tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46650891218022198472024-02-20T23:40:50.818-08:00GMHCGMHC is a not-for-profit, volunteer-supported and community-based organization committed to national leadership in the fight against AIDS. We provide prevention and care services to men, women and families that are living with, or affected by, HIV/AIDS in New York City. We advocate for scientific, evidence-based public health solutions for hundreds of thousands worldwide. Our mission: GMHC fights to end the AIDS epidemic and uplift the lives of all affected. Visit www.gmhc.org.GMHChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12799055300480302815noreply@blogger.comBlogger121125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665089121802219847.post-43997465662951499242013-03-07T11:40:00.000-08:002013-03-07T11:40:14.432-08:00Building a New Generation of Leadership in the Fight Against AIDS by Josh Tjaden<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWkRQ0-z5rRU9EBAPAvXDueWngfNGzcA41qlaNMUz76rJB3tK5vF0eRpL3tqwj-gBQbQh3OHBZVQRdLvOHMwUPq0qonoiwq1E-awCJK1Z1UtFXfyHsYAMRFHYXWb9fgF0bdHadre-cN2rK/s1600/Josh+Tjaden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWkRQ0-z5rRU9EBAPAvXDueWngfNGzcA41qlaNMUz76rJB3tK5vF0eRpL3tqwj-gBQbQh3OHBZVQRdLvOHMwUPq0qonoiwq1E-awCJK1Z1UtFXfyHsYAMRFHYXWb9fgF0bdHadre-cN2rK/s200/Josh+Tjaden.jpg" width="200" /></a>I have never known a world without AIDS -- and I am certainly not alone.<br />
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My generation, and those to come, could live with the risk of HIV infection our entire lives. Many of us were just toddlers when, in 1981, GMHC was taking its own first steps. Others were not even born yet. Although we did not experience those early years of the epidemic firsthand, we can still make strides to become better informed and more empowered to join the fight against AIDS.<br />
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As a development officer at GMHC, I have the opportunity to spread the word about our advocacy efforts, fundraising events, direct care services, nutrition and wellness programs, and innovative prevention initiatives. Yet apathy remains and ignorance persists. This is why it is incumbent upon those of us already devoted to ending AIDS to recommit ourselves and embolden a new generation of AIDS advocates, leaders and philanthropists into action.<br />
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I have helped to form the Millennium Committee, a new initiative that seeks to build an active and diverse network of young New Yorkers committed to our agency and its mission. We are a group of GMHC Board and staff members, entrepreneurs, business professionals, and even the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joseph-neese/continuing-the-family-leg_b_2678282.html" target="_hplink">nephew</a> of GMHC's first paid executive director. My dedication to this cause began not long after I moved to New York, at a time when I was beginning to feel much more comfortable with my sexuality. I navigated the world of sex and dating like it was a happy hunting ground full of sexual triumphs -- and yes, maybe a few disappointments too. The possibility of becoming infected was once so far removed from my consciousness, but was now a stark reality.<br />
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For the most part, safer sex practices were never a question. The condoms and lube came out as fast as the clothes came off. But I would be lying if I said that was the case 100 percent of the time. There are plenty of guys who are into unprotected sex and put the pressure on to let it slide "just this once" because, for them, it feels better or even allows for a deeper sense of intimacy. I know firsthand that convincing myself of this was tempting, especially when I was very attracted to someone.<br />
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Over the years, I came to know that a few of my close friends are HIV-positive and learning of their struggles has made me realize that disclosing one's HIV-positive status is like coming out all over again. Many of them experienced embarrassment, misunderstanding, stigma and cruelty, even from their closest friends and family members. These relationships brought me closer to the cause. I began participating in AIDS fundraising events and eventually joined the staff at GMHC.<br />
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Each day, I interact with people who have made a life-long commitment to battling AIDS. I developed strong bonds with a few individuals who, like GMHC, were literally first in the fight against AIDS. By opening up intergenerational dialogues we can better understand our shared history, harness the motivation we need to inspire young donors into action, and help achieve the goal of an <a href="http://www.pepfar.gov/" target="_hplink">AIDS-Free Generation</a>.<br /><br />I am in awe of the dedication and generosity of our supporters, and the resolve of those that we serve. Three years ago, when I was the event manager for AIDS Walk New York, I had just such an experience - one that changed my life.<br /><br />As I stood at the end of the AIDS Walk's 6.2 mile route in Central Park, I noticed an older, slight woman amongst the thousands of people streaming across the finish line. All at once, she lifted her cane triumphantly over her head and began to dance, laugh and weep. She told me she had been HIV-positive for 20 years, was enjoying good health, and would support GMHC for the rest of her life. As we shared a heartfelt embrace I promised to commit myself to the work in her name. And now, as I reflect on eight years of fundraising, I know that my support has had a positive impact on her life and countless others.<br /><br />
I encourage everyone to get involved and help uplift the lives of thousands of our fellow New Yorkers living with and affected by HIV and AIDS.<br />
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Please join us at GMHC's spring gala, <a href="http://www.gmhc.org/donate/special-events/savor-2013" target="_hplink">Savor</a>, on March 21st in New York City.<br />
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Josh Tjaden's article was originally published in <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/josh-tjaden/aids-free-generation_b_2830220.html">The Huffington Post</a> on March 7, 2013. GMHChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12799055300480302815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665089121802219847.post-87719559345015291882013-03-07T07:51:00.002-08:002013-03-07T07:51:48.705-08:00Gay Men's Health Crisis to Partner with the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to Offer Free Vaccines for Meningitis<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<em><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Recent increase of cases
among gay men underscores the need for more vaccines</span></b></em><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">and outreach</span></em></span></i></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">New York, NY--GMHC will partner with the NYC Department of Health
and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) and the Men's Sexual Health Project to offer free
vaccines for meningitis on Thursday, March 7, Friday, March 15 and Wednesday,
March 20 at the GMHC Center for HIV Prevention, 224 West 29th Street in
Chelsea. In the past several months, there has been an increase in the
cases of meningitis among gay men and men who have sex with men (MSM) in New
York City. The majority of cases reported are from men who had intimate
contact with another man they met on a digital application or website. The
recent increase of cases underscores the need for expanded access to vaccines
and outreach for those most impacted.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"We are very concerned about the outbreak of meningitis among
men who have sex with men in New York City," stated Jay Varma, MD, Deputy
Commissioner for Disease Control, DOHMH. "We have identified two
groups that are at highest risk of contracting meningitis: HIV-infected men who
have sex with men, and any men, regardless of HIV status, who regularly have
intimate contact with other men met through a website, digital application
(App), or at a bar or party. Vaccination is the best defense against this
dangerous infection. We urge men who meet these criteria to get vaccinated now
and protect themselves from this disease before it is too late."</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Meningitis is a bacterial infection of the membranes covering the brain
and spinal cord (meninges). Symptoms include: fever and chills,
mental status changes, nausea and vomiting, sensitivity to light, severe
headache, and stiff neck. It is a serious disease that can result in
permanent brain damage or death.<br />
<br />
Regarding who should receive the vaccine during this outbreak, any gay man or
MSM who is at least 18 years of age, regardless of HIV status, and has had
intimate contact with a man they met through a website (Manhunt, Adam 4 Adam,
etc.), digital application (GRINDR, SCRUFF, etc.), a bar, or a party since
September 1, 2012 or plan on having such contact in the future.<br />
<br />
"We are proud to partner with our esteemed colleagues at the DOHMH,"
said Marjorie J. Hill, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of GMHC. "When we were
first notified of the meningitis outbreak among gay men, we immediately alerted
our constituents through social media networks and flyer
distribution. We also hosted a community forum last year with widely
respected experts. We are thankful for Demetre Daskalakis, MD, a member
of GMHC's Board of Directors, for coordinating our vaccine efforts."<br />
<br />
Demetre Daskalakis, MD MPH is the Infectious Disease Fellowship Program
Director at the New York University (NYU) School of Medicine, Assistant
Attending at Bellevue Hospital and Founding Director of the Men's Sexual Health
Project (M*SHP). Dr. Daskalakis arranged for the doses of the vaccine for
free from the DOHMH and will be administering the vaccinations.<br />
<br />
Dr. Daskalakis commented: "Given the urgent need to address this
potentially lethal infection impacting one of the communities so well served by
GMHC, I am grateful for the support provided by both the DOHMH and GMHC to make
this vaccine available to individuals at risk in a venue so comfortable and
familiar to this community of MSM."<br />
<br />
<strong><u><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">VACCINE INFORMATION</span></u></strong><br />
<br />
Thursday, March 7, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm<br />
Friday, March 15, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm<br />
Wednesday March 20, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm<br />
<br />
Sign up in advance (required) at:<br />
GMHC Main Office<br />
446 West 33rd Street - 7th floor<br />
(between 9th and 10th Avenues)<br />
Or call (212) 367-1420<br />
Or e-mail <a href="mailto:donnap@gmhc.org">donnap@gmhc.org</a><br />
<br />
Vaccinations will be given at:<br />
GMHC Center for HIV Prevention<br />
224 West 29th Street - Ground Floor<br />
(between 7th and 8th Avenues)</span>GMHChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12799055300480302815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665089121802219847.post-8141075650226991602013-02-20T16:37:00.000-08:002013-02-20T16:37:36.785-08:00Is HIV Being Shortchanged?<div class="float_left">
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by Seth Rosen</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCARMqOy_9P0pmSPlnVe88HbL9ZNAie7gJ5R_Ro6Wj27e-aO7EhKPEwY3N5cftx0_O2783Ma1XVD-W3Fim9Eq4Sh8mZqGUn1_ZmKDfelKEX_-npIEjTderUGSBU3EnJmCGRZEclZtQDkrs/s1600/a479777109d65b695b776045332619a9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCARMqOy_9P0pmSPlnVe88HbL9ZNAie7gJ5R_Ro6Wj27e-aO7EhKPEwY3N5cftx0_O2783Ma1XVD-W3Fim9Eq4Sh8mZqGUn1_ZmKDfelKEX_-npIEjTderUGSBU3EnJmCGRZEclZtQDkrs/s1600/a479777109d65b695b776045332619a9.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo by Adam Fredericks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics/hiv-aids-101/statistics/" target="_hplink">Every 9.5 minutes</a> another person contracts HIV in the United States. Approximately <a href="http://aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics/hiv-aids-101/statistics/" target="_hplink">1.2 million Americans</a> are living with HIV, but <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/factsheets/us.htm" target="_hplink">almost one in five</a> is unaware of his or her HIV status. In 2009, <a href="http://www.indexmundi.com/united_states/hiv_aids_deaths.html" target="_hplink">17,000 people</a>
died from AIDS in the U.S., and the CDC calls this a "stable" trend. Of
course, that's unless you are black (12 to 14 percent of the population
but <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/newsroom/docs/2012/hiv-infections-2007-2010.pdf" target="_hplink">44 percent</a> of new infections), gay or bisexual (4 percent of the population but <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/newsroom/docs/2012/hiv-infections-2007-2010.pdf" target="_hplink">63 percent</a> of new infections) or under age 25 (where <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/newsroom/docs/2012/hiv-infections-2007-2010.pdf" target="_hplink">26 percent</a> of new HIV cases are found). <a href="http://aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics/hiv-aids-101/statistics/" target="_hplink">Over 619,000 Americans</a> have died from AIDS since the epidemic began.<br />
<br />
Major philanthropists are ignoring the continuing AIDS crisis in the
United States, and people are dying because of it. Sounds harsh? It
is, but only because it's true. The <em>Chronicle of Philanthropy</em>
recently released a list of the top 50 American donors in 2012, and only
two donors, Jon Stryker and David Geffen, gave significant funds to
combat HIV and AIDS in the United States. I do not mean to diminish the
outstanding generosity of the other 48 people on the list, but why is
HIV no longer a top priority among those with the means to do something
about a still-spreading disease that can only be held at bay with costly
medications and cannot be cured? And it certainly cannot be ignored
that HIV hits gay and bisexual men and African Americans, two groups
that already face pervasive stigma and discrimination, the hardest.<br />
<br />
The fact that many of our country's most wealthy individuals are not
funding HIV services is not a surprise to me. As the Managing Director
of Development at Gay Men's Health Crisis (GHMHC), the nation's first
organization dedicated to AIDS services, I know how difficult it is to
raise money to help people living with or affected by HIV and AIDS, let
alone find money to prevent future infections. When I first took this
position, many of my colleagues in fundraising warned me that raising
money for AIDS was becoming more difficult every year, and that I could
find easier and less stressful jobs at other nonprofits with more
embraced causes.<br />
<br />
Of course I knew they were right. AIDS service organizations live at
the nexus of what we as a society avert our eyes from: sex, drugs,
poverty and race. Everyone needs a hand in life, and I have been lucky
enough to receive one myself many times. I am proud to be part of a
group that is tackling issues not because they are easy but because
doing so is the right thing to do. We will never see progress if we
gravitate toward the easy. Combatting HIV and AIDS is difficult work,
but as a society we must commit to reaching an AIDS-free generation. We
cannot abandon those most vulnerable to becoming infected and those
living with HIV who need life-sustaining support to live long, healthy
lives.<br />
<br />
I have come to terms with the fact that fighting AIDS in the United
States may not have many champions among the wealthiest Americans,
although I have a lot of fundraising left in me, and I do intend to find
them. Instead I seek inspiration from fighters like the people at the
Keith Haring Foundation and Joy Tomchin, the producer of the
Oscar-nominated documentary <em>How to Survive a Plague</em>, who are
being honored at our spring gala, Savor, on March 21 in New York City. I
also look to fundraisers like Craig R. Miller, who founded AIDS Walk
New York, which benefits GMHC and 40 other AIDS service organizations
and will again bring 45,000 people to Central Park on May 19. Along
with our clients, these are the people who inspire me to go to work
every day with a hunger to fight.<br />
<br />
Working at GMHC has made me and my husband dedicate our own philanthropy to fighting HIV and AIDS. We might not be in the <em>Chronicle</em>'s
top 50, but we will never turn away from this fight, no matter how hard
it is, and no matter how long it takes to win. I hope you will join us
and GMHC in the fight.<br />
