Matt Baume
Matt Baume is a YouTuber whom produces gay-themed content.
Final month Midwest FurFest attracted over 10,000 people, inside and outside of fursuits, for starters associated with the world’s furry conventions that are largest. They arrived for a mixture of destinations both familiar (gaming sessions, composing workshops, party events) and astonishing (appearances by Insane Clown Posse’s Violent J and their furry-famous child Ruby).
But one function for the con received some consternation: Chicago-based health that is public Sinai wellness offered free private HIV tests to any or all attendees. And even though use of medical care and associated info is an absolute asset to any gathering, the screening additionally received a bit of a backlash, exposing extensive lack of knowledge and stigma around HIV.
Giving an answer to tweets from con organizers and attendees, various individuals reported on Twitter that HIV tests are an indication of reckless behavior, that HIV evaluation is just too depressing a subject for the con, and therefore individuals various other fandoms don’t must know their status. Anyone reported that HIV transmission had been due to dirty fursuits.
With their credit, wellness providers, con organizers, and attendees did their utmost to dispel the myths around HIV, switching the week-end into an impromptu — and plainly much-needed — class in safe intercourse for several.
Each year with roots in mid-’90s sci-fi conventions, Midwest FurFest draws thousands to a convention center just outside Chicago. Charitable offering and community service have been a component regarding the event, which raised $94,000 for the literacy system in 2018. And also for the year that is third a line, counselors and testers with Sinai wellness had been readily available for anyone enthusiastic about checking their HIV status. Leggi tutto about Matt Baume …