ACTION October Newsletter Now Online

Just a quick note to let you know the ACTION October Newsletter is now online. See the October Newsletter as a PDF file right here.

Please note, the October ACTION lunch has been postponed due to a delay in the release of DC HIV Surveillance Data.

DC and other Jurisdictions Receive Additional CDC Funds to Support HIV Testing and Increase Early Diagnosis of HIV among African Americans

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has awarded $35 million in funding to state and local health departments to increase HIV testing opportunities among populations disproportionately affected by HIV, primarily African Americans. Twenty-three states and major metropolitan areas, including Washington DC, will receive awards ranging from $690,000 to $5.4 million.

“This program seeks to test more than 1 million people with the primary goal of increasing early HIV diagnosis among African Americans,” said Kevin Fenton, M.D., director of CDC′s National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention. “HIV testing provides a critical pathway to prevention and treatment services to prolong the lives of those infected and help stop the spread of HIV in the hardest hit communities across the United States.”

The $35 million is part of a new $45 million program to expand access to HIV testing. The remaining $10 million will support a range of CDC programs to provide needed training to health care providers, mobilize communities to encourage HIV testing among African Americans, and reach both providers and those at risk with information on the importance of testing.

For more information on HIV prevention, visit www.cdc.gov/hiv

Shake it! at Fab Lounge TONIGHT!

Shake it up for Sex Worker Rights tonight at the Fab Lounge. All funds raised are for sex worker leadership institute.

A $5-$10 dollar donation gets you in the door. The party goes from 7:00 PM till 1:00 AM tonight (Thursday Sep 27th) and features:

• DJ Bent (reggaeton, funky, Bmore, Miami bass)
• DJ Mothersheister (girl garage bands, motown, African classics)
• Zon the Diabolical (funk, soul, old school hits)

There will be Middle Eastern Floor Shows at 8:00 and 9:00 PM. There will also be a "Bound 'n Gagged Silent Auction." I don't know what that is exactly, but I may have to stop by just to find out.

To learn more about this event, click here.

Squidoo: Michelle Rhee and HIV/AIDS in DC

Check out the latest Squidoo page which looks at Michelle Rhee and the HIV/AIDS Epidemic in DC. As the head of DC Public Schools (DCPS), Michelle Rhee plays an important role in the fight against HIV/AIDS in DC. Rhee oversees the DCPS HIV/AIDS Program. Be sure to check out the new page at www.squidoo.com/michellerhee/.

Volunteer Opportunities: HIPS, Whitman Walker, Cherry Fund

Here are some great volunteer opportunities ahead.

HIPS Volunteer Opportunities
HIPS is seeking dedicated individuals to provide programmatic and administrative support to our Outreach, Hotline and In-House programs. Volunteers are needed both for daytime (M-F 10 – 6pm) and evening (10pm – 5 am) positions! Volunteers gain real-life experience in HIV prevention services, crisis counseling, health counseling and more. Volunteers are asked to make a minimum 8 hour a month, 4 month commitment to one of HIPS programs. Internships are also available. Interested applicants should email HIPS volunteer coordinator Keisha (volunteercoordinator.hips at gmail.com) for more information and volunteer application! The Fall Volunteer Orientation starts Sunday September 30th. Details at www.hips.org

WWC Legal Services: Become a Public Benefits Volunteer
Looking for a volunteer opportunity to help people living with HIV/AIDS in our community. Become a Public Benefits Volunteer and help people living with HIV/AIDS and other clients of Whitman-Walker Clinic with their initial Social Security disability applications. Join the Whitman-Walker Clinic Legal Services Program for the Public Benefits Clinic Volunteer Training on Saturday October 20th from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the Whitman-Walker Clinic, 1407 S Street NW. For details, click here.

Cherry Fund Seeks Volunteers for Harlequin
On Saturday, February 23, 2008. The Cherry Fund will continue our tradition of giving back by hosting Harlequin, our masquerade ball at the Latham Hotel. The proceeds of this event will go to the HIV/AIDS Youth Service Community. There are many opportunities to volunteer and help make this event a success. For more information, click here.

Plans Shaping Up for Latino HIV/AIDS Awareness Day in DC

Plans are shaping up for National Latino HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, which takes place on October 15th.

Today at 10:00 AM on the Hill, Congresswoman Hilda Solis, Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, and numerous advocates will gather to discuss the impact of HIV/AIDS in Latino/Hispanic communities and to declare an HIV/AIDS state of emergency. (at the U.S. Capitol Building, Room HC-6, Washington, D.C.. Entrance is on the House side of the Capitol on Independence Avenue).

Communities all across the country will be encouraged to plan events for National Latino HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Here in DC, we've already got two events in the works for October 15th.

First off, there will be a Community Forum on HIV/AIDS in the Latino Community at the All Souls Unitarian Church organized by La Clinica Del Pueblo and a coalition of local groups. The event is tentatively scheduled to begin around 10:00 AM. I will give you more details as they come in.

