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Lee Heerten, co-adviser for Students for Sexual Health, chats with a student about HIV/AIDS awareness. Photo: Casey Mills, NewsNetNebraska
The packets contained not only condoms but information: A pamphlet containing instructions about how to properly use condoms also included a spectrum of risk. The group raised its own money to pay for the packets and promotion.
"We decided that we should do something for World AIDS Day," said Bethanie Glaser, student president of Students for Sexual Health. "We decided to raise awareness by distributing the ‘love safely' kits at the Union."
SSH is a UNL student group dedicated to promoting sexual health and responsibility among students, said organization co-adviser Lee Heerten.
"We're empowering people to make healthy decisions that work for them and giving them the information to protect their sexual health," Heerten said.
SSH takes the approach of risk reduction, meaning the organization tries to help people recognize the risks in their behavior and eliminate those behaviors with which they are uncomfortable.
"Everyone has different risks," Heerten said. "Based on the individual and their particular relationship, it's different for everyone."
In addition to the table at the Union, SSH is assisting with several events both on campus and in the community. On Tuesday night the group was to assist with a remembrance and celebration ceremony at Saint Paul United Methodist Church at 12th and M streets in Lincoln.
Red ribbons symbolizing support for people suffering from HIV line a table in the Nebraska Union on World AIDS Day. Photo: Casey Mills, NewsNetNebraska
"We decided we also wanted to get involved in a community event," Glaser said. "The service at Saint Paul will be, as Pastor Griffith put it, ‘naming our grief and claiming our hope.' The service will remember those who have died of AIDS and build support for those who still suffer."
Griffith added: "We noted there has not been a religious event for World AIDS Day in the community for quite some time," he said. "We saw a need for one in the communities we work with."
Many state and county departments have volunteered their assistance with the service. There will be confidential counseling and HIV testing at Saint Paul from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 1.
According to the National AIDS Trust, approximately 33.4 million people are living with HIV worldwide, with 2.7 million new cases in 2008.
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