DC World AIDS Day 2008: December 1st

December 1st is World AIDS Day. Established by the World Health Organization in 1988, World AIDS Day serves to focus global attention on the devastating impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Observance of this day provides an opportunity for governments, national AIDS programs, churches, community organizations and individuals to demonstrate the importance of the fight against HIV/AIDS.

2008 DC World AIDS Day Events

Whitman-Walker Candlelight Vigil
Monday, December 1st
For details: click here.

Songs for Life DC World AIDS Day Concert
Monday, December 1st
For details: click here.

Demonstration for Housing for People Living with HIV/AIDS in DC
Monday, December 1st
For details: click here.

Listen: Gay Men in Their Twenties Talk About Their Lives, Their Futures, and The HIV/AIDS Epidemic in DC
Thursday, December 4th
For details: click here.

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• For information about 2007 World AIDS Day Events, click here
• For information about 2006 World AIDS Day Events, click here

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With an estimated 38.6 million people worldwide living with HIV at the end of 2005, and more than 25 million people having died of AIDS since 1981, December 1st serves to remind everyone that action makes a difference in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Americans should be reminded that HIV/AIDS does not discriminate. With an estimated 1,039,000 to 1,185,000 HIV- positive individuals living in the U.S., and approximately 40,000 new infections occurring every year, the U.S., like other nations around the world is deeply affected by HIV/AIDS.


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Listen: This Thursday!

Join us December 4th for Listen: Gay Men in Their Twenties Talk About Their Lives, Their Futures, and The HIV/AIDS Epidemic in DC

HIV and AIDS cases among young men who have sex with men ages 13-24 from 2002 to 2007 were double that of all previous cases since tracking began in 1983 up to 200. Despite these increases, only half of all young adults under 25 are aware of their HIV status or have actively sought an HIV Test.

How can we best support young gay, bisexual, and transgender men who are HIV positive? How do we fight the secrecy and the stigma? How do we prevent new infections? Join us for a frank conversation with a panel of gay, bi, and trans men in their twenties as we tackle these important questions.

Thursday, December 4th
7:00 PM
HRC Equality Center
1640 Rhode Island Ave NW

Moderated by Zack Rosen, The New Gay
Opening Remarks: Tyrone Hanely, SMYAL
Closing Remarks: Brian Watson, Ryan White Planning Council

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Sponsored by the DC Crystal Meth Working Group, The DC Center, and SMYAL. This program is funded in whole or in part, by the Government of the District of Columbia, Department of Health.

Ron Simmons Profiled in Metro Weekly

MetroWeekly has a great interview with Us Helping Us executive Diretor Ron Simmons:

This year, 2008, marks two bittersweet 20-year anniversaries: World AIDS Day, first observed Dec. 1, 1988, and Us Helping Us, People Into Living Inc., incorporated the same year.

A local nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing and treating HIV/AIDS among black gay men, UHU just marked its anniversary with a gala on Nov. 21, while the world prepares for World AIDS Day ceremonies with sadness and hope. Treatments have improved, but infection rates remain alarming. And, yes, people still die of AIDS-related illnesses.

If anyone embodies the emotions that infuse discussions of HIV and AIDS, it's Ron Simmons, who has headed UHU since 1992 -- almost as long as he's lived the reality of being HIV-infected himself. Mostly, he laughs. Not for levity's sake, but because his humanity is seemingly unconquerable. He's certainly not afraid to follow laughter with tears.

But with Simmons, it's always the hope that wins out.

continue reading this article in Metro Weekly.

Whitman-Walker World AIDS Day Candlelight Vigil

Whitman-Walker Clinic will observe World AIDS Day with a new location for its annual candlelight vigil at Bethlehem Baptist Church at 2458 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., SE, beginning at 5:30 pm on Monday, Dec. 1. Family and Medical Counseling Services will join Whitman-Walker as a partner in this year’s vigil.

“Anacostia is an epicenter for the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the District of Columbia with HIV rates that rival sub-Saharan Africa,” said Donald Blanchon, chief executive officer of Whitman-Walker Clinic. “We hope that holding the vigil there will draw attention to the severity of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Anacostia and inspire members of the community to get involved in the fight against the disease. We encourage the entire community to join us on Dec. 1 to honor those we have lost to this epidemic, to remember those who continue to live with the disease, and to commit to bring about a future free of HIV/AIDS.”

For information on additional World AIDS Day Events in DC, click here

Spotlight: HIV/AIDS and Children in the District of Columbia

Despite extensive efforts and improvements nationally in the prevention of HIV/AIDS in children, the District of Columbia continues to have disproportionately high numbers of HIV/AIDS cases among children less than 13 years of age.

Over the past five years, the District had 56 children under 13 years old diagnosed with either HIV or AIDS. In 2005, the District accounted for nine percent of all pediatric AIDS cases in the United States.

Find out more. View the Squidoo Page on HIV/AIDS and Children in the District of Columbia.

American University Dance Marathon

The American University Dance Marathon is a student-run fundraising event that seeks to unite our campus around a common cause: the worldwide fight against HIV/AIDS.

Last year, at the first ever DM, AUDM raised $20,632.37 for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation!

This year the marathon is a twelve-hour event held November 21-22.

Dancers play games, hear speakers, dance, and stay on their feet for the entire event to show support for children with HIV/AIDS and represent the challenges that these children face.

