HIV Outreach Events
Ovahness Ball 4: L’ Acte Finale – July 25, 2009
Ovahness Ball 4: L’ Acte Finale brought out the best talent and showman/womanship from all points of the United States. The audience of 400 watched the grand prize battle between the House of Mizrahi and the House of Xtravaganza bring the message of HIV prevention to a new level. Lead by Icon and Ballroom Hall of Famer Mother Carmen Xtravaganza, the House of Xtravaganza took the $1000 Grand Prize back to New York City. Sean Milan Garcon’s dramatic performance opened the show. Clowns, concession boys, cats and daredevils shared the runway for an amazing event.
Women & Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Event - March 13, 2009
Women & Girl’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day was celebrated with a teach in , resource fair and free HIV testing on Friday, March 13, 2009 at the El Camino College Compton Community Educational Center. Around 150 women and girls took part in a variety of workshops, including topics such as the global and local issues on HIV, sex and sexuality from a cultural perspective, race and gender identity, prostitution, partner abuse, female anatomy, birth control, emergency contraception and self- esteem. Voluteer presenters from Black Women for Wellness, Planned Parenthood Los Angeles, YWCA GLA Sexual Assault Crisis Services, Women’s Leadership Project, Pacific Institute for Women’s Health and Charles Drew University generously donated their time and expertise to educate others at the event. In resource square, AIDS Research Alliance, Black Women for Wellness, National Council on Alchol and Drug Dependence. Planned Parenthood LA, South Bay Family Healthcare, Tarzana Treatment Center-Long Beach, Women Alive, Women at Risk and YWCA of Greater Los Angeles provided resource information to the event attendees. Volunteers from Women at Risk, Whittier Rio Hondo AIDS Project and LA County Office of AIDS Prevention and Policy provided 35 confidential one-on-one risk reduction counseling session. AIDS Healthcare Foundation conducted 32 free HIV and STD screenings throughout the afternoon.
OVAHNESS Fire & Ice Skate Party – February 20, 2009
The OVAHNESS Fire & Ice Skate Party on Friday, February 20th was a huge success! Two-Hundred youth participated in REACH LA’s HIV risk reduction counseling sessions to gain free entry the event. REACH LA Peer Advocates helped youth obtain free HIV and STD testing while they waited for the doors to open. Free testing was provided by the LA Gay and Lesbian Center’s POW Mobile Testing Unit. DJ Ben rocked the house with a great mix of sounds.
OVAHNESS Ball 3 - Welcome to the Emerald City – July 26,2008
Battling Scarecrows… “Stephanie Mills Dorothy” vs. “Diana Ross Dorothy” were some of the battles that took place at OVAHNESS Ball 3 - Welcome to the Emerald City.” The festive green glow was highlighted by the yellow runway where 450 youth gathered to see the hottest voguing, twisting and posing on the westcoast. Jack Mizarhi shared the commentating with Enyce Chanel who encouraged all to just “ease on down, ease on down the road.” LA favorite DJ Ben provided the beats. Representatives LA, Oakland, Atlanta, and New York battled for $1,000 in prize money. REACH LA staff and volunteers provided one-on-one risk reduction counseling to 65 youth throughout the night while AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Bienestar and LA Gay and Lesbian Center’s POW program provided free HIV testing and STD screenings until midnight. Ovahness Program Manager Tyrone Carter said “WOW, this night was a great success! The Ovahness Leadership team should be proud - all their hard work in marketing and promoting really paid off. They did a great job in planning this thing and bringing all the elements together.” The voguing competition was fierce among the favored LA houses - the Chanels and Mizrahis. “I was really amazed to see the voguing videos on YouTube the very next day” said Executive Director Martha Chono-Helsley, “to be able and see these performances again and again really adds to the excitement of the whole event.”
“I’m Still Here: Becoming Legendary” Screening at LA Gay and Lesbian Center – April 20, 2008
REACH LA and GetYourTens.com co-hosted a video screening and reception at The Village - Ed Gould Plaza. This was the first Los Angeles screening of the award winning documentary “I’m Still Here: Becoming Legendary” since it took the Audience Choice Documentary Award at FUSION Film Festival in December 2006. Produced by Tryone Carter and Gina Lamb, “I’m Still Here: Becoming Legendary” focuses on the creative spirit and the desire for self preservation within the L.A. Ball Community. There were 50 people in attendance including many youth and house parents featured in the film. Che’la Demuir Chanel from the Waiting to Exhale program welcomed everyone to the screening and gave the audience an overview about the services and program offerings at the LA Gay & Lesbian Center. RLA Executive Director Martha Chono-Helsley rallied the crowd around the upcoming OVAHNESS 3 Ball on July 26th. Outreach Coordinator Chris Blades provided insight into how he became involved at REACH LA as a volunteer. Tyrone Carter spoke more in depth about Ovahness program and how youth can become involved. After the screening, the Ovahness and Girl2Girl Leadership provided one-on-one risk reduction counseling to all youth in attendance. Those youth who participated in the counseling session received a certificate for a free admission ticket to the Ovahness 3 Ball in July. REACH LA volunteers, alumni and leadership members conducted sexual health, STD and HIV prevention games in the courtyard. Everyone feasted on hot dogs, churros, popcorn and nachos while kicking back and enjoying the day. Many thanks go to the LA Gay and Lesbian Center staff for providing free HIV/STD testing and their generous hospitality!
