HIV/AIDS

The HIV/AIDS epidemic in African American communities is a continuing public health crisis for the United States. At the end of 2006 there were an estimated 1.1 million people living with HIV infection, of which almost half (46%) were black/African American [1]. While blacks represent approximately 12 percent of the U.S. population, they continue to account for a higher proportion of cases at all stages of HIV/AIDS—from infection with HIV to death with AIDS—compared with members of other races and ethnicities [2, 3].
The Numbers
HIV/AIDS in 2007
Blacks accounted for 51% of the 42, 655 (including children) new HIV/AIDS diagnoses in 34 states with long-term, confidential name-based HIV reporting [3].
Blacks accounted for 48% of the 551,932 persons* (including children) living with HIV/AIDS in 34 states with long-term, confidential name-based HIV reporting [3].
For black women living with HIV/AIDS, the most common methods of transmission were high-risk heterosexual contact** and injection drug use [3].
For black men living with HIV/AIDS, the most common methods of HIV transmission were (in order) [3]:
sexual contact with other men
injection drug use
high-risk heterosexual contact**.
Race/ethnicity of persons (including children) with HIV/AIDS diagnosed during 2007
Note. Based on data from 34 states with long-term, confidential name-based HIV reporting.
AIDS in 2007
Blacks accounted for 49% of the estimated 35,962 AIDS cases diagnosed in the 50 states and the District of Columbia [3].
In 2007, the rates of AIDS diagnoses decreased among blacks but were still higher than the rates of any other race/ethnicity. The rate of AIDS diagnoses for black adults/adolescents were 10 times the rate for whites and nearly 3 times the rate for Hispanics. The rate of AIDS diagnoses for black women was 22 times the rate for white women. The rate of AIDS diagnoses for black men was almost 8 times the rate for white men [3].
Blacks accounted for 44% of the 455,636* people living with AIDS in the 50 states and District of Columbia [3].
By the end of 2007, 40% of the 562,793* persons with AIDS who died were black [3].

10 SEX TIPS FOR MAGICAL WEDDING

Take things slowly


Savor this moment. While you may be a little too tired to have the most technically excellent sex of your lives, this is likely to be among your most romantic and intimate sexual experiences.
Lower your expectations

So this may not be the most amazing sex you've ever had. So what? Try to just enjoy whatever happens.
Read some sex books

Who couldn't use a little advice from the experts? Some to try: The Good Vibrations Guide to Sex, Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man and Lesbian Sex Secrets for Men.
Talk to each other

Spend some time relaxing, talking about the wedding, and about your love for each other. Let things get romantic and sappy. The sex that follows will be intimate and amazing.
Expand your idea of the "wedding night"

If you're too tired for foreplay, that sex isn't going to be so great. Couldn't it be better to wait until the morning?
Flirt with each other during the wedding

It can be easy to spend the whole wedding greeting Aunt Sally and Cousin Bob, cutting the cake, and attending to a thousand other details. Don't forget to stop, stare into each other's eyes, share a few extra kisses, and flirt with each other. It will also help build the excitement for your alone time later.
Don't have sex with each other for a couple of weeks before the wedding

Many couples try this to make the wedding night sex fresh and new again. Others go even further by giving up sex months before the wedding so that they may be virgin-like on the wedding night.
Try something new

Perhaps there's been something you've been wanting to try? Your wedding night can be a fun night to experiment,
Wear something special

Wedding night lingerie can really help the mood. Pick something a little different than what you usually wear to excite your partner. Make sure you feel confident in it, as a confident lover is almost always a better lover.
Set the stage

Help yourselves get into the mood by setting the stage. Light some candles, bring some CDs and a radio, scatter rosepetals, or do whatever helps you get in the mood. And don't be afraid to kick friends and family out early. While they may tease you a little, they'll certainly understand!