Second, at 2:30 PM there will be a Spanish-language presentation on HIV Vaccine Research. There is an amazing international lineup for this event. Our speakers are

• Pedro Goicochea, Impacta Peru
• Dr. Barney Graham, Vaccine Research Center, NIH, NIAID
• Jeff Stanton, Academy for Educational Development.

Pedro and Jeff will give their presentations directly in Spanish, and Barney will give his presentation in Spanish with the assistance of a translater. So this is an amazing opportunity for Spanish-speaking folks to get any questions they might have about HIV vaccine research answered in Spanish. I hope to have a flyer soon to share with you for this event. This event takes place at the DC CARE Consortium, 1156 15th Street NW, and light refreshments will be provided. Sponsors include the Vineeta Foundation, Capital Area Vaccine Effort, and the Vaccine Research Center.

I will post updates as they come in for both events on this page

Job Opportunities: HIPS, Prevention Works, and La Clinica Del Pueblo

Here are some recent job postings of interest. Please contact the agencies directly.

HIPS Program Administration Assistant: HIPS Program Administration Assistant provides administrative and logistical support to the Executive Director and Program Directors. The Program Administration Assistant provides general bookkeeping to the organization and ensures HIPS programs are well prepared to meet the needs of HIPS clients and stakeholders. Find out more at www.hips.org.

Pevention Works Clinical Supervisor: The Clinical Supervisor is responsible for managing the day-to-day activities of the FOCUS drug treatment adherence program for low-income residents of the District of Columbia who are current or former drug users, living with HIV infection, and struggling with their HIV care and/or treatment regimen. Find out more here.

La Clinica HIV Prevention Conselor (Bilingual): This position will conduct HIV prevention counseling, testing, and referrals in the District of Columbia. Find out more information here.

Squidoo: Gay Men and HIV/AIDS in DC

Check out the latest Squidoo.com page which looks at Gay Men and HIV/AIDS in the District of Columbia.

I've included a bunch of stuff on the page including flickr photos, relevant youtube pics, recommended books, and much more. If you have something you'd like to see on the new page, just let me know. And be sure to bookmark it at www.squidoo.com/gaymenandhiv.

Johhn Edwards Plan to Fight HIV AIDS

I don't normally blog about national HIV/AIDS issues on this site, but today I'm making an exception.

As some of you may remember, back in April, I shared with you that I'm supporting John Edwards for President. I am proud to serve on Edwards LGBT Steering Committee and to be one one of 25 National LGBT Community Leaders to Endorse Edwards that month. Since April, I've had the pleasure of meeting several folks working hard on the campaign including Elizabeth Edwards.

Today, John Edwards released his plan to fight HIV/AIDS here at home as well as globally. I have never been more proud to support to be supporting John Edwards for President. I think after you read John Edward's HIV/AIDS Plan, you will agree with the many HIV/AIDS advocates from around the country who praised Edwards today.

Dr. Paul Zeitz, Executive Director of the Global AIDS Alliance FUND, said today: "This is plan is both bold and achievable, and we are thrilled to see Senator Edwards' tremendous leadership on this issue. It's exciting to see such a realistic, science-based approach to the epidemic in the US and globally."

Rebecca Haag, Executive Director of AIDS Action, said today: “We welcome Senator Edwards call for a national strategy. He is definitely listening to the hundreds of organizations, groups and individuals that understand the need for a committed public health approach to HIV."

Don't take their words for it though. I encourage you to read the plan for yourself. And once you do, I encourage you to support John Edwards for President.

Art for Life Thursday November 15th

Art for Life, the 14th Annual Art Auction to benefit Whitman Walker Clinic’s services for the Latino community, will take place on Thursday, Nov. 15, 2007 at the Organization of American States, 17th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW. The reception begins at 6:30 PM, the VIP Reception begins at 6:00 pm.

For more information, click here.

Squidoo: David Catania & the HIV/AIDS Administration in DC

Check out the latest Squidoo.com page which looks at David Catania and the HIV/AIDS Epidemic in DC. City Council Member Catania shoulders a lot responsibility in the fight against HIV/AIDS in DC. Catania is the chairperson of the Committee on Health, which oversees the Department of Health (DOH), and consequently the HIV/AIDS Administration which resides within the DOH.

Check out out David's Squidoo page at: http://www.squidoo.com/davidcatania.

Us Helping Us: Support Counselor for HIV Positive Black Gay Men

Are you a black HIV positive gay man that needs somoene to talk to? Then call Us Helping Us. Us Helping has a support counselor available for you to talk to, and incentives are offerred for every visit. For more information contact Rukie Wilson at 202 446-1100 ext 1124.

Squidoo: Adrian Fenty and the HIV/AIDS Epidemic in DC

Check out the latest Squidoo.com page which looks at Adrian Fenty and the HIV/AIDS Epidemic in DC. Mayor Fenty is the person who ultimately oversees both the HIV AIDS Administration within the DC Department of Health and the HIV/AIDS Program within the DC Public Schools.

Bookmark the new Squidoo.com: www.squidoo.com/adrianfenty.