____________________________________________________________________<br />
Seth Rosen is the Managing Director of Development at GMHC. His article originally appeared in the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/seth-rosen/is-hiv-being-shortchanged_b_2680911.html">Huffington Post</a> on February 20, 2013. GMHChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12799055300480302815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665089121802219847.post-4994483736638714152013-02-14T09:10:00.001-08:002013-02-14T09:10:59.346-08:00What We Really Want on Valentine's Day: Sex Education in Schoolsby <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/eric-kutscher" rel="author">Eric Kutscher</a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/adam-warwinsky" rel="author"> and Adam Warwinsky</a> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5Pe0cD7UwF4-cq69CIiGQ1KBfjgah4LTWeIAKW4a4I-IXVFv8GlJR6W8274aE3o6Ir1OqT_FuXPX0B1g-4qKIgzcMlr5UmGqye8yDSVT7sbsvTW81bGglT6wypRjSFokPptnyiwkdb7T/s1600/condom-hear-sizet1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5Pe0cD7UwF4-cq69CIiGQ1KBfjgah4LTWeIAKW4a4I-IXVFv8GlJR6W8274aE3o6Ir1OqT_FuXPX0B1g-4qKIgzcMlr5UmGqye8yDSVT7sbsvTW81bGglT6wypRjSFokPptnyiwkdb7T/s200/condom-hear-sizet1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Today it seems that access to comprehensive sexual education in the United States is a privilege. According to a 2006-2008 National Survey on Family Growth, 46 percent of males and 33 percent of females do not receive formal education regarding contraception prior to losing their virginity. Only 21 states and the District of Columbia mandate sex education in schools. Even where sex ed does occur, problems persist.<br />
<br />
<strong>Adam:</strong> Take my sister, for example. She came out as a lesbian in the smallest public high school in rural New Jersey, where hunting, high school sports and maintaining a certain small-town way of life take priority. In my hometown, homosexuality seemed like a foreign concept. Being the first openly gay student in our community, she faced severe harassment, including schoolmates writing "dyke" on her locker and tearing down pictures of her and her girlfriend, and childhood friends abandoning her. While our high school did have a sexual education program that addressed safer sex, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV, the program failed to create a safe environment to discuss individual sexual identities and sexual health. Without an LGBT-inclusive curriculum, homosexuality was received with hostility and disapproval. As her little brother, watching her suffer and not being able to do anything to stop the homophobia infuriated me.<br />
<br />
<strong>Eric:</strong> Growing up in Northern Westchester, I was privileged to attend one of the best public school systems in the country. We had access to everything: dozens of Advanced Placement classes, after-school activities and even basic health education starting in fifth grade. However, we did not have trained professionals to discuss sex and sexuality. Health classes were taught by gym instructors, leaving a void that other teachers felt the need to fill. My twelfth grade English teacher tried to open up a dialogue about LGBT identities by showing a video on transgender individuals and proposing that in a class of 20, two students were probably transgender or gay. Though the information was wrong, it did not stop the speculation as to which students in the class were actually transgender. Misinformation led to "gay-hunting," teasing and a misunderstanding about basic human sexuality.<br />
<br />
As students in America, we have a right to unbiased and uncensored information. We have a right to be provided with accurate materials about health and sexuality from certified and trained professionals.<br />
<br />
Growing up without a comprehensive sexual education system has left our generation with a myriad of problems. HIV rates are on the rise among young Americans for the first time since the epidemic broke out in the 1980s. Young people aged 13 to 29 account for over 30 percent of the 50,000 new HIV infections each year. Broken down, this means that every hour, two individuals in our generation are infected with the virus. Even more, a disproportionate number of young gay and bisexual men of color must face the brunt of the epidemic. Though antiretrovirals have greatly extended the life expectancy of those living with HIV, a mixture of physical, mental and financial stresses still makes living with the virus a daily challenge.<br />
<br />
These concerns led us to conduct preliminary research as interns for the Public Policy Department at Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) about HIV-risk perception among men who have sex with men, knowledge about HIV and successful preventative measures. The answers we received from the participants in our study were far below acceptable standards. In terms of understanding how the virus could be transmitted, 24 percent of participants believed that HIV could be transmitted through mutual masturbation, and 7 percent were confident that HIV could not be transmitted through unprotected anal intercourse. When discussing how long after exposure to HIV most tests can detect the virus, only half (74) of the men correctly responded that the exposure window was three months. A quarter of the men felt surprisingly insecure about being able to voice a desire to use condoms, citing a fear of rejection from their partner as well as assuming that requesting condoms would make them appear to have HIV or other STIs.<br />
<br />
At the same time, other young people are also at risk. In the United States, we have one of the highest teen pregnancy rates in the developed world. Of the 750,000 pregnancies among women aged 15 to 19 each year, 80 percent of them are unintended. These pregnancies are so commonplace that they are even the focal point of television series, such as MTV's <em>Teen Mom</em>.<br />
<br />
Our generation is facing the consequences of sexual liberation without sexual education. The results show why we need sex ed. Our parents and previous generations fought for the rights of individuals to express themselves in all ways possible, a noble and important cause, but what they missed was a critical moment in history to implement programs that provide young people the right to information in order to make healthy and responsible decisions about their sexual health.<br />
<br />
In the current congressional session, Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) and Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) introduced the Real Education for Healthy Youth Act. The bill includes guidelines as to what sexual education programs must (and must not) include to receive federal funding, ensures that students at all level of schooling have access to sexual education, trains instructors on how to best inform students of important yet possibly uncomfortable information and allows for sexual education that is inclusive of LGBT identities to be presented in the classroom. Importantly, the act would strike language from the Public Health Services Act that prevents schoolteachers from using any language that "promotes" homosexuality or discusses it in a positive light.<br />
<br />
By passing the Real Education for Health Youth Act, we would ensure that Americans know their bodies, know their health and are empowered through comprehensive sexual education programs to make healthy and responsible decisions about sexual health. We must continue to spark dialogues and ensure that students have a forum in which to voice concerns and receive accurate answers to questions on sexuality and sexual health.<br />
<br />
For more information on the current state of sex and HIV education in the United States, click <a href="http://www.guttmacher.org/statecenter/spibs/spib_SE.pdf" target="_hplink">here</a>.<br />
___________________________________________________________________________<br />
Eric and Adam's article was originally published in the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/eric-kutscher/what-we-really-want-on-valentines-day-sex-education-in-schools_b_2681748.html">Huffington Post</a> on February 14, 2013<br />
GMHChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12799055300480302815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665089121802219847.post-34599961934781515952013-02-13T12:58:00.000-08:002013-02-13T12:58:07.207-08:00Continuing the Family Legacy in AIDS Activism by Joseph Neese <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMxmzxYZR9aD7HI961Wvmf2psD0YFYzkzhEEeyqsRE2bf7QEbI641Dz3RUnIZ-si452pXVG6MY4Sv0JsAb-ADXMKbnMQzudTdl_yKZl374kzSxMyaTxP1-jb12XhTg0wYF0apiBESD831s/s1600/joseph+neese_0213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMxmzxYZR9aD7HI961Wvmf2psD0YFYzkzhEEeyqsRE2bf7QEbI641Dz3RUnIZ-si452pXVG6MY4Sv0JsAb-ADXMKbnMQzudTdl_yKZl374kzSxMyaTxP1-jb12XhTg0wYF0apiBESD831s/s200/joseph+neese_0213.jpg" width="174" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo by Adam Fredericks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When my late uncle, Rodger McFarlane, became the first paid Executive Director of Gay Men's Health Crisis in 1982, he was just 27-years-old. His generation was the last to be born into a world without HIV and AIDS.<br />
<br />
For as long as I can remember, I heard stories of Rodger's friends, whose lives were claimed by AIDS on a daily basis in the early 1980s. I was just in the eighth grade when I first read Larry Kramer's <em>The Normal Heart</em>, the Tony Award-winning play about Rodger and the other men who helped organize GMHC, the world's first HIV/AIDS service organization, in response to the tragic loss in their community, and was incredibly moved.<br />
<br />
As is often the case in life, I don't think the full impact of the epidemic hit me until I encountered it head on. After I returned from a semester abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in late 2009, I received the devastating news that my boyfriend during that time, a handsome, young Peruvian man, had tested HIV-positive.<br />
<br />
As fate would have it, I had just completed a routine HIV test earlier that day and received a negative result, which I attribute to what I learned from my uncle. I came out to Rodger one night in college, and he followed up with a comprehensive sex education discussion the very next morning.<br />
<br />
When Rodger died four years ago, Mr. Kramer, with whom he had helped build GMHC, told <em>The Advocate</em> that my uncle had done more for the gay world than any other individual had ever done. "I don't think the gay world knew or knows how great he was, and how much he did for us, and how much we need him still and how much we will miss him," he said.<br />
<br />
Although the great loss of my uncle is still felt in the world of HIV and AIDS activism, I have never once given up hope. The first thing I did when I moved to New York was do what my uncle did 30 years ago -- establish myself as a volunteer at GMHC. Their life-affirming programs, including safer-sex education, crisis counseling, hot meals, case management and legal counseling still save lives and extend GMHC's message of "Fight AIDS. Love life."<br />
<br />
The HIV/AIDS epidemic is still very real, and its shift in demographics is alarming, with a disproportionate effect on the young, gay, poor and of communities of color. Yet I still hope for a world with zero new HIV infections and zero deaths from AIDS -- a message that was heralded at last year's International AIDS Conference.<br />
<br />
A crucial part of achieving an AIDS free generation is recruiting a new contingent of HIV and AIDS activists to carry on the work that my uncle began. That is why I joined GMHC's Millennial Committee which is developing new, young donors.<br />
<br />
I want the next generation -- including me -- to step up and be counted to give millions of people affected by HIV and AIDS hope for a better world.<br />
<br />
Please join me at GMHC's annual gala, Savor on March 21. For more information, please visit <a href="http://gmhc.org/">gmhc.org</a>.<br />
____________________________________________________________________<br />
Joseph's article was originally published in the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joseph-neese/continuing-the-family-leg_b_2678282.html">Huffington Post</a> on February 13, 2013<br />
<br />GMHChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12799055300480302815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665089121802219847.post-15703142780081852142013-02-06T09:32:00.003-08:002013-02-06T09:34:29.938-08:00The Impact of AIDS Activism: An Interview with David France<h5>
By Larkin Callaghan</h5>
<h2>
The development of an award-winning film about AIDS activism and what we can learn from it</h2>
<h5>
</h5>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxO9bdbQ39ePS_zbDGNijyI_IRd_caeREVDNcbrR4WJ_riv03ijUG-IIo9emP_UPTs1VMrLCn0hlqn-gh3L5OityKgkZ-lTjbQXqDympqCzIK8q5iIeG4-doIftW1-KvBftfx0bg9IwvPN/s1600/Survive-a-Plague-710x473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxO9bdbQ39ePS_zbDGNijyI_IRd_caeREVDNcbrR4WJ_riv03ijUG-IIo9emP_UPTs1VMrLCn0hlqn-gh3L5OityKgkZ-lTjbQXqDympqCzIK8q5iIeG4-doIftW1-KvBftfx0bg9IwvPN/s320/Survive-a-Plague-710x473.jpg" width="320" /></a><i><a href="http://surviveaplague.com/" target="_blank">How to Survive a Plague</a>, an <a href="http://oscar.go.com/nominees" target="_blank">Academy-Award nominated</a> documentary released in the fall of 2012, chronicles the start of <a href="http://www.actupny.org/" target="_blank">ACT UP</a>
(AIDS Coalition To Unleash Power), an AIDS activist organization
started by newly diagnosed HIV-positive individuals and their advocates
in New York City in 1987. The film details how ACT UP grew from a small,
local, grassroots initiative aimed at forcing the public to acknowledge
the epidemic and its devastating impact, to an organization with
thousands of members that transformed AIDS drug policy. Through
political action like protests, public funeral ceremonies, and storming
the buildings of the National Institutes of Health, ACT UP initiated
‘treatment activism,’ accelerating the development and distribution of
AIDS treatment drugs and changing the pharmaceutical industry’s closed
door research and development process to one that incorporated the
insight and research of activists themselves. By including footage from
ACT UP activists and interviewing organizers who became lifelong
advocates in the fight against AIDS, writer and director <a href="http://davidfrance.com/" target="_blank">David France</a>
crafts a compelling storyline underscoring how the movement opened the
eyes of the public to the struggles of those with HIV/AIDS and how ACT
UP’s unrelenting demands for government acknowledgement and action
changed the landscape and future of those diagnosed with the virus from a
death sentence to a manageable, chronic disease. Mr. France discusses
the development and evolution of the film and helps articulate what
viewers can take from it.</i><br />
<br />
<i>Editor’s Note: See if How to Survive a Plague wins an Oscar during the <a href="http://oscar.go.com/" target="_blank">85<sup>th</sup> Annual Academy Awards</a> on February 24<sup>th</sup>, 2013.</i><br />
<br />
<b>You <a href="http://davidfrance.com/articles.asp" target="_blank">wrote extensively</a>
about HIV and AIDS for publications like New York magazine, and other
writings of yours have inspired films. What was it that compelled you to
take on the task of writing and then directing a film about the history
of AIDS activism as opposed to staying in the writer’s chair?</b><br />
<br />
I wanted to go back and look again at those years before 1996, and
revisit them in order to try to make some sort of sense about what
happened then. To mine those years for the lessons; the legacy; for a
deeper understanding about what it meant that we’d all been through such
a dark period of plague at a time when so few people were paying
attention to it. That was my challenge.<br />
<br />
The first thing I did was return to some of the videotape that I knew
existed because as anybody who was doing reporting on the ground back
then knew, cameras were everywhere—people with AIDS and their advocates,
activists and artists, family members, and independent news gatherers
were all shooting. That was all made possible with the arrival in 1982
with the revolution of the prosumer video cameras. They were suddenly
available, and suddenly cheap, and they were taken up by this community
in a remarkable way.<br />
<br />
So I went to look at some of the tapes; there is a collection at the New
York Library of some of the video work produced by ACT UP itself. And
then I thought, you really can’t tell the story without the cameras,
because the cameras played such an integral part. In fact, the camera
itself was kind of a character in those years. And I thought, I’m
actually looking at the project—the project is in trying to tell the
story and make sense of it by going back and actually re-purposing those
images for future generations. <br />
_________________________________________________________________________<br />
To read more of David France's interview with Larkin Callaghan of the 2x2 Project, click <a href="http://the2x2project.org/the-impact-of-aids-activism-an-interview-with-david-france/">here</a>.<br />
