NYC HIV/AIDS Activists: Advocate for Black Women Using Dolls

Members and friends of the Gay Men’s Health Crisis in New York City used more than 150 dolls to make their point Tuesday afternoon on the steps of City Hall, according to the NYTimes.com. The dolls, which were on loan by staffers and volunteers, were in recognition of National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.

“We need more HIV prevention, care, treatment services, and comprehensive sex education in schools,” said Krishna Stone, who organized the event. “The event was powerful and effective in raising awareness about the critical issues impacting women and girls who are facing this epidemic.”

The group wanted to have a mix of black and brown dolls because 90 percent of women living with HIV in New York City are Black or Hispanic,  according to the New York City Health Department. Organizers commented on the difficulty of finding enough dolls of color even in New York City for the demonstration. —WLW