August ACTION Newsletter Now Online

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

High Number of HIV Cases Found Among Female Inmates in Washington, D.C.

A high number of HIV cases has been detected among female inmates in the Washington, D.C., jail, according to data released recently by the district Department of Health as part of a summary of its six-month campaign encouraging district residents to be tested for HIV, the Washington Post reports (Levine, Washington Post, 8/2).

District health officials and HIV/AIDS advocates in June 2006 launched the campaign -- titled "Come Together D.C., Get Screened for HIV" -- which emphasized the importance of HIV testing. The campaign aimed to reach 400,000 men, women and children ages 14 to 84 in the district. According to statistics presented at the Mayor's Task Force on HIV/AIDS, which convened for the first time in June 2006, up to 25,000 people, or more than 4% of all residents, in the district might be HIV-positive. District health officials ordered 80,000 rapid HIV tests for the campaign, which organizers planned to distribute at no cost to hospital emergency departments, private physician offices, community health programs, detoxification and substance use centers, and sexually transmitted infection treatment clinics (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 4/5). According to the Post, the jail was "ahead of city health officials' push to make HIV testing a routine part of most medical screenings."

According to the data, 3,216 inmates were tested over a six-month period, 607 of whom were women. The report found that 7.3% of the women tested positive for HIV, compared with 2.7% of the men. Devon Brown, director of the district's Department of Corrections, said he believes the figures are representative of the nearly 2,000 women who are processed annually at the jail. Brown added that commercial sex work and injection drug use -- which often place people at an increased risk of HIV -- are the most common charges among female inmates. The report also found that inmates ages 45 and older had the highest rate of HIV by age, with 4.8% of all inmates in that age range testing positive for HIV.

According to officials, fighting the spread of HIV in the district's jail is essential to citywide efforts because nine out of 10 inmates are released within 30 days. The district's jail is one of a few facilities nationwide that automatically tests for HIV upon entry and release unless an inmate refuses to receive a test. According to district officials, fewer than 10% of inmates refuse a test. The not-for-profit group Unity Health Care provides treatment for inmates who test positive for the virus, the Post reports.

A December 2006 report by the DC Appleseed Center for Law and Justice praised the Department of Corrections' approach to testing inmates but said the department should provide counseling and HIV/AIDS education for all inmates, regardless of their HIV status, the Post reports. According to Brown, such efforts have been implemented, beginning with HIV-themed programs played on the jail's television system. "You literally have a captive audience," he said, adding that women pay closer attention to the programs than men (Washington Post, 8/2). reprinted from Kaiser Daily

My Space July Goal - We Did It!

As I write this we now have 1,007 contacts on the our myspace page, surpassing our goal of reaching 1,000 people through myspace in July. It seems like only yesterday that Tom was my only friend, but this month you all really came through.

Myspace is a great way to reach people in DC, particularly young people. We found hundreds of allies this month who have never even heard of this website before. Thanks to everyone who helped make that possible.

Understanding the HIV Epidemic in DC

This month we begin an exciting three-part ACTION Lunch Series on Understanding the HIV Epidemic in DC.

Each month we will have an expert guest discussing different studies that help us better undertsand what is happening with HIV in the District. These studies help us understand who is at greatest risk for HIV in our city, where new infections are happening in the city, and what behaviors are leading to new infections. Armed with this information, we can focus our resources fight the epidemic more strategically.

First, Dr. Manya Magnus will be discussing local data from National HIV Behavioral Surveillance (NHBS) on August 9th, known locally as the 'Word Up' Study, this year's NHBS focuses on heterosexuals at high risk for HIV.

Next up, Dr. Marc Clark will discuss local Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data on September 13th. This survey of public and charter school students in middle schools and high schools helps us better understand young people and their risk for HIV in the District.

Finally, the icing on the cake, Tiffany West will present the much anticipated DC 2001-2006 HIV Surveillance Report on October 11th. This is exciting because we haven't had accurate HIV surveillance data in several years now.

I'm looking forward to all three presentations, because I believe this information will help us fight HIV in DC in a smarter, more strategic way.

Please join us for all three lunches, and if you haven't already, please RSVP for the August 9th lunch. To RSVP online by click here.

To download the flyer for this series, click here.

National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day March 10th, 2008

March 10, 2008 marks the 3rd annual National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day which seeks to raise awareness of the increasing impact of HIV/AIDS on the lives of women and girls.

Women and girls can take action in the fight against HIV/AIDS in a variety of ways such as getting tested for HIV, practicing safe methods to prevent HIV, deciding not to engage in high risk behaviors, talking about HIV prevention with family, friends and colleagues, empowering oneself, and providing support to those living with HIV/AIDS.

Washington DC Events
Check back here for information about National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Events in Washington, DC.

Last Two Days: July Myspace Challenge

We are getting closer every day to the goal of building a network of 1,000 people on MySpace this month. With only two days left we are at 816 friends, which is great but we still have 184 friends left to go!

If you have a myspace profile, please be sure to add Fight HIV in DC to your myspace friend list. And if you have friends on myspace, be sure to let them know.

And yes, you can still add the Washington Monument to your website or myspace page...

