National Black AIDS Awareness Day Febuary 7th, 2008

February 7 is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness and Information Day (NBHAAD). This annual observance day was created to raise awareness among African Americans about HIV/AIDS and its devastating impact on African American communities. The day is part of a national mobilization effort to get African Americans to learn more about the threat posed by the disease, get tested, get treated and make a commitment to fight HIV/AIDS.

continue reading this article at the DC Center Blog

DC State Board of Education Meeting TONIGHT!

Stand with DC Youth TONIGHT at DC State Board of Education Meeting
We need you to stand with and for young people in the District of Columbia tonight (Wednesday Nov 28th) at the DC State Board of Education Meeting and support comprehensive sex education. The meeting takes place at the State Board of Education Old Council Chambers, Old Council Chambers, 441 4th Street, NW at 5:30 PM. Supporters will be handing out red t-shirts!

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

We've all seen the numbers from the HIV/AIDS Administration. You know that we're in a city overwhelmed by HIV/AIDS. But let me give you two numbers that weren't in that report. According to a survey of DC Public School students conducted by the CDC and DC Public Schools, 17.5% of middle school students and 9.5% of high school students say they were never taught about HIV/AIDS in school. These numbers are from 2005. But sadly, when we saw a glimpse of the preliminary 2007 data we learned that 2007 numbers are expected to be worse.

We have failed DC youth by not getting our HIV/AIDS epidemic under control, but we will fail them yet again if we neglect to give them the tools to protect themselves in a city where 1 in 20 people is HIV positive. We must empower every student in every classroom, in every school, with comprehensive sex education and all the information they need to stay safe and healthy.

Encouraging the DC State Board of Education Meeting to approve the Health Learning Standards is a crucial first step. These standards have been created with the input of local DC youth organizations and child and adolescent health specialists.

Please join me TONIGHT to show your support.

We need you to stand with and for young people in the District of Columbia tonight (Wednesday Nov 28th) at the DC State Board of Education Meeting and support comprehensive sex education. The meeting takes place at the State Board of Education Old Council Chambers, Old Council Chambers, 441 4th Street, NW at 5:30 PM. Supporters will be handing out red t-shirts!

Tuesday November 20th: Transgender Day of Remembrance

A local event marking the Transgender Day of Remembrance will take place Tuesday November 20th, at the Whitman Walker Clinic's 1407 S Street NW site from 6 to 7:30 PM. The event is co-sponsored by Whitman-Walker Clinic, and Transgender Health Empowerment.

Metro Weekly has an excellent article up about the Transgender Day of Remembrance. To read it, click here.

DC AIDS Vote 2008: What Would You Ask City Council Candidates?

We are officially one year out from the November 4th election where DC will vote on city council members. A year sounds like plenty of time to prepare, right? Not really. As most of you know, DC is dominated by the Democratic Party, so some of the most important decisions take place during the Congressional and Council Primary Election, which takes place on September 9th. Factor in Thanksgiving and Christmas, and we're down to about 7 months to figure out where city council members stand.

To get that process started, let's talk about the players:

Two At-Large City Council members are up for re-election. Carol Schwartz, and Kwame Brown both plan to seek re-election. They are being challenged by Adam Clampitt and Dee Hunter.

Four Ward-Specific City Council Members are up for re-election. They are: Jack Evans (Ward 2), Muriel Bowser (Ward 4), Yvette Alexander (Ward 7), and Marion Barry (Ward 8).

Where do these candidates stand on HIV/AIDS issues in DC? That's what we need to find out. But first, I want to ask you: What would you ask City Council Candidates about HIV/AIDS?

I've put together a list of questions I would like to ask City Council candidates about HIV/AIDS (a rough first draft, mind you!). Many of these questions are based on things we heard at the two Speakout events. Please check it out and let me know what questions you would like to see added or change. You can add your input by sending me an e-mail, or by posting a comment on this blog post. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

DRAFT QUESTIONS FOR DC CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES

General Health Care:

• Do you support equal access to health care without regard to one’s ability to pay?
• Does your vision for health care include mental health and substance abuse treatment?
• How can DC assure that individuals who need substance abuse treatment receive treatment in a timely manner?

Science Based Medically Accurate Approaches to Prevent HIV

• Do you support medically accurate, age-appropriate comprehensive sex education that includes information on both abstinence and prevention?
• Will you advocate for DC to refuse federal 'abstinence-only-until-marriage' funds which require DC to spend it's own matching funds on programs that don't work?
• Do you support DC funding for needle-exchange programs (should that option become available), which have shown to be an effective tool to prevent HIV?
• Will you encourage the Department of Health to investigate and engage the community in a discussion of new approaches to HIV prevention including circumcision? Note: not asking for a plan – just asking for a discussion – knowing that some folks in DC do not get circumcised simply because they cannot afford it and it is not covered by insurance
• Do you support the availability of free post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) as an HIV prevention strategy in all DC emergency rooms? (Adrian Fenty said he would look into this in his campaign pledge, that’s why I worded the question that way)
• Are you committed to continuing and strengthening the District’s condom distribution program?