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GMHChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12799055300480302815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665089121802219847.post-1113787096797226402013-01-18T12:20:00.001-08:002013-01-18T12:20:25.012-08:00How GMHC's Savor Dinner Nourishes People Living With HIV and AIDS by Wilson Rodriguez<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.huffpost.com/gen/948389/thumbs/o-WILSON-RODRIGUEZ-570.jpg?6" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="wilson rodriguez" border="0" height="320" src="http://i.huffpost.com/gen/948389/thumbs/o-WILSON-RODRIGUEZ-570.jpg?6" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chef Wilson Rodriguez with Lydell Williams & Crystal Taylor</td></tr>
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<br />
The dining room on the seventh floor was full for the recent holiday dinner. The mood was upbeat as our clients -- men and women living with HIV and AIDS -- relished the beautifully-prepared meal. As the Chef of the GMHC's Meals Program, I enjoy walking throughout the room and talking to our clients, many of whom I see throughout the year. At one table, I noticed a man who, while seated with others, was alone. He was quietly eating and crying. I found an empty chair by the windows and pulled up next to him. I wanted to find out why he was in tears. He turned to me and shared how the food reminded him of his mother's cooking. She had died a few years ago. And what made his grief even worse, I learned, was his father refused to talk to him because he was HIV-positive. <br />
<br />
Isolation. Stigma. Shame. Words I would have not connected to cooking until I came to work at GMHC 10 years ago. Over 90,000 hot and nutritious meals are served annually. The lunches and dinners are not only delicious and elegant, they create comfort and arrest people's fears about being hungry. Each day, our dining room becomes a community room, a family room, a place to connect to others. Because of the stigma attached to people living with HIV and AIDS, there are clients who continue to be made to feel like they don't deserve good things in their lives. It is very disheartening to hear about times when family members and neighbors have shamed our clients for living with HIV or AIDS. Our clients deserve the best and I purchase the best quality of food I can get. I know that the people we serve are so appreciative.<br />
<br />
I also contribute my culinary skills by teaching the staff and high-school interns who are part of a vocational training program. I am always teaching. One staff person, in particular, came to me through GMHC's Workforce Development Department. He had experienced homelessness, substance use and other traumas. Over the years of working with him, he now has a stable home, he is healthy and sober, and is an enthusiastic cook. He actually helps me train the high-school students and is giving back to the community. My staff, volunteers and interns are a terrific team. We are a family. While we have our rough days, we also have so much fun. A happy kitchen cooks great food! <br />
A lot of what I do is from the heart. I love cooking and have a passion for both it and feeding people. That's why I am excited about our fifth annual fundraiser, Savor, which will bring together some of the best chefs in the country to provide guests with a once-in-a-lifetime dining experience. It is an honor and a privilege to have Alex Guarnaschelli, executive chef of Butter and The Darby, who recently won, <em>The Next Iron Chef</em> on the Food Network, and Colleen Grapes, pastry chef of the Red Cat and the Harrison, as part of Savor's culinary dream team.<br />
<br />
This year, GMHC will have two honorees at Savor -- the Keith Haring Foundation and Joy Tomchin. The Keith Haring Foundation has been tremendously supportive in funding our Keith Haring Food Pantry Program which distributes groceries and provides nutritional counseling to clients in need. I work closely with the program's nutritionists when preparing my menus each week so they are heart healthy (i.e., low in sodium and fat). Joy Tomchin is being saluted for her longstanding philanthropy to GMHC and for producing the powerful Oscar-nominated documentary, <em>How to Survive a Plague</em>. These chefs and honorees are all passionate in their work and support in the fight against AIDS. By joining us for Savor on March 21 at Cipriani 42nd Street, you can help us nourish people living with HIV and AIDS.<br />
<br />
<em></em><br />
<em>For more information, please visit gmhc.org.</em><br />
<em>_____________________________________________________________________</em><br />
<br />
Wilson Rodriguez is the Chef and Meals Program Coordinator at GMHC. His article was originally published in <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/wilson-rodriguez/gmhc-savor-dinner_b_2504002.html">The Huffington Post</a> on January 18, 2013. GMHChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12799055300480302815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665089121802219847.post-66891225936163924972013-01-15T14:01:00.000-08:002013-01-15T14:02:07.200-08:00Remembering Martin Luther King Jr. in the 32nd year of the HIV/AIDS Epidemicby Marjorie J. Hill, PhD, CEO, Gay Men's Health Crisis<br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">On January 15, 2013,
Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would have been 84 years old. We wonder
what he would have thought about six gay men, who later became our founders,
and their friends who gathered in a living room in 1981, and began what would
become the first AIDS service organization the world, Gay Men's Health Crisis.</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div _mce_style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">We wonder what Dr. King would have
thought about the HIV/AIDS epidemic now in its 32nd year and the social
injustices that are still intrinsically linked to it, including homophobia,
stigma, discrimination, poverty, racism, sexism, lack of access to health
care--and sadly more. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div _mce_style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Dr. King and the activists before
and after him offer us a profusion of extraordinarily courageous activism to
continue to live by and learn from. With each step we take to fight social
injustices, one powerful undercurrent remains constant--the importance of
service to others. Dr. King taught us, "Life's most persistent and urgent
question is: What are you doing for others?"</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div _mce_style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">GMHC was built on the foundation of
serving others through the drastic times and the persistent times. That small
group of volunteers came forward and bravely struggled to piece together
responses to this developing plague when very little response was coming from
government officials and elsewhere. Decades later, thousands of volunteers,
staff members, board members and supporters have walked our hallways to help
those dying of AIDS, to now help people to live with HIV and AIDS. Thirty years
ago, we could only provide basic prevention education to people of all racial,
gender and sexual identities. Now we offer extended community outreach and HIV
testing. Our advocacy for the rights of treatments and funding now includes
advocacy for the rights to housing, food and healthcare.</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div _mce_style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Our expanded work continues. GMHC's
mission "to fight to end the AIDS epidemic and uplift the lives of all
affected" reflects the civil rights movement at its core. We remain more
committed and vigilant to reduce new HIV infections, care for those living with
HIV and AIDS, and fight for human rights for all those affected by HIV and
AIDS. As Dr. King once declared, "All labor that uplifts humanity has
dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking
excellence." </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div _mce_style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">During this time of reflection on
King's birthday, we join President Obama by encouraging everyone to be of
service to others, particularly on Saturday, January 19, National Day of
Service, and afterwards. To volunteer at GMHC, please visit gmhc.org, and
throughout the country, visit serve.gov.</span></div>
<br />GMHChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12799055300480302815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665089121802219847.post-54759987429292865922013-01-03T08:55:00.000-08:002013-01-03T08:55:41.336-08:00Offering Care on the Battlefield of the HIV/AIDS Epidemic: An Interview With Designer Michael Bastian by Marjorie J. Hill, PhD, GMHC's CEO <br />
<br />
Recently I sat down with designer Michael Bastian, who received this year's Style Vault Award from my organization, Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC), for his generous support and for his exemplary talent in the fashion industry. This award would have been presented at GMHC's annual fundraiser, Fashion Forward, but the event was cancelled in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.<br />
<br />
<strong>Hill:</strong> When did you first learn about the HIV/AIDS epidemic?<br />
<br />
<strong>Bastian:</strong> I first learned about this virus in 10th grade health class. They didn't even have a real name for it yet. It was still called "gay cancer" or something. A classmate of mine gave a report on a <em>New York Times Magazine</em> cover story on it. I think a lot about how my generation was the first to get the warning signal that this disease was out there and how it affected us all. We were the first on the "life boat," in a way, but also the first generation with a front-row seat to the horrors and uncertainty of those early years.<br />
<br />
<strong>Hill:</strong> What were your initial thoughts or feelings about the epidemic?<br />
<br />
<strong>Bastian:</strong> Well, as a teenager who was just coming to terms with being gay, it was a terrible thing to hear about. Looking back, I think it probably kept me in the closet a little longer than I probably would have been if there weren't this mysterious new disease that was, at the time, explicitly linked to being gay. It really gave young gay people a reason to stay underground back then (we're talking early '80s).<br />
<br />
<strong>Hill:</strong> Is there a particular story related to HIV and AIDS that has moved you?<br />
<br />
<strong>Bastian:</strong> They all move me, every single one. And they keep coming, unfortunately.<br />
<br />
<strong>Hill:</strong> When did you start to get involved?<br />
<br />
<strong>Bastian:</strong> I think my first contact with GMHC (like a lot of people) was when they started the AIDS Walk New York. Here was a great way for ordinary people to show their support and help raise some money in a very real way. After that, I think the next time I got involved beyond walking was after I started my company and was asked to participate in a GMHC runway show.<br />
<br />
<strong>Hill:</strong> What drew you to work with GMHC?<br />
<br />
<strong>Bastian:</strong> As a gay man living in New York, it was actually the least I could do, and GMHC was the first organization to actually address this disease head-on. They immediately became this kind of positive outlet for a lot of people frustrated that a cure wasn't being found, that the government didn't even talk about it, that friends were getting sick and dying and we still didn't fully understand why. GMHC was a place where we could direct that energy and frustration toward something good, even if we weren't sure at the time where this disease was taking us.<br />
<br />
<strong>Hill:</strong> Why is it important to you to be a supporter of GMHC?<br />
<br />
<strong>Bastian:</strong> It's actually more important than ever to support GMHC. As this disease and our knowledge of it evolves, we've learned it's not just a gay man's disease -- actually far from it. While gay men have been disproportionately affected, this has become an issue that touches all of us as humans. In 100 years we will be judged by how we responded to this crisis, and I'm proud that in these dark years I did what little I could. I was recently watching a documentary on the Civil War and how at the time there was very little emergency care on the battlefield, and more men were dying of infection from non-lethal wounds than from the wound itself. And in the midst of this confusion and devastation, one woman, Clara Barton, jumped in and did what she could from the back of her wagon to help save these men. Her efforts were the beginning of what has now become the American Red Cross. I see lots of parallels with the work of GMHC, the first to jump in the battle and do something when others won't or can't.<br />
<br />
<strong>Hill:</strong> What examples have you seen of the fashion industry fighting AIDS?<br />
<br />
<strong>Bastian:</strong> As a group, the fashion industry has been one of the strongest in the effort to fight HIV and AIDS. There are many groups dedicated to fighting this disease; GMHC's Fashion Forward is just one of them. But I think everyone in this industry fights it in their own way.<br />
<br />
<strong>Hill:</strong> What do you see are the reasons that the fashion industry is so involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS?<br />
<br />
<strong>Bastian:</strong> My industry was affected so strongly and immediately by this disease; we actually lost a significant part of a whole generation of designers. I think a lot about how the landscape in my industry would be different if we still had Perry Ellis, Halston, Willi Smith, Giorgio di Sant' Angelo and a million other talented designers and just other people in the industry around today.<br />
<br />
<strong>Hill:</strong> If you could send out a message to the general public about HIV and AIDS, what would that message be?<br />
<br />
<strong>Bastian:</strong> It's not over yet. While we now have more knowledge and enough history and information to take responsibility for our health and our actions as we each see fit, it's easy to become emotionally worn down and immune to this disease. This is the monster that barged into our bedrooms and living rooms and has unfortunately come to stay, at least for the time being. And just because it's been slightly tamed, it's still not going away. No one knows if we're nearing the end of this fight or just in the middle, but it's still here, and we can't let our guard down yet. It's not over until it's over.<br />
<br />
<strong>Hill:</strong> If you had one wish about the epidemic, what would it be?<br />
<br />
<strong>Bastian:</strong> Well, every New Year's Eve, I make a little prayer hoping this is the year some very smart person finds a cure for HIV/AIDS, but after 30 years of this prayer, now I just ask that I will be around when a cure is found. That will be the happiest day of my life.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="2013-01-01-michaelbastian.JPG" height="400" src="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2013-01-01-michaelbastian.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo by Adam Fredericks</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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__________________________________________________________________________ <br />
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The interview was originally published in <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marjorie-hill-phd/offering-care-on-the-battlefield-of-the-hivaids-epidemic-an-interview-with-designer-michael-bastian_b_2390597.html">The Huffington Post</a> on December 31, 2012GMHChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12799055300480302815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665089121802219847.post-60965811367246702962012-11-29T09:15:00.003-08:002012-11-29T09:15:44.936-08:00New Study Shows Structural Factors Play Major Role in Access to HIV Services for Gay Men Worldwide<!--[if !mso]>
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<em><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Global survey finds
homophobia, comfort with service provider, and community engagement make
significant impact on access to condoms, lubricant, HIV testing, and HIV
treatment</span></em><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">November 29, 2012 (Oakland, Calif.)</span></strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> – A large-scale study
of gay men and other men who have sex with men (MSM), conducted by the Global
Forum on MSM & HIV (MSMGF), indicates that only one third of MSM can easily
access condoms, lubricant, HIV testing, and HIV treatment. Combining a
multi-lingual online survey and focus group discussions, the study suggests
that structural barriers like homophobia play a significant role in blocking
access to HIV services for MSM, while greater comfort with health service
providers and more community engagement are associated with higher levels of service
access.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The MSMGF’s study aimed to identify factors that affect access to
HIV services for MSM. The online survey conducted earlier this year included
5779 men from 165 countries. In addition, the MSMGF collaborated with
African Men for Sexual Health and Rights (AMSHeR) to conduct focus group
discussions with 71 MSM across five cities in South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria.
