When?

You can start growing your burns whenever you want, but we officially start sporting them on December 1st, World AIDS Day.

The chops stay all month, and culminate in the photographs that you take with your loved ones over the holidays. Extra points if you're wearing an ugly holiday sweater.

We begin on World AIDS Day for obvious reasons, but we wanted to end the event when you are around your nearest and dearest because it gives the perfect opportunity to talk about such an important issue. After your Aunt Millie has made fun of your mutton chops, you can explain why you're doing it, and help to spread awareness and maybe even get an extra few dollars donated.

On January 1st, you are free to drop the burns. But we don't think you'll want to right away, not in Januhairy at least.

Women are 2.5 more likely than men to contract HIV.

They are also twice as likely to contract an STI from their partner's actions than from their own. There are a lot of things that men can do to help turn the tide of HIV/AIDS, but nothing is more important than taking responsibility for their role. We're growing our sideburns out as a way to bring some attention to these issues, and to demonstrate a willingness to upset these gender imbalances - trust me, we're not doing this to look good, because we sure as hell don't. Creepy is a much better word.

Where does the money go?

The grassroots organizations that the Stephen Lewis Foundation works with are pioneering effective and sophisticated responses to HIV and AIDS in their communities. Since 2003, the Foundation has funded more than 300 grassroots projects in 15 countries to support the ordinary people - grandmothers, women and children - who have been affected by the AIDS pandemic.

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