Support for People Living with HIV

• Will you ensure that the drive to make HIV testing routine among District residents includes funding for counseling and referrals to treatment facilities for those who test positive?
• How can DC assure that low income individuals living with HIV in need of housing receive financial help for housing in a timely manner?
• People living with HIV in DC are impacted by housing trends in the District. For people living with HIV/AIDS who already have financial assistance for rent, finding available low-income rental housing is difficult. What will you do as a city council member to address the housing situation in DC?
• One issue that came out of our May 2007 Speakout, was the need for jobs, and specifically, the need for life-skill and job training for people living with HIV coming out of substance abuse treatment programs, or prison. What can you do as a city council member to address the housing situation in DC? What will you do as a city council member to address the need for life-skill and job training for people living with HIV?
• Do you support the use of medical marijuana for people living with HIV, cancer, and muscular dystrophy?

Local HIV/AIDS Funding

When considering local HIV/AIDS funding proposals, including the Ward 7 HIV/AIDS initiative, will you strive to assure that resources are allocated to the communities that need them the most, taking into account health disparities that may exist based on race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, and gender identity?
• Will you encourage better oversight of local agencies that are funded through the HIV/AIDS Administration? How would you, as a city council member, encourage accountability for money spent to fight HIV/AIDS?

Accountability – And Measurable Progress

• Will you encourage the Department of Education to set measurable goals to improve on the 2007 Youth Risk Behavior health indicators when the survey is conducted again in 2009?
• How would you, as a city council member, hold the Department of Education accountable for progress?
• Will you encourage the Department of Health HIV/AIDS administration to use the 2007 HIV Surveillance report to set measurable goals to reduce the number of new HIV infections in DC, and reduce existing HIV/AIDS health disparities that may exist based on race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, and gender identity?
• How would you, as a city council member, hold the Department of Health HIV/AIDS Administration accountable for progress?
• Will you only support local HIV/AIDS funding that is competitive in nature and based on services provided, and oppose funding that is allocated to a specific organization without a competitive bidding process?

What questions did I miss? Be sure to let me know by sending me an e-mail or posting a comment below.

Save The Date: December 6th Forum on Marriage Equality

The DC Center and DC for Marriage invite you to join on on Thursday December 6th at 7:00 PM for a forum on Marriage Equality in the District of Columbia. The event takes places in Room 412 of the Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. To download a 'save the date' flyer for this event, click here.

Our goals are for participants to:

• Understand their current rights & responsibilities under DC domestic partnership laws.
• Understand current domestic partnership legislation and what needs to happen to achieve full marriage equality for same-sex couples.
• Participate in a community-wide discussion about when and how to push for marriage equality in the District of Columbia.
• This event is still in the planning stages and your participation is welcome.

Organizations that would like to sign on as sponsors of this event and individuals who would like to help plan this forum please send an e-mail to communityforum@dcformarriage.org.

Washington DC Reception for Elizabeth Edwards November 9th

Please join me on Friday November 9th for a reception honoring Elizabeth Edwards. Hans Johnson has done a wonderful job putting together this event. (Many of you may know Hans as a board member of the The Task Force through his consulting firm, Progressive Victory).

Host Committee members for this event include David Mixner, Eric Stern, David Mariner, Bob Horvath & Patrick Lyden, and many others.

The event takes place at the home of William Eskridge on Capitol Hill. For details, please download this PDF flier.

I hope you'll be able to join us. I've only had the opportunity to meet Elizabeth Edwards once, but I believe she is one of the most fascinating, dynamic, and passionate folks out there on the campaign trail. I think you'll truly enjoy meeting her.

Stonewall Calls for All Democrats to Support Baldwin Amendment

Washington, DC - Today, the National Stonewall Democrats issued a call for Congressional Democrats to support a proposed amendment which would restore protections on the basis of gender identity to HR 3685. The amendment is being proposed by Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-WI). Jon Hoadley, Executive Director, stated:

"National Stonewall Democrats supports efforts by Congresswoman Baldwin to amend HR 3685 to prevent discrimination on the basis of gender identity. We strongly urge all Democratic Members to vote for such an amendment because of its strategic and moral importance. It would be unacceptable for any Congressional Democrat to vote against an amendment that restores gender identity protections.

The Democratic Leadership has repeatedly indicated that it supports passage of the most inclusive bill possible, and swift adoption of this amendment will achieve that goal. We applaud the support of Congressman Frank for this proposed amendment. We urge the Democratic Leadership and Party organizations, such as the Democratic National Committee, to use the full force of their influence to secure support for this amendment.

We also support this effort by Congresswoman Baldwin because it allows Democrats to be placed on record for their support for the inclusion of gender identity in non-discrimination law. This amendment allows our members to thank Democrats who stand with the entire LGBT community while holding others accountable for their votes."

HR 3685 was approved by the House Committee on Education and Labor. Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) has secured commitments to offer an amendment to this bill that would restore protections on the basis of gender identity.

National Stonewall Democrats was at the center of early organizing efforts to save gender identity within the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. Working with organizations such as the Task Force, the National Center for Transgender Equality and National Stonewall Democrats quickly helped organizers build a coalition that has now grown to more than 300 organizations.

National Stonewall Democrats was at the center of early organizing efforts to save gender identity within the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. Working with organizations such as the Task Force and the National Center for Transgender Equality, Stonewall Democrats quickly helped organizers build a coalition that has now grown to more than 300 organizations.

