Background Information
Poster 1. |
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Poster 2. |
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Poster 3. |
This poster campaign was developed and implemented in 1998.
What are the aims of the campaign?
The campaign has been developed to meet the following aims:
- increase the visibility of HIV positive Asian gay men;
- raise awareness of HIV+ gay Asian men's needs in the gay and lesbian community, the positive community and the broader Asian community;
- challenge discriminatory attitudes within these communities;
- promote both the services offered by AIDS Councils and access to these services by positive Asian men.
Positive Asian gay men may meet with discrimination and stigma on more than one front - racial discrimination within the gay community and sero positive discrimination, within the Asian community and more broadly. This may equate to a hesitancy to be open about sero status and a sense of disempowerment when accessing services in a predominantly white Anglo gay community. By raising the visibility of positive gay Asian men, in a campaign such as this, we hope to break some of these barriers. The campaign imagery and coinciding release material is intended to provoke discussion and debate within the targeted communities, addressing some of the issues raised.
Responding to recommendations in the Rigmor Berg report titled "The Information Needs of HIV Positive People From Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities" , the AFAO/NAPWA Education Team has developed a training package for use by staff at AIDS Councils prior to the campaign's release in each state and territory. The training package is designed to raise awareness of staff regarding some of the issues faced by people from non English speaking backgrounds when they attempt to access services at AIDS Councils. In addition to the campaign materials and training package ANET is also developing a multi language resource for HIV+ people from non English speaking backgrounds. This resource, called You Are Not Alone, can be downloaded from the Resources section of this website.
Who has been involved in the campaign's development?
The Positive Asian Campaign has reached the point of implementation after advice and guidance from the campaign steering committee. The steering committee consisted of individuals from several states and territories who have expertise in education and work within the Asian community.
The posters were also focus tested at various stages of the campaign development and at several sites throughout Australia. In particular, Poster 2: "I am still your son....", was focus tested at extra locations to include Asian families. It is interesting to note that Poster 3: "I heard he's HIV positive....", had a mixed response within the groups it was focus tested. Some participants thought the poster portrayed members of the Asian community in a negative fashion, as "gossips" or "bitchy". This issue was discussed with members of the steering committee who decided to make only minor alterations to the poster but leave the general message in place. After consideration of the issue the steering committee decided that this matter may be the reality for many Asian men living with HIV and that the campaign should ultimately address the issue. Guided by information from the steering committee and the focus test results we have the final product ready for distribution.
The AFAO / NAPWA Education Team would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge those involved with the development of the campaign, in particular the steering committee members and those involved in the focus tests.
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