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 Interview: GYT Campus Ambassador Cassandra 

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Check out what GYT Campus Ambassador Cassandra is doing to bring GYT to her campus at the University of Alabama… just another example of the awesome individuals who are putting their passion into action. Be a part of it! Apply to be a GYT Campus Ambassador here.

Welcome, Cassandra! Tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Cassandra and I am 20 years old. I am an undergraduate student at the University of Alabama and an International Studies and Journalism major. I speak multiple languages and I write poetry.  I like to write poetry, read, volunteer at the local clinics, archery, and hang out with my friends. I also tutor English as a second language at the University.

Give us the inside scoop on all your entertainment favorites: music, TV…

The most played song currently on my iPod is “The Words I Never Said” by Lupe Fiasco. I really like this song because it talks about important issues.

It is so hard to choose my favorite TV show on MTV. I really like the show Teen Mom. I have been watching that show since the beginning. Recently I have become attached to the shows Teen Wolf and Awkward.

Why did you choose to be part of GYT?

My inspiration to become a GYT ambassador came from my friends. Most of my friends now have kids or are sexually active. I have been working to become part of a hospital project in Nairobi in Africa to help get the AIDS count down. I live GYT by helping at my local clinic, and I am working on my first GYT event at my university’s organization day to make GYT more visible on campus.  I have placed posters around the university bulletin board and I have seen many students checking out the posters.   I believe the best way that citizens in my community can get involved with GYT is by knowing the risk of not being tested and seeing the stats of what can occur.

Feeling inspired?   Be bold and be yourself—get involved with GYT by applying to become a GYT Campus Ambassador!

 Interview: GYT Campus Ambassador Hayden 

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Between triple majoring, working at a theme park, and playing the guitar and piano, Campus Ambassador Hayden makes time in a busy schedule to rock the GYT lifestyle. Inspired by Hayden spreading the word about GYT at the College of Central Florida? Become a Campus Ambassador yourself!

Hi Hayden! Tell us a little about yourself.

Hey there, I’m Hayden Seth Rackel, the campus ambassador for the College of Central Florida. I’m currently attempting a triple major in theatre education, English (specifically journalism), and radiologic technology. Crazy, I know. I’m a very artsy person, and a huge activist for multiple campaigns, including GYT! When I’m not at school, or out campaigning, you can find me working at one of the world’s most popular theme parks. It’s definitely not your typical day job—and that suits my quirky personality just fine.

What’s the most played song on your iPod?

According to my Zen (my equivalent of an iPod) it’s “Teenagers” by My Chemical Romance. I’m going to disagree with technology, though, because what I listen to really depends on my mood. Currently, I’m on a Bake Sale and Ellen Winter kick.

When you’re not out spreading the word about GYT, what do you like to do in your free time?

Music, music, music… and did I mention music? My guitar and piano are practically attached to me. I also love theater—acting, teching—doesn’t matter! If I could find a good place around here to go hiking, I’d definitely do that too.

What’s your all time favorite MTV show?

I am a huge MADE fan. Second to that is True Life.

What inspired you to be a GYT ambassador?

I went to a high school that was, for a long time, of the “if we don’t speak of it, it doesn’t exist” mindset. There were a lot of students contracting STDs and getting pregnant at such early ages that it really upset me that the school would not allow us (the journalism staff) to cover stories in our publications. The sex education “courses” were like a day or two long, with mostly videos and vague descriptions. Knowledge is power, and it was really upsetting that those of us trying to advocate for awareness were getting stamped out. Also, as a member of the queer community, I’ve noticed so many individuals that think they’re immune to STDs other than HIV/AIDS. That’s not true. Everyone should practice safe sex and get tested. It’s just that simple.

How do you live GYT?

I live GYT by spreading the word about getting tested—often. My friends may not be comfortable with the fact that I encourage them to get tested, but it’s in their best interest. I try to spread the word by blogging, and simply talking to people that I meet. When I attended the University of Central Florida, I worked with the student organization S.A.F.E. to let people know when free HIV testing was available on campus. I make sure people are aware of things like National HIV Testing Day/Month and AIDS Awareness Day. I’m hoping to get even more active as my ties in social circles expand.