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National Stonewall Democrats is the only national organization of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Democrats, with more than 90 local chapters across the nation. NSD is committed to working through the Democratic Party to advance the rights of all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Hillary Clinton Statement on National Latino AIDS Awareness Day

from the Hillary Clinton Website

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Hispanics in the United States are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. Although Hispanics comprised 13 percent of the U.S. population in 2005, they accounted for 19 percent of new HIV/AIDS diagnoses. Hispanic women are especially vulnerable. The CDC reports that their infection rate was more than five times higher than that of white women in 2005. Hillary Clinton issued the following statement to mark National Latino AIDS Awareness Day, observed on October 15th:

"Latinos account for the second highest rate of AIDS cases in the United States, by race or ethnicity. The epidemic has disproportionately affected Latinas and young adults. And while there has been progress in addressing the spread of the disease, the Latino community still faces tremendous challenges -including cultural and language barriers-- in the fight for the rights and needs of people living with HIV/ AIDS. During National Latino Aids Awareness Day, groups and individuals across the country gather to promote and sponsor information and prevention activities in the Hispanic community.

"I have long fought to fully fund the Ryan White CARE Act to improve access to treatment and support for those living with this tragic disease. I also wrote the Early Treatment for HIV Act, which expands access to vital treatment options for low-income individuals living with HIV. As President, I will continue taking bold steps to confront and eradicate AIDS and to support those living with the disease. The American Health Choices Plan that I have proposed also includes provisions that will eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in health care, and increase diversity and cultural and linguistic competency in the health care system.

"On National Latino AIDS Awareness Day, let us commemorate the lives lost to this epidemic, and recommit to continue our fight against the spread of the disease, through dialogue, advocacy and community awareness."

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To learn more about National Latino AIDS Awareness Day, visit www.nlaad.org.

To see pictures from National Latino AIDS Awareness Day events in Washington, DC: click here.

Today is National Latino HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

October 15th is National Latino AIDS Awareness Day, a day to talk about HIV/AIDS in the Latino Community.

Latinos in the United States continue to be affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic, accounting for a greater proportion of AIDS cases than their representation in the U.S. population overall, and the second highest AIDS case rate in the nation by race/ethnicity. Studies have shown that Latinos with HIV/AIDS may face additional barriers to accessing care than their white counterparts (read the fact sheet here).

To learn more, visit the National Latino AIDS Awareness Day website at www.nlaad.org.

Here in Washington DC, folks are gathering this morning at All Souls Church for a forum on HIV/AIDS in the Latino Community. This afternoon I hope you'll join us for a spanish language presentation on HIV vaccine research.

More Welcomes for Dr. Shannon Hader

It's been over two months since we first told you Dr. Shannon Hader was chosen to be the new Director of the HIV/AIDS Administration. The welcome messages for Dr. Hader have kept rolling in.

Father Rusty Smith from Nothern Virginia AIDS Ministries writes: "Welcome and I look forward to your leadership and partnership... in confronting this health crisis!"

Khadijah A. Tribble from Pediatric AIDS Care writes: "We are delighted to have your leadership and vision to help us 'change the dialog' in this fight against HIV/AIDS."

Don't forget that you have a chance to meet Dr. Hader next tuesday at the DC Fights Back Resource Day.

I'm thrilled that Dr. Hader will have an opportunity during her first week on board to be part of the resource day, and I hope you'll join us.

An HIV/AIDS Research Agenda for Black Gay Men

The statistics on HIV and black gay men are sobering. A 2005 CDC study, conducted in 5 large US cities, found that HIV prevalence among black MSM (46%) was more than twice that among white MSM (21%). (citation). It's hard to imagine that in these cities almost half of all black gay men are living with HIV.

When it comes to HIV prevention, what works for white gay men does not necessarily work for black gay men. There's still a lot we need to understand about what is fueling these high HIV rates and what we should be doing about it.

Fortunately, the National Black Gay Men's Advocacy Coalition (NBGMAC), which formed shortly after this data was released, has been working hard to improve the health and well-being of black gay men through advocacy that is focused on research, policy, education and training. NBGMAC is housed in Washington, DC at the offices of Us Helping Us.

NBGMAC will continue to their work at the October 24th meeting of the NIH Office of AIDS Research Advisory Council (OAR). The OAR meeting will focus on challenges of HIV infection in racial and ethnic communities in the United States.

Dr. Leo Wilton will present a summary of the Black Gay Research Agenda for the NBGMAC and the Black Gay Research Group. The meeting will be held at 5635 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852 in the Terrace Level Conference Center.

It's an important step forward in advocating for the HIV research needs of black gay men, and you can be there. The meeting is open to the public. Time will be allowed for public comment at the end of the meeting. If you can attend and would like to attend, please contact Christina Brackna at (301) 402-8655 for additional information .

DC Fights Back Calls for a Day Devoted to Connecting People Living with HIV with Services They Need

DC Fights Back, a local network of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWA) and their allies, will devote October 16 from 10am to 2pm, at the Westminster Presbyterian Church on 400 I St. (4th at I) SW, as a Resource Day. This day will have the goal of connecting HIV positive individuals with greatly needed service providers, resources, and to calling for greater community support for People Living With HIV (PLWA).

In announcing the Resource Day, George Kerr, Co-Chair of DC Fights Back, asked “With so many resources in our nation’s capital, the epicenter of our country’s HIV epidemic, why do so many programs still not reach the District’s citizens who need them most?” DC Fights Back has pulled together over 25 relevant service providers to enable PLWAs to learn about community resources and prevention and treatment information. Organizations from around the District will share information on what they do and how people can access greatly needed services.

