World Aids Day, LA: Rapper Y.G. Teams On Innovative 'tickets For Testing' Program To Spur HIV Testing, Awareness Among Youth

Los Angeles, CA (Top40 Charts/ Charles R. Drew University) - "Tickets for Testing" is the brainchild of Ms. Thelma Mc Clinton, a Public Health Investigator with AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which is the largest nonprofit AIDS Service Organization in the nation. Ms. Mc Clinton has teamed up with Rapper Y.G. who has a hit song called "Toot It and Boot It." Y.G. is promoting Safer Sex and Knowing One's HIV Status and is targeting his fans who include high school-age youth and young adults. Since October 2010, Ms. Mc Clinton has worked with the Charles Drew Mobile Testing and Outreach Project, an HIV community mobilization and prevention project, and the "I Choose Life Campaign" of the National Action Network, to offer free HIV rapid testing targeting at risk individuals living in South Los Angeles. When tickets are available, individuals who take an HIV rapid test on the Charles R. Drew Mobile Testing Van are given a free ticket to one of Y.G.'s upcoming concerts.

The Tickets for Testing initiative has proven effective in that to date, over 150 individuals have obtained an HIV test on the Charles Drew Mobile Testing Van as well as received free Y.G. concert tickets.

South Los Angeles is experiencing some of the highest rates of STD infection in Los Angeles County, especially young African American and Latina females, aged 15 to 25, who have the highest rates of gonorrhea and chlamydia in the county. Y.G.'s motto is "Don't Confuse Art and Entertainment with Life." Y.G. says that, "Sexually active individuals need to know how to protect themselves from these STDs as well as have access to condoms and HIV rapid testing."

Y.G. will be appearing at the Proud Bird Restaurant on Friday, December 3, 2010, from 8:00 PM to 1:00 AM for the Cali Christmas After-Party. The doors open at 7:30 PM and HIV rapid testing will be provided. Tickets are $20 at the door and $15 in advance. Some tickets will be available for free, if individuals take an HIV test outside the venue in the Charles Drew Mobile Testing Van.