Bleeding dark into the leaves.

This cause is extremely important to me, and not just because it involves Lady Gaga.

75% or more of all people who are infected with AIDS do not know they have it and WILL NEVER EXPERIENCE ANY SYMPTOMS. Many will find out the hard way...by infecting their partner. Women should not be afraid to be sexual or express themselves in a sexual manner, but it is not worth your life or the life of your lovers.

There was a time in my life where l had a horrific AIDS scare, by having a sexual relationship with a woman who l later found out was an intravenous drug-user, and that is another way that AIDS can be spread, and though the percentages were low that l had been infected, one exposure is all it takes to become infected.

There is NO cure.

Men know they should use condoms, the trojan ad's all over the TV and clinics literally leaving grab-bags of condoms at clubs and high schools, but that does not mean that they are used every time, and the same is true for women.

l completely understand that sex is spontaneous most of the time, and that is why you MUST be prepared. Wrap it up, every time. Or if you were like me and didn't want to use a condom with your serious boyfriend, BOTH OF THE PEOPLE IN THE RELATIONSHIP NEED TO GET TESTED.

Is it a slight inconvenience? Maybe. But think of how much of an 'inconvenience' it would be to have you or your lover living with AIDS for the rest of your life.

Let me be clear, l am not trying to scare anyone into safe sex. Nothing l have said is a 'scare tactic', AIDS is very real and very scary.

l'm not saying don't have sex. Have it all you want. l love sex and l love to have it. But, please..if you're with a man who will not take the time to go get tested with you, if it's just a booty call. WRAP IT UP. If you are in a serious relationship with a man, simply tell him that after the test (all they have to do is draw your blood, which takes about 10 minutes tops, and there are clinics everywhere that will do it for free), that afterwards you can have sex without a condom. l assure you he will quickly see your point of view. lf not, wrap it up.

Now, onto the Viva Glam campaign. It features Lady Gaga and Cyndi Lauper, both with their own signature shade of MAC lipstick. They are 14.00 each, and 100% of the profit goes straight to the MAC World AIDS fund. The charity donates to treatment of AIDS, counseling to women who have contracted AIDS, testing supplies to give to free clinics, and most important, the PREVENTION OF AIDS, along with a number of other specifics.

MAC will also be funding the campaign to spread awareness for Female condoms, so you can truly take ownership of the situation.

Do not let a moment of passion and lust be the thing you regret most in life. Be safe.

Please visit this site for more information on the Viva Glam campaign, and where you can purchase the lipsticks.

Purchase Here: http://www.maccosmetics.com/giving_back/vivaglam.tmpl

Learn more about the MAC AIDS Fund here: http://www.macaidsfund.org/news/pr_rl_2010_survey.html

Some editing points:

- l am not HIV positive.
- When l say 'sex without a condom after being tested, l did not mention that you should be using some form of Birth Control. If you have sex without a condom and without some form of birth control, you will get pregnant, or knock your lady up. End of story.