Rev. Ruth Hamilton, Co-Pastor of Westminster, says: “We want to connect hurting people with real help. Having founded the AIDS ministry, Food & Friends, in the early 80’s, our congregation has always been personally and profoundly affected by the epidemic. We know this will be a loving, life-giving day and we are glad to be able to offer our church building.”

Larry Bryant state that, “This Resource Day will provide an opportunity for city residents to meet community based organizations face to face, all at the same time. It will hopefully spark a dialogue between service providers and customer and clients that will lead to more effective deliveries of that service.”

Dr. Shannon Hader, the new Director of the Department of Health HIV/AIDS Administration, will personally open the Resource Day. Booths and speakers will represent an array of service providers – including medical treatment, housing, case management, mental health, substance abuse, dental assistance, nutrition, and treatment adherence.

DC Fights Back is a network of people living with HIV/AIDS and their allies. We work to engage ourselves and our communities in every aspect of HIV advocacy to ensure the best possible treatment and care for people living with HIV/AIDS and the best possible science-based HIV prevention.

DC Bloggers Speak Out on Marriage Equality

Local Bloggers are speaking out on marriage equality for same-sex couples and challenging conventional wisdom about the push for civil marriage rights in the District of Columbia.

The Malcontent doesn't understand why, given the political support, marriage equality has not moved forward in the District. The Malcontent questions the logic that we should wait until DC is free from being controlled by Congress, writing "Maybe we should also wait until there are gays on Mars, until all bigotry and hatred is banished everywhere, and we all live on Gumdrop Mountain at the mouth of Stoli River."

The DCist asks the obvious question. Do we really need to be concerned about Congressional oversight now that the Democrats are in Contro? DCist writes: "could this, like the ban on District spending for needle exchange programs ... be one more issue the District could theoretically make up its own mind about now that Democrats control Congress?"

Scott's Take suggests that both Democrats and LGBT activists share responsibility for the lack of progress: "It's an unhappy standoff -- the gay establishment doesn't want to make their friends in the Democratic Party uncomfortable and the Democratic establishment doesn't feel it needs to carry water for it's gay constituents because, after all, where else are we going to go?"

Michael at Bloggernista, is ready to move beyond this standoff: Michael writes: "I agree with D.C. Council member Jim Graham when he says that we need to move forward on the issue of gay marriage in D.C. I am working with few activists including Lane Hudson, Donald Hitchcock and Paul Yandura to do just that."

Michael is a founding member of DC for Marriage.

Making Marriage Equality Happen in the District

Pictured on the left are some of the folks who are going to help make marriage equality a reality for the District of Columbia. They are a few of our DC for Marriage MySpace Friends. I just set up the page a week ago, but already we are up to 50 people.

Show your support for Marriage Equality in DC. Add DC for Marriage to your list of my space page. You can also join the DC for Marriage Yahoo Group. There are plenty of other ways to get involved. For starters, you could:

• Volunteer to maintain the MySpace Page.
• Volunteer to set up a similar page on Friendster or Facebook
• Volunteer to become a blogger on this site

We'll be posting more information on the blog soon about other ways to get involved, including tentative plans for a DC Marriage Equality Community Forum. If you're ready to get more involved, please feel free to e-mail me and let me know.

Jenna Bush Parts Ways with Bush Administration on HIV/AIDS

In an interview with Newsweek magazine, Jenna Bush states that after spending time in working with people living with HIV, she oppposes the Bush Administration domestic policy of abstinence-only-until-marriage sex education. Jenna says she supports a more comprehensive "ABC" approach (abstain, be faithful, use a condom).

There is no scientific evidence that abstinence-only-until-marriage programs, those that censor information about contraception, are effective. In fact, Congress funded a 10-year study of these programs which shows they do not work. Over the years Congress has wasted 1.5 billion dollars of taxpayer money on these programs that have no measurable effect.

Despite the overwhelming evidence, Congress recently funded yet another extension of abstinence-only-until-marriage programs.

read the newsweek article here

DC for Marriage: Now on My Space

Show you support marriage equality for the District of Columbia by adding DC for Marriage to your list of My Space friends.

The DC for Marriage My Space page is brand new. You can see it at www.myspace.com/dcformarriage.

Crystal Meth Awareness Day

Save the Date, November 30th is Crystal Meth Awareness Day. Crystal meth is a very addictive drug that continues to be used in the District, particularly among gay men. And unfortunately crystal meth use and HIV often go hand in hand.

Our local Crystal Meth Working Group has done some great work raising awareness of this issue, including the February 2007 Community Forum on Crystal Meth.

Unfortunately, the event planned for Crystal Meth Awareness Day was criticized for not being relevant to our DC meth epidemic and inappropriate for the LGBT Community.

Check back here for plans for Crystal Meth Awareness Day this year, or visit www.crystalmethsucks.org.

NCTE: Take Action to Support Inclusive ENDA Now!

From the National Center for Transgender Equality

(Washington, DC) - This has been an extremely busy week here as we've celebrated the historic victory of the hate crimes bill, the first transgender-inclusive legislation to pass both houses of the U.S. Congress. At the same time, we have had to respond to the extremely disturbing news that the sponsors of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act are moving to split the bill into two new pieces of legislation - one for sexual orientation and another for gender identity.

