"This is the best AIDS prevention campaign I have seen, anywhere." Jesse Green, author of the NY Times Magazine cover article (9/15/96) on HIV negative gay men and AIDS prevention.1997 1st Prize - Best Public Service Announcement - Golden Gate Awards/SF Intl. Film Festival
1996 1st Prize - Videomakers Against AIDS, Sponsored by ARCI-Gay, Italy
HIV: un-infected does not equal un-affected is a series of eight 30-second AIDS prevention Public Service Announcements. The PSAs focus on the unique emotional and psychological stresses facing HIV-negative gay men in coping with the epidemic. The series was independently produced for broadcast in San Francisco.HIV: un-infected does not equal un-affected does not promote specific sexual do's and don'ts -- it acknowledges that staying un-infected involves more than just knowing about condoms. The overwhelming needs of the sick and infected have resulted in a lack of attention to the psychological and emotional impact of AIDS on the un-infected. For 16 years, gay men have been struggling with relentless losses of lovers, friends, and acquaintances, with the dramatic and complex adjustments required in dating and sexual habits, and with the fact that identification as a gay man has become inextricably associated with disease and death. HIV: un-infected does not equal un-affected looks at how issues such as grief and loss, self esteem, homophobia, and the quality of interpersonal relationships impact on gay men's ability to maintain safer sex practices.
A re-edited compilation version of HIV: un-infected does not equal un-affected is available for non-broadcast use through the CDC National Prevention Information Network. Because it quietly and powerfully raises complex issues in a brief and simple format HIV: un-infected does not equal un-affected can be a valuable tool for stimulating introspection and discussion for gay men struggling to stay un-infected, as well as for educators, service providers and others on the front lines of the epidemic. Information regarding broadcast use of the Public Service Announcements can be obtained from David Weissman.
HIV: un-infected does not equal un-affected was independently produced by San Francisco filmmaker David Weissman, with support from The Nathan Cummings Foundation, The SF AIDS Foundation, The SF Department of Public Health, The STOP AIDS Project, and The UCSF AIDS Health Project.