Prosper! Women Living with HIV

The Women's Collective is bringing back their popular Prosper! Group for women living with HIV. HIV positive women are invited for food, pampering, peer support, and "plenty of love and fun as we let down our hair and open our minds."

The next group starts on October 11th, 2007, but individual sessions are ongoing. An incentive is provided for every other individual session and at the end of the 10 group session. To see if you are eligible, or for more information call (202) 483-7003 and ask for Abby or Roshah.

When will Gregg Pane Get His Grade?

The Appleseed Reports on HIV/AIDS in the District have always carried a lot of weight. Former HIV/AIDS Administration Director Lydia Watts was fired by Gregg Pane just one week after the first Appleseed Report. When Marsha Martin became Director of the HIV/AIDS Administration, she received regular 'report cards' from DC Appleseed measuring the progress of the HIV/AIDS Administration.

The first report card covered August 2005 to March 2006. The second report card covered March 2006 to December 2006.

Then on January 1st Marcia Martin left the HIV/AIDS Administration when Mayor Fenty took office and chose not to keep her on board, at which time Gregg Pane took the reigns as Interim Director of the HIV/AIDS Administration.

We have yet to see a report card that measures progress made during Gregg Pane's time as Interim Deputy Director.

It remains to be seen whether the Appleseed Project will weigh in on Pane's work at the HIV/AIDS Administration. One has to wonder whether his 'grades' would be better or worse than the two Directors he fired.

New York Rejects 'Financing Ignorance': Will DC Follow?

Today New York State Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines announced that New York is joining the growing number of states that are rejecting the Bush Administration's Abstinence Only Program.

Daines stated "The Bush administration's Abstinence Only Program is an example of a failed national healthcare policy directive, based on ideology rather than on sound scientific- based evidence that must be the cornerstone of good public healthcare policy."

While the policy has been in effect for some time, Daines comments coincided with the release of the report Financing Ignorance: A Report on Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Funding in New York.

Daines continued: "In keeping with the Governor Spitzer's progressive healthcare agenda for New York, on July 2rd the department cancelled all existing abstinence only contracts under the federal Title V program that began under the previous administration. Earlier this year, the department made a conscious decision not to reapply for funds under this program due to the increasingly rigid federal standards imposed on New York and other states that were contrary to our commitment to fully educate adolescents about the risks associated with sexual behavior."

On numerous occasions, concerned DC residents have asked Adrian Fenty to unequivocally reject Abstinence-Only-Until Marriage Funding. I asked Mayor Fenty if he would reject this money at a Gertrude Stein Democrats Meeting in May 2007. A coalition of local youth serving organizations also asked Mayor Fenty to reject this money in May.

The organizations that signed on to this request include: City Year Washington DC, DC Primary Care Association, Girls Incorporated of the Washington DC Metropolitan Area, The Latin American Youth Center, Metro TeenAIDS, Sasha Bruce Youth Work, Young Womens Project, and Youth Action Research Group.

New York is one of eleven states that has rejected abstinence-only-until-marriage funding. The other states are California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, Montana, New Jersey, Ohio, Rhode Island, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

Let's hope the District of Columbia is next.

HIV/AIDS Administration Surveillance Report Delayed

The HIV/AIDS Administration 2001-2006 Surveillance Report that was scheduled to be released this month has been delayed once again. This can only be described as yet another setback for the HIV/AIDS Administration, whose performance has been questioned on a variety of fronts including condom distribution, HIV testing, and program oversight.

The Surveillance report provides an overview of the HIV epidemic in the city and helps us better understand where new HIV cases are occurring in the city, which populations are most affected, and what modes of transmission are most prevalent. I was looking forward to having the report this month, before AIDS Walk Washington, one of the most visible HIV/AIDS events in the city, so that we could accurately give information about HIV rates in DC. That's not going to happen.

The HIV/AIDS Administration now says we can look for the report before the end of October. This will give Dr. Shannon Hader, the new Director of the HIV/AIDS Administration, and opportunity to review the report before it is released (Hader does not actually start work until mid-October).

In light of this development, The October ACTION Lunch with Tiffany West-Ojo from the HIV/AIDS Administration to present the Surveillance Data has been rescheduled for November 15th. click here for more information about this event.

Charity Date Auction for Pediatric AIDS/HIV Care

20 of DC's finest bachelors and bachelorettes were auctioned of earlier this month at the new bar 18th and Red. All money raised was donated to Pediatric AIDS/HIV Care, Inc. Check out this fun video montage of the night's festivities. (if the video isn't showing, click here.

Building Momentum for DC Fights Back Resource Day

The excitement is building for the DC Fights Back Resource Day, scheduled for Tuesday, October 16th in partnership with local HIV/AIDS service organizations.

We will have a rockin' resource fair where you can come with questions about HIV/AIDS services in the District and leave with answers. Organizations participating include: AIDSinfo, Community Education Group, Covenant Baptist Church Conversation Center, Damien Ministries, DC Fights Back, Food and Friends, Housing Works, Lincoln Financial Group, Metro Teen AIDS, NOVAM-Northern Virginia AIDS Ministry, Our Place DC, Patients not Patents, Inc., Regional Addiction Prevention (RAP Inc), Vaccine Research Center NIAID NIH, and the Women’s Collective.

