A new “sex superbug” – an antibiotic resistant strain of gonorrhea – has been found in Hawaii and California. U.S. Health officials are now warning that it has the potential to be as deadly as AIDS, at least in the short term. Teens and individuals in their early 20s likely face the highest risk.

The U.S. is seeing giant spikes in gonorrhea. Utah saw a 74 percent rise in gonorrhea cases in 2012, with the trend continuing into the first few months of this year.

In Minnesota, cases rose 35 percent in 2012, according to the state’s department of health, and according to the latest statistics from the CDC, ‘During 2010–2011, 61 percent  (31/51) of states, plus the District of Columbia, reported an increase in gonorrhea rates.’

Tickets for Miss Red Ribbon 2013 are now available for purchase online through the Live Arts Box Office! Get your tickets now as seating is limited! Feel free to look at all Live Arts events, or if you are just interested in Miss Red Ribbon, scroll down to Sunday, June 23 and you have two options for ticketing. 

For VIP tickets, select “VIP Reception Miss Red Ribbon.” This includes the reception that begins at 4:30 to meet and greet with the AIDS Services Group Board of Directors, Staff, Nevaeh Symone Miss Red Ribbon 2012, and the Evening Entertainers. You also receive four drink tickets, VIP seating, and wait service throughout the event. The reception ticket includes the event so you do not have to purchase a separate ticket for the show.

For general admission tickets select “The 2013 Miss Red Ribbon.” General admission tickets do not include the reception and doors will open at 5:30 pm for guests that purchase these tickets.

SPECIAL EVENTS THIS MONTH:

·  Latino Community Day,  May 5^th 10am – 2pm @ Greer Elementary –  Come visit the ASG table for balloons and some great HIV tips at the second annual Latino Community Day! There will be an exciting soccer tournament and more than two dozen health and community service organizations offering fun and exciting activities and health screenings for the whole family! For more information, contact Jason at 434.981.2144.

·   Nevaeh Symone, Miss Red Ribbon 2012-2013, presents “Illusion” a drag benefit show for the AIDS/HIV Services Group. Join us at the Haven on May 11, 2013 for an evening of entertainment for a cause as our current title holder prepares for her step down in June. Tickets will be sold at the door for $15. There will also be a cash bar for the duration of the event. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the show beg ins at 8 p.m. For more information or to pre-order tickets please contact us at 434. 979.7714.

·  Hep C Testing - ASG Now offers free, confidential Hepatitis C testing, with results in about 20 minutes.  The CDC is recommending that everyone born during 1945 through 1965, also known as baby boomers, and anyone in certain high risk categories get a blood test for Hepatitis C.  To schedule your free Hep C test, call Chris at 434.981.2118 or join us at our HIV/HCV testing event Friday, May 17 from 10am – 1pm at The Haven.

Billionaire Bill Gates is opening his wallet so you can have more fun – safely – when you open your fly!

We all know that using a condom helps prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. Most of us also agree (whether we’ll admit it or not) that using a condom just isn’t that much fun. Gates agrees so much that he’s put up $100,000 to fuel the development of the “next generation” condom that keeps sex safe without killing the fun factor!

Our drag queens and female impersonators have done so much to promote HIV awareness and prevention that ASG wanted to do something to acknowledge their contribution to the community. So, last year, we started the Miss Red Ribbon Pageant and had three lovely contestants vie to be the Queen of ASG.  Contestants competed in four categories: HIV Presentation, Interview, Evening Gown, and Talent. It was a close race, neck and bejeweled neck – but by the end of the evening we crowned Nevaeh Symone, the winner in every single category, as our symbol of excellence. She will relinquish her Red Ribbon in June.

ASG is gearing up for the 2^nd Annual Miss Red Ribbon pageant. The crown arrived this week and ASG is thrilled to announce that Tara Wheeler will be the pageant hostess and emcee again this year, even though she’s no longer a Charlottesville resident.

Applications are being accepted for contestants for this year’s contest.

Anyone interested in running for Miss Red Ribbon, please contact our Pageant Coordinator, Chris Barnett, at christopher.barnett@asgva.org or 434.981.2118.  For more information on the pageant, you may contact our Development Coordinator, Ashleigh Crocker at 434.981.2160 or at ashleigh.crocker@asgva.org.

A little bit of bad news today – but one set back doesn’t mean defeat!

The Calgary Herald is reporting that the U.S. has stopped testing of a possible AIDS vaccine after men involved in the test turned out to be more likely to contract AIDS than those who had a dummy shot.

The weatherman kept warning about twisters but he had no idea how twisted things already were at ASG’s April Drag Bingo! It didn’t stop Dorothy and it didn’t stop us.

SISTA mentor Doris Plant-Hill talks about standing up for yourself with NBC 29′s Natalie Wilson.

You make us proud Doris!!