Category: News

Thanks to the Southern AIDS Coalition and the COMPASS Initiative SPARK! Grant Program, we have billboards up in Bay, Jackson, Holmes and Gulf Counties to promote the reduction of stigma surrounding people living with HIV. Be on the lookout for these billboards, and if you are able to get a picture of it or a selfie with it and tag our BASIC NWFL Facebook Page and use the hashtag #REDUCESTIGMA. (Please do so safely and legally, following all traffic laws!) Principle reasons for people not acknowledging their HIV status are fear of a real or perceived stigma that may be associated with that information becoming a known fact in their community. People living with HIV/AIDS can be reluctant to access services in their area given the stigma of having HIV and how it might result in rejection by the community, family, friends, and coworkers who are lacking knowledge and understanding about risk of HIV transmission, prevention and treatment. Let’s work together to get rid of stigma!

Locations of billboards:

• Bay County: On Hwy 98 @Lisenby and on 23rd street East of Beck Ave.
• Jackson County: Hwy 71
• Holmes County: Hwy 90 and Hwy 70
• Gulf County: on Hwy 98 @Redfish St.

Thank you Southern AIDS Coalition and COMPASS Initiative for making this possible!