Dr. Shannon Hader to Provide Opening Remarks

Starting at 11:00 AM we will have a panel discussion on HIV/AIDS services in the District and the new Director of the HIV/AIDS Administration, Dr. Shannon Hader, will be providing opening remarks.

The DC Fights Back Resource Day is an opportunity for service providers and people living with HIV in DC to learn about resources in the District including housing, employment assistance, substance abuse, and mental health services.

The resource day will take place at the Westminster Presbyterian Church, 401 I Street NW from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The Westminster Presbyterian Church is convenient to the Waterfront/SEU metro stop.

It's not too late to get involved: If you are interested in participating or would just like more information, please contact Cherie Lindsay at spkaboutit(at)yahoo(dot)com.

click here to download the flyer for the event

Brave Soul Collective Gathers at Warehouse Theater September 29th

When Alex Lawson posted about the Black Luv Fest, he made the point that while the Black Luv Fest recevied no money from the HIV/AIDS Administration, they were much, much more succesfull in getting folks tested than the well funded effort of the HIV/AIDS Administration at Freedom Plaza.

It's an important distinction to make. Some of the most innovative and successful efforts to fight HIV in DC (including this website you read every day) are not coming from the organizations funded to do the work, they are coming from concerned citizens who are so fed up they are doing the work themselves.

Another example of this is the Brave Soul Collective. Brave Soul Collective is an education, outreach, and support organization for gay / bisexual / transgendered / questioning HIV positive and negative individuals living their lives in truth through the arts. Brave Soul isn't funded by the local HIV/AIDS Administration, there creative and innovative work far surpasses anything I've ever seen from any of the well-funded HIV/AIDS support groups in the city, many of whom have to pay participants with gift cards just to get them to show up (yeah, I said it).

The Brave Soul Collective will be gathering on Saturday September 29th from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Warehouse Theater, 1017 7th Street NW, Washington DC 20001. This event is free as long as you remember to RSVP. Every month Brave Soul explores a different topic, and this month they'll be talking about unprotected sex, so it should be a lively and interesting discussion.

CAVE Meeting October 9th, 2007

Please join us for the next meeting of the Capital Area Vaccine Effort (CAVE). We will meet on October 9th at the offices of Us Helping Us at 6:30 PM. Us Helping Us is located at 3636 Georgia Avenue NW, very close to the Georgia Ave Petworth Station Metro Stop. If you'd like to check out the minutes from our September meeting, click here.

There's a lot going on with CAVE right now. For one, we're partnering with The Center for their October 1st Presentation on HIV Vaccine Research. We're also going to be participating in AIDS Walk Washington as part of the DC Fights Back AIDS Walk Team. We also need to follow up with the HIV/AIDS Administration on HIV testing issues for HIV vaccine trial participants. We sent a letter to Dr. Pane and got a response, but we haven't yet got a meeting set up to discuss the issue with the appropriate folks at the HIV/AIDS Administration.

Finally, CAVE is looking at expanding our mission statement beyone HIV Vaccine Research to all Prevention research in the district. This would give us the ability to work on other prevention-research topics like Microbicides, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, Circumcision, other prevention research.

This is a great time to get involved in CAVE - please join us for the next meeting.

Voice of America Profiles Metro TeenAIDS

Voice of America has a great piece online covering the great work done by Metro TeenAIDS in our community.

To listen to (or read) the story online, click here.

DCFB at the Black LUV Festival

Each year the Black LUV festival offers DC an antidote to the everyday dysfunction and malfunctions that living in DC often feels like. This whole day is dedicated to positive social change through community empowerment. And as always the festival has stepped up when the government has failed. By getting the word out to people that getting tested for HIV is something for everyone.

You can see the signs that were posted in front of the stage declaring DC's abysmal HIV and AIDS statistics. Alongside this sign was one talking about the drop out rate in DC's schools. But the thing that is so apparent at this event is that the organizers are not satisfied to just throw up their hands in the face of such a dismal outlook. The organizers this year had 5 mobile testing units providing free rapid HIV tests and some offering diabetes and blood pressure tests as well.


Although a rapid pace was set all day, from 4:30 to 7:00pm there were dozens of people waiting in line to get tested at all times. The government should be able to do this. There wasn't an artist that came to stage that didn't mention positive social change and empowerment, the MCs kept up a near constant patter about people getting tested.
The whole day was an empowering experience and I felt lucky to be a part of such a positive movement. And Geno gave such a powerful and inspired call to action I am sorry for anyone who didn't get a chance to be there.

The Mayor's office did honor the commitment of Kymone Freeman and the Black LUV committee which is well deserved. The last photo shows Kymone Freeman excepting a proclamation from the mayor's office declaring the day, Black LUV Festival Day.

HUH IMPAACT CAB August Meeting Notes

The HIV/AIDS Community Advisory Board for the Howard University Hospital Pediatric Clinic met last month. I've posted the minutes from our last meeting right here.