</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Of men who participated in the online survey, only 35% reported
that condoms were easily accessible, 21% reported easy access to lubricant, 36%
reported easy access to HIV testing, and 42% reported easy access to HIV
treatment. Levels of access differed by country income level, with reduced
access to services more commonly reported in lower income countries. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><img align="none" height="312" id="_x0000_i1025" src="http://gallery.mailchimp.com/1efcb45b2d3a4abde06876054/images/AccessGraphice93026.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0in; border-left-width: 0in; border-right-width: 0in; border-top-width: 0in; display: inline; height: 312px; line-height: 100%; outline: none; text-decoration: none; width: 500px;" width="500" /></span></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Percent of MSM reporting
that condoms, lubricant, HIV testing, and HIV treatment are easily accessible,
organized by country income level using World Bank country income
classifications</span></em></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Such poor levels of access at the global level are unacceptable,”
said Dr. George Ayala, Executive Director of the MSMGF. “The differences in
access by country income are especially important to note as the Global Fund
moves into a new funding model where countries are grouped into bands by income
level. Even in upper middle income countries, MSM still have extremely low
access to services. Without targeted funding to MSM and other key populations,
the new funding model may continue to deteriorate levels of access for the
groups most affected by HIV.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The MSMGF research team also conducted analyses to identify
barriers (factors associated with lower access) and facilitators (factors
associated with higher access) that impact the ability of MSM to obtain
condoms, lubricant, HIV testing, and HIV treatment.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Adjusting for country income, greater access to condoms,
lubricants, and HIV testing were associated with less homophobia, greater
comfort with health service providers, and more community engagement. Among
participants living with HIV, higher access to HIV treatment was associated
with less homophobia and greater comfort with health service providers.
Greater access to lubricants and greater access to HIV testing were also
associated with less outness (the degree to which others know of one’s sexual
orientation) and fewer negative consequences as a result of being out,
respectively.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“As we collectively forge ahead into the new territory of
treatment-based prevention, it is clear that many of the old challenges
remain,” said Noah Metheny, Director of Policy at the MSMGF. “Addressing
structural barriers remains essential to realizing the potential of HIV
interventions for MSM, and it becomes more important with each new prevention
and treatment option that is made available. Investments in the development of
new interventions must be accompanied by efforts to increase access.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The quantitative data from the online survey was supplemented with
qualitative data from focus group discussions, helping to place barriers and
facilitators in the broader context of the sexual health and lived experiences
of MSM. Focus group discussion participants identified barriers and
facilitators that were highly consistent with those found in the online survey,
and many participants explained the ways that structural barriers at the
policy, cultural, and institutional levels cascade down through the community
and individual levels to block access to services for MSM.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Focus group discussion participants described how structural
barriers like stigma, discrimination, and criminalization force MSM to hide
their sexual behavior from health care providers, employers, landlords,
teachers, and family members in order to protect themselves and maintain a
minimum livelihood. The inability of MSM to reveal their sexual behavior to
health service providers was linked to misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis, and
delayed treatment, leading to poor health prognosis and higher risk of
transmitting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections to partners. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Conversely, focus group discussion participants explained that the
negative consequences of structural barriers were moderated by the existence of
safe spaces to meet other MSM, safe spaces to receive services, access to
competent mental health care, and access to comprehensive health care.
Participants described MSM-led community based organizations as safe spaces
where they could celebrate their true selves, receive respectful and
knowledgeable health care, and in some cases receive mental health services.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“The study’s findings underscore the urgent need to improve access
to essential HIV services for gay men and other MSM worldwide,” said Dr. Ayala.
“Interventions must both disrupt the negative effects of barriers and bolster
the protective effects of facilitators. Study participants clearly indicated
that community engagement and community-based organizations are central to
moderating barriers and promoting service access. Successfully addressing HIV
among MSM will require a real effort to address structural barriers, and the
findings from this study suggest that investing in MSM-led community-based
organizations may be the best way to do that.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
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<em><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Entitled, “Access to HIV Prevention and Treatment for Men Who Have
Sex with Men: Findings from the 2012 Global Men’s Health and Rights Study
(GMHR),” the full report can be found on the MSMGF’s website at: <a href="http://msmgf.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1efcb45b2d3a4abde06876054&id=da8b08179a&e=1c4d41bb15" target="_blank"><span style="color: #336699;">http://www.msmgf.org/files/msmgf//documents/GMHR_2012.pdf</span></a>.</span></em><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<strong><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Media Contact:</span></i></strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<em><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jack Beck</span></em><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<em><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">510.332.0786 (m)</span></em><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<em><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">510.271.1956 (o)</span></em><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<em><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="mailto:jbeck@msmgf.org" target="_blank"><span style="color: #336699;">jbeck@msmgf.org</span></a></span></em><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<em><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Global Forum on MSM & HIV (MSMGF) is an expanding network
of AIDS organizations, MSM networks, and advocates committed to ensuring robust
coverage of and equitable access to effective HIV prevention, care, treatment,
and support services tailored to the needs of gay men and other MSM.</span></em><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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GMHChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12799055300480302815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665089121802219847.post-24033569258755986302012-11-28T13:17:00.002-08:002012-11-28T13:17:49.727-08:00GMHC Releases New Report, "FENCED IN: HIV/AIDS in the U.S. Criminal Justice System"<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQqLb2u4imjnDe7wS1nGVvLKxKUoJ1ZfCb12pRJ2zqdefB3YnOw68YetSge7HnJos7PA2pQdWJKaMEv93frRbQtJfOc2SA8xJvRNVlGRBOqYMabIRnhgLeu2yqBMBlglLHB394vl1V7YO/s1600/fenced+in+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQqLb2u4imjnDe7wS1nGVvLKxKUoJ1ZfCb12pRJ2zqdefB3YnOw68YetSge7HnJos7PA2pQdWJKaMEv93frRbQtJfOc2SA8xJvRNVlGRBOqYMabIRnhgLeu2yqBMBlglLHB394vl1V7YO/s200/fenced+in+cover.jpg" width="153" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">In conjunction with World AIDS Day (12/1), Gay Men's Health Crisis
released a new report, "FENCED IN: HIV/AIDS in the U.S. Criminal Justice
System," which addresses the dual epidemic of HIV and mass incarceration
in the U.S. and offers policy recommendations to improve the health of affected
communities. This comprehensive report documents how mass imprisonment
often destroys relationships, healthcare regimens, and employment opportunities
for formerly incarcerated individuals. As a result, communities with high
rates of incarceration also tend to have high rates of HIV infection. The
state of HIV care and prevention inside prisons and jails is also examined, and
comparisons between states in the U.S. and countries across the globe are explored.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Some
recommendations in the report include:</span></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Prisoners should be recruited to become peer
educators about HIV epidemiology and prevention. These leaders should also
conduct outreach to fellow prisoners about the benefits of HIV testing.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Prisons should avoid the use of solitary
confinement under any circumstances, especially of prisoners living with
HIV. Solitary confinement can make access to treatment and medications
extremely difficult and irregular.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Condoms and other prophylactic devices should be made
readily available to inmates without having to request them from medical
staff, via vending machines or other dispensaries.</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Through
this report and other work statewide and nationally, we at GMHC assert our
commitment to combatting the AIDS epidemic within corrections systems,"
stated Marjorie J. Hill, PhD, CEO of GMHC. "Prisons and jails are
crucial battlegrounds in the fight for an 'AIDS-free generation,' and they
remain a top priority in our policy work."</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Many
of the maps and other visuals in FENCED IN were drafted by the Legal Action
Center. The report also includes an opening statement from Mr. Hilary
Shelton, the Director of the NAACP Washington Bureau and Senior Vice President
for Policy and Advocacy.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Click
<a href="http://gmhc.org/files/editor/file/a_pa_2012_prison.pdf" shape="rect" target="">here</a> to read the
comprehensive report.</span></div>
GMHChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12799055300480302815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665089121802219847.post-1832750045884201832012-11-15T10:00:00.000-08:002012-11-15T10:00:07.544-08:00Feet Walking Forward: The Life of William Brandon Lacy Campos by <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/aundaray-guess" rel="author">Aundaray Guess</a><br />
<br />
When I signed into Facebook Saturday morning, I was prepared to post something witty about my need for coffee to get my weekend going. I was expecting to see in my News Feed the usual praise for God, posts about wild Friday-night experiences and a few Instagram photos of folks posing in the mirror. What I wasn't expecting to see was a post about a friend who, it seemed, had passed. My heart raced, and I immediately went to his page, and there it was, a long list of people commenting on the passing of a great warrior. His Facebook page gives his full name as William Brandon Lacy Campos, but his friends knew him simply as Brandon.<br />
<br />
<img alt="2012-11-13-brandon.gif" height="255" src="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2012-11-13-brandon-thumb.gif" style="float: right; margin: 10px;" width="170" />Brandon, who was anything but simple, passed late Friday. He was truly a unique man. He has been described rightly as a warrior, an author, an advocate and a blogger, and most importantly he has been described as a good friend to all. He battled drug abuse and homophobia and wrote candidly about his HIV-positive status. As a gay man of color living with HIV, he literally bared his soul for all to see, and in that nakedness he exposed the many injustices that the disenfranchised have to endure. He spoke out not just for gays and those living with HIV but for those who may have felt that they had no voice. He didn't use his male privilege with abandon but instead recognized that as a male with certain privileges, it was his duty to make sure women had the same rights. In his own words Brandon described himself as "a poet, playwright, journalist, amateur chef and life commentator doing his bit to put his foot in the asses of the regressive masses, while putting filling and nutritious food on plates of folks that ain't got much and deserve better." And -- oh, yeah! -- he was a tough-as-nails feminist!<br />
<br />
I admire him most for his writings on HIV. In this day and age, when having HIV still carries such a stigma, he refused to let anyone place him in a box. He was a great intellect who could effectively communicate the experience of living with HIV and not only point out the injustices that those living with HIV must endure but stand on the front lines, daring anyone to try to silence him. He was an accidental activist who may not have been the quietest person, but that's what we needed, someone to get up in people's faces and let them know, "We're going to talk about this shit, and the train ain't leaving until we're all strapped in." A college-educated man, he had letters after his name, but he didn't let those letters define who he was. He also didn't just hang with intellectuals but made himself available to anyone, no matter what road he or she walked. So whether you had a Ph.D. or a degree in street smarts, he was there for you. He knew we all had a story to tell.<br />
<br />
Don't get me wrong: Brandon would do some crazy shit. Sometimes the posts on his Facebook page would qualify as too much information, but in all honesty he did what a lot of us are so afraid to do: He lived. He made his life have meaning and a purpose, and he didn't forget to have fun. He loved to love, and he loved to be in love. And that's what I feel made people gravitate to him. Simply look at his Facebook page and you'll see people from all walks of life. You'll see a rainbow of genders, sexual orientations, nationalities and perspectives. And just from reading the last few days' posts, you'll see that he was someone who took the time to actually connect with people face-to-face, person-to-person, and who cooked from his soul as he fed not only stomachs but hearts. That's rare in this age of social media and texting.<br />
<br />
It's a wonder that he was able to make so much time for people, as he was very active in the queer community. Starting in his teens he was there giving a voice. In his 20s he co-chaired the National Queer Student Coalition. He sat on the board for the Audre Lorde Project and was co-executive director of Queers for Economic Justice. He was a constant blogger who brought up timely issues on his widely read blog, <a href="http://myfeetonlywalkforward.blogspot.com/" target="_hplink">My Feet Only Walk Forward</a>, and as a fierce spoken-word artist in his book <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Aint-Truth-If-Doesnt-Hurt/dp/1608640671" target="_hplink">It Ain't Truth If It Doesn't Hurt</a></em>, which was published last year. I can hear Brandon saying, "Guess what, bitches! You can get it on Amazon.com, plus it's in e-book form. Boo-yah!" And with <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFXl1UNJIPc" target="_hplink">his "Naked Poetry" series on YouTube</a>, he let it all hang out and left you with something to think about.<br />
<br />
I knew Brandon personally when I lived in Minnesota, which he was also from. With the state being over 80-percent white, we LGBT people of color had to find each other. I always joked that he followed me to NYC. That may not be the case, but I do know that I followed him in his activism as he inspired me to start blogging and telling my own story of living with HIV. I was amazed that he was able to put it out there and in his words. It gave me the strength to do the same. What Brandon did was throw a big rock in the deep water, creating ripples of people who were also inspired by him. I let him know this when I saw him at a performance that we both attended.<br />
<br />
Brandon didn't belong to me, to you or to anybody at the top of his Facebook friends list. Brandon belonged to everyone who met him, because his spirit is in all of us. His blog was aptly titled "My Feet Only Walk Forward," because with such a huge load to carry, he knew forward was the only way to go. I hope I and others make Brandon proud as we pick up that load and become the voice of justice. When we do it, we do it in honor of Brandon. And if we encounter people with closed ears and minds, we'll do what Brandon used to say: "We're just going to beat them silly with a piece of ham hock until their damn neck snaps back into reality."<br />
<br />
I hope I got that right, Brandon, and thank you for inspiring me to be naked.<br />
______________________________________________________________________<br />
Mr. Guess' article was originally posted on the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/aundaray-guess/feet-walking-forward-the-life-of-william-brandon-lacy-campos_b_2124749.html">Huffington Post</a> on November 14, 2012.<br />
<br />
GMHChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12799055300480302815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665089121802219847.post-241524050171639312012-11-13T14:05:00.000-08:002012-11-13T14:05:30.421-08:00All Hands on Deck for People Living With HIV and AIDS After Hurricane Sandy<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">By Janet Weinberg</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-0I0-umYu3mZAjB8lB1jTlHZKOJYopB9Wvr7uesqoneB-Ud-vzJZca5V3_VnnixLKGasHrAFwVpOrYdKUit2mnyVbdGLCkuAUk_XloqCIOrMXZtRq_kls75wLm77-FCldsUFnnWPJxGBu/s1600/IMG_3357-35x3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-0I0-umYu3mZAjB8lB1jTlHZKOJYopB9Wvr7uesqoneB-Ud-vzJZca5V3_VnnixLKGasHrAFwVpOrYdKUit2mnyVbdGLCkuAUk_XloqCIOrMXZtRq_kls75wLm77-FCldsUFnnWPJxGBu/s200/IMG_3357-35x3.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">It happens almost every four weeks: A
surge of clients comes to Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) in pursuit of meals
and bags of groceries. For people living with HIV and AIDS whose main source of
income is their Social Security disability checks, money often runs out near
the end of the month. At that point they are not able to buy food, and they
come in for help.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">Many have to survive the "in-between
days" until their next Social Security check arrives. I expected the end
of October to be no different, but then Hurricane Sandy arrived in its
cataclysmic fury. As a tragic result, many people in NYC living with or
affected by HIV and AIDS were hit hard. Our clients are among the poorest and
most vulnerable New Yorkers, and the outcome of the hurricane continues to have
a disproportionate impact on them. These men, women and families continue to be
without housing, food, electricity, clothing and HIV medications and need basic
humanitarian support and someone with whom they can talk. In fact, on Monday,
October 29, despite the severe storm warnings and the rain, several clients braved
the weather to walk from as far away as the Bronx and Brooklyn to our offices
on West 33rd Street for a hot meal. This was their only meal of the day, and
for some the only meal until GMHC was able to reopen the following Wednesday.
