Spartan Echo

Section: Entertainment

The media's influence on young people came up when the question was brought to the floor on why it is that teens are having sex. Many of the audience members felt that sex looks tempting in videos as well as in television. They said watching it makes them want to do it.

"Don't look at TV as a way to live your life," said Trey Songs, 22, who admitted that he first had sex at the age of 14.

"I have made mistakes, I have gotten girls pregnant, and I have gotten abortions, 'real talk'", said Trey Songs, who advised the audience to not dream to be 'video girls," or rappers, but instead to dream to be doctors, lawyers, or businessmen.

The main point that panel members wanted to get across today was "self love." "If you don't love yourself [ladies] you can't expect him to love you," said Rene, whom has been celibate for more than two years. Your motto should be 'No Glove, No Love,' said Rene, who told the audience of how she keeps her mind off of sex.

"I stay busy. I am involved more in charity work, and I started working out more," said Rene, who admitted to the audience that she was molested growing up. "Occupying yourself with other things will take your mind off of sex," said Rene.

"I am sexually active, and I get tested every six months," said recording artist Sammie, who is originally from Florida.

"You should always know your significant others HIV status," said Hall who has been living with HIV for over five years.

"If you feel uncomfortable asking someone about their status, then you don't need to have sex with them," said Trey Songs.

"Though condoms are pretty effective in protecting against pregnancy and STD's including HIV/AIDS, abstinence is 100 percent guaranteed," said Ghee.

The ending that the panelist wanted to leave with the audience was to respect yourself, never ever have sex without using protection, and don't have sex unless you feel that you are mentally prepared for what that really means.

The Forum overall received positive feedback from the audience of mainly high school aged students. More classes and informative sessions are key and vital in hopes of the amount of HIV/AIDS cases reported in the Hampton Roads area each year. We have walked an inch, but we have miles and miles more of territory yet to cover.

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