Gotta Skate 08’ - World on Wheels, January 11, 2008
Friends of REACH LA came out 325+ strong to “Gotta Skate 08″ at World on Wheels. The event featured DJ Ben and Enyce Chanel hosting a wide range of folks from all over LA. A special performance by rapper Foxxjazell highlighted the night. Youth under 24 got in free for speaking with REACH LA counselors about HIV risk reduction and many took advantage of the free HIV testing provided by AIDS Healthcare Foundation. Members of the REACH LA G2G Leadership and Ovahness Leadership Teams produced the event. Special thanks go to Pretty Boy Enterprises and Foxxjazell for their promotion and support.
Ovahness Ball 2 – Who Will Be America’s Next Ball Kid? - August 4, 2007
This event was by far one of the largest balls Los Angeles has ever seen. Held at the GAM art center, the ball boasted an attendance of over 400, plus a 24 by 12 foot stage along with a 32 foot long elevated runway. Above the stage was a thirty-foot screen showing the latest in HIV prevention public service announcements. Outside Alta Med kept the HIV rapid testing van full to capacity while upstairs the line to see a counselor about HIV/STI risk reduction wrapped around the building. It was absolutely fabulous!! DJ Ben kept the music pumping while The Legendary Father Taz Ultra Omni commentated the event with a smooth a sensuous flair. The grand prize of a thousand dollars went to the house that could produce “one flawless face to be the face of their campaign, one runway diva to model their clothing, and one performer to draw in a huge crowd”, all in red for AIDS awareness. That house was Allure! Other categories included Sex Siren, All American, Thug Realness, Pretty Boy Realness, Fem Performance, and countless more. The Ovahness Crew really out did themselves this time.
Glamorous Awakening Ball – March 5, 2007
After months of planning The Ovahness Young Men’s group along with Michelle’ Allure managed to pull off yet another successful event. Close to 350 young people packed into the Tree House Media Complex around 10pm ready to have a great time. Lines formed with youth waiting to be apart of our REACH LA’s free counseling sessions, where youth were assisted in identifying ways to reduce their sexual risk. AIDS Healthcare Foundation provided an onsite rapid HIV testing unit, which by the end of the night tested numerous individuals that had never been tested before. By the time the official ball competition had begun youth in attendance had gotten movie tickets, i-tunes cards, candy, and were entered into a drawing to win an ipod just for HIV testing and talking with REACH LA counselors!! Ball participants competed in numerous categories, such as best runway walk, vogue, sex siren and best face, which promoted HIV awareness and safe sex. The DJ kept the music pumping while the commentator Selvin Mizrahi worked the crowd with his humor, wit and charm. Contestants from almost every house in Los Angeles walked the runway dressed to impress.
Oakwood Glove Affair – 2001-present
Each year students and teachers at Oakwood decorate their school gym and parking structure with HIV prevention messages and haute couture dresses made from condoms. REACH LA staff and volunteers add to the carnival atmosphere by providing fun, interactive, HIV awareness games. In 2007, REACH LA premiered the game “Sexopoly” (designed REACH LA youth artist Frank Armenta) consisting of a giant game board with oversized foam dice and questions along the path that make you stop and think about HIV transmission and how the disease effects teens. Pit stops along the way included interactive games like condom races, tongue billiards, and fake tattoos. The REACH LA signature HIV education dance party video reel was projected on multiple screens on the dance floor.
Club Prophylactive / 1992-2001
The first project developed by REACH LA was called Club Prophylactive, an all-ages HIV/AIDS multi-media dance party, where youth could come dance, get educated about HIV/AIDS and get tested in a fun and non-threatening environment. Dozens of health service providers and volunteers helped facilitate the ìLatex Loungeî where club goers could interact and learn about risk reduction and prevention methods for HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections though a series of educational games developed by REACH LA and local health service providers. The event provided free on-site HIV/AIDS and STD testing, clinic referrals and one-on-one risk reduction counseling. REACH LAís club became an annual event for the past 10 years.
COME • FEEL • ACTIVE (CFA) Workshops / 1996-2004
COME • FEEL • ACTIVE was introduced as the second phase of HIV/AIDS prevention education for REACH LA. COME • FEEL • ACTIVE began as a negotiation skills building workshop series targeting behavior change. Based upon Augusto Boalís Theatre of the Oppressed, workshop participants role-play to develop an understanding of behavior, reaction and communication. Participants focus on overcoming oppressive forces by empowering themselves through knowledge and self-preservation. Human sexuality, reproductive health and prevention of pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS are key components that are addressed to promote overall health and wellness.