Tagged: society

Spread The Love With #CondomEmoji: World AIDS Day, 1st December

Though we don’t hear about it much in the news these days (except in unison with the name Charlie Sheen), globally, there are currently an estimated 34 million people who have the HIV virus. Which is why World AIDs Day, which happens tomorrow, is a timely reminder of the importance of safe sex.  

To coincide with World AIDs, Durex, has launched a campaign calling for the creation of the world’s first official safe sex emoji. Launched less than a fortnight ago, the campaign has seen people from around the world calling for the creation of the #CondomEmoji and more than 2 million people viewed this humorous video about the need for the emoji.

 

The need to re-think the way we discuss safe sex with 16 – 25 year olds is backed up by research conducted by Professor Mark McCormack at Durham University, which found more than a third of 16 – 25 year olds don’t care about safe sex and a quarter believe HIV/AIDS is an issue that mainly only affects people in Africa. 

 

It’s concerning that 16 – 25 years show such apathy towards safe sex. The solution? Speak to them a in a language they’ll understand: emojis! 

 

Filming ‘Rent boy’: Behind The Scenes

Director: Melissa Fergusson

DOP: Tim Butler-Jones

1st AD/Sound Tech: Rob Ipsen

Art Department: Lina Cruz

Makeup & Hair Stylist: Angela Crumpe

Rent boy: Lee ah yen Faatoia

Stripper: Christine Becker

Probation officer: Baz Te Hira

Homeless man: Gabriel Henry

John: Michael Hallows

Special thanks: Paper Bag Princess, Christine Becker, Four Eyes Media, Rebecca Parr, Cafe Al-Madina, Topic Rentals, Splice & LYC.

   
    
    
    
    
   
     

 

Interview With Amy Brosnahan

1) Tell me about for your first modelling job?
My first modelling job was for ‘Battle of the Babes’ which was such an amazing experience. Can’t wait to see what the future brings.

2) What age did you consider yourself female and/or transgender?
I was born a boy – but I was born in the wrong body. I have always been a girl; I just didn’t know how to express it.

3) Who/what is your inspiration?
I have two types of inspirations. My first inspiration would be family and friends. They are always the best kind of inspiration! My second inspiration would be my all time favorite famous idols. I live a happy and full life with no regrets.

4) What is your go-to cosmetic product and why?
MAC make up for sure, it’s just the best for coverage and when you’re in front of a camera – it’s a life saver. Every day I use BB cream.

5) What is your favourite social media platform?
Instagram.

6) What does the word ‘Whore’ mean to you?
It means someone who is unfaithful in a relationship. To be honest I do think the word ‘Whore’ has alot of stigma against it.

7) Are you a ‘shoes’ or ‘handbag’ girl?
I’m both – Come on, every woman loves her shoes and handbags!

8) Are you recognised a lot now after being in the media?
At first I was recognised a lot, but not so much anymore. I want to be successful in life and leave my foot-print on the world.

9) Are there many support groups in NZ for ‘transgender’ youth?
Yes, there is.

10) What makes you laugh?
Funny people, lols, I mean I laugh a lot through my day – it’s good for the soul. If you don’t laugh and have a joke or worse can’t take a joke; in my eyes you’re not living.

My words of wisdom, “Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path…and leave a beautiful and unique trail.”

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Do You Think About #poverty?

A couple of days ago, I donated two bags of groceries to Auckland City Mission.

The very next day I saw an article in the newspaper stating that the food queues outside the Mission were huge and unexpected, as there is still (just under) two weeks to go before #Christmas.

Apparently 250 people are being given food parcels per day.

How does that make you feel?

The thing that gets me the most is child #poverty. Right here in New Zealand, 1 out of 4 children go without their basic needs: staggering.

#poverty is everywhere, maybe next door to you, or down the street.

Just give a little this #Christmas if you can, you’ll be richer for it! #altruism

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Expectations

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“We don’t need anyone else to criticise us. We have so many superhuman expectations of ourselves that the expectations of others pale into insignificance. We really believe that we should be able to handle everything. We really believe we should know everything. We really believe that we should be on top of everything. When we are caught unprepared, instead of just admitting it, we either get defensive or feel guilty. It rarely occurs to us just to admit we are unprepared. We feel we should always be prepared for anything.” – Brenda Ueland

Does this sound familiar?

I Am, Who Are You?

“Let me look sometimes for the goodness in me, and judge me not”. – Arthur Miller

No matter how many times you tell yourself, to not judge a ‘book by it’s cover’, we still do. When you walk down the street, and you see the homeless person on the pavement, with their signage ‘Help me, I need a bed for the night.’ Does your heart bleed, or are you sceptical, that it’s a con?

When I get dressed everyday – I do it for me. Wear what I want. Do you do that? Or are you worried about how the world perceives you?

Just the other day I was watching a program, on how employers discriminate people, for having front teeth missing. If you are client-facing, there is an expectation to always look presentable and well groomed with no warts, no yellow teeth and no missing limbs.

Sometimes it is difficult to be human – that is why you (should) never judge yourself.

Awareness Of Self

“Human beings are an untidy lot. They’d lose their arms and legs if they weren’t joined on right.” – Elizabeth Beresford

‘Our addictive functioning requires of us that we tune out our bodies. In fact, often the purpose of our addictions is to put us out of touch with what we are feeling, what we are thinking, our awarenesses, and our intuition. Addictive working or rushing around leaves little time or energy to notice what our bodies are telling us about our feelings and our health.’

Excerpt from ‘Meditations For Women Who Do Too Much’ by Anne Wilson Schaef