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.