Well over 400 meals were served in the heart of the crisis, even when subways
had not resumed service, with clients walking long distances to receive food
and support.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">HIV-positive clients haven't been the only
ones in crisis. One high-risk, HIV-negative client needed to see three staff
persons -- our psychologist, our attorney and our benefits advocate -- because
the crises he was experiencing seemed insurmountable. The rest of that week
hundreds more came through our doors needing urgent care. Our Meals Program's
food supplies, including items such as bread and salad ingredients, began to
dip because trucks had stopped delivering. Though our chef, Wilson Rodriguez,
is very creative, worrisome feelings started to set in about what could happen
during the week of November 5 if deliveries did not resume. When a person living
with HIV or AIDS does not have food to eat, there are serious consequences,
particularly if their HIV medications have to be taken with food. Therefore,
adhering to treatment becomes jeopardized, and anxiety about food takes root.
Each day we were reminded how critical it is that we are here for our clients,
providing meals and bags of groceries, linkages to housing and crisis
counseling.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">Even with the emotional intensity of the
week, there were heartwarming, inspiring moments. I was deeply moved when board
members, volunteers and staff members found ways to travel to our offices,
pitched in to cook and serve meals and distributed bags of groceries from our
Keith Haring Food Pantry Program. This was a significant,
"all-hands-on-deck" situation. Several clients told us how
appreciative they were that we remained open. "If you weren't open today,
I would have eaten nothing but peanut butter," shared one gentleman.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">Close to the end of that week, our Meals
Program finally received a food delivery. At the same time we were even able to
host a wedding ceremony at GMHC! Two of the agency's friends, Lawrence Neil
Chanen and John Eryn Burkhalter, were married in my office. Their wedding faced
cancellation due to the hurricane. I took photos, and my spouse, the Hon.
Rosalyn H. Richter, an associate justice of the appellate division of the New
York State Supreme Court, officiated. It was a touching event. GMHC provided
yet another safe space in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy to this couple.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">During the second week after the
hurricane, we made a decision to cancel our annual fundraiser, Fashion Forward,
in order to continue focusing on our core mission: providing direct support to
people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS. A new relief fund, Hurricane
Relief Forward, was launched to continue our disaster relief work, as our
efforts increase daily with the growing demand for immediate services.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">It is clear that the recovery from the
hurricane has only begun, and it will be a long journey to heal and rebuild.
Yet what is even clearer is the importance of all of us pulling together to be
of service to each other. Our hands <i>and</i> our hearts are on deck.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">_________________________________________________________________________</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">Janet Weinberg’s article was originally
published in the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/janet-weinberg/all-hands-on-deck-for-people-living-with-hiv-and-aids-after-hurricane-sandy_b_2118602.html">HuffingtonPost</a> on November 13, 2012.</span></div>
GMHChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12799055300480302815noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665089121802219847.post-79855605539335215062012-11-08T13:58:00.000-08:002012-11-08T13:58:11.892-08:00Hurricane Relief Forward Fund Created by GMHC Following Cancellation of Fashion Forward Event<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF53enJqTTn7S5A-W5f-SsZCxjcYwsg8inMEqjpafoQwlXsgTdEAzuwkDE_gHjbkaLyfiHfekgfozGTNfF9oTpOWNseRR9inJ2S30QhufuoBmiPyMWZ9pPvfFgTct06uQ1MKtCg6OpBZUg/s1600/HurricaneRelief-Main-626-110812-B+%283%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="115" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF53enJqTTn7S5A-W5f-SsZCxjcYwsg8inMEqjpafoQwlXsgTdEAzuwkDE_gHjbkaLyfiHfekgfozGTNfF9oTpOWNseRR9inJ2S30QhufuoBmiPyMWZ9pPvfFgTct06uQ1MKtCg6OpBZUg/s200/HurricaneRelief-Main-626-110812-B+%283%29.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Later
today, Thursday, November 8, would have been the night of our annual
fundraiser, Fashion Forward, which honors the nexus of fashion and AIDS
activism. Yet following the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy, and
the impact it has had on our clients, GMHC cancelled the event to focus on our
core mission--serving people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS. To
achieve this mission, a new fund was created by GMHC, <strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Hurricane Relief Forward</span></strong>,
for our disaster relief work. This unrestricted fund includes a matching
program, initially sponsored by four of our most generous donors and we now ask
for support. The program has started with $33,500, so we are seeking
donations which will be matched, thus doubling the contributions.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Donors
to the fund include members of the GMHC Board of Directors, with the founding
donation being from Board member Craig de Thomas, the Chief Executive Officer
of Insignia National Title Agency, LLC. Craig explained, "It was
heart-wrenching to see how many of our clients were in great need and despair
after the hurricane hit NYC. Volunteering was not enough and that's why I
am determined to put my resources where they will have an impact. I am honored
to step forward with financial support." To donate to GMHC's <strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Hurricane Relief Forward</span></strong>,
please visit our website--gmhc.org. For questions, please contact (212)
367-1281 or email Sherry Card at <a href="mailto:sherryc@gmhc.org">sherryc@gmhc.org</a>.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">As
a result of Hurricane Sandy, many New Yorkers living with or affected by
HIV/AIDS were hit hard. GMHC's clients include some of the poorest and
most vulnerable New Yorkers, and Hurricane Sandy had a disproportionate effect
on them. We were saddened to cancel Fashion Forward, but know that under
these circumstances, it was the correct decision. As we worked
through last week, it became clear the disaster's aftermath was much worse than
what we originally anticipated, so we are concentrating our efforts on
addressing these needs.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Many
of our clients continue to be without housing, food, electricity, clothing and
HIV medications--and need basic humanitarian support. On Monday, October
29 and Wednesday, October 31, several clients braved the weather, walking from
their homes in the Bronx and Brooklyn to our offices on West 33rd Street for a
hot meal. This may have been their only meal of the day. Well over
400 meals were served in the heart of the crisis, even when subways had not
resumed, with clients making their way long distances to receive food and
assistance. We sent home care packages with clients on Monday knowing
that they might not have access to any food on Tuesday, October 30, and we were
not able to be open with the closure of the subways.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Not
only HIV-positive clients are in crisis, one high-risk, HIV-negative client
needed to see three staff persons including our psychologist, attorney and
benefits advocate because the crises he was experiencing seemed
insurmountable. The rest of last week, hundreds more came through our
doors needing urgent care. It continues to be critical that we are here
for our clients, providing meals and bags of groceries, linkages to housing and
crisis counseling. One client on Staten Island called in dire panic as
her home had been destroyed and she had not been able to find temporary
housing. GMHC immediately took action and now she is safe in a temporary
shelter.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Our
clients who live in areas without power had problems accessing their HIV
medications and needed immediate intervention. We worked with our pharmacy
contacts to successfully resolve their issues. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Our
Mental Health Services have provided daily crisis counseling and the numbers of
clients needing to talk remains high. Our Meals Program and Keith Haring
Food Pantry Program continue to have high volume, with more people needing
assistance than prior to Hurricane Sandy. Our Case Management department
continues to address housing needs of many clients, some of whom have been
dislocated by the hurricane.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">GMHC
remains focused on our core mission in the hurricane's aftermath. <strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Hurricane Relief Forward</span></strong>,
dedicated to assisting people living with HIV/AIDS, allows us to continue our
disaster relief work as our efforts increase. Seth Rosen, JD, Managing
Director of Development at GMHC, noted, "On the day before the hurricane,
and the week following it, I helped serve meals and tended to immediate needs
of our clients. I was deeply moved by the experience and how our staff,
board members and volunteers stepped up in those difficult days. With
this new fund, we will be able to increase our support for those impacted by
Hurricane Sandy."</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">GMHC
is especially grateful to the abundance of Fashion Forward donors, who upon
learning of the difficulties being faced by our clients, graciously allowed
their funds to be utilized for these efforts. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">To donate to GMHC's Hurricane Relief Forward,
please visit our website--gmhc.org. For questions, please contact (212)
367-1281 or email Sherry Card at <a href="mailto:sherryc@gmhc.org">sherryc@gmhc.org</a>.</span></span>GMHChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12799055300480302815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665089121802219847.post-90263955137358781462012-11-05T15:14:00.001-08:002012-11-05T15:14:56.075-08:00GMHC Cancels Fashion Forward 2012 Fundraiser; Agency Focuses on Direct Services to Clients Affected by Hurricane Sandy<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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As a result of Hurricane Sandy, many New Yorkers living with
or affected by HIV/AIDS have been hit hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>GMHC’s clients are among the poorest and most vulnerable New Yorkers,
and the outcome of the hurricane continues to have disproportionate impact on
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Given the ongoing immediate
challenges faced by our clients, GMHC has decided to cancel our annual fundraiser,
Fashion Forward on November 8, and continue to focus on our core mission,
providing direct support to people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Fashion
Forward 2012 is cancelled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Many of our clients continue to be <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">without housing, food, electricity, clothing and HIV medications--and need
basic humanitarian support.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, on
Monday, October 29, several clients braved the weather and walked from the
Bronx and Brooklyn to our offices on West 33<sup>rd</sup> Street for a hot
meal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This may have been the only meal
of the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well over 400 meals were
served in the heart of the crisis, even when subways had not even resumed, with
clients walking long distances to receive food and assistance.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">Not only HIV-positive clients
are in crisis, one high-risk, HIV-negative client needed to see three staff
persons including our psychologist, attorney and benefits advocate because the
crises he was experiencing seemed insurmountable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rest of last week, hundreds more came
through our doors needing urgent care .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It continues to be critical that we are here for our clients, providing
meals and bags of groceries, linkages to housing and crisis counseling.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">GMHC has started a new relief
fund, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Hurricane Relief Forward</b>, to
continue our disaster relief work as our efforts increase each day with the
growing demand for immediate services.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>More
information about this fund will be available shortly.<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">“As we worked through last
week, it became clear the disaster’s aftermath is much worse than what we
originally anticipated,” stated Marjorie J. Hill, PhD, GMHC’s Chief Executive Officer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“During this profound time of need, we call
on all our supporters to hold our clients in their hearts and remain constant
in their generosity.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
GMHChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12799055300480302815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665089121802219847.post-55529341645035459472012-10-23T08:28:00.000-07:002012-10-23T08:28:16.835-07:00People Are More Terrifying Than HIV/AIDS<!--
This file is automatically included in all articles by the article publisher
bnobes 2010-11-20
--><br />
<div class="byline">
By Alive2</div>
<div class="displaydate">
<br /></div>
<div class="bodytext">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7VAykpxdcwAhAQduj7i8_uepSjKYi9opOhC4BuxZtapiE0mgZ-NwfLktEqMP-fgrMur-J5mXKJWTRPBBM7SO0aHiGNrpfWZhTIdA75PxEI7AwGNLf6PYh9Dy86Oy2V_PbaTdpVZIPws-_/s1600/stigma+sucks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7VAykpxdcwAhAQduj7i8_uepSjKYi9opOhC4BuxZtapiE0mgZ-NwfLktEqMP-fgrMur-J5mXKJWTRPBBM7SO0aHiGNrpfWZhTIdA75PxEI7AwGNLf6PYh9Dy86Oy2V_PbaTdpVZIPws-_/s200/stigma+sucks.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">courtesy of typs.org.uk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Just recently I went to a doctor's appointment. As I was going through the
doors, I noticed a very familiar face. I was so stunned all I could say was,
"What are you doing here?" Yeah, just like we were at a store.<br />
<br />
It's very obvious I knew what she was there for, as well was the fact she
knew the exact same of myself. She happens to be the daughter of someone I've
known for many years, and I hadn't had a clue about her diagnosis. From the
moment I saw her until I got out of there all that kept running through my mind
was what was going to come out and what was going to be said. From the original
day I was diagnosed I kept my issues to myself (and wife).<br />
<br />
A few weeks later I ran into her father and we talked about many things, and
I'm so glad not a word was mentioned about any doctors or my seeing his daughter
at her appointment; after all, the doctor's office is specifically for HIV/AIDS
patients. I haven't seen this person in a while now, but I'm sure glad she
didn't say a word about anything.<br />
<br />
You see I'm the kind of guy who has to be bleeding from the eyes, to be going
to a hospital or the doctor's (except now) and I hold my cards very close to the
vest as a means to protect myself from those who don't know or are just
opinionated on issues they have no knowledge of.<br />
<br />
Just two weeks ago it was let out again, to someone who used to treat me as a
friend, and don't you know he's got the biggest mouth there is, as well as the
totally wrong outlook on the HIV issue and its real implications to a person's
body, and the means in which we contract HIV. He's one of those who think anyone
who has it must be dirty, or a lesser person than he is. I had been around him
even before I was diagnosed, and to sit and hear some of the things that come
out of his mouth would have dropped the average person; but me, I'm not so easy
a target. I just listen to him ramble his ideas and incorrect thoughts.<br />
<br />
All the
while, he had not a clue he was preaching the uninformed lesson to the choir, so
to speak. As time went on I slowly slipped some information (always use condoms) to his
teen kids without them knowing I had HIV. It's because I do understand a lot of
medical issues, and have gone through so many, I have learned so much that I
wasn't ever worried about saying what I thought.<br />
<br />
As I wrote in the title, it's more the people who worry me the most now that
I know what to do with my health. It used to be I worried about this virus. It's
really ironic that someone you have known for so long can turn into someone you