The IMPAACT CAB will meet again on on Wednesday, September 26th, at 10:30 AM. Howard University Hospital is located at 2041 Georgia Avenue, convenient to the Shaw-Howard Metro stop.

The Howard University Hospital Pediatric Clinic is part of the IMPAACT, the International Maternal, Pediatric, and Adolescent AIDS Clinical Trials Group, and has participated in numerous studies conducted through that network.

To find out more about this meeting, contact Patty Yu at phouston@howard.edu.

DC News Clips

Chris Dyer: Last week we posted that Chris Dyer was appointed Director of LGBT Affairs for DC. There are two follow up articles to note, this article in metroweekly, and this one in the Washington Blade. Find out more about Chris Dyer here.

Condom Controversy: Oh, the condom stories keep pouring in. There are related articles at DCist. The Washington Times inaccurately states that the DC condoms were wrapped in flimsy paper. This is simply not true. One has to wonder if anyone at the Washington Times even saw these condoms before they made that inaccurate claim. Google news asked for my take on the condom controversy which you can read here.

Big Tigger: Big Tigger and his friends are rolling into town for the HIV/AIDS ride for life read more about it at allhiphop.com

Strong Words from Adam Clampitt on HIV/AIDS in the District

City Council at-large candidate Adam Clampitt is speaking out about HIV/AIDS in the District of Columbia. In a recent post to his popular DC blog, Adam refers to HIV/AIDS as "DC's Greatest Epidemic." Adam writes:

"DC has serious health care problems. Finding ways to increase access, improve quality of care and upgrade facilities present big challenges to our city on an ongoing basis. But a scary epidemic is in our midst; and surprising little is being done to stop it. HIV/AIDS infects approximately one in 20 DC residents, and perhaps even more. It is not a problem faced only by the gay community or the African American community, as many believe. HIV/AIDS is a threat to all of us. Unfortunately, the DC HIV AIDS Administration (HAA) has been ineffective in curbing the spread of the virus."

. A while back I asked you to ask Adam to talk about HIV/AIDS, I want to thank all of you who did exactly that. Believe me. These things make a difference. I had the opportunity to sit down with Adam recently for coffee and talk about HIV/AIDS in the District.

It's still very early to be choosing a candidate for this city council race. DC Fights Back will be doing candidate questionnaires and meetings with candidates closer to the actual election.

Still, I'm very encouraged that Adam is talking about HIV/AIDS as part of his campaign and I encourage all of the candidates to do so.

DC HIV Prevention Community Planning Group Meeting Highlights 7/13/2007

On August 20, a special meeting of the CPG was held to discuss the Interim Progress Report (IPR) and HAA budget for 2008. On August 30, 2007 the CPG issued a vote of concurrence with the IPR and budget. HAA submitted the application to the CDC on 9/4/2007. Noteworthy is the fact that the 2008 budget includes provisions to provide funding for needle exchange in DC, pending the ban on support of needle exchange with DC dollars is lifted. As discussed in yesterday’s meeting, the budget requested from CDC for next year remains relatively unchanged; most of the increase in the request is due to the rise in personnel costs. In 2007, DC was awarded $5.7million, $1.6mil less than the budget requested for next year. While HAA does not expect to receive the total amount of money requested from the CDC, the hope is that DC can maximize funding allotted and be awarded at minimum, the base award of $5.9mil. It is also helpful to know that DC did receive $1.46mil from CDC to support HIV testing which should alleviate some of the stress associated with the post-award notification re-configuration of the 2008 budget.

Due to all of the recent attention given to the condom campaign, the surveillance report will not be released this month but will most likely be available in October. The condom campaign controversy has also impacted the timeline for completion of the community services assessment (CSA) and resource inventory. The CSA will still be completed in collaboration with George Washington University but the contract has not yet been put in place. The time lines will be adjusted with updates to follow.

In response to all of the negative publicity around the condom campaign and effectiveness of the DC condoms, the DC condoms will be pulled and replaced with name brand condoms to be distributed to the community. Although some community members have the perception that the DC condoms are ineffective, DOH and HAA want to stress that the DC condoms are as safe and effective against transmission of HIV, STIs and pregnancy as any other latex condoms. The CPG approved a statement drafted by three members of the CPG’s Executive Committee which basically supports the condom distribution and makes a few suggestions to HAA for formation of a more solid distribution program. HAA recognizes the need for a more deliberate plan to distribute the condoms to the community members and will increase collaboration with CBOs to do this in the future. There are no definite plans to re-design a “DC Condom” but should HAA decide to once again explore this route in the future, community input, market research, and focus groups will be enlisted to provide insight into the design and how to market the condoms. Until a more community focused condom distribution plan emerges, condoms can still be requested by using the online request form or calling 202-671-4994 and speaking with Betty Jones.

There are currently seven vacancies on the CPG. Recruitment for new members will begin in January 2008. For more information about the CPG and how to become involved, please visit the CPG section of the DOH website.

The next meeting of the full CPG will take place Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 5:30 PM at 64 New York Ave NE Suite 500. Thank you.

