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).