Washington Monument Code

<A href="http://www.myspace.com/fighthivindc">
<img src="http://fighthivindc.org/myspacejuly.gif" width=200 height=175 hspace=5 align=left border=0></a>

DC Fights Back Sends Letter to Adrian Fenty

Newly elected DC Fights Back Co-Chairs, George Kerr & Larry Bryant, sent a letter to Mayor Adrian Fenty last week to update him on the results of the DC HIV/AIDS Speakout held in May. They included a copy of the Final Speakout Report.

Also included in the letter was a plea to Adrian Fenty to appoint a full-time Director of the HIV/AIDS Administration. They write...

"... at the moment one of the most pressing concerns regarding HIV/AIDS in the District is the lack of a full time Director of the HIV/AIDS Administration. Six months into your administration, you are the first Mayor since the beginning of the AIDS epidemic who has operated without a full time HIV/AIDS Director. We urge you to appoint a Director of the HIV/AIDS Administration and we stand ready to work with the individual you appoint."

DC Fights Back Housing Committee Update

There is a new yahoo group set up for the DC Fights Back Housing Committee. Hopefully it will help facilitate work on the issues raised by the Housing Breakout group at the DC HIV/AIDS Speakout.

To join the new Yahoo Group, click here.

The full URL is http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dcfightsback-housing/.

Healing the Light Body: An Offering to the HIV/AIDS Community

Healing Arts will will conduct a Tibetan Buddhist healing ceremony (Ta Chak Kyung Sum) for people living with HIV in DC at the Foundry United Methodist Church, 1500 16th St NW, Washington, DC.

The healing ceremony, with Lama Rangbar and Sherab Tenzin, will take place Thursday August 9th, and Friday August 10th starting at 6:00 PM. For more information, visit: www.healingsciences.org

Click here to download a flyer for these events


Thursday August 9th at 6:00 PM




Friday August 10th at 6:00 PM

Damien Ministries Retreat November 12-15

Damien Ministries will be hosting a retreat for people living with HIV/AIDS from November 12th to 15th. They invite you to: "Discover the meaning of God and spirituality for yourself within the HIV/AIDS experience; focus on spiritual growth that encourages learning, healing, relaxation, and fun, surround yourself in a time, place, and commmunity of grace and care."

More information is available on the Damien Ministries Website. The application deadline is October 31st.

A Great Place for DC Families to Talk About HIV

A new group called FAITH (Families Affected / Infected through HIV/AIDS) will be holding an event August 4th from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at 1440 Meridian Place, NW Basement Level. They write: "People can bring questions and they can get answers."

Kids are welcome and food will be provided. The event is sponsored by community activist Russell Binion and Chloe Daviage and Geno Dunington will be the featured speakers. For more information call Rose Robertson at 202 234-0940 or Jocelyn Horton at 202 526-6052.

click here to download a flier for this event.

Washington Blade Article on New Health Education Guidelines

The Washington Blade has an article on the proposed health education guidelines for DC Public Schools. The draft guidelines, which were approved by the board last month, were put online this month (click here to read the guidelines on the DCPS website).

Jeremy Ogusky (pictured left), Deputy Director of Metro TeenAIDS, is quoted in the article. Metro Teen AIDS is one of several organizations that make up the DC Healthy Youth Coalition, which submitted comments on the guidelines this week:

"'The posted draft health learning standards have addressed almost all the recommendations that our coalition made back in March,' said Jeremy Ogusky, deputy director of Metro Teen AIDS, a D.C. group that provides HIV prevention services to gay youth.

'In my view, and that of a number of national health and sex education experts, these new standards are well written, complete and strongly based in comprehensive sex education,' Ogusky said in an e-mail message."

We are one step closer to comprehensive health education in DC public schools. The real test, however, will be in the implementation of these guidelines.

Read the entire article on the Washington Blade website.

National Black AIDS Awareness Day: Febuary 7th, 2008

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

Here in Washington, DC there is no question that African Americans are disproportionately impacted by HIV/AIDS. According to our recent surveillance report, African Americans make up about 55% of the DC population, but constitute 80% of District residents living with HIV. Further, of the 842 cases of HIV/AIDS among men who have sex with men from 2001 to 2006, 63% were among black men.

National Black AIDS Awareness Day is a great opportunity to raise awareness of how HIV/AIDS impacts Black gay and bisexual men. If you're interested in helping organize a National Black AIDS Awareness Day event in Washington DC, please let me know.

To learn more about the National Black AIDS Awareness Day, visit www.blackaidsday.org.

A Single HIV/AIDS Event Calendar for DC?

Just imagine what it would be like if all the HIV/AIDS organizations in DC collaborated on a city-wide HIV/AIDS calendar with all the HIV/AIDS related events happening in DC? It's unlikely, I admit. Communication between agencies is not where it should be. But that's not going to stop me.

We're slowly moving toward having a single HIV/AIDS event calendar in DC that multiple organizations can use together. Our Fight HIV in DC Calendar is starting to be used by others.

DC Fights Back is now adding events to the calendar. You can see what the calendar looks like on their website right here.