never knew after all; they were just somebody whose name and phone number you
knew, that's all.<br />
<br />
It's sad when you realize things truly aren't what they seem, when for years
things were good. All the uninformed and misinformed people are the ones who
suffer silently because they just don't get it. Sure I suffer in silence too,
but I suffer for different reasons. As I'm getting older I become more guarded
with who I allow myself to call a friend, and it's really disheartening to me,
because I'm the kind of guy who will be out having fun telling jokes and trying
to get other people into a good mood. Maybe this is the part where I grow up
finally. I have been called a big kid long enough.<br />
<br />
I just don't like the seriousness of how people can still be so naive to such
a big health issue. HIV is still around and I have seen it firsthand -- both the
caring and the not caring at all. Kind of like being on a listing ship; flip a
coin and decide which way it's going to turn over. It can be bothersome most
times, but, then there are times I don't care and I say it the way I see it.<br />
<br />
I hope that ex-friend calls me one more time, so I can tell him, "Sorry, but
I can't speak right now, I have HIV and I heard you can catch it through the
phone now" -- then just hang up and leave that part of my life gone for
good.<br />
______________________________________________________________________<br />
The article was initially published in <a href="http://www.thebody.com/content/69498/people-are-more-terrifying-than-hivaids.html">thebody.com</a> on October 23, 2012. <br />
<br />
</div>
GMHChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12799055300480302815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665089121802219847.post-36265349977239964822012-10-22T11:19:00.001-07:002012-10-22T11:19:35.146-07:00Personal Reflections on AIDS 2012<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
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by Thu Yain</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWEXYXh-vU6o8ZVqrNLEWatSO0ou4Zk7U_FiRuNFXekRI4nLzfUXm0KczYfd32cYaIPzdJaIyJjzrx_urdDAZk65S6L_xoXd2-nQnkZ8-T-Q1XgCsylr6oVbyXYg74k2ByFMkRex0FnDqY/s1600/IMG_7522-1120x746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWEXYXh-vU6o8ZVqrNLEWatSO0ou4Zk7U_FiRuNFXekRI4nLzfUXm0KczYfd32cYaIPzdJaIyJjzrx_urdDAZk65S6L_xoXd2-nQnkZ8-T-Q1XgCsylr6oVbyXYg74k2ByFMkRex0FnDqY/s320/IMG_7522-1120x746.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo courtesy of Youth LEAD</td></tr>
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<i>Youth advocate Thu Yain shares his experience of attending The MSMGF
Pre-Conference and this year's International AIDS Conference. Thu is a member
of The MSMGF's Youth Reference Group and board member at Youth LEAD in
Singapore.</i><br />
<br />
AIDS 2012 was the first international conference that I have ever attended. It
was also the longest trip that I have taken in the past 26 years of my life. I
was very excited to be given the chance to attend a huge scale event with so
many learning opportunities.<br />
<br />
I started my week long stay with The Global Forum on MSM & HIV (MSMGF) for
their Pre-Conference entitled, From Stigma to Strength: Strategies for MSM,
Transgender People and Allies in a Shifting AIDS Landscape. The Pre-Conference
was a day long affair to discuss issues affecting men who have sex with men
(MSM) and Transgender (TG) people, and how we can move forward as a community
in the HIV/AIDS response. I was most interested in the young MSM (YMSM) related
sessions.<br />
<br />
One thing that impressed me when I entered the conference hall was the handmade
quilt for those who have died from HIV. It was part of a project called Quilt
in the Capital. I was interested in the numerous quilts displayed around FHI
360, the conference venue. Each quilt paints a personal story about someone who
has perished from the disease. These quilts remind me that for each
positive person, there are many other loved ones who are affected by their
loss. The HIV/AIDs movement is felt by everyone because the virus never
discriminates. These quilts encourage me to keep fighting on, to advocate about
HIV/AIDS, and hopefully end HIV discrimination one day.<br />
<br />
From the YMSM break-out session that I attended, I realized that there are many
other young leaders around the world who work for their own communities. The
issues affecting each country and region were cross-cutting and similar. For
example, many young gay and bisexual men live in conservative societies and
face barriers in coming out safely and seeking sexual health services due to
stigma and discrimination. There is also lack of data on YMSM, making it harder
to reach out to the funders to support existing YMSM-specific services and
initiate new programmes. The government does not understand the importance of
reaching out to key affected populations. We need to work hard to develop
strong data on YMSM, which is aggregated by sub groups such as age, racial
groups, socio-economic status, etc.<br />
<br />
With data, there is good evidence to prove to government, funders, and other
stakeholders that YMSM are one of the most vulnerable groups, and that they
need the most support and assistance. Homophobic bullying still exists in
schools around the world. This greatly affects the self-esteem of young men,
potentially leading to suicidal thoughts. Many YMSM thus do not feel the need
to care for their own health and future. This also affects YMSM judgment,
resulting in lack of negotiation skills when engaging older and commercial
partners for safe sex to protect themselves.<br />
<br />
These issues and barriers were again echoed during the MSMGF Youth Reference
Group’s (YRG) meeting. The MSMGF Youth Reference Group helps advise and
coordinate the work of the MSMGF on YMSM issues. Each of the young leaders in
the YRG highlighted how YMSM are still vulnerable and need more support in the
HIV/AIDS response. Globally, the issues that were raised - stigma &
discrimination, lack of specific YMSM data, and the need to build leadership
for YMSM - were shared by all members at the breakout session. There was slight
variations based on the unique local cultures and characteristics, but, not
everything was negative. It was very encouraging to find out that various
programmes and services were already running in certain communities, and that
these programmes were reaching out and serving YMSM. For example, there are
great information, education, and communication (IEC) materials in Ireland. The
photos they use are actual young people from the community, and have language
that is youth-friendly. This reaches out to YMSM easily as they are able to
identify themselves with their peers in the photos. The friendly, accessible
messages are also easily understood by young people.<br />
<br />
Although YMSM are a young key-affected population, we must not forget that
there are other young vulnerable persons. This message was given to me when I
assisted in the session hosted by Youth LEAD, Asia-Pacific Network of Young Key
Affected Populations (YKAP). This interactive session was held in the Youth
Pavilion. Engaging games allowed the participants to understand the issues
affecting YKAP, including YMSM. The ecological model of YKAP is a useful tool
to understand the roots of problems, and the way various factors interrelated
and affect the HIV/AIDS response, enabling us to tackle each issue in a
systematic way.<br />
<br />
AIDS 2012 inspired me to work hard in achieving my goals of building an
inclusive, safe environment for YMSM. I want to see a society that does not
judge people by their sexuality or sexual preferences. Although there will
always be hurdles to overcome, we are never alone in this fight. I will always
believe in our work, and that the rest of society will eventually understand
us. With hard work, I trust we can achieve our dreams and hopes.<br />
_________________________________________________________________________<br />
<i>Biography</i><br />
<br />
<i>Thu Yain was born in Myanmar, but has called Singapore his home since he was
8 years old. He has been a HIV/AIDS advocate for the past two years. He
believes that every young person, especially young gay and bisexual men, should
be equipped with comprehensive sexual knowledge, and have affordable access to
sexual health services.</i><br />
<br />
<i>Thu has attended training in the field of HIV/AIDS and young
vulnerable/most-at-risk people conducted by UNICEF, UNFPA, and UNESCO. He also
completed a course in delivering quality technical assistance in advancing
human rights and gender equality in HIV response offered by UNAIDS, ActionAid
and TSF South Asia. He recently served as a workshop reviewer for AIDS 2012.</i><br />
<br />
<i>Thu is a member of Youth Reference Group with The Global Forum on MSM and
HIV. He is currently serving as a Board Member of Youth LEAD, a regional
network of young HIV/AIDS activists in Asia-Pacific. He is also a focal point
for Youth Voices Count, a network of young MSM and TG concerned about HIV/AIDS
in Asia-Pacific. Locally, he is a Senior Executive with SGRainbow, a social
group for young gay and bisexual men in Singapore.<br />
</i><br />
<a href="http://msmgf-blog.blogspot.com/2012/10/personal-reflections-on-aids-2012.html" target="_blank">http://msmgf-blog.blogspot.com/2012/10/personal-reflections-on-aids-2012.html</a></div>
GMHChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12799055300480302815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665089121802219847.post-86559068057475134932012-10-18T08:33:00.000-07:002012-10-18T08:33:04.991-07:00Thoughts About GMAD and New York's Black Gay Community<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">by Joey Pressley </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEt3U7WwcC4Y6hi_u6N6wQSP4vK3kB1j0o2yTHCeZUtWqxNM54yl4JIEaOSonXnH97WZWG3z1BKO9FJLeRDEeNfbinilN0lQmXmqnhwwlsxjeF5K4osq15wl9_-Kd0qCf7eewhq52MgPcB/s1600/joey+pressley_cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEt3U7WwcC4Y6hi_u6N6wQSP4vK3kB1j0o2yTHCeZUtWqxNM54yl4JIEaOSonXnH97WZWG3z1BKO9FJLeRDEeNfbinilN0lQmXmqnhwwlsxjeF5K4osq15wl9_-Kd0qCf7eewhq52MgPcB/s200/joey+pressley_cropped.jpg" width="181" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">The recent
resignation of Tokes Osubu from New York City’s Gay Men of African Descent
(GMAD) has prompted me to think very seriously about the future of the Black
gay/same gender loving (SGL) community and the vision needed to confront and
address our needs as we work to move forward. It has also generated my interest
in becoming GMAD’s next executive director. A position for which I would
consider applying the moment the organization’s Board of Directors elects to
initiate its search process.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">I’ve read
that GMAD founder, the Reverend Charles Angel, was a tireless, outspoken and
fearless activist who stood in the forefront of several organizing efforts in
the New York City gay and people with AIDS communities including, the National
Coalition of Black Lesbians and Gays, ACT-UP, and the People with AIDS
Coalition. In those Silence = Death days, he understood the vital importance of
advocacy, a clear vision and establishing a set of goals for addressing a
community’s broader needs. It was a holistic approach to activism rooted in a
proud African heritage, progressive Christian teachings and his belief in
psycho-spiritual growth. It was from this set of beliefs that GMAD grew, and
continued to grow even after Charles Angel’s untimely death from AIDS
complications in 1987, three years before I discovered GMAD via its Friday
night forums. These forums often brought a hundred or more Black gay men to The
Lesbian and Gay Community Services Center in Greenwich Village.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Organizations
such as GMAD, many of which are more than two decades old, were founded as
psycho-social-political entities designed to celebrate and empower Black
gay/SGL men. GMAD employed its holistic approach to create a much needed safe
space for its constituents to look at the intersecting issues in our lives. In
the 1990s, these well-intentioned organizations sought funding to combat
HIV/AIDS. This shift transformed them into AIDS service organizations that, by
necessity, narrowed their scope and vision. As the unpaid director of GMAD in
1991, I was involved in securing one of the first grants for the organization
thinking that it would create a pathway to growth and facilitate a greater
response to the devastation levied by AIDS on our community.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Given this
ongoing devastation, it stands to reason that our organizations must maintain a
powerful response to the epidemic; however, being pigeonholed as only an AIDS
service organization restricts the ability of Black gay/SGL institutions to
effectively speak for and to the myriad needs of their constituents. Black
gay/SGL men are as concerned about employment as they are about HIV prevention
and treatment. We are concerned about the impacts of climate change and hate
crimes, a woman’s right to choose as well as marriage equality and our presence
in the military. Black gay/SGL men are equally concerned and impacted by lack
of access to healthcare, education, housing, criminal justice issues and income
inequality. Working with faith-based institutions, combating stigma, homophobia
and addressing the social, economic and behavioral cofactors related to the
rise in HIV/AIDS infections will be ongoing work for GMAD. At the same time, I
see GMAD standing shoulder to shoulder with other progressive organizations
working in coalition to promote a fairer, more just society and world.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Our
organizations need new funding streams that will enable us to become active
participants and thought leaders in these arenas. As an expert in community
organizing and policy analysis, with years of experience in organizational
management and fund raising, I would seek to diversify GMAD’s revenue supports
so that its efforts would reflect the broader needs of its constituents. An
initial first step moving forward is for GMAD to engage in a strategic planning
exercise designed to assess strengths and weaknesses and to redefine its vision
and related mission. Stakeholders engaged in this process would include past
and current staff and funders, policymakers, community leaders and of course a
diverse representation of New York’s Black gay/SGL men. The organization would
work directly with Black gay/SGL men via ongoing participatory engagement to
develop agendas and strategic plans reflective of the community’s priorities
and work with legislators and public officials to shape policy and legislation
responsive to identified needs.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">I recognize
that this vision is broad and ambitious, but it is also one of more personal
concerns. I think about my 9 year old nephew. What if he shared with my husband
and me that he is gay? What world would he face? Simply put, I would want our
society to embrace and support him. I would look to GMAD, and organizations
like it, to stand without equivocation or shame in demanding that all of us,
including my dear nephew, have the equal and unmitigated opportunity to
celebrate our lives, and have the space to act as partners in bringing about
transformative social, economic and political change. </span></div>
GMHChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12799055300480302815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665089121802219847.post-89046166077214746402012-10-15T11:25:00.000-07:002012-10-15T11:25:30.092-07:00Governor Cuomo Appoints GMHC's CEO Marjorie J. Hill, PhD as Chair of NYS AIDS Advisory Council <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik4lAc-ylhNW3i0AeuOhGRvIM65bAmCdUE4fZ8f38_AoOqEGlHuDE5jk9vc44X9rbCs9oUgpSOcNnGkk5ypn5BbcWxPx_iOqyw-Gt6fw8_Oi07xOQ4aJwRCCzPX-Ye0ihCAlcX9O_5jCgx/s1600/albany-new-york-capitol.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik4lAc-ylhNW3i0AeuOhGRvIM65bAmCdUE4fZ8f38_AoOqEGlHuDE5jk9vc44X9rbCs9oUgpSOcNnGkk5ypn5BbcWxPx_iOqyw-Gt6fw8_Oi07xOQ4aJwRCCzPX-Ye0ihCAlcX9O_5jCgx/s200/albany-new-york-capitol.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Today, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the appointment of GMHC's CEO
Marjorie J. Hill, PhD as Chair of the New York State AIDS Advisory Council
(AAC) which was created in 1983 by Public Health Law, Article 27-E, Section
2778. The AAC is responsible for advising the Commissioner of Health and the
NYS AIDS Institute, and for making recommendations regarding the State's
response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Prior
to her appointment as Chair, Dr. Hill served as a member of the AAC, selected
by NYS Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver in 2007. Dr. Hill presently serves as
the Chief Executive Officer of Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC), the world's
first AIDS service organization. GMHC is a leading provider of HIV/AIDS
prevention, education and support services in NYC, and a vocal advocate on
HIV/AIDS at the city, state and federal levels.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Dr.
