Talking OUT Loud

Heads to the Sky: The Living Affected Corporation Soars

by Cornelius Mabin, Jr., Chief Operating Officer

 

As Chief Operating Officer of The Living Affected Corporation, I am proud of the continuing efforts that our organization has been doing in exploring training modules ranging from HIV testing and counseling, being certified for the D-UP HIV diffusion and further achieving community involvement through our HELP Fair which served a dual purpose of both a recognition of Gay Men's HIV Awareness Day testing event but also building more bridges into marginalized communities disporportionately affected by HIV and AIDS

These modules will be apart of the foundation of the organizations emerging Black MSM group, Strilite, which will forge a course to further "message" within the Black community through social networks and friendship circles. The completion of these modules arrive at a critical time as more news has been released concerning a recent estimate by the Centers for Disease Control, that nearly half of all new HIV/AIDS diagnoses in the United States are in the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee–the same region that is leading the nation in persons living with, and dying from, AIDS. The report shows 259 cases of HIV were reported in Arkansas in 2011. It also shows that HIV/AIDS is ravaging the U.S. South and that the crisis is no longer a metropolitan problem, but a home grown reality as well.

Based on that information and our own research, LA Corp has been steadfast in the stance that Arkansas's patchwork system of care is unprepared for the rising number of possible incidences, has refuted Governors Bebee position that "passing condoms in social venues such as bars" wasn't the best use of the taxpayer's dollars and have further issues with lack of energy being forwarded to social determinants such as "housing, employment, food, treatment and education," which are essential to the care continuum. Its LA Corp's position that dealing with individuals from an "holistic" approach is vital in the fight to deal with the disease from all angles and certainly from a community level intervention such as the D-Up program.

With the completion of these modules, this positions LA Corp with staffing that will be empowered with personal "one on one" in- home testing opportunities, expanding circulating harm reduction kits as well as positions individuals directly within friendship circles who have been educated and trained on the transmissions of HIV and AIDS. As apart of the core elements of the program, each newly trained facilitator will seek and identify opinion leaders within the at risk population, raise their awareness of how negative social and cultural factors impact Black MSM and teach the opinion leaders the elements of effective behavior change resulting in more condom usage. Furthermore our Peer Leadership Certification workshop further addressed our approach to creating "home grown" interventions that seek to penetrate deeper into the community.  Each of these innovative approaches  had not been done in the state of Arkansas during the course of the disease and no other agency has directly pursued this target population with culturally appropriate material.

As a sub-grantee of the Arkansas Department of Health,The Living Affected Corporation has been striving to offer as many prevention outlets possible including participating in outreach opportunities and most notably collaborations such as providing leadership in crafting the state's Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Plan that will serve as the official community jurisdictional piece regarding the impact of federal dollars extended to Arkansas for HIV and AIDS. The purpose of this multi-year plan is to assist grantees in the development of a comprehensive and responsive system of care that addresses needs and challenges as they change over time. The Comprehensive Plan is a "living document" that serves as a road map for grantees and should be continually updated as needed. The comprehensive plan should also reflect the community’s vision and values regarding how best to deliver HIV/AIDS services, particularly in the light of the cutbacks in federal, State and local resources. The Living Affected Corporation has lead the investigative team in researching and identifying caveats that will significantly address the President's National HIV/ AIDS Strategy which has three primary goals:

1) reducing the number of people who become infected with HIV,
2) increasing access to care and optimizing health outcomes for people living with HIV, and
3) reducing HIV-related health disparities.
The NHAS states that more must be done to ensure that new prevention methods are identified and that prevention resources are more strategically deployed. Further, the NHAS recognizes the importance of getting people with HIV into care early after infection to protect their health and reduce the potential of transmitting the virus to others. HIV disproportionately affects people who have less access to prevention and treatment services and, as a result, often have poorer health outcomes. Therefore, the NHAS advocates for the adoption of community-level approaches to reduce HIV infection in high-risk communities and reduce stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV. Through the D-Up intervention, LA Corp has embraced the concept of community level interventions that will be an effective tool to move our communities toward the international goal of zero infections as pronounced in December 2011 by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Meanwhile Arkansas's policy makers must re-examine their commitment to this health dilemma and address many measures that could have an overall impact on HIV and AIDS in Arkansas. For instance the 2008 HIV/AIDS Task Force recommendations that sought 3 Million dollars over two years to establish counseling services and 15 HIV testing sites in black, Hispanic and other high-risk communities around the state. The report proposed an annual budget of $150,000 to hire two staff members to manage the services and to pay for overhead costs, such as office space, supplies and travel reimbursement. The task force said then that the testing and counseling sites would cost $975,000 annually. They also budgeted $225,000 annually for an HIV/AIDS awareness campaign.

Yet despite the report being widely circulated to Governor Bebee and both House and Senate leadership there was no action taken then or now four years later. Subsequently to that report, another comprehensive report was prepared by the Harvard Law and Policy Clinic of Harvard Law School, entitled the SHARP report ( State Health Access Research Project) which again provided lawmakers a complete analysis of the successes, challenges and opportunities for improving health care access in Arkansas. Especially noting insufficient prevention resources being funded and the necessity of additional state funding being budgeted. Even though the report received wide distribution, as of 2012 only meager increments of change have occurred thus bringing us today with Arkansas being among 7 out of 10 states with the highest HIV/AIDS death rates are in the South.

