April 11, 2015
Young Activist Forms AIDS Campaign
Kilian Melloy READ TIME: 1 MIN.
Aaron Darr is a popular young man on the Florida political circuit.
"People always want to talk to me about HIV," said Darr, 24, who disclosed he was HIV positive in a SFGN cover story last year. "I got a lot of young guys reach out to me and send me friend requests on Facebook after that article was published."
Now Darr is leading an educational effort to decrease stigma associated with HIV. As founder and president of the Florida Student Global AIDS Campaign, Darr is preparing to take his message of hope and success throughout the Sunshine State.
"My biggest thing is fighting back against stigma," said Darr. "So many people are lacking knowledge about HIV and let's face it, sex education in schools is controversial."
Through the Florida Student Global AIDS Campaign, Darr is seeking to reach out to college campuses and civic organizations across Florida to speak about HIV prevention and treatment. His story is inspiring, raised by a single mother in Ohio, Darr was diagnosed HIV positive his junior year in high school. He identifies as gay and lives in Largo, Fla. with his partner Dale Badway, a Broadway producer.
The Florida Student Global AIDS Campaign, Darr says, is a non-partisan organization whose board members are all under the age of 30. Admittedly, a dedicated Hillary Clinton supporter, Darr acknowledges the role former U.S. President George W. Bush played in combating AIDS in Africa.
"I consider George W. Bush to be the AIDS President," he said. "I think that will go down in history as a positive part of his legacy."
Kilian Melloy serves as EDGE Media Network's Associate Arts Editor and Staff Contributor. His professional memberships include the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, the Boston Online Film Critics Association, The Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association, and the Boston Theater Critics Association's Elliot Norton Awards Committee.