. Decide what type of project you would like to do: Necklaces, bracelets, headbands, lanyards, belts, etc. The type of wire or cord and the type of beads depend on what you would like to do. Are your projects going to be intricate and costly, or inexpensive and simple? Are you going to give these works of art away, sell them, or are they a self-project? Are your projects going to be just beads, or would you like to incorporate charms, pendants, bead holders, knots, ect.?

Craft stores are a very good place to find an assortment of beads. You might even be able to recycle old jewelry, or stage jewelry if you want to. Get beads that you like the most and that you feel will be easiest and most fun to work with; Also make sure you get enough for your purposes so that you don't run out of beads in the middle of a wonderful creation!!!

What would you like to string your beads on? Make sure that whatever you choose to string your beads or charms on can fit through the bead/charm holes:-String/Twine/Thread (doubled or single line)-Wire (thin or thick)-Hemp-Clear plastic line or fishing line-Ribbons (silk, fiber, synthetic, ect.)-Stretchy cord (good for bracelets!!!)-Other materials

When you finish each project, make sure you secure the ends so that the beads don't slip off. You could even tie it around a bead and secure the ends that way. A tiny spot of superglue on the knot does wonders. You could also incorporate clasps, lobster-claw clasps, etc.
Enjoy your beautiful jewelry works.

[edit] Tips
If you want the original look, get smaller beads. Seed beads were often used; look for sizes 6/0, 10/0 and 11/0. If using round beads, look for size 4mm.
Multiple long strings of beads are one of the authentic looks; another is the choker-collar necklace strung on elastic thread.
Real hippies would use beads made of any material but preferred natural substances such as wood, glass or clay.
Use bigger, thicker beads for a "Modern" look.
Make a pattern BEFORE you start beading if you want to do a specific design.
Or, if you like, improvise.
What mood or emotion would you like to incorporate in your love beads, if any?
A related idea was "energy beads", which had colors associated with your astrological sign.
Which projects you decide to do depend on how much time would you like to spend on your projects.
If you don't want to plan and just be spontaneous with your creativity, that's perfectly o.k. too!

SOME TIPS TO CONSIDER

Negotiating safe sex is not always easy

. Here are a few tips that may help.
Have condoms handy if you think there is a possibility that you will be having sex.
Don’t assume that safe sex is the man’s responsibility. Women can carry condoms too.
Don’t assume that a man will feel confident about using condoms. Learn about how they are used correctly so you can help. This can be fun.
Make it your business to find out about condoms. Investigate colours and flavours.
Find out where you can get condoms without embarrassment.
Try to negotiate safe sex before you get into the ‘heat of the moment’. This is usually not the best time for debate and discussion.
=Some things you could sayThink up some statements that you feel comfortable using, for example:
‘Where’s the condom?’
‘Let’s have safe sex to protect both of us.’
‘I can roll the condom onto you with my mouth.’ Make sure you can.
‘To make sure I don’t get pregnant, I like to use condoms.’What to do if you are exposed to body fluidsIf you are exposed to body fluids, you should wash the skin or area thoroughly with soap and water. Don’t use a douche in the vagina or rectum as this can irritate the area and increase the risk of HIV transmission. See your doctor for further information and advice. Post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is a month-long course of medication for people who have been exposed to the HIV virus. To be most effective, it should be started within 72 hours of exposure. It is best to start as early as possible after exposure. These drugs can be toxic on the body with unpleasant side effects such as vomiting, nausea and lethargy. PEP is not an alternative to safe sex. If you think you have been exposed to HIV or think you need help, call 1800 889 887. This is a 24-hour telephone service.Clothes, bedding or other material can be washed in water and detergent or dry-cleaned.Don’t share toothbrushes or razorsEveryday household contact doesn’t transmit the HIV virus, but the intimacy of a sexual relationship means that lovers tend to share personal items, which can be a risk. A serodiscordant couple should avoid sharing toothbrushes, razors or any other personal item (including injecting equipment) that could have come in contact with blood.