Have you hosted any GYT events at your school or in your community? What did you do and how did it go?

The semester has not started yet for me, but I’m totally psyched to kick it off by campaigning for GYT. I already have a student organization planned, and can’t wait to get a few more people so it can become an official part of my campus. I also intend to go back to my high school to reach the kids going there, and if all goes well, I want to head to the two neighboring high schools. It will be a very busy semester for me, but I’m ready to get the word out there.

What’s been the response on your campus to GYT?

The people I’ve contacted about joining the student organization I have planned have been really supportive. I’ll have to drum up more interest, but with the response I’ve gotten so far, I don’t think that will be a problem.

How can people in your area get involved with GYT?

If they’re on my campus, join the student org! If not, they can certainly go online to sign petitions, get materials, and spread awareness. I’d encourage everyone to visit GYT’s page and get informed, then pass on what you know. Talk to friends, neighbors, co-workers—just get the word out there. For students, definitely check to see if your campus has some sort of sexual health organization so you can join and get active.

The important thing is to live the lifestyle you’re promoting. If you’re going to be a part of the campaign, you’ve got to do more than just pass out leaflets and buttons. Use yourself and your own story as an example. It will give you more credit with the people you’re trying to reach, and is just the healthier way for you to go.

Of course, the most important thing is to get out there and get tested. Do it regularly, and make sure you know which STDs you’re being tested for. Cover all of your bases, and know your status. If you’re positive, seek treatment, and tell your partners. If you’re not, continue to practice safe sex. Get tested, get tested, get tested.

 Protect Yourself: Doing Good Never Felt Better 

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Living GYT is all about respecting yourself and your community by protecting yourself.  Check out MTV’s Act blog highlighting Sir Richards Condoms that is doing just that– donating one condom for every one condom bought to help provide protection against both STDs and unintended pregnancy around the world.   And you can get all the info on protecting yourself here.

 

 

 Interview: GYT Campus Ambassador Kirstie 

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GYT sat down with college student Kirstie to talk about why and how she lives GYT.   So get inspired- check out this interview with Kirstie!

Kirstie: My name is Kirstie, and I am a 21 year old senior with an Individualized Major in Visual Arts, Criminal Justice, and Psychology at Roger Williams University in Bristol, RI.   On campus, I am one of 10 Health and Wellness Educators (HAWEs). The HAWEs educate and promote how to life a healthy lifestyle for college students. We do workshops, presentations, one on one motivational interviewing, and campus wide campaigns on alcohol and other drugs, safe sex, fitness, nutrition, stress management, and other general wellness topics.

GYT: What’s the most played song on your ipod?

Kirstie: “Take it off” by Ke$ha

GYT: What is the best thing you learned from MTV’s 10 Most Outrageous Sex Myths show?

Kirstie: The best thing I learned from MTV’s 10 Most Outrageous Sex Myths show was about “double bagging”. I didn’t actually even know that people believed wearing two condoms was better than just one! It was a great thing for me to learn, because if another student came to ask me questions about double bagging, I would have had no idea what to tell them!

 

GYT: What inspired you to be a GYT ambassador?

Kirstie: I received my first condom demonstration and sex education my freshman year through a popular health group on our campus that had a huge impact on my college life, the Health and Wellness Educators (HAWEs), which I joined at the end of my freshman year and have been involved with ever since. In April 2010, I lead my school to win the GYT Campus Challenge with the help and support of other HAWEs, my supervisor, and our Health Services’ Office. I was amazed at how many students did not know that they could get tested and have it be covered under our student health insurance at school. I loved working with our Health Services’ office staff, and other Health and Wellness Educators (HAWEs) about how to spread the word to our student body.

GYT: Tell us about your school joining the GYT campaign

Kirstie:   Back in April 2010, my campus won the GYT Campus Challenge.   Our Health Services’ Office ran out of rapid HIV testing kits during that time because so many students went and got tested there! We spread the word about GYT through creative flyers designed by MTV as well as flyers we created ourselves specific for our campus, Facebook event invitations, emails from our Student Senate Office, and business card sized handouts to give to people as they walked around campus.   Since last April, GYT has been incorporated into every sex workshop we offer through our office, which are our most requested workshops.

