Nashville man honored for helping HIV community

Nashville native Darion Banister's work with the local HIV community reaches beyond city limits.

The 24-year-old HIV prevention specialist made the POZ 100 list for his work with Nashville CARES, a non-profit raising awareness and fighting the disease. The list, created by the HIV/AIDS-targeting POZ magazine, consists of under-30 individuals working with people living with the virus and aiming to end the virus.

While he is not a victim of the virus, Banister uses social media and personal outreach to recruit MSM (men who have sex with men) to the cause of volunteering, urging others to get tested and helping peers with substance abuse and mental health, housing and employment issues.

The article states: "Because of Darion, more people, regardless of their HIV status, attain better health and happiness as we move toward an AIDS-free generation."

The list features both those living with the virus and HIV-negative individuals. Notable honorees include Miss America 2010 Caressa Cameron-Jackson and Ryan Lewis of the Grammy Award-winning duo with Macklemore.

"This new generation of advocates is fighting HIV for a variety of reasons and are united by the common goal of finally putting an end to AIDS," said Oriol Gutierrez, POZ editor-in-chief, in a statement.

See the full list at poz.com/100.

For more information about Nashville CARES, visit www.nashvillecares.org.