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D.I.V.A.s (Drag Initiative to Vanquish AIDS!)
The Drag Initiative to Vanquish AIDS (aka "The DIVAs") reach out to the GLBT communities about drug use and unsafe sex with a sassy widsom that only draq queens can get away with! The DIVAs distribute safer sex packets as well as other sexual health information (testicular exam anyone?) to anyone who stays still long enough.
The DIVAs have brought their sexual health edu-tainment exploits to past events such as Hot Shots! (in collaboration with the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene), the Gay Erotic Expo, the Gay Life Expo, the Gay Pride Rally, Folsom Street East, among others.
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For the second consecutive year the DIVAs will be the emcee's for the annual Gay Pride March in NYC at the 42nd street review stand. In 2005, Heritage of Pride honored the DIVAs with the PRIDE Award for outstanding contribution to the organization by volunteers in the past year.
DIVAs in action!
VIDEO: Diva highlights of 2004 in the short film "Divas 2004."
PHOTO: The many incarnations of the DIVAs
In the news!
See the Divas on New York 1 News at the Gay Pride Rally on June 19, 2005 .
Academic Press:
Michael Shernoff's (2005) book Without Condoms: Unprotected sex, gay men, and barebacking cited the important contributions of the DIVAs:
"[the Divas] have engaged men when fear-based initiatives had ceased to be effective. Humor, as opposed to fear,
is more likely to appeal . . . [the DIVAS] engage men in lighthearted conversation peppered with HIV prevention information (p. 268-269).
In print!
As reported in HX Magazine (3/19/04): “As part of an intervention with HIV-positive gay men, [CHEST staff] scripted a beauty pageant where we dressed in drag personifying various drugs and competing for the title of “The Biggest Mess”. We were so well-received-- DIVA was born!”—Dr. Jeffrey Parsons
Members of DIVA (commonly known at “The DIVAs”) make our world a safer place by distributing safer sex packets (containing lubricant, condoms, and other helpful information) and information about CHEST studies at several venues and events in NYC and beyond.
DIVAs are also responsible for informing members of GLBT communities about the consequences of drug use and unsafe sex practices in a non-threatening manner. Past DIVA appearances include Aaron Tanner's Hot Shots! (in collaboration with the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene), NYC Gay Business Expo, Gay Life Expo, Gay Pride Rally, NYC, Folsom Street East, LA Gay Erotic Expos, among others.
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