Hill commented: "I am honored to be appointed Chair of the NYS AIDS
Advisory Council and look forward to continuing to work closely with Governor
Cuomo, the NYS Department of Health and the AIDS Institute, as well as my
distinguished colleagues on the AAC. New York State has more cases of HIV than
San Francisco, Los Angeles, Miami and Washington, DC combined, yet most New
Yorkers do not know this. HIV awareness and education will be top priorities
for my tenure."</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">The
AAC has 17 appointed members (appointed by the Governor, the Senate Majority
and Minority Leaders, the Speaker of the Assembly and the Assembly Minority
Leader) whose affiliations include educational and medical institutions; local
health departments; nonprofit organizations, including the advocacy and service
communities; legislators; and persons living with HIV/AIDS. The
Chairperson of the AAC is designated by the NYS Governor. No terms of
office are specified in the authorizing legislation and AAC members receive no
compensation for their services. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Mr.
Humberto Cruz, Director of the AIDS Institute, stated, "The AIDS Institute
congratulates Dr. Hill on her appointment as Chair of the AIDS Advisory
Council. Dr. Hill has been a dedicated member of the Council with state
and national expertise in HIV/AIDS that will benefit this newly appointed
leadership role. We look forward to our continued work with Dr. Hill and
all Council members."</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Among
the many notable achievements of the AAC are: the development and
evaluation of the Expanded Syringe Access Program (ESAP); recommending the
formation of the Interagency Task Force on HIV/AIDS (created through an
Executive Order in 1997); and the publication of an array of important reports
such as "Principles on HIV Testing of Defendants in Certain Crimes"
(1996); "Report on Needle Exchange Programs and Deregulation of Needles
and Syringes" (1996); "Report of the Ethical Issues in Access to HIV
Treatment Workgroup" (1998); "Findings of the HIV Surveillance Workgroup"
(1998); "Report on HIV/AIDS Services in New York State Correctional
Facilities" (1999); "Communities at Risk: HIV/AIDS in Communities of
Color" (2001); "Report on Syringe Access in New York State"
(2005); and "Women in Peril, HIV & AIDS, The Rising Toll on Women of
Color" (2005).</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Dr. Hill assumes her position effective
immediately and will chair her first meeting on November 1, 2012.</span></span>GMHChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12799055300480302815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665089121802219847.post-90183764265973649192012-10-12T14:11:00.000-07:002012-10-12T14:11:27.271-07:00Show Me the 'Get to Zero' Money! by Marjorie J. Hill, PhD<br />
<br />
I have been to four International AIDS Conferences, and although they have all been interesting and inspiring, the conference in July was especially wonderful for the mere fact that it was held at home. Having the conference in the U.S. showed that our advocacy had worked. By lifting the HIV travel and immigration ban, we triumphed over stigma, bias and discrimination. We do not often have absolute victories in our social-justice work.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtjvYdxkfgY3WRJDAjfN73hg6InpzNPkMcjrokJ79BtHixo1Ua2mUplwar3blQWdonAmiE4C3_xpMb9urLrPnE_KLLDtLrQ4-P50lsALYyCQyC3TbF1NCNy1r_wIa4jIedCVxDO_dbyd8s/s1600/aids_money.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtjvYdxkfgY3WRJDAjfN73hg6InpzNPkMcjrokJ79BtHixo1Ua2mUplwar3blQWdonAmiE4C3_xpMb9urLrPnE_KLLDtLrQ4-P50lsALYyCQyC3TbF1NCNy1r_wIa4jIedCVxDO_dbyd8s/s200/aids_money.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
What was also captivating about this conference was the vision of an AIDS-free generation that was often invoked. It has been a long road since I lost my first friend to AIDS back in 1982. Throughout most of my adult life, the losses have continued to add up, so the possibility of ending AIDS is enticing and uplifting. I didn't just hear that message; I believed it. We have the tools to get to "zero new HIV infections," though I am not convinced we have the collective commitment yet. And we definitely don't have the "get to zero" money.<br />
<br />
With additional funding, we could increase <a href="http://www.gmhc.org/" target="_hplink">GMHC</a>'s work, expand outreach to women and gay men, provide more testing opportunities and improve treatment adherence. We could make more headway in fighting the structural barriers that place people at higher risk of HIV, and those that block people living with HIV/AIDS from accessing services.<br />
<br />
But there is not sufficient funding from the federal government, particularly for prevention programming. Many foundations and private entities do not recognize the complexities of this epidemic. They do not comprehend that structural challenges interfere with achieving good health outcomes. Some of these challenges include the lack of comprehensive sex education for gay youth, insufficient child-care options for mothers who are working or accessing care services, the need for life-skills workshops for elders and the failure of our society to provide support for black men, who are made to feel worthless and emasculated, or women, who are not respected and may experience other stigmas.<br />
<br />
While enough is not being done, we absolutely know what works. We know a sustained campaign targeting gay men with a message -- "you are worthy" -- and an increase of affordable housing and culturally relevant resources for HIV prevention would be effective. We have come to recognize that medical treatment is prevention. However, I struggle with the reality of individuals who have doctors but have not successfully suppressed their viral load. Why aren't they achieving that goal? Having a doctor is not enough. Having medications is not enough. Knowing your status is not enough. We need to ensure that people living with HIV are able to achieve this goal, too.<br />
<br />
I left the conference conflicted. I have hope and enthusiasm, and now more than ever, it's clear to me that we can win this fight. I am also anxious and agitated about receiving this good news, but I am not sure this good news will be realized. It's like having the keys to the kingdom but being unable to find the door.<br />
As we move forward in the fourth decade of the epidemic, our challenges at GMHC are to continue to do the things we know and to continue to fight for what we know will get us to zero new HIV infections.<br />
<br />
_______________________________________________________________________<br />
Marjorie J. Hill, PhD is the CEO of GMHC. Her article was initially published in the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marjorie-hill-phd/show-me-the-get-to-zero-money_b_1952265.html">Huffington Post Gay Voices</a> on October 12, 2012 GMHChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12799055300480302815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665089121802219847.post-87208222275478973962012-10-11T12:01:00.001-07:002012-10-11T12:01:51.218-07:00For Many Gay Men, We Must Come Out Twice<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Director of
Legislative & Public Affairs, NMAC</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Each
year, on October 11, the LGBT community marks the anniversary of the 1987
National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights, by celebrating
National Coming Out Day. As a black gay man, I know how difficult coming out
can be. I also know how important it is to be open and honest about who
you are and who you love. For much of our history, the LGBT community was
relegated to the proverbial closet, unable or unwilling to live in the
open. That all changed when a group of drag queens fought back against
police brutality one summer night in New York City. Gays and lesbians
across the country realized that no one was going to hand them equality, they’d
have to demand it. And the best way to fight hate was to live and love
openly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">I
came out for the first time in 1997. But, like so many gay men, I’ve had
to come out twice. In 2003, I was diagnosed with HIV. Coming out to
my friends and family about my HIV status was just as difficult, and no less
important, as telling them that I am gay, especially after promising my parents
that I would keep myself safe and healthy. I am lucky to have family and
friends that continue to love me unconditionally. It is very difficult to
manage this disease without the support of your loved ones. But I
took that risk and came out both times, because just as living as an openly gay
man is the best way to combat homophobia, being open about my HIV status is
critical to combating the stigma that surrounds this disease. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The
stigma surrounding homosexuality and HIV go hand in hand. Fear of being
“outed” about either too often prevents individuals from being tested or
seeking care and treatment. The irony is that much of the current gay
rights movement owes its existence to HIV/AIDS. As the epidemic ravaged
gay men in the 1980s, with little to no response from the government, the LGBT
community stood up and demanded action. Gay men came out in droves, and
the lesbian and transgender communities were by their sides. The
government may not have been concerned with a disease that mainly affected gay
men, but because these brave individuals came out, the public saw the face of
AIDS, and it looked like their brothers and their sons. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">While
today is a day to celebrate who we are, we must also acknowledge the hard
reality facing gay men in this nation, especially young gay men. Evidence
suggests that those who come out and live openly as gay men are more likely to
become HIV-positive. Young gay and bisexual men are the only group in
which HIV infections are increasing, with young black gay men seeing an
alarming 48 percent spike in new infections between 2006 and 2009. As we
celebrate National Coming Out Day, our community must once again come together
and support young gay and bisexual men and help them grow into adulthood
HIV-free. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">I
am proud to be an openly gay man living with HIV and look forward to the day
that HIV is a thing of the past. But until that day, I encourage anyone
in a position to do so to come out. While the decision to live openly
about one’s sexual orientation and HIV status is deeply personal and often
scary, I am living proof that there is joy, fulfillment and love waiting for
those that choose to. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">###</span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">The
<a href="http://nmac.org/">National Minority AIDS Council</a> (NMAC) represents a coalition of faith based and
community based organizations as well as AIDS service organizations advocating
and delivering HIV/AIDS services in communities of color nationwide.
Since 1987, NMAC has developed leadership in communities of color through a
variety of advocacy campaigns, public policy education programs, national
conferences, research programs, capacity building, technical assistance and
trainings, and digital and electronic resource materials. For more information
visit <a href="http://www.nmac.org/">www.nmac.org</a>. </span></strong><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><strong></strong><strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"></span></strong></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
GMHChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12799055300480302815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665089121802219847.post-50552849240870509032012-10-01T08:17:00.000-07:002012-10-01T08:17:31.451-07:00GMHC, the world’s first AIDS organization, brings contingent to the 2012 United States Conference on AIDS<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXBh8kJLDkg0QTUYv9x-k2woiBpDqDrRC9c2fVwKQLi_WI8lPXbXK37lqtkT66z-Xlup3myE0SQZWf8-sZXIaoJd1MTLhv-GiexHswRqqIPj-X_gXOrLhbvxKDH-F49uzG80SOgjWY4ljO/s1600/USCA_LOGO_FINAL_FINAL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXBh8kJLDkg0QTUYv9x-k2woiBpDqDrRC9c2fVwKQLi_WI8lPXbXK37lqtkT66z-Xlup3myE0SQZWf8-sZXIaoJd1MTLhv-GiexHswRqqIPj-X_gXOrLhbvxKDH-F49uzG80SOgjWY4ljO/s200/USCA_LOGO_FINAL_FINAL.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">In its 30th year, Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) is bringing a robust
contingent to Las Vegas, Nevada for the United States Conference on AIDS
(USCA).<span> </span>The GMHC team will present on a
diverse range of critical topics, sharing their expertise and best practices
with representatives of AIDS service organizations and other community-based
organizations. USCA is the largest annual AIDS-related gathering in the
country, bringing together thousands of service providers from all fronts of
the HIV/AIDS epidemic—from case managers and physicians, to public health
workers and advocates, people living with HIV/AIDS to policymakers—to build
national support networks, exchange the latest information and discuss tools to
bring an end to the epidemic.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">"To be able to participate in this importance conference in
the U.S. is significant," said Janet Weinberg, Chief Operating Officer of
GMHC.”I am proud that we have such talented staff members who will share their
wealth of experience with people all over the country."</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">GMHC will be participating in five sessions which includes issues
on HIV-stigma in different geographical areas and cultures; examining the
impact of the Affordable Care Act on older adults living with HIV and AIDS;
GMHC’s innovative prevention programs for men of color who have sex with men;
how social media networks help AIDS service organizations; and the challenges
of HIV prevention, treatment and care for the aging.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><u>Below is the schedule of the sessions at Caesars Palace.<br />
<br />
</u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Sunday, September
30, 4:50 pm to 5:00 pm, Octavius 19/Promenade South</span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span>“The
Unique Stigma of Different Geographical Areas and Cultures”</span></b><span>
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Presenter: <span>Lillibeth Gonzalez, Community Health Specialist, GMHC, NYC</span><span> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Monday, October 1,
4:30 pm to 6:00 pm, Forum 18/Pool Level </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span>“Examining
the Impact of the Affordable Care Act on Services, Care and Treatment for Older
Adults Living and Aging with HIV/AIDS”</span></b><span> </span></span></div>
<div class="Pa0" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="A3">Presenters: Michelle Scavnicky, MS and Marylin Merida, The AIDS
Institute, Tampa, FL </span><span style="color: #211d1e;"></span></span></div>
<div class="Pa0" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="A3">Dan Tietz, AIDS Community Research Initiative, NYC </span><span style="color: #211d1e;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Ace Robinson,
Managing Director, Public Policy, Research and Community Health, GMHC, </span><span class="A3">NYC</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="A3">Aaron
Tax, SAGE, NYC</span><span style="color: #211d1e;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="A3">The purpose of the workshop is to
examine HIV/AIDS and aging among older adults including research, prevention,
care and treatment. The workshop will draw particular attention to the impact
of the Affordable Care Act on services, care and treatment for older adults
living and aging with HIV/AIDS. The experts will demonstrate the unique care
and treatment needs of the individual living with HIV/AIDS, examine the
healthcare needs of the HIV and aging population, and emphasize the need for
future medical research. Data will include individuals who have been living
with the disease for 25 plus years versus the newly infected older adult living
with HIV in the present medical arena. Participants will have the opportunity
to engage in didactic discussions around specific HIV and aging related issues;
engage in policy discussions that examine the impact of the Affordable Care Act
on services, care and treatment for those aging with HIV; and address care and
treatment challenges, particularly for older adults. The workshop will also
address the interconnectedness of the ACA, Medicaid, and Ryan White.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Tuesday, <span>October 2, 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm, Milano 8/Promenade
Level </span></span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span>“GMHC's Innovative Prevention Program Model: <span> </span>Community Helping Community, Brothers Keeping
Brothers Safe”</span></b><span> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Presenters: Lynnette Ford, MSW, Director, <span>Kalyaní A. Sánchez, Onsite Testing
Supervisor, and Amor Boykin, Care Coordination Specialist, </span>David Geffen
Center for HIV Prevention & Health Education, <span><span> </span>GMHC, </span><span class="A3">NYC</span><span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="A3">This workshop will highlight best practices in engaging,
recruiting, and retaining young men who have sex with men of color (YMSMOC) in
HIV Prevention programs. Participants will leave with concrete next steps they
can employ to improve their program services targeted to YMSMOC. Brothers
Keeping Brothers Safe </span><span style="color: #211d1e;">(BKBS) is our group level intervention and Leaders
in Networking and Knowledge (LINK) is our individual level intervention. The
workshop will be conducted by program staff from both interventions.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Tuesday, October 2, 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm, Milano
1/Promenade Level</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span>"HIV
Prevention Goes Social Part II: Social Media Strategy, Policy & Monitoring"</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 12.05pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #211d1e;">Presented
by National Minority AIDS Council and AIDS.gov </span><span style="color: #211d1e;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Krishna Stone, Assistant Director, Community
Relations, appears in a video about social media work at GMHC.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 12.05pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #211d1e;">As a follow up to NMAC’s 2011
Social Media Toolkit, please join NMAC and AIDS.gov staff as we present our new
workbook: HIV Prevention Goes Social Part II. In this workshop we will delve
deeper into three key areas: strategy, social media policies and guidelines,
and monitoring and evaluating social media efforts. Learn how the tailored
activities in our workbook can help you customize and meet the needs of your
audience and apply to your mission, goals and work in providing high–quality
HIV prevention and services.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 12.05pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Tuesday, October 2, 2:30 pm, Octavius 7/Promenade South</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="A3"><b>“HIV and Aging: Prevention, Treatment and Care Challenges of the
Epidemic’s Fourth Decade”</b></span><b> </b></span></div>
<div class="Pa0" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="A3">Presenters: Dan Tietz, AIDS Community Research
Initiative of America, New York, NY </span><span style="color: #211d1e;"></span></span></div>
<div class="Pa0" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="A3">Kenneth South, AAHIVM, Washington, DC </span><span style="color: #211d1e;"></span></span></div>
<div class="Pa0" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="A3">Aaron Tax, SAGE, Washington, DC </span><span style="color: #211d1e;"></span></span></div>
<div class="Pa0" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Ace Robinson, Managing Director, Public Policy,
Research and Community Health, GMHC, <span class="A3">NYC</span><span style="color: #211d1e;"></span></span></div>
<div class="Pa0" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="A3">This workshop aims to bring a greater understanding of the
prevention, treatment and care challenges and concerns experienced by the aging
population. The workshop will cover epidemiology, prevention, and care
management in the context of multi-morbidity—the occurrence of two or more
chronic medical conditions common in older adults with HIV—and caregiving
challenges. Recent guidelines developed by AAHIVM targeting HIV-positive older
adults will also be shared.</span></span></div>
<span class="A3"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span>
GMHChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12799055300480302815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665089121802219847.post-62133047520931317472012-09-26T11:27:00.003-07:002012-09-27T11:14:42.976-07:00Gay Men's Health Crisis commemorates National Gay Men's HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (9/27)
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NGMHAAD) on
Thursday, September 27, helps to raise attention to the critical
issues faced by gay and bisexual men, and other men who have sex with men (MSM),
who are living with and at risk of HIV.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Last year, the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released its estimates of HIV
incidence in the United States for the years 2006-2009. MSM represent
approximately 2% of the US population, but accounted for 61% of new HIV
infections in 2009. Blacks/African American represent approximately 14% of
the US population, but accounted for 44% of new HIV infections in 2009.