We oppose any version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act that does not include both sexual orientation and gender identity. Transgender people are among the most marginalized and vulnerable groups within the LGBT community. In a 2006 survey of transgender people conducted by the Transgender Law Center, 57% reported being discriminated against in employment and 60% earned less than $15,300 per year. The entire country has an interest in seeing the transgender community thrive in the national economy. Without protection against discrimination, that is nearly impossible.

Members of our community have been busy all week taking a stand for our civil rights through our calls, e-mails and networking. We made a difference with the hate crimes bill and we can't stop yet on ENDA. We are asking you to sign a petition right now urging the House leadership to keep a transgender-inclusive ENDA. Click here to sign. It only takes a minute. We need to have our voices heard together on this critical issue. NCTE is co-sponsoring this petition with the Transgender Law Center.

We will keep you updated in the coming days about other steps you can take to help pass ENDA, legislation that is vital to the well-being of the transgender community. Thank you for all that you've done ... we must keep going until we have our civil rights.

The National Center for Transgender Equality is a national social justice organization devoted to ending discrimination and violence against transgender people through education and advocacy on national issues of importance to transgender people. The National Center for Transgender Equality is a 501(c)3 organization. For more information, please visit www.nctequality.org.

ENDA: Straight Acting Only?

After many years working as a bartender for Harrah's Casino, Darlene Jespersen was fired for failing to conform to the Casino's new 'personal best' grooming policy. As a female bartender, Jesperson was required to have her hair "teased, curled, or styled," and to wear stockings. Jesperson was also suddenly required to put on makeup everyday: lipstick and nail polish required.

It was a regimen she found burdensome and demeaning, and while sexual orientation was not an issue in her case, I know quite a few lesbians who might feel the same way. What would Ellen Degeneres do if NBC decided she needed to wear skirts on her show everyday? What would KD Lang do if her record label demanded she adopt a 'less masculine' haircut?

While this may not have happened to Ellen or KD, this kind of discrimination happens all the time. Darlene Jespersen lost her job because she did not live up to the female-specific requirements of her new dress code. And when she fought her termination in court, she lost.

Congress is now looking at two different versions of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. One would make this type of discrimination illegal. The other would not.

Congressman Barney Frank has chosen to introduce a straight-acting-only version of ENDA which bans employment discrimination based on sexual orientation but not gender identity and expression. This version may protect gays and lesbians based on their sexual orientation, but it won't protect gays and lesbians who don't adhere to society's view of what men and women should be.

It won't protect the gay guy who dresses up in drag on halloween. It won't protect the lesbian who doesn't want to be forced to wear a skirt as part of a company uniform. It won't protect any gay man who can't live up to society's standards and "act more like a man". It won't protect any lesbian who can't live up to society's standards and "acting more like a woman."

We should be outraged that Barney Frank is considering a bill that excludes the transgender community, but let's be honest, the transgender community are not the only ones being thrown under the bus. Barney may argue that we should start with protecting straight-acting gays and lesbians, and then come back for the rest of the LGBT community later. As the Task Force other organizations have documented by looking at state laws, this simply does not happen. It is always easier to stand strong and stand united and pass an inclusive bill than it is to go back later and try and pass protections based on gender identity and expression.

Make no mistake, a straight-acting-only ENDA ais a hollow victory one that is not worth achieving because it takes us further, not closer towards the goal of protection from employment discrimination for all of us.

National Expert to Speak on Smoking and the LGBT Community in DC

National Expert to Speak on Smoking and the LGBT Community
Support Available for Smoking Cessation Programs in the DC LGBT Community

I'm pleased to share with you, that Scout, the Director of the National LGBT Tobacco Control Network, will be in town this Thursday, September 27th to conduct workshops on Smoking Cessation in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community. Scout's presentation is part of the First Annual Tobacco Free Families Conference, taking place from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the Howard University Armour J. Blackburn University Center, 2397 Sixth Street, NW, Washington DC 20059.

Councilman David Catania, Chair of the Committee on Health, will provide the lunch keynote address at the Conference. Darrell Green, formerly of the Washington Redskins, will be on hand for closing remarks and to kick off the networking reception beginning at 5:15 p.m.

As you probably know, smoking remains a vitally important health issue for the LGBT community, so I'm thrilled that the conference is being so inclusive of our community.

I'm also excited that support is available for LGBT community groups who would like to improve the health of our community by reducing tobacco use and exposure.

Come to the conference to learn more, visit www.dctff.org to learn more.

The John Edwards Plan to Fight AIDS

Reprinted below is the John Edwards plan to fight HIV/AIDS here in the United States as well as around the world. It's a bold plan that I believe really sets him apart from the other candidates. Once again, I'm very proud to be supporting John Edwards for President. To download this document, click here

ENDING THE HIV/AIDS EPIDEMIC

“The loss from HIV/AIDS is almost beyond understanding. This is a fight for people’s lives. Wehave a moral imperative to do much more, and do it much better.”– John Edwards

HIV is a preventable disease. But an estimated 40,000 new HIV cases were reported in the U.S. lastyear, and 4.3 million were reported around the world. HIV/AIDS is a treatable disease. Yet 17,000Americans and 3 million people globally died from it in 2005. [CDC, 2007; WHO, 2006]

John Edwards was the first presidential candidate – Democratic or Republican – to take on the biginsurance and drug companies and propose a plan for quality, affordable health care for every man,woman and child in America that offers everyone the option of a public plan. Today, John Edwardsbuilds on his plan for true universal health care with specific proposals to lead the fight againstHIV/AIDS at home and around the world. He will include a comprehensive new national strategy tofight HIV/AIDS, including:

• Guaranteeing health insurance to every American – including HIV/AIDS patients -- the care theyneed when they need it and expanding Medicaid to cover HIV-positive individuals before theyreach later stages of disabilities and AIDS.
• Fighting the disease in the African American and Latino communities, where the harm is nowgreatest.
• Calling for universal access to HIV/AIDS medicine across the world, investing $50 billion overfive years to meet that goal.

