AHF launches 'End HIV Stigma' campaign at L.A.'s Jingle Ball concert, honors AIDS activist Hydeia Broadbent

LOS ANGELES - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Since the first night of KIIS FM's famed annual pop music extravaganza Jingle Ball took place in Los Angeles on World AIDS Day, Saturday December 1^st, leading global nonprofit AIDS Healthcare Foundation seized the opportunity to not only provide free HIV testing at the gala through one of its mobile testing vans, but also to honor Hydeia Broadbent-a young woman HIV positive since birth and who has been an important figure in the fight against HIV/AIDS for over 20 years-presenting her with the organization's third annual AHF World AIDS Day Award at the show. During Jingle Ball, AHF also launched its ambitious new nationwide advocacy campaign, 'End HIV Stigma.'

AHF's newest campaign fights to end the stigma that not only causes a feeling of alienation among those living with HIV, but also discourages people from getting testing and seeking treatment for fear of being stigmatized. This avoidance of testing is one of the reasons why one out of every three new HIV diagnoses are found in people under the age of 24, according to the CDC.

On the red carpet at Jungle Ball, celebrities including Ryan Seacrest, OneRepublic, Ne-Yo, Ellie Goulding, and the cast of Bravo's Shahs of Sunset gave statements and testimonials about the importance of getting tested, using protection, and individually fighting HIV stigma by propagating true HIV facts - like the fact that it cannot be transmitted through simple hugging and kissing - and by insisting on equality for all, whether they are HIV-positive or -negative. A video of that red carpet commentary is available at http://youtu.be/bzLHhGegJg0.