Could Shirtless Photos Lead People to Get an HIV Test?

As part of an AIDS Volunteers Inc. (AVOL) campaign seeking to get more African Americans to test for HIV, the University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center is hosting an exhibit titled "#uncoverHIV." The story was reported by University of Kentucky where the images are being featured as a gallery show.

The free public exhibit, is on display through March 13, 2017. The "#uncoverHIV" exhibit has eight images that feature shirtless African-American models whose faces are covered. The sexy campaign was photographed by Brett Barnett of Lexington, Kentucky. Each image contains facts and statistics about HIV.

“The models in the photographs are shirtless because often people have sex without ever talking about HIV or discussing condom usage. The exhibit is a symbolic uncovering of the stigma that has created a culture of silence where people are unable to talk about their status or get tested,” said Barnett.

Founded in 1987, AVOL is a nonprofit organization that provides services to those living with and affected by HIV/AIDS as well as prevention education and outreach to 72 counties in Central and Eastern Kentucky. 

Check out the campaign here.