FIGHTING HIV/AIDS ATHOME

HIV/AIDS is still a crisis in America, particularly in African-American and Latino communities.The number of new HIV infections in the U.S. has not fallen in 15 years. As president, Edwards willhelp end the HIV/AIDS epidemic in America. [CDC, 2005]

Guaranteeing Treatment for Everyone with True Universal Health Care by 2012: People withHIV/AIDS who don’t have health insurance or who have inadequate insurance are significantly morelikely to die from the disease. That’s the tragedy of the two health care systems in this country today– one for people who can afford the very best care and one for everyone else. True universal healthcare must be the foundation for a national HIV/AIDS strategy.

Edwards’ plan will ensure everyperson in America living with HIV/AIDS gets the care they need, when they need it. His plan willalso transform chronic care with a new patient-centered “medical home” approach where a primarycare physician will make sure patients are getting effective treatment from a coordinated team,including palliative care. [Bhattacharya, 2003]

Edwards supports the Early Treatment for HIV Act which will expand Medicaid to cover HIV-positive individuals in every state before they reach later stages of disability and AIDS. Currently, inmost states, individuals must receive an AIDS diagnosis to receive services under Medicaid even though research shows that the sooner individuals living with HIV receive treatment the better the outcomes. [Porco et al., 2004]

Creating a National HIV/AIDS Strategy: In 2001, the CDC set a national goal of reducing the annual number of new infections in half by 2005, but the actual number of infections has barelybudged. A 1998 presidential initiative set a goal of eliminating racial disparities in HIV/AIDS by2010, but disparities are as bad today as they were then. Our disappointments can be explained inpart by the failure to create a national strategy, backed by necessary funding and with clear and bold goals, specific action steps, real accountability and broad participation and buy-in from stakeholders both inside and outside of government. As president, Edwards will develop a National HIV/AIDS Strategy through an honest, comprehensive and fast-tracked process that involves stakeholders fromthe public and nonprofit sectors. The National Strategy will coordinate the various agencies withinand outside of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that affect HIV/AIDS policy.He will hold his HHS Secretary accountable for issuing an annual report on HIV/AIDS that charts progress towards our national goals, and he will appoint a strong director of the White House officeof AIDS Policy to keep these issues visible at the highest levels of government. [CDC, 1999, 2001, 2007;HHS, 1998]

Focusing on Disparities: About two-thirds of all new HIV/AIDS cases are diagnosed in AfricanAmericans and Latinos. African Americans are infected at nearly 10 times the rate, and Latinos atmore than three times the rate, of white Americans. A 2005 study of African-American men whohave sex with men in selected cities found that almost half are infected with HIV, and 67 percent donot know they have the disease. Latina women are six times more likely than white women to haveHIV/AIDS. Any serious effort to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic must begin in the African-American and Latino communities, including among the incarcerated population, and address their preventionand treatment needs. We must also continue to work intensively with important overlapping groups like gay men. [CDC, 2007; KFF, 2007]

Supporting Ryan White CARE Act Programs and HOPWA: Enacting true universal health carewill ensure patients have access to care, but fully funding the Ryan White CARE Act will remainessential to ensure that culturally-competent care is available for the special needs of people livingwith HIV/AIDS. These programs include outpatient HIV early intervention services, support serviceslike transportation, case management, substance abuse and mental health treatment, nutrition, family-centered care for children, access to clinical trials and delivery to hard-to-reach populations. Maintaining delivery of outreach and treatment services to the LGBT community, for example, isdependent on these programs. Edwards will also put an end to waiting lines for HIV drugs -- forexample, more than 300 people with HIV/AIDS are on a waiting list for medication in South Carolina– and increase funds for the Housing for People with AIDS (HOPWA) programs, only federal program that provides comprehensive, community-based housing for people with HIV/AIDS.[NASTAD, 2007]

Preventing HIV/AIDS with Scientifically-Proven Strategies, Not Political Ideology: The CDChas identified the three most reliable ways to prevent HIV/AIDS infections. Yet the Bush administration focuses on only one of them – abstinence. As president, Edwards will promotes allreliable prevention strategies, including comprehensive, age-appropriate sex education to ensureyoung people learn all the facts about preventing HIV/AIDS and harm-reduction programs thatprovide high-risk individuals with access to clean syringes. He will lift the ban on federal funding forneedle exchange initiatives. In addition, Edwards will support community and public education that encourages testing.[CDC, Undated; Bush, 2005]

Strengthening America’s Research Agenda: It used to be that more than four out of 10 requestsfor National Institutes of Health grants were approved. Now less than two out of 10 are approved,and existing grants are being cut back. One of those rejected requests might have led to abreakthrough on HIV/AIDS treatments. Edwards supports substantial increases in funding for theNational Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health, as well as measures to ensuretransparency in funding decisions, accountability for results and aligning research with outcomes.[NIH, 2007]

