagnosis then that tells me even more that the last thing you want to do is to throw yourself into a herpes only situation. It’s just not going to be good for you … ya know?

Why do you think I list ALL types of dating web sites on my Herpes Dating page? It’s because I don’t want you to think that you have to limit yourself to dating only people that have herpes.

In the end you still have to have the talk. You still have to make a date to go and get tested. You still have to be willing to put those days of free love behind you. The fact of the matter is … it’s just not safe any more. It’s important to be responsible with your body and safe with your body.

I understand in the beginning of your diagnosis that you might be frightened and unsure of how to handle everything. That’s normal. But … if you have had this virus for years and you are still living and hiding in fear afraid of who is going to find out then I feel very sad for you. That is not how God intended your life to be. I refuse to believe that. You might think about getting some counseling OR asking yourself what it is that you are really afraid of because I don’t think it has anything to do with herpes.

Just a few thoughts I wanted to share with you. Something for you to think about and consider because I think it’s a sad day when you feel as if you have to limit your life. Life is too short for it to be limited … ya know?

If you joined this group OR this group because you are interested in the subject matter and you were hoping to promote other Groups, Sites, Events, Products OR People we would appreciate it if you would get approval from the Moderators first. You can contact our Moderating Team by using the e-mail address at the bottom of this group’s home page.

If you attempt to post anything about other Groups, Sites, Events, Products OR People without contacting the Moderating team first, this may result in having your membership removed permanently.

We take pride in the fact that people are able to get support and meet others in similar situations. With that said … our group will not be used as a stomping ground to advance your agenda nor will it be used to Spam your merchandise.

Furthermore, if the moderators agree that what you have to share with the group members is of interest and benefits the subject matter of the group … we will not and can not insure that anything you share will remain private. Nothing about the internet is private therefore; you will need to use good judgment and common sense when sharing information.

Sincerely,

The Moderators

Here’s a quick update with some new things I’ve added to the site. I meant to send this out last week but didn’t have time for whatever reason. So here goes…

1. Greenville HELP in South Carolina is brand new to the Social Support Networking Alliance.

2. We have brand new social events listed on the SSNA.

3. See what people are saying about Yoshi2me.com.

4. Don’t be fooled by everclr3.

5. More new product reviews.

6. Three brand new stories to share with you .

7. A couple more people have shared their testimony of faith.

That’s all that I have until next time.

Oh yeah…one more thing…Yoshi2me.com is now on Twitter @Yoshi2me…hope you’ll follow.

Have a great day!!

–
Twitter: @Yoshi2me
Yahoo IM: angelals1970
www.yoshi2me.com
www.yoshi2me.com/sexual-health/
www.yoshi2me.com/phpbb/index.php

I just wanted my friends to know that I’m Spring Cleaning the Social Support Networking Alliance page also known as the SSNA.

I’m going through and if the social group is linking to the page I’m leaving the link up. If there is a social group not linking the page I am taking it down.

I’m also going to remove the H Pal links on that page because we already have an H Pal home page and I want to try and keep it simple. It’s better not to be too repetitive.

If you have a social or support group you’d like listed on the SSNA page and you are already linking.. please let me know so that I can return the favor. Also, your support and/or social group can be about other health related issues.. not just herpes and hpv.

If you have a story to share I am still posting those here.

If you have an awareness letter that you’d like to share I am still posting those here.

If you would like to be an H Pal I am still posting those pages here.

If you are a blogger and would like to do a link exchange with me and my blog I’d love to participate.

That’s all I have for now. Other than that I am enjoying the beautiful spring weather here in Omaha and am looking forward to the weekend.

If you need to know about Herpes OR you just want to connect with others I hope you will check out our Herpes Online Support forum via Shut Up and Post!

San Francisco, CA –  San Francisco STD officials will unveil the City’s newest system to ensure that San Francisco residents have better access, greater convenience, and easier choices in personal STD testing for people at risk for syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, HIV and herpes.

A confidential online testing resource, www.STDTest.org, is a collaboration between Internet Sexuality Information Services, Inc. (ISIS) and the San Francisco Department of Public Health – STD Prevention and Control. It will be presented Wed. Sept. 24, 11:30 a.m. at Gotham Tattoo Parlor (3991 17th St. at Market), one of seven participating lab testing locations.

Through STDTest.org, individuals print their own lab slips and locate a nearby testing site to provide their samples. Test results then arrive within three to five days, accessible online by a unique identifier (PIN). HIV test results are delivered on the phone by a trained counselor. The Department of Public Health will ensure all persons who test positive for an STD receive information on treatment options as soon as possible, whether through City Clinic or their own healthcare provider.

“STDTest.org demonstrates an effective partnership to match new technology and creative resources with local prevention, testing and treatment options, particularly for gay men and young adults,” said Deb Levine, ISIS Executive Director. “Providing accessible and free tools that empower people to take charge of their own sexual health is key in reducing disease in our community.”

After several years of declining syphilis rates in San Francisco, the number of reported cases of early syphilis for the first half of 2008 was 274, up nearly 35% compared to the same period in 2007. In 2007, 595 cases of rectal chlamydia and 494 cases of rectal gonorrhea were diagnosed among men who have sex with men in the city, while the rate of chlamydia among African-American adolescents was over 7 times that of white adolescents.

Through a safe, easy, and secure online payment mechanism, STDTest.org users can “Pay it Forward”– donating a test to family, friends, loved ones, or someone in need– allowing the entire community to benefit from information and services available.

“While frequent testing for individuals can ensure individual sexual health and disease prevention, we also recognize most testing services do not come without a price,” said Levine. “We remain committed to offering STDTest.org for free to any San Francisco resident in need of testing, especially those reluctant or unable to seek medical care for STDs, relying upon community generosity instead of usage fees.” In-kind services have already been donated by Paypal, and a starting “Pay it Forward” donation from an anonymous funder.

Everyone Can “Pay it Forward” While “Playing It Safe”

Shut Up N Post! STD Message Board

Herpes Testing

October marks 10 years that we have had this online support group together, Picking Up the Pieces. Yes, we will be 10 years old this month! Can you believe it? (That’s Today!)

I’ve got some surprises in store. Not sure what yet but I can tell you that we are going to have fun this month! So if you have any friends that you think would benefit from being in the group please invite them to join!