Lifetime explores the world of teen love, sex and gossip in the Lifetime Original Movie "Girl, Positive" (formerly "Consequences"), the story of Rachel, a high school senior who fears she may be infected with HIV and must come to terms with the life-altering news. The telefilm stars Andrea Bowen ("Desperate Housewives") as Rachel and Jennie Garth ("Beverly Hills 90210," "What I Like About You") as a teacher in Rachel's school who has been secretly living with the virus for years. Emmy(R) Golden Globe(R), NAACP and SAG Award winner S. Epatha Merkerson ("Law & Order," "Lackawanna Blues") also stars in the movie as an AIDS clinic worker. "Girl, Positive" will premiere on Monday, June 25, at 9PM ET/PT on Lifetime Television, coinciding with National AIDS Testing Day on June 27.
In "Girl, Positive," seventeen-year-old Rachel Sandler's (Bowen) carefree world is jolted when word spreads through the internet that her neighbor Jason (Eric Von Detton, "Dinotopia," "Complete Savages"), a handsome and popular athlete who died an untimely death, was an intravenous drug user. After receiving a mysterious computer message claiming Jason was HIV-positive, Rachel worries she may be infected since they once had unprotected sex. Determined to secretly learn more about the disease, Rachel is advised by her new substitute teacher, Sarah Bennett (Garth), to visit the local AIDS clinic which her friend, Ariel (Merkerson), oversees.
During Rachel's visit, she takes a rapid AIDS test, but panics and leaves before learning the results. When Sarah discovers Rachel's test is positive, she breaks the shocking news to her, later revealing to Rachel that she herself has secretly been living with HIV for more than seven years. While both wish to keep their privacy, they soon find out that with today's technology of instant messaging, cell phones and blogs, gossip - just like disease - can spread fast and furiously.
According to the U.S. Office of National AIDS Policy, half of all new HIV infections occur in people under age 25. One-fourth of these new infections are contracted by people under the age of 21. During the film, Lifetime will air two PSAs, the first featuring Andrea Bowen and Jennie Garth encouraging viewers to learn more about this national epidemic. A second PSA with S. Epatha Merkerson, will address how HIV affects women of color. As part of Lifetime's long-standing commitment to raising awareness about the issues facing families and teens, and in anticipation of National HIV Testing Day on June 27, the Network will partner with leading nonprofit organizations, such as Advocates for Youth, the Elton John AIDS Foundation and Cable Positive, to provide additional information and resources on www.LifetimeTV.com.
"Girl, Positive" is produced by Von Zerneck-Sertner Films for Lifetime Television. Bob Sertner ("Haunting Sarah", "We Were the Mulvaneys"), Frank Von Zerneck ("For One Night") and Nancey Silvers ("Mom at Sixteen"), who also wrote the telefilm, serve as executive producers. Peter Werner ("Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy") co-executive produced and directed the movie and Randy Sutter ("Relative Chaos") served as producer.
