Expressing Love for HIV-Positive Women on Valentine's Day

The Museum of Modern Art  in New York City has once again teamed up with over 100 artists, activists, and HIV-positive women to create handmade Valentine’s cards with heartfelt messages.

Visual AIDS artist member Jessica Whitbred first thought up the idea for the LOVE POSITIVE WOMEN project in 2013. It has since been an ongoing collaboration with MoMA PS1 (a MoMA campus in the Queens borough), Dieu Donné, Fire Island Artist Residency, Positive Women’s Network, the Well Project, and Poz magazine.

“Why not do something nice for the women most forgotten about?” she said. “Taking time to do something for someone else is really beneficial to society as a whole. Don’t underestimate the value in something as simple as sending a valentine to a stranger.”

The 600+ Valentine’s cards will first be exhibited at MoMA PS1 from February 2-5. After that, the cards will be mailed to HIV-positive women around the world to arrive in time for Valentine’s Day.

A reception will be held on Saturday, February 4 from 4-6 p.m. with speeches from the women who participated in this year’s project.

Inspiration for the exhibit came from the isolation and stigma women living with HIV face, particularly around relationships, motherhood, and healthcare.

The LOVE POSITIVE WOMEN project received a generous three-year grant from ViiV Healthcare. Additional funds come from Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS.

Those interested in learning more about their projects or how they can help can take a look at their Implementation Guide. Subsequently, HIV-positive women who would like to receive a Valentine’s Day card can sign up for one here.