"Be A Part of the Change" is a project The Mu Crew has come together to build and spread. For many years HIV/AIDS, STD's, Suicide, Low Self Esteem, and Drug Addiction have plagued the young gay community because of the lack of education and lack of support from our communities. We, as young GLBT individuals, have come together to say it is time to stop these trends and change those negative stereotypes cast upon us as a sexual minority group. We say it is time to "Be a Part of the Change."

View some of our "Be A Part of the Change" postcards by clicking on a thumbnail below:

Listed below are simple life tips to help encourage a safe and healthy life while encouraging young GLBT folks to be happy and comfortable with who they are.

Need further help or contact info? Drop us an email.

Lifestyle Hints and Tips

1. Water based lube only when using condoms! Think, "Hell no if it's not H2O!

2. The HIV virus is found in only four bodily fluids: blood, semen, breast milk and vaginal fluids. It is NOT found in sweat, urine, feces or tears.

3. Sexual practices that cause bleeding or irritation can increase risk.  Use lubrication.

4. If fingers penetrate body cavities, cover them with gloves or finger cots.

5. Friends don't let friends drive drunk. Friends don't let friends play unsafe. Talk with your friends and make sure they are protecting themselves with their partner.

6. Did you know that drugs and/or alcohol use are behaviors that could spread HIV? Drink responsibly.

7. Safer Sex doesn't mean boring sex. Try all the different types of condoms. Colored, glow in the dark, ribbed, studded, flavored, etc. Also experiment with role play, toys, erotic massage, sexy stories, videos, all of which can be done totally safe!

8. Just because you've been in a monogamous relationship for years doesn't mean he couldn't have HIV and not know it. HIV can go without symptoms for over 10 years! Show you love each other by being tested together. Free confidential testing in Dayton (937) 461-2437

9. Try a sugar free breath mint! Avoid brushing or flossing up to 2 hours before or after oral sex to minimize abrasions. Beware of bleeding gums, cuts or sores in or on the mouth.

10. Low Self Esteem puts you at greater risk for HIV infection. Mental health encourages physical health. Be proud of who you are! You are an awesome individual and there's no one just like you.

11. It is easier to become infected with HIV/AIDS if a person already has another sexually transmitted infection (STI) Always seek medical attention ASAP if you notice anything out of the ordinary.

12. HIV can be passed through tattooing, piercing, and shooting steroids. However, most tattoo parlors use sterilized needles for such procedures. Never let a non-professional do the procedure and ask how they clean their equipment.

13. To our Bisexual and Heterosexual friends: Condoms are way easier to put on than a diaper.

14. "Condoms don't fit me." "They're too tight." This old excuse is not worthy of you putting yourself at risk. In condom demonstrations, educators have put condoms on over their shoe, their head, and their forearm without breakage, showing no man is "too big" for a condom.

15. It is impossible to tell if someone has HIV by looking at them. Protect yourself with every partner regardless of their background or acknowledged risk.

16. HIV/AIDS and STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections) can be passed through anal, vaginal, and/or oral sex. Anal sex being the most risky, followed by vaginal then oral. Always protect yourself ... always.

17. Other than HIV, alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, and lack of sleep all weaken the immune system making it easier to contract STI's. Take care of your body and it'll take care of you. Drink in moderation, just say no to drugs and cigarettes, always wear condoms, be active, and get plenty of rest.

18. Aids has been diagnosed for more than half a million MSM. Almost 300,000 gay/bi men with AIDS have died during the past 20 years. Gay/bi men made up about two thirds of all men living with HIV in 2004, even though only about 5 to 7% of men in the United States reported having sex with other men.

19. Recently scientists reported that they have discovered the origin of HIV-1, the virus responsible for the global AIDS pandemic. A subspecies of chimpanzees native to west equatorial Africa has been identified as the original source of the virus."This is an important finding with significant potential," notes Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., NIAID director. "This may allow us, if done carefully and in collaboration with primatologists working to protect this endangered species, to study infected chimpanzees in the wild to find out why these animals don't get sick, information that may help us better protect humans from developing AIDS."

20. In the US, the epidemic is, and has been, worse than previously known. Previously, the CDC had been estimating 40,000 new HIV infections in the U.S. annually. That number has now increased by 40% to 56,300 for 2006 (the year most recently studied)

21. Gay and bisexual men of all races are the most severely affected by HIV. Male-to-male sexual contact account for 53% of new HIV infections. An additional 4% are within Injection Drug Using MSM. More infections occur among young people under age 30 than any other age group.