Project ARK , a Washington University School of Medicine program that provides health-care and support services for children and teens with HIV, will host an area designated for youth at St. Louis’ annual PrideFest, a three-day event downtown that begins Friday. Among activities at the site will be free HIV testing for anyone 25 or younger.
The youth area, which will be called The Hive, will offer a range of alcohol-free educational and entertaining activities. HIV testing will be provided there Saturday and Sunday as part of National HIV Testing Day.
The national testing effort is aimed most specifically at young gay and bisexual men and teens. Project ARK, which works to erase HIV-related stigma, hopes to provide testing for 500 people 25 and younger.
Project ARK is partnering with Williams and Associates; Writers, Planners, & Trainers; and the Eastside Health District on The Hive and testing efforts.