Black LUV Festival and DCFB

Come to the Black LUV festival
This Sunday, September 16th
4th & Penn. Ave. NW
12pm-7pm

Last year the festival organizers including Kymone Freeman decided to make HIV testing a central component of the festival, stepping up when the government couldn't. Last year 500 people were tested at the event, this year partnering with Unity Healthcare the organizers expect to test 800 people in a single day. Anyone who was around for the fiasco that was the DC testing campaign kick off in Freedom Plaza knows that testing 800 people is an enormous task. The DC government with all their resources could only get tens of people tested when they tried. DC Fights Back has been invited to speak at the event and announce the total number of tests done during the event. Geno will be speaking from the stage around 6:30. The entire schedule is posted below. Come out for the amazing local institution that is the Black LUV festival!

DJ Set 12:00 – 12:40
Fela Kuti

Opening Set 12:40 – 2:00
15 min Libation
10 min Baba Mahiri: Drumming
5 min Sanjo: Poet
5 min Princess: Host
10 min Lady Di: Poet
10 min Sis. Yvette: Vocalist
10 min Hip-Hop Children Set
10 min Abiola: Vocalist: Band

Second Set 2:00 – 2:40
5 min Kendall & Monique: Poets
10 min Stephanie McKay: Vocalist
10 min Jamila:Vocalist : House Band
10 min Yaz: Hip Hop
5 min Princess: Host

Third Set 2:40 – 3:30
10 min Speaker-Sister Space: Speaker
15 min PS24: Hip Hop
5 min Benny Blaq: Poet
10 min Wayne: Vocalist
10 min EmoniFela: Hip Hop: Band

Fourth Set 3:20 – 4:00
10 min Unity Health Care: Speaker
10 min Sunni Patterson: Poet
5 min DChase: Host
5 min House band or DJ

Awards 4:00
10 min Freeman

Fifth Set 4:10 – 5:20
10 min KIDS Lead Children’s Choir
10 min Dr. Jared Ball: Speaker
10 min Hedrock: Hip Hop
15 min Bilal: Vocalist
15 min Bomani/Droopy: Hip Hop
10 min Kontac: Vocalist: Their Band

Sixth Set 5:20- 6:15
10 min DPS: Hip Hop
10 min Che: Vocalist
5 min Komplex: Poet
15 min Asheru: Hip Hop
3 min DChase: Host
10 min Clayton LaBuffer-Speaker

James Brown Tribute 6:15-6:25

Closing Set 6:25 -7:45
10 min Human Prophets Video Shoot
10 min DC Fights Back
15 min Shae: Dance Team
10 min Ebony Jackson: Vocalist
10 min Breathe: Vocalist
10 min NYOil-Hip Hop
Host- Ends Festival

DJ’s Fillers
Munch
DJ Fire
DJ Dub (Felton)

Darby Hickey Feature Article in CHAMP Newsletter

Local activist Darby Hickey has a great article in this month's CHAMP Newsletter. For those who don't know, CHAMP (Community HIV/AIDS Mobilization Project) is a very cool national project headed up by Julie Davids, which draws connections between HIV/AIDS, human rights, and struggles for social and economic justice.

Darbey writes about the lives of sex workers in DC and their efforts to organize, including efforts of local organizations like HIPS, La Clinica Del Pueblo, and Different Avenues.

click here to download the newsletter. Darby's article starts on page three.

Trojan Expected to Donate 350,000 Condoms to DC

The Washington Blade Reports that "Mayor Adrian Fenty is expected to announce within the next week that Washington will receive a donation of at least 350,000 condoms from the Princeton, N.J., corporation that produces the Trojan brand condom, according to sources familiar with the city government."

read the entire story here.

The Center: Update on HIV Vaccine Research 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

AIDS Walk Washington October 6th

Check out this great public service announcement for AIDS Walk Washington coming up on October 6th. If you haven't already made plans to walk, you're welcome to join the DC Fights Back Team. And of course, if you're not walking yourself, I'd greatly appreciate it if you make a donation now on my AIDS Walk Washington Page.

Special kudos also goes to the folks at My Positive Connection. Kester and his crew from My Positive Connection are sponsoring twenty walkers this year! My Positive Connection is a cool local DC site where HIV positive folks in DC (both gay and straight) can come together to chat, meet, or date.

DC Fights Back Meeting Postponed

In light of everything going on tonight, like the CAVE Meeting, and the HIV Empowerment Group Meeting with Dr. Raushbaum, the DC Fights Back meeting scheduled for tonight has been postponed till Monday September 17th. Sorry for the short notice.

Reminder: Join us Thursday for the ACTION Lunch

It's not too late to join us this Thursday for the Septmber ACTION Lunch where we will learn more about the Youth Risk Behavior Survey.

The Youth Risk Behavior Survey helps us better understand young people in the District of Columbia and what behaviors may put them at risk for HIV. It's a crucial piece of the puzzle in understanding what's happening with HIV in DC and how we can most effectively prevent it.

Join us for a preliminary look at the 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Survey information, including never before asked questions about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth in our city.

