While it's not nearly the source of alarm or stigma it was 20 or 30 years ago (nor is it the death sentence), HIV/AIDS is still around, and as a generation of kids who inherited the condition from their birth mothers comes of age rather than contracting it through sexual acts or sharing needles, public perception of it continues to change.
Tonight at Studio@620, documentarian Kristy Andersen (disclosure: Andersen is a friend of this reporter) will screen a portion of her film Growing up Positive, in which she interviews multiple subjects who are in their early 30s and younger.
Many were born with the disease and have had to deal with widespread misunderstanding of the virus and its related illnesses. Some had to forego basic social events as sleepovers as children while others had to ignore the giggles of their classmates during sex education classes. Some have dealt with an extensive and pricey medication regime they're about ready to give up.
After the film excerpt screens, there will be a panel discussion among some of the documentary's subjects as well as a couple of experts.
Also on hand to offer a different respective on the condition will be Sophia Wisniewska, Vice Chancellor of USFSP as well as John Ellen, president of All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg.
The event is at 7 p.m. tonight, March 26 at Studio@620, located at 620 1st Ave. S. in St. Pete. It is free to the public. For more information, visit thestudioat620.org or call (727) 895-6630.
