About the campaign

The ʻChoose to Stand Up” campaign was developed by African Services Committee in partnership with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. African Services Committee has worked for over 20 years providing HIV testing, support and access to treatment for immigrant New Yorkers. And, while effective treatments have dramatically changed the fight against AIDS, stigma and discrimination against HIV+ people remain nearly as strong as ever.

This campaign is a result of attitudes in the African and Caribbean communities towards those that are identified as HIV+. Immigrants in the U.S. are particularly affected, as they are struggling to gain footing in new surroundings, thus creating barriers to HIV prevention, testing, and care. As immigrants, they also face discrimination in the broader community, which stifles their voices, and their pursuit of healthy, productive, self-sufficient lives. Under these circumstances many develop debilitating internalized stigma and are overwhelmed by feelings of worthlessness and despair.

With these concerns in mind, we created a targeted campaign that fosters an environment of solidarity, where discrimination and exclusion have no place. We believe that as individuals, with different life experiences and backgrounds, we all have our own reasons for choosing to support those living with the disease. We hope that by giving you the ability to share your reasons, we can all move towards the eradication of HIV stigma.

Do you have any comments? Send them to info@africanservices.org.

Do you want to share your reason for making the decision to stand up for people with HIV? Submit your reason here.

About African Services Committee.

African Services Committee is a non-profit organization in Harlem dedicated to improving the health and self-sufficiency of the African community. Established in 1981 by an Ethiopian refugee, African Services has grown into a multi-service agency providing health, housing, legal and social services to 10,000 newcomers in New York City each year. Our programs address the needs of recent immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers affected by war, poverty and the AIDS pandemic.