Love +ve

Anne Ng, Founder of ‘August 29’:

“One of my close friends, Ariel*, almost contracted an STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection) from an ex-boyfriend. The man, a high-flyer who drew a handsome pay cheque, indulged in casual unprotected sex frequently. His actions caused a woman to be infected with an STI, as a result of which she can no longer conceive. When Ariel found out, she was terrified that she might also be infected so she went to test for STI and HIV. Fortunately, she was tested negative. The whole ordeal left her emotionally crippled and mentally devastated. Although Ariel’s boyfriend was faithful to her throughout their period of courtship, his tainted record and appetite for high-risk activities left her in a very vulnerable position. They broke up shortly after.  

Upset with my friend’s predicament, I realized a lot more had to be done to address this societal problem of high-risk sexual behaviour. With the influx of Hollywood’s glamorous and often wanton culture, many youths in Singapore have the belief that you can have sex with anyone, at any time, without any consequences. Receiving immediate gratification seems to have shoved all notions of self-protection to the back of people’s minds.

So, together with my friends, we decided to do what we can through film and photography to tell other youths that it is important for each of us to take responsibility for ourselves and for others. Seeing how my friend grappled with the fear of the possibility of being HIV positive and how others will see her, I realized that people living with HIV in Singapore are subjected to some degree of discrimination. So, we put together the short film and photo exhibition to educate our peers and to help dispel the stigma associated with the disease..”  

*Name has been changed.