FIGHTING HIV/AIDS AROUND THEWORLD

While the Bush administration initially increased funding for the global fight against HIV/AIDS,funding has now flat-lined. We must do more, and do it better. The fight against HIV/AIDS is afight for people’s lives, but President Bush’s way has us fighting with one hand tied behind our back.One-third of prevention funding goes to abstinence-only education that has been shown not to work.The U.S. has also refused to fund medicine approved by the World Health Organization, even thoughrequiring FDA approval means the U.S. sometimes pays up to three times more for drugs. Thismeans fewer people receive treatment, as the profits of drug companies are protected.[Goldberg, 2007;Carpenter, 2007; Love, 2007]

To restore our moral standing in the world, Edwards believes that America must be a global leader inthe fight against poverty and disease. Fighting global poverty and addressing global health crises is amoral imperative, but it is also a security issue. As president, John Edwards will fundamentallytransform America’s approach to the world and bring high-level attention to the fight against global HIV/AIDS by:

Providing Universal Access to Treatment Globally: A $4 dose of medicine can help prevent amother from transmitting HIV to her newborn at childbirth. In developing countries, HIV/AIDSmedications cost as little as $140 per patient a year – but, by mid-2006, fewer than one in four people who needed it had access to treatment. As part of a comprehensive plan to also fight TB and malaria around the world, Edwards has set an ambitious goal of providing universal access to preventive and treatment drugs for the three “killer diseases” by 2010, investing $50 billion over five years to meetthat goal. This includes fulfilling our moral responsibility to help strengthen public health systems and health care workforces in developing nations. While we can make current spending go further bybeing more aggressive with the pharmaceutical industry, Edwards will ensure the U.S. contributes its traditional fair share toward the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, which hasproven itself as an innovative, effective model to fight disease.[UNICEF, 2005; U.N. Millennium Project,2005; WHO, 2007]

Using Trade Policy to Save Lives: Edwards will enact trade policies that save lives, rather than protect the profits of big drug companies. He will ensure that U.S. bilateral trade agreements respect the rights of countries to access and use generic medicines consistent with the Doha Declaration onthe TRIPS Agreement and Public Health. We must expand poor countries’ right to safe, affordable generic drugs to treat HIV/AIDS. The increased distribution of generic drugs has been a step in theright direction. However, as millions of people develop resistance to these drugs, we must beprepared to facilitate access to more effective medications. As president, Edwards will supportefforts to increase the importation and production in developing countries of second-line and pediatric drugs. He will also re-assess the Bush policy that forces us to pay higher prices for drugsthat have been approved by the FDA, when less expensive drugs have already been approved by theWHO and their safety is reliable. WHO safety standards are relied upon by leading international organizations, including the Global Fund.

Expanding the Role of Multilateral Organizations: America’s reluctance to engage the world through multilateral organizations under President Bush has hurt our ability to combat poverty and fight HIV/AIDS. Edwards believes multilateral institutions like the Global Fund can be far moreefficient at using taxpayer dollars than bilateral agencies like the President’s Emergency Plan forAIDS Relief, with far lower overheads. As president, Edwards will support efforts to increase the role of multilateral institutions like the Global Fund in distributing funds to fight HIV/AIDS, ratherthan just bilateral aid agencies and their contractors.

Rescinding the Global Gag Rule: In 2001, President Bush signed an executive order barring U.S. family planning aid to foreign non-profits that offer abortions, except in the case of a threat to awoman’s life or incest, that provide abortion counseling or that lobby to make abortion legal. This“gag rule” stifles free speech and forces non-profits to choose between vital U.S. funds and providingessential health services. The “gag rule” has hurt efforts to ensure access to contraception methods that can prevent the spread of HIV. Edwards will overturn this order and restore support for effectivefamily planning.

Creating a Cabinet-Level Post on Global Poverty: Despite its importance to our national securityand international standing, America still lacks a comprehensive strategy to fight global poverty. Ourforeign aid programs are fractured and uncoordinated, delivered by over 50 separate government offices. As a result, bureaucrats fight over overlapping jurisdictions and resources are not tied to anygovernment-wide priorities. As president, Edwards will create a new cabinet-level position that willcoordinate global development policies across the federal government and be a voice for the fightagainst global HIV/AIDS.

Promoting Women’s Rights and Universal Education: Strengthening the rights of women and increasing education will help change social roles that underlie the spread of HIV in many countries. Reducing violence against women and expanding education are both proven means of preventingHIV. Edwards will aggressively support political and economic rights for women where they do notexist and support efforts to reduce violence against women and children. He will also lead the worldtoward a primary education for every child, endorsing the goal of achieving universal basic educationby 2015. As part of a significant increase in overall funding for poverty-focused development assistance, Edwards will lead a worldwide effort to raise $10 billion to fund this cause.[UNAIDS,2005; World Bank, 2002]

Supporting Debt Cancellation: Debt owed to Western lenders prevents many poor countries frommaking the kinds of investments in health and education that can help prevent the spread of HIV andother diseases. Edwards will take the next step on debt relief by eliminating bilateral debt owed tothe United States by the world’s poorest countries, freeing up resources for these countries to investin health and education. He will also call on other lender nations to follow our lead.

HIV Vaccine Research Presentation in DC October 1st

Please join us Monday October first for an interactive, educational discussion that talks about what an HIV Vaccine is, how close we are to achieving a vaccine, who’s working on an HIV Vaccine and where, and how you can volunteer and get involved.

