QUEEN LATIFAH FIGHTS FOR WOMEN WITH AIDS

Oscar nominee Queen Latifah is bringing attention to a very serious problem amongst women of color who are contracting the HIV virus in astounding numbers. In the HBO film Life Support Latifah is playing Andrea Williams based on director Nelson George’s sister who contracted the disease through unprotected sex with her husband, an intravenous drug user.

At the New York premiere Latifah urges women to take precautions against HIV.

“Some people haven’t tested so they don’t even know they have it and I might know them. So that’s just the reality with what we’re dealing with and how important it is that we do test ourselves, become knowledgeable, protect ourselves.”

Latifah says the spread of HIV among married women is a harsh reality.

“There’s a lot of married women in what they think are faithful relationships who are testing positive for HIV. Older women who now with Viagra and things like that, you know their husbands are sexually active again and virile and kind of stepping out a little bit bringing things home to sixty year-old women. It’s really intense. You got to look a little deeper than what people might have you think HIV is all about.”

For Latifah the most important message of Life Support is about getting families back on track and supporting their loved ones fight against HIV. Life Support premieres Saturday at 8PM on HBO.