HIV and AIDS Still Spreading in Mecklenburg Co.

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by Morgan Fogarty
Bio | Email | Follow: @MorganFogarty by Photographer Terrence Walker

Story Created: Nov 20, 2012 at 11:52 PM EDT

Story Updated: Nov 21, 2012 at 12:06 AM EDT

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The second annual Voices Project took the stage at The Actor's Theater in Uptown Charlotte.  Speakers, including FOX News Edge's Matt Harris and FOX News @ Ten anchor Morgan Fogarty read the stories of people in Charlotte who have HIV or AIDS.

The issue, so hot in the 90s, has now faded from the headlines.  But the disease continues to spread rapidly across the country and here in Charlotte.  Mecklenburg County has the highest rate of HIV in the state.

"On average, one person a day in Mecklenburg County becomes infected with HIV," says Hannah Stutts.  Stutts works for the Mecklenburg County Health Department.  She says the disease is mainly being spread through unprotected sex and that heterosexual couples are at as much risk as homosexual couples.

Even committed, monogamous couples need to take care.  Stutts says, "I'm a married lady and my husband and I test together every October."
 
Johnson C. Smith University President Dr. Ronald Carter read the story of a gay man with AIDS who dealt with the screams of anger from his family.  Carter explains, "And realizing, when will the screaming stop?  Will it stop when he dies? Or will it stop because we finally understand and accept?"

Carter, who says JCSU provides HIV testing on campus, says dialogue like The Voices Project encourages people to think carefully.  Carter says, "I think there are a lot of prejudgments that are borderline on prejudice."

Regional AIDS Interfaith Network (http://www.carolinarain.org/?gclid=CJq5m_-S37MCFSOnPAodfyYAHw) put on Tuesday's free event.  The non-profit is in it's 20th year of serving the Carolinas.

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