We’ve had a great response to GYT on our campus from both the student body and our professional staff. The student body at Roger Williams University takes their health very seriously, and the number of students who went and got tested sky-rocketed after they found out the shocking statistic that 1 in 2 sexually active young people would get an STD by 25.   Our Health Services’ Office provides testing for students for little or no cost, and our student health insurance covers $100 in testing costs every academic year, so even for the testing that does cost money, students can get tested at least once a year and have it be completely covered under the student insurance.

GYT:   Sounds like your school has a lot going on, so how can students best get involved on campus?

Kirstie: First, it’s important to start with yourself. You can’t fully spread the word on GYT if you don’t know your own status. So Get Yourself Tested… then get your partner(s), family, friends, peers, etc to GYT too. You can brag about how easy it was to GYT to others so that more people will listen to you.

If you are a student at Roger Williams University, you can apply to work in the Health Education Office. We have work study positions available, as well as internships and independent studies for up to 3 credits. In these positions, you would work both directly and indirectly with the HAWEs and Director of Health Education on health topics, including safe sex and GYT!

If you are a local Rhode Island resident, you can volunteer or donate to an organization that provides testing and other services, like Planned Parenthood or AIDS Care Ocean State in Providence, RI. You can find these places, and others that are similar, by searching for a local clinic on GYTNOW.org

 

 Recap: GYT and the Take Action Tour 

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If you weren’t one of the lucky music fans who got to see bands like Bayside and Silverstein on the Take Action Tour last month, check out this recap from MTV’s ACT blog.   Just because you missed out doesn’t mean you can’t take action…you can always find your local testing center by entering your zip code here or by texting your zipcode to GYTNOW (498669).

 

 Naomi from Real World GYTs 

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On a recent episode of MTV’s The Real World: Las Vegas, one cast member, Naomi goes to GYT after worrying that she might have an STD after having unprotected sex with another cast member, Leroy. Leroy believes the outrageous myth that “I would know if I had an STD” (which GYT debunked on MTV’s 10 Most Outrageous Sex Myths Show). Here are the facts: STDs often have no symptoms, so many people who have an STD don’t know it. And you can’t tell by looking. The only way to know for sure is to GYT. And part of living GYT is respecting yourself and your partner (boyfriend, girlfriend, friend with benefits, hook-up buddy) enough to protect yourself ALWAYS, no excuses.

Despite all the worries, Naomi and Leroy seem to have a newfound love of latex since condoms are the only method that protect against BOTH unintended pregnancy and STDs.

 GYT and the Take Action Tour! 

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The Take Action Tour, run by Hopeless Records, features bands Silverstein, Texas in July, Polar Bear Club, The Swellers, and Bayside, who will perform in cities across the country while also promoting STD testing and safe sex.

Additionally, the Take Action Tour will host special events in select markets with free testing, testing vouchers and appearances from the band to talk about how they live GYT. Even if you’re not in a tour city, it’s still easy to GYT- just text your zip code to GYTNOW (498669) or scroll down to enter your zip code in the GYT testing center locator.

 Team GYT: We are One. Together. 

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GYT has partnered with individuals- artists, designers, athletes, musicians, dancers, and others- who in everyday ways are living GYT. So what does it mean to live GYT? It’s all about knowing yourself and knowing your status. Knowing is everything. Here’s how the ACT blog describes the inspiration behind GYT. So rise up, check out Team GYT, and show YOUR strength.

 Team GYT’s Paper Twins Speak with the ACT Blog 

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You know them as members of Team GYT. What you don’t know is why they chose to be a part of it. Paper Twins Nica and Edgar A. English are Atlanta-based street artists who know themselves, live inspired and share that inspiration with their community.

Take a look at the Paper Twins’ interview with ACT and see what you can do to live GYT.

 Perez Hilton GYTs, wants you to get involved 

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Okay, so we all know his name and we all know what he does for a living: celebrity blogger extraordinaire! But what you may not know is how important certain causes are to the internet sensation.

Hilton is known for sometimes pushing people’s buttons on his website Perezhilton.com. But lately he’s been singing a different tune and encouraging other young people to do the same.

Perez spoke with ACT about incorporating the GYT lifestyle into your own.