Our presenter will be Marc D. Clark, Ph.D., Director of Health Operations for DC Public Schools.

This event takes place Thursday, September 13th at the DC CARE Consortium, 1156 15th Street NW #6

To RSVP online for this event: click here.

This is one lunch in a three-part series entitled 'Understanding the HIV Epidemic in DC'. To download the flyer for this series, click here.

Squidoo: The Transgender Community and HIV in DC

Check out the latest Squidoo page which looks at HIV/AIDS and the Transgender Community in DC. The page includes links to local organizations, some great local pictures. You'll also find a guide to trans men's health, and a guide to trans women's health.

Check it out and be sure to bookmark www.squidoo.com/transcommunityandhivindc.

An Evening with Dr. Raushbaum

Do you have a question about new HIV medications? Do you want to learn about new classes of HIV medications like maturation inhibitors? Are you curious about what new HIV drugs are coming in the future?

Well, a great place to get answers is the BioScrip Pharmacy HIV Empowerment Group. The group will meet next on Thursday September 11th at 6:30. They meet at the BioScrip Pharmacy 1325 14th Street NW. Dr. Raushbaum will on hand ready to answer your questions.

download a flyer for this event here.

Congratulations to Chris Dyer

Today, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty announced the appointment of Christopher Dyer as the Director for the Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Affairs.

A longtime LGBT civic activist, Dyer has served as interim director for the office since February 7, 2007. where he created a comprehensive directory of organizations that provide services and activities for those in the LGBT community, partnered with local organizations to hold community forums and organized a job fair and a career day for transgender residents. The office is also in the process of organizing a development training and economic development conference to be held in the fall.

Professionally, Dyer has worked for a variety of non-profit organizations since graduating from Ithaca College with a bachelor’s degree in history in 1992. He recently worked for the American Lung Association as a manager of member services for the professional development organization for the Lung Association staff.

Dyer started his 2nd term as an ANC Commissioner representing Logan Circle. He is currently the vice chair of the commission focusing primarily on crime prevention, development and parking challenges facing the community. Dyer also serves the city as a Human Rights Commissioner.

In 1997, Dyer founded the Youth Pride Alliance, a 501(c)3 organization that sponsors an annual Youth Pride Event for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered (LBGT) and questioning youth and their supporters. Dyer has also volunteered as the marketing and communications committee chair for the Crystal Meth Working Group and Secretary for the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club. He has served on ten Capital Pride planning committees and as a member of Mayor Anthony Williams' LGBT Advisory Committee.

In 2001, Dyer received the Gene Frey Award for Excellence in Volunteering from Whitman Walker Clinic and in 2003 he was named a Capital Pride Hero for his outstanding contributions to the LGBT community. Dyer has recently been honored by the DC Center for his contributions to the Crystal Meth Working Group. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking through Rock Creek Park and singing in various local karaoke establishments.

Celebrate Latino LGBT Heritage Friday September 14th

The Latino GLBT History Project in collaboration with The Center cordially invites you and your family to the opening reception and the celebration of the Hispanic Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) Heritage Month 2007 to be held on Friday, September 14, 2007 from 6:00pm. -9:00pm. at The Center, 1111 14th St. NW, Suite 350, Washington, DC.

The reception will feature Fotos y Recuerdos: A Historic Exhibit of the DC Latino GLBT Community. We will also honor six longtime Latino LGBT leaders: Yajaira Arreaza, Eva Young, Victoria Armani, Ruby Corado, Mario Acosta-Velez and Jose Ucles. There will be a special performance by Sherrie Van Crawford. Speakers include: Letitia Gomez, Lisbeth Melendez Rivera and Christopher Dyer. Latin food and refreshments will be served.

“This is a great opportunity for The Latino GLBT History Project and The Center to celebrate, recognize and honor the rich contributions of our leaders. This year’s exhibit, Fotos y Recuerdos, is an astonishing and unique collection of photographs and memorabilia from the mid 1980’s to the present,” said Jose Gutierrez, Director of the Latino GLBT History Project.

The entire LGBT community is invited to attend this important event. The exhibit will be on display from September 14 to October 15, 2007 in the offices of The Center which is located at 1111 14th St. NW # 350, Washington, DC 20005.

download the flyer for this event

Mayor Adrian Fenty on Condom Distribution in DC

In light of the current controversy over the condom distribution program in DC, I think it's appropriate to reprint here what Mayor Adrian Fenty said about condom distribution while he was running for office.

Mayor Fenty filled out a questionnaire from the Gay and Lesbian Activist Alliance which asked "Are you committed to continuing and strengthening the District’s condom distribution program?"

The Mayor responded in writing to the questionnaire: "Yes. I believe that we must educate people that using condoms is really the only way to stop transmission of HIV when engaging in sex. I will support condom distribution programs and will work with organizations such as the Great American Condom Campaign to strengthen our education programs in the District. I will ask the Department of Health and AHPP to review all the programs that now exist in the District and to develop a comprehensive plan, which will make sure that we are reaching everyone with these education and distribution programs. We need only look at the Appleseed report to see that we have to do more than we have. While we had a goal of distributing 600,000 condoms in 2004 we only distributed 125,000 in 2005. The final plan needs to include distribution sites such as public health centers, nightclubs and bars, hospitals and even hair salons and barber shops."

