TeenAIDS-PeerCorps was mentioned in the latest issue of Positively Aware’s E-newsletter (June 4, 2013 issue). Find the text below, or directly on the Positively Aware website.

POSITIVELY AWARE 6/04/2013

Virginia’s TeenAIDS-Peer Corps Spreads HIV/STI Prevention Messages

A new prevention initiative by TeenAIDS-Peer Corps (TA-PC), an all volunteer, non-profit organization operating in Virginia, may turn out to be significant in ways beyond HIV/AIDS education and prevention. Recently, while carrying out their signature public, on-the-street testing campaign, they were asked to shut down. Dedicated to their cause and exercising their free speech rights, they refused and continued to test anyone who wanted to know their HIV status. According to founder Dr. John Chittick, the case may end up in court, thus setting a precedent and hopefully establishing HIV testing as a protected first amendment activity.

TeenAIDS-Peer Corps was started by the former Harvard lecturer in 1997 and is dedicated to educating teens about their HIV/AIDS risk, how to prevent transmission, their right to get tested, and how to spread the word among their peer group to save lives, as well as promoting good sexual health, LGBT rights, and STI and pregnancy prevention.

Recently, when over-the-counter home HIV test kits became available in the United States, TA-PC introduced their innovative prevention campaign—the “live” public testing of youth among peers. The hope is not only to get more people tested, but also to reduce the stigma associated with HIV that creates a barrier to vulnerable teens seeking information, getting tested, and accessing care.

Teen volunteers help in the testing and education efforts. Referred to as “Teen-Testers,” these teens are trained to educate and spread the message of TA-PC’s mission—“It is the human right of all maturing adolescents to have full and honest access to the medically accurate information about HIV/AIDS prevention. We recognize that the most effective messengers are informed youth volunteers empowered to spread the news to friends and peers using social media and in person. Censorship of the biological facts increases the risk of HIV, not decrease it.”

Chittick has plans to expand beyond Virginia and take TA-PC on the road, with upcoming trips on the East coast and beyond.

For more information visit TeenAIDS-Peer Corps’ website, which is frequently changing as they upgrade. You can also call .