There are an estimated 40,000 new HIV infections in the United States each year, the majority of them in people under the age of 25. In Washington, DC, the rate of infection is staggeringly high. About 1 in 20 Washingtonians are HIV positive. Globally, approximately 39.5 million people are infected with HIV and 2.3 million of those are children. AUDM is dedicated to bringing dramatic changes to the lives of children worldwide in the fight against pediatric AIDS, because every child deserves a lifetime.

The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation's mision "seeks to prevent pediatric HIV infection and to eradicate pediatric AIDS through research, advocacy, and prevention and treatment programs." The funds raised from Dance Marathon will go directly to the Foundation.

Dance Marathon is part of the Women's Initiative HIV/AIDS Taskforce and the final event of AU's AIDS Awareness week, November 17th to 22nd.

The 2008 marathon will include live music and speakers from organizations dedicated to the fight against AIDS. And of course, there will be lots of food for all our dedicated dancers.

We need your help to make this dance a complete success! So get ready, AU, for an amazing night of fun for a great cause!

"Carpe DM - Seize the Dance!"

http://www.danceforkids.kintera.org/american

Spotlight: HIV/AIDS and People Fifty and Older in the District of Columbia

HIV is a virus that does not discriminate by age. Nearly one in 10 District residents aged 55 and older have HIV or AIDS. Reaching 55 years old does not make a person immune to the disease.

From 2001-2006, 245 new cases of HIV were reported among District residents aged 55 and older. There was an overall increase of 21% in newly reported HIV cases over that period of time.

Find out more. View the Squidoo Page on HIV/AIDS over Fifty

Demonstration for Housing for People Living with AIDS in DC!

Hundreds of people living with HIV/AIDS are on waiting lists for housing in DC. Join DC Fights Back and demand action from HUD and from the DC Government!

Did you know?

* HIV infection rates are 13-16 times higher among people without stable housing.

* People who found stable housing reduced their risky activities by 50 percent.

* Stable housing allows people with HIV to keep medicine schedules reducing viral loads and the risk of HIV transmission.

Demonstrate for Housing for People Living with AIDS in DC!

World AIDS Day
Monday December 1st
Meet at 825 N. Capitol Street, NE
(Union Station Metro)

Pre-Meeting: Monday November 24th, 7:00 PM, St. Stephens Church, 16th & Newton, NW (Columbia Heights).

For more information visit: www.dcfightsback.org or e-mail matthew@riseup.net, or call (202)486-2488.

Sponsored by: DC Fights Back, the Campaign to End AIDS, Metro Washington Public Health Association, AMSA, Student Global AIDS Campaign.

click here to download the flyer for this event

Spotlight: HIV/AIDS and Gay and Bisexual Men in the District of Columbia

In the District of Columbia, HIV/AIDS has had a significant impact on adult and adolescent men who have sex with men (MSM), with little progress in new infections. The number of newly reported MSM attributed HIV cases has remained relatively stable from 2001-2006 (146 to 113 cases). The number of newly reported AIDS cases attributed to MSM was also relatively stable from 2001 to 2006 (197 to 190 cases).

Find out more. Read the Squidoo page on HIV/AIDS and Gay Men in the District of Columbia.

Alpha Drugs Hosts Forum on Hepatitis C

The DC Center and Alpha Drugs invite you to attend Survival Forum V: "Hepatitis C in the Nation's Capital: Hepatitis C and HIV Coinfection- Managing Drug Side Effects to Improve Patient Outcomes", on Wednesday, November 19th, in the Philips Ballroom of the Hotel Palomar, 2121 P St. NW, Washington.

The lecture will be presented by Michael Pistole, M.D., an HCV/HIV specialist.

Admission is free, and a free dinner will be served. Registration is from 6.30 to 7.30 PM, and dinner and the lecture are from 7.30 to 9.00 PM.

To RSVP and for information, contact leigh@alphadrugs.com.

SMYAL Opens Search for New Executive Director

The Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League (SMYAL), based in Washington, DC. is seeking an Executive Director to lead a mission-driven organization which supports lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth throughout metropolitan Washington, DC

SMYAL is the only Washington, DDC metro area service organization solely dedicated to supporting LGBTQ youth.

To find out more and read the full job announcement click here to download a pdf file.

DC Different Drummer World AIDS Day Concert

DC City Council Members Jim Graham and David Catania invite you to join them for the inaugural DCDD fundraiser concert on World AIDS Day, Monday, December 1st, 8pm at the Harman Center, 610 F Street NW.

The Concert will feature the Capitol Pride Symphonic Band under the direction of Joe Bello and DC Swing!, directed by Chris Raitzyk. DCDD Clarinet Quartet La Reeda Loca will perform prior to the concert at a VIP reception.

The concert will benefit Whitman-Walker Clinic, Us Helping Us, and Metro Teen AIDS.

The program will include Sousa's The Thunderer, Copland's Fanfare for the Common Man, Hymn to the Fallen by John Williams from the film Saving Private Ryan, Shenandoah and Second Suite in F by Gustav Holst. Featured in the program will be flute soloist David Lonkevich playing Concertino for Flute solo and band by Chaminade and vocal soloist Steven Wilson singing You Raise Me Up. Tickets are available directly from the Harman Box Office.

Spotlight: HIV/AIDS and Youth in the District of Columbia

The HIV/AIDS epidemic in the District of Columbia among youth is growing at an alarming rate. Roughly one out of every 100 young people ages 13 to 24 in the District is HIV infected or has full-blown AIDS. HIV infection rates among District young people tripled for the period 200 to 2005 compared to the previous five years. Yet, a District-wide health survey shows that only half of young people have been tested for HIV.

Find out more. View the Squidoo page on HIV/AIDS among Youth in the District of Columbia.