Promoting awareness
A crowd at O-Bar in West Hollywood screens trailers of short films by gay artists as part of an effort by safe-sex advocates and educators to reach young people. Nationally, rates of HIV and AIDS have been rising. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
Dave O’Brien is the creator, writer and director behind “In the Moment,” an online show that seeks to educate young gay men about HIV, AIDS and safe-sex practices. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
Anthony Contreras, 33, is an HIV-positive man who works as a health educator and is part of a movement to communicate safe-sex messages to the gay community. His outreach work is done mainly at gay men’s clubs in the San Fernando Valley. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
Susan R. Cohen, right, is director of the department of health education and prevention at the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center in Hollywood. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)