I will let you draw your own conclusions. More about the questionnaire here.

Blogging on this topic continues at: The Eagle Blog, Big Head DC, Upset the Setup, and POZ.

DC Condom Controversy Continues

Yesterday's article on the DC Department of Health Condom Distribution program is spreading like wildfire thanks to an AP story that went around the country and numerous blog posts including: Big Head DC, POZ, and DCist.

And as the story grows, the inaccuracies in the original article are being expanded on and continue to grow. Big Head DC uses the headling "DC Government Gives Out Condoms Wrapped in Paper". In reality, they are the same foil-style packages used by many condom manufacturers. The Consumerist uses the headline "Washington D.C. Gives Away Uncool, Defective Condoms". Again, not really true. The Post article suggests this, but doesn't offer any substantive evidence that the condoms are 'defective'. In reality, we have every reason to believe DC Condoms are effective in preventing HIV and no evidence has been presented to contradict this.

Let's be clear ... The condoms are ugly and difficult to market. DC would have been much better off hiring an ad agency to create a cool condom like the now famous NYC condom. BUT we have every reason to believe DC Condoms are effective in preventing HIV and no evidence has been presented to contradict this.

Further ... It's clear that the HIV AIDS Administration (HAA) is giving out misleading numbers about how many condoms have actually been distributed in the past eight months. The article in the post said 650,000. In reality, the number is much, much lower. Why? Because HAA is counting all the condoms they have given to local agencies, without regard to whether or not they have been handed out to actual people. Boxes and Boxes of these 'distributed' condoms are actually in storage at local organizations. BUT we have every reason to believe DC Condoms are effective in preventing HIV and no evidence has been presented to contradict this.

And Finally ... It's clear that the Condom Distribution program is a monumental failure. I've said it before, I'll say it again. New York City launched their new condom campaign about the same time we launched ours. New York City manages to distribute between three and five million condoms each month, while HAA has been struggling to distribute one million condoms over eight months. Quite frankly, it's a joke. BUT we have every reason to believe DC Condoms are effective in preventing HIV and no evidence has been presented to contradict this.

Still, the urban legend has taken on a life of it's own. The HIV/AIDS Administration would be smart to only by brand-name condoms for the forseeable future.

Thousands of Condoms Returned to Health Department

From Kaiser Daily: Tens of thousands of condoms that the Washington, D.C., Department of Health provided at no cost to residents have been returned because of concerns about the condoms' packaging and safety, the Washington Post reports (Levine, Washington Post, 9/5). District health officials in February distributed 250,000 condoms as part of the health department's efforts to prevent the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. The first batch of condoms went to several not-for-profit organizations and community health providers. The department said it aimed to distribute one million condoms by the end of 2007. The condoms' purple and yellow package is printed in English and Spanish and carries the slogan, "We've got you covered. Coming together to stop HIV in D.C." (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 2/16).

According to the Post, concerns about the condoms "arose almost immediately" after the program began. Demand at two distribution sites established by not-for-profit organizations dropped by more than 80% shortly after the condoms were introduced. More than 2,000 packets were being distributed weekly in mid-March, but by late May, about 400 were being dispensed weekly, the Post reports. Volunteers said people complained about condom packets "ripping in purses or bursting open in pockets," and some recipients said they lacked confidence that the condoms would provide protection, according to the Post. In addition, the expiration dates on some of the condoms were illegible, the Post reports.

Officials at about six organizations that had been distributing the condoms interviewed on Tuesday said they received negative feedback from clients. Many clients said that the condoms' packaging seemed substandard, according to the Post. "People were saying, 'These packets aren't any good,'" Franck DeRose -- executive director of the Condom Project, which was involved with the distribution program -- said. A coalition that includes the Condom Project returned about 100,000 condoms to the district, about 15% of what the city says has been distributed to groups. Metro TeenAIDS Executive Director Adam Tenner said some youths involved with the group "doubted the authenticity of the condoms" and wondered why the wrappers were not plastic or foil, like those sold in stores. "Distribution of those condoms has been really difficult," he said, adding, "The question becomes, how do we fix this?"

DeRose said the not-for-profit groups tried to warn officials before sending back the condoms. "There was no talk about (getting) a different condom," he said, adding, "They said, 'This is what we have.'" The coalition, which launched a condom distribution program last fall, has begun purchasing its own condoms again. The coalition's condoms are being used up rapidly, according to the Post. The health department "apparently does not consider the situation a problem," according to the Post. Health department spokesperson Leila Abrar said in a statement, "To date, we have not received any substantive complaints." According to the statement, the district has distributed nearly 650,000 condoms since February through partnerships with 50 organizations. The health department has taken notice of the comments about the district condoms' packaging, the Post reports. According to Abrar's statement, the city will hold a "contest for new versions" of its next condom package (Washington Post, 9/5).