Hispanics/Latinos represent 16% of the US population, but accounted for 20% in
2009.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">These estimates also
markedly showed there was an estimated 21% increase in HIV incidence for people
aged 13-29 years, driven by a 34% increase in young MSM--the only group to
experience a significant increase in incidence in this age range. Among MSM
aged 13-29, HIV incidence among black/African American MSM increased
significantly (48%) from 2006 through 2009 with a 12.2% estimated annual percentage
increase. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Gay men,
especially those who are young and black, continue to face a serious uphill
battle in the fight against HIV/AIDS," said Marjorie J. Hill Ph.D., Chief
Executive Officer of GMHC. "We must develop more targeted and
empowering HIV prevention messages, tailored to these populations." </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimIrduwfLaNQnJ7iEsCGuxkuWEIe-PC3hb9H1rWaDpqCu95Yz-j0eFvKHPSBPn_Sa_Dn_0xBD-4YCEOWz7VFE3HoQEYGRRFs-LnPNgmryAhFr1ZMe5aWkAFVJv1zAK021NL1MfpsWmJULK/s1600/gay+man_stress+test_front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimIrduwfLaNQnJ7iEsCGuxkuWEIe-PC3hb9H1rWaDpqCu95Yz-j0eFvKHPSBPn_Sa_Dn_0xBD-4YCEOWz7VFE3HoQEYGRRFs-LnPNgmryAhFr1ZMe5aWkAFVJv1zAK021NL1MfpsWmJULK/s200/gay+man_stress+test_front.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm6vh3rrGDSaiHV4_wPXrXeU-qGNmSAc2Oa9Cv33Lf1QxuTyTdLmZJzpUWN0H8UnhhEMYEjaMbd8tOZA3hRqTtY9ILpKuq54O81ct2H0AN0ZD0PzG3REbBOKbwJ3yPdshXAcInZyH5b46Y/s1600/gay+man_stress+test_back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm6vh3rrGDSaiHV4_wPXrXeU-qGNmSAc2Oa9Cv33Lf1QxuTyTdLmZJzpUWN0H8UnhhEMYEjaMbd8tOZA3hRqTtY9ILpKuq54O81ct2H0AN0ZD0PzG3REbBOKbwJ3yPdshXAcInZyH5b46Y/s200/gay+man_stress+test_back.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">GMHC recently launched a
public service campaign, "Address the Stress around the Test," noting
that staff members in the David Geffen Center for HIV Testing and Health
Education offer stigma-free counseling about feelings such as fear, anxiety and
shame that may be connected to taking the HIV test, and are sensitive to the
particular issues about sex, relationships and health related to gay men (as
well as heterosexual women).</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6HggjgU2HlD-4S8YRH1wecFF9pX7DIavCy9ObtqE4PmukuworGn2J4Q0Uh5duPvL1FMBA811uUJCAzSvZUw44e3aZ24HiGw8z4AOsDOH0HO__xiYngf8lErB69vHh4Ybewv8azFZhGLSw/s1600/flyer_ngmhaad_092712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6HggjgU2HlD-4S8YRH1wecFF9pX7DIavCy9ObtqE4PmukuworGn2J4Q0Uh5duPvL1FMBA811uUJCAzSvZUw44e3aZ24HiGw8z4AOsDOH0HO__xiYngf8lErB69vHh4Ybewv8azFZhGLSw/s200/flyer_ngmhaad_092712.jpg" width="164" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Also for NGMHAAD, GMHC
partnered with Amida Care to update our HIV prevention campaign “Kiss &
Tell” initially targeting young black and Latino gay men, but now reaching
older black and Latino gay men.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">“At GMHC, we work with our clients and program participants to create
social marketing campaigns that highlight our target populations with visual
messages emphasizing they are important and they matter,” added Hill.</span></div>
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</span>GMHChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12799055300480302815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665089121802219847.post-70171235487974941532012-09-18T09:46:00.001-07:002012-09-18T09:46:31.593-07:00Gay Men's Health Crisis Commemorates National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQKLvoK-o5k173_iFeK7iNzDRGkqZ_xF2j5koJEJE5XuKHq8tLYH88pLgKtLWuphOphswJi7IyYbR-RHdNZe_pEUV7EmGLjFrrg8lAGEQABjui1p1qtoZjARlJR-QFKDeK7-MIpInvUsXx/s1600/HIV+is+ageless_over+50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQKLvoK-o5k173_iFeK7iNzDRGkqZ_xF2j5koJEJE5XuKHq8tLYH88pLgKtLWuphOphswJi7IyYbR-RHdNZe_pEUV7EmGLjFrrg8lAGEQABjui1p1qtoZjARlJR-QFKDeK7-MIpInvUsXx/s200/HIV+is+ageless_over+50.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">National
HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day (NHAAAD)<span style="color: #1f497d;"> </span>on
Tuesday, September 18 helps to raise attention to the critical
issues faced by older people living with and at risk of HIV.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">According
to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 75% of
HIV-positive New Yorkers are now 40 and older, and more than a third are 50 or
older. Women over age 50 comprise a growing percentage of new HIV
diagnoses among older adults.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDmYeSSW1yqGbLmCQRUXCEN3hdQN-lGpUw7X1saA-GIP5ngeWA9xt3kyQLakxIpQEub-5lte6hRjiVga8JjXXT7LvsPYoCyLML8TaVpXU1ppEhar5fC0EThRjqYmTFPtLoODzOiQSNbIBE/s1600/hiv+is+ageless_women.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDmYeSSW1yqGbLmCQRUXCEN3hdQN-lGpUw7X1saA-GIP5ngeWA9xt3kyQLakxIpQEub-5lte6hRjiVga8JjXXT7LvsPYoCyLML8TaVpXU1ppEhar5fC0EThRjqYmTFPtLoODzOiQSNbIBE/s200/hiv+is+ageless_women.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">By
2015, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that over
half of the 1.2 million Americans living with HIV will be over the age of
50. Yet our nation is not prepared for the medical and social
implications of this growing population. Existing research on appropriate
treatment is meager, and HIV and AIDS stigma are widespread among older
communities. Moreover, the myth that older adults are not sexually active
causes a serious barrier to prevention and care.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">The
United States needs to increase response to social services and research on
aging with HIV, prevention programs geared towards older adults, as well as
culturally competent training for care-providers.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"GMHC
continues to highlight this trend and in 2010 issued a report, 'Growing Older
With the Epidemic: Aging and HIV' to better emphasize solutions for this
critical problem," said Marjorie J. Hill, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of
GMHC. "We remain committed to working with local and national
leadership and our elected officials to address the complexities of HIV and
aging."</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">In
August, GMHC partnered with ACRIA (AIDS Community Research Initiative of
America) and SAGE (Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders) to host a satellite
session titled, "HIV and Aging: The Challenge of the Epidemic's Fourth
Decade," at the International AIDS Conference in Washington, DC.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">GMHC
recently launched a public service campaign, "HIV is Ageless," noting
that regardless of a person's age, anyone can be at risk for HIV if they have
unprotected sex or share needles, and encouraging people to seek free HIV
testing at the GMHC Center for HIV Prevention, 224 West 29th Street. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">For
NHAAAD, GMHC is also providing free HIV testing at the Senior Health Fair on
Thursday, September 20, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Riverbank State Park, 145th Street
and the Riverside Drive.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>GMHChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12799055300480302815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665089121802219847.post-85510250794345454302012-09-17T13:31:00.000-07:002012-09-17T13:31:03.909-07:00GMHC Congratulates the Empire State Pride Agenda on Their Selection of Nathan Schaefer as Their New Executive Director<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF7jBrFcqUsu70D7Zca0jYfEPxhfKtrdynLMN2JTgUUxhxnzx572QnNAaBZ-EwGMOfJ1Mzsct8Rp03Qoh91TeAIdSyRv2XmNZ7Q16fOXMlvRKpJ_ewWR_Vc3TotoGvuBFLLguCQSzxRZOj/s1600/SchaeferIS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF7jBrFcqUsu70D7Zca0jYfEPxhfKtrdynLMN2JTgUUxhxnzx572QnNAaBZ-EwGMOfJ1Mzsct8Rp03Qoh91TeAIdSyRv2XmNZ7Q16fOXMlvRKpJ_ewWR_Vc3TotoGvuBFLLguCQSzxRZOj/s200/SchaeferIS.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo courtesy of Empire State Pride Agenda</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
Gay Men's Health Crisis has been incredibly
fortunate to have Nathan Schaefer serve as Director of Public Policy since 2008.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During his tenure, he has achieved great
success such as spearheading the fight to lift the HIV travel and immigration
ban, which allowed the International AIDS Conference to be held in the United
States in 2012 for the first time in 20 years; and coalescing the coalition
behind the new NYS HIV Testing law, legislation that will save lives by
alerting people to their HIV status earlier and linking them to medical care
and support services.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has also been
at the forefront of advocacy to revise Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
guidelines which prohibit gay and bisexual men from ever donating blood,
building a diverse coalition of LGBT organizations, hemophilia groups and other
groups concerned with blood safety and fairness, to push for much needed
reform.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
GMHC is confident that Nathan
will do amazing work at the Empire State Pride Agenda.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are smart to have chosen him, lucky to
have him in the position and GMHC’s loss will be New York State’s gain.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I have proudly watched Nathan grow and evolve
during his nearly five year tenure as our Director of Public Policy, states
Marjorie J. Hill, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of GMHC. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Nathan is a strong leader, passionate health
advocate and innovative thinker. While sad to see him go, I am just thrilled
that he will lead the Pride Agenda.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
“My years at GMHC helped me
personally grow and professionally develop in profound ways,” said Nathan
Schaefer. “GMHC will always have a special place in my heart. I look
forward to maintaining strong relationships with clients, volunteers and staff at GMHC.” </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
GMHC looks forward to
partnering with Nathan and the Pride Agenda on our ongoing work to improve the
lives of people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS, and to fight for LGBT
equality and social justice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
GMHChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12799055300480302815noreply@blogger.com0