The Center has put together a wonderful event on Monday, October 1st, from 7PM to 8:30 PM at one of my favorite neighborhood hangouts, Dakota Cowgirl/Titan, 1337 14th Street NW. The event is free and open to the public and light snacks will be provided.

Speakers include: Sandra Sitar and Dr. Barney Graham from the Vaccine Research Center, Former Capital Area Vaccine Effort (CAVE) co-chair Scott Simpson, and yours truly, David Mariner.

Co-Sponsors: HIV/AIDS Administration, DC Department of Health, and Whitman Walker Clinic.

download a flyer for this event

Queerty Interview with David Hardt

Queerty has an excellent interview online with David Hardt. Hardt made history this summer when he became the first openly LGBT person elected president of the Young Democrats of America. David states "I am very proud that I campaigned as and was elected with a fairly high margin as an openly gay man. It shows that there really is a shift in the mind set of people my age, especially in the Democratic party. It really isn’t much of an issue to be openly gay anymore."

read the whole article here

Tuesday Night at Halo - Meet Jared Polis

Please join us Tuesday, September 4th at 8:30 to 9:30 PM at HALO to spend an evening with openly gay Congressional candidate for Colorado's second district.

Jared Polis has served six years on the Colorado State Board of Education and seven years on the Colorado Democratic Party Executive Committee from 2000-2007. He is a succesful business man, a proven leader. With your help, he can become the next openly gay Democrat elected to Congress and be a powerful voice for our issues.

Please join us THIS TUESDAY NIGHT at Halo to meet Jared and to find out more.

David Mariner

PS: Jared was recently endorsed by Equality Giving. I've included their endorsement below.

Equality Giving Endorsement Message on Jared Polis

Jared Polis is running for Congress in Colorado's 2nd district for the seat that will be vacated by Representative Mark Udall who is running for US Senate. If Polis wins, he would be the first openly gay man elected to Congress as a freshman.

Polis supports all the Equality Goals including marriage equality. We could count on Representative Polis voting for Employment Non-Discrimination, Hate Crimes, repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," and repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act and any other pro-equality bills that would come his way.

Polis needs to win the Democratic primary in Colorado next year in August. The winner of the primary is likely to win the general in this heavily Democratic district that includes Boulder. While his opponents have strong credentials as well, Polis has out-fundraised them so far, indicating he has a great shot of winning. His fundraising must continue to be strong for him to remain competitive.

Polis is a successful entrepreneur and businessman, a proven community leader, a loyal Democrat and dedicated citizen. Additionally, Polis has been very active in improving education in Colorado and created the Jared Polis Foundation, founded the New America High School, and co-founded the Academy of Urban Learning in addition to serving on Colorado's State Board of Education for six years.

Please give what you can today to help Polis become just the 3rd openly gay politician in Congress, joining Representatives Tammy Baldwin and Barney Frank.

For up to date information on the LGBTQ equality positions of all candidates running for US President, please go to our website, www.eQualityGiving.org under politicians.

Tell Adam Clampitt to Talk About HIV/AIDS

Adam Clampitt has launched a campaign website today. Where he states "I'm exploring a run for DC Council at-Large to break up the gridlock of politics as usual and move our city forward."

Clampitt regularly blogs at www.districtmatters.com. Unfortunately, HIV/AIDS in DC is not an issue emphasized on either District Matters or his new campaign website.

Please take a moment right now and send an e-mail message to Adam Clampitt and encourage him to talk about the HIV/AIDS epidemic in DC during his campaign.

We have to make to make it perfectly clear to Adam and anyone else considering a run for city council that having a higher HIV rate than any state and a higher HIV death rate than any state is unacceptable.

Let Adam know that HIV/AIDS is the top public health priority for our city, and it must be a top priority of his campaign.

Send your e-mail to: adamclampitt@fighthivindc.org. Your message will go directly to Adam, and a copy will also come to me. I'll pick the best e-mail messages and post them on the website next week.

Please, take just one minute right now and Tell Adam to Talk about HIV/AIDS.

Welcome to the New DC HIV/AIDS Director

Newly appointed Director of the HIV/AIDS Administration won't actually start work till October, but folks are already posting some great welcome messages right here on our welcome page.

Alex Lawson (pictured bottom left) writes: "I think that the challenges that you will face as the new director of the HIV/AIDS Administration are tough ones, but by working together with the community these challenges can be overcome." read Alex's welcome message.

Ruby Corado (pictured bottom right) writes: "As you lead our nation’s capital in the fight against this disease, I want to beg and plead that you give those infected and affected by this plague, the power to lead right along with you in this battle." read Ruby's welcome message.

Alexis Landa (pictured botom right) writes: "As part of the Network of this City fighting against HIV/AIDS, and a truly untiring defender of the rights of minorities, I as a voice for Andromeda Transcultural Health and its employees, would like to welcome you as our new Director of the HIV/AIDS Administration." read Alexis's message.

Karyn Pomerantz (pictured top left) writes: "We need to include but go way beyond condoms, sex education, and testing as responses to HIV. MWPHA demands that all DC residents have access to truly affordable housing and meaningful jobs to create the stability that creates health." read Karyn's welcome message.

Great work, but we're just getting started. Please take a moment and send your own welcome message to Dr. Hader. It's simple, just send a message to welcome@fighthivindc.org.