Capital Area Vaccine Effort has also shut down the online calendar that was on the site and replaced it with our shared calendar. You can see what the calendar looks like on their website right here.

And the calendar pops up other places on the internet as well. You can use This Feedburner Feed of the Calendar to add the calendar anywhere you would use a regular RSS or Atom Feed. You can see an example of this on our myspace page.

If you want to add the calendar to your website, or you just want access to be able to directly add events to the calendar, please e-mail me and let me know. I'm more than happy to work with you to get things up and running.

Spotlight: SMYAL

Recent SMYAL Blog Posts

Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League (SMYAL)
410 7th Street SE
Washington DC 20003-2707
phone: 202.546.5940
www.smyal.org

The Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League (SMYAL) is the only Washington, DC metro area service organization solely dedicated to supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth. Founded in 1984, SMYAL is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization.

Their mission is to promote and support self-confident, healthy, productive lives for LGBTQ youth as they journey from adolescence into adulthood.

Spotlight: Our Place, DC

Recent Our Place, DC Posts

Recent Our Place DC Pictures

Our Place, DC
Drop-in Center and Administrative Office
801 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE
Suite 460
Washington, DC 20003
Phone: (202) 548-2400
www.ourplacedc.org

Our Place, DC's HIV Services program provides a variety of HIV education and care services to incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women. Listed below are some specific functions of the HIV Services program:

Individual HIV 101: Offered at the Our Place, DC office. Presents basic information about how HIV is transmitted and prevented, as well as information on HIV/AIDS treatment. The session is custom-tailored to each woman's knowledge, preferences and behaviors, and is completely confidential.

Group HIV 101: Offered at various halfway houses and transitional programs throughout Washington, DC. Presents basic information about how HIV is transmitted and prevented, as well as information on HIV/AIDS treatment. Attendees have many opportunities to ask questions throughout the session, as well as speak confidentially with the instructor(s) after the session.

Educate Your Sisters Peer Educator Training: Offered at various Federal prisons around the East Coast as well as transitional programs in Washington, DC, the DC Jail and DC Correctional Treatment Facility. The intensive, two-day training explains the biology of HIV and the immune system, HIV transmission and prevention, the social context of HIV and HIV/AIDS treatment, among other things. Participants who attend both days and pass a final exam are certified as Peer Educators and receive a certificate of completion.

Case Management: Offered to any incarcerated or formerly incarcerated woman who is HIV positive. Provides linkages to appropriate medical and social services as well as intensive follow-up.

Information & Referral: Offered to incarcerated or formerly incarcerated women who want to learn more about HIV transmission and prevention, HIV testing and counseling, or other HIV services in the Washington, DC area. Women are also free to look at our library of HIV-related books and videos.

If you want to learn more about Our Place, DC or the HIV services program please call (202) 548-2400 and speak with Cherie Lindsay or visit www.ourplacedc.org.

Bikers Hit the Road for Food & Friends

Over 60 folks got on their bicycles for a weekend of cycling throughout Maryland's Eastern Shore to benefit Food and Friends July 12th through 15th.

Some great pictures from the weekend, including the one shown here, are posted on Moose's Flickr Page.

I don't know the grand total, but the the teams raised over $150,000 online for Food and Friends, an organization which delivers delivers meals and groceries to more than 1,350 people living with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life-challenging illnesses in our community.

Congrats to the top fundraiser Christopher Wolf, who raised $12,925 online. And congrats to all the riders and volunteer crew members that made this event possible.

Ummah Endowment Fund White Attire Affair

Last Saturday was the 9th Annual White Attire Affair, sponsored by the Ummah Endowment Fund.

The event began as a fundraiser for Us Helping Us, but this year the focus was more on promoting HIV related behavior change among African American men in the District. A beneficiary for this year's event has not been announced.

Ron Simmons had some strong words about the event in last week's Washington Blade:

“I don’t believe that it really helps us,” Simmons says about the Affair’s work for black men with HIV. “You put on an event that costs close to a quarter million dollars and when the smoke clears, the agency gets $10,000, and the people who are promoting it get the same. It sounds like a business partnership.”

If you attended the event and would like to share your experience on the blog, or if you have some pictures of the event you'd like us to add to our Flickr Photo Stream, please write me.

La Clinica Del Pueblo Job Openings

La Clinica Del Pueblo has three job openings. They are looking for a Full Time Transgender Program Coordinator, a Full Time Youth Mpowerment Program Coordinator, and a Patients Accounts Clerks.

Check out the links above to find out more about these jobs. La Clinica Del Pueblo provides free, culturally appropriate health services in the Latino community.

We're Half Way There

We are now halfway towards the goal of building a network of 1,000 people on MySpace this month. As I write this we are at 548 friends, which is great but we still have a long way to go to get to 1,000.

If you have a myspace profile, please be sure to add Fight HIV in DC to your myspace friend list. And if you have friends on myspace, be sure to let them know.

And yes, you can still add the Washington Monument to your website or myspace page...

Washington Monument Code

<A href="http://www.myspace.com/fighthivindc">
<img src="http://fighthivindc.org/myspacejuly.gif" width=200 height=175 hspace=5 align=left border=0></a>