Even more disturbing of the states statistics is also the continuing lack of a plan to thwart the fact that at least 4,617 individuals are still not in care nor does the appear to be sufficient leadership in forming a strategy to providing a pathway to link this population to services. As cited in the SHARP report and LA Corp concurs that incidences such as this should be apart of the improved "communication and coordination among surveillance, epidemiology, and client services program staff, as well as better sharing data. Simply put, there must be better teamwork within ADH."

Since the report was published improvements have been marginal at best but encouraging, however, the importance of serious day-to-day collection, monitoring and movement of data under the HIV/STD Hepatitis C section should be prioritize similar to at least seventy seven percent of other agencies nationwide. Its imperative that community based organizations such as LA Corp have reliable and accurate data it needs to design programs, evaluate quality and meet grant requirements, helping fulfilling our mission more efficiently and effectively. We challenge the Arkansas Department of Health to discern cumbersome rules, policies and regulations that often obstruct agencies while not allowing a system that is agile and capable of rapid respond times to problems that often preclude planning and follow through. It is our belief that such structuring will help improve effectiveness, coordination, and accountability, allowing us as an organization to maximize our use of limited resources.

Internally the organization is also drilling down on its organizational structure by beginning assessing its future through strategic development exercises via Mr. Damon Jackson, of the Damon Jackson Group which specializes in organizational management and development. Through this work, LA Corp has begun the process to retool, re-think and reposition it's strategies and time lines including a impending 5 year plan. Central to this growth has been redeploying its new mission and vision statements that clarify the groups forward momentum, relevance to the community and destination of becoming the premiere consumer driven organization in a Wellness Institute sphere. Currently we are seeking new board members to answer structural challenges and assist the organization in its mission to be a dynamic force with both innovative and future direct services. We have placed financial compliance and transparency at the top of our " to do" list of internal mechanism that propel the organization which included securing new credentialed financial experts to handle record keeping and filings.

Since assuming the responsibilities of position, I've come to believe that as an organization we have been undeterred from some stark realities that have faced the organization. Nevertheless, The Living Affected Corporation since its inception has persevered in providing prevention, education, advocacy in an effort to support the groups new bold and concise vision statement of "We are the statewide organization that is informed and connected to change the social construct of the community we serve by providing basic human rights." Furthermore we reaffirmed our commitment of refocusing our mission statement which now reads: "Transforming communities through holistic health by providing education and advocacy." To these means we move forward in our pursuit of building human capital while answering the call to help change the world around us. If you would like to join us in making a difference, you can donate through our website at www.livingaffected.org or call us 501.379.8203

Having Our Say in the Living and Affected

Digital Storytelling: A Community Tool to End HIV Stigma



At AIDS.gov we’ve been thinking a lot about the power of storytelling. In the HIV community, everyone has a story to bring to the table, and more people are sharing theirs with new media. Many tools are available to help to facilitate storytelling and have conversations around HIV.
One example of a tool used to share stories with social media is Storify , a website that gathers tweets, blog posts, online videos, photos, news articles, and more from around the web and places them into a single post, or “story.” It provides a space where audiences can see social media conversations from different channels happening in one place. These conversations can be curated to share multiple voices and shared via other existing networks (embedded into websites or blogs, linked to on Twitter and Facebook) to reach audiences. Storify stories archive these conversations and allow audiences to access them at any time. Check out an example from the White House highlighting a Twitter chat on the intersection of HIV/AIDS, violence against women, and gender-related health disparities. Visit Storify’s website to learn more and take a guided tour of its features.

Another approach to tell stories is through digital storytelling. Digital storytelling features a brief, personal narrative story enhanced by sound, video, and symbolic imagery. Stories are user-generated and don’t depend on a third party to frame the experience of the storyteller.

To commemorate National Asian and Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on May 19, the Banyan Tree Project launched a new community-driven, community-owned initiative that puts the power to end HIV stigma back in the hands of the community. The initiative,”Taking Root: Our Stories, Our Community” is intended to facilitate the creation of an Asian and Pacific Islander community story about the effects of HIV.

According to the Banyan Tree Project: It’s been said that it takes a thousand voices to tell a single story. “Taking Root” is grounded in the power of the individual story, but its territory extends beyond the individual. We are a multitude of voices: there is no singular Asian American or Pacific Islander experience, and the face of HIV is as diverse as the people affected by it. Through the connections forged by these individual experiences, we are able to tell a story about the ways we are affected by HIV. Together, these stories heal and it is through the telling and witnessing of them that we learn to overcome our silence and shame. 
 
The Banyan Tree Project trained Asian and Pacific Islander storytellers affected by HIV to create their own digital stories. They developed their stories during an intensive three-day workshop facilitated by the Center for Digital Storytelling . Participants were trained in the process of producing their own story, from developing their own narratives and producing voiceovers, to using audiovisual and editing equipment to create the final videos. These stories are simple yet powerful, with three-minute narratives recorded over a slideshow of photographs and text.

Earlier this month we attended the Banyan Tree Project’s flagship Asian and Pacific Islander HIV Awareness Day event in San Francisco where six digital stories were screened. Below is one of these digital stories, and you can see others on www.banyantreeproject.org .

The Banyan Tree Project plans to promote these videos nationwide at other events and via social media. Follow updates on these digital stories on Twitter with the hashtag #withoutshame .
Do you have a digital story about HIV to share? Spent some time on Storify? To find out about creating your own Taking Root story or hosting a workshop in your area, contact info@banyantreeproject.org.

Holiday Break OUT

Living Affected Special

Happiness by Robin Wood

Originally Posted on November 14, 2012 by hivark

 

It took me almost two years to find a sense of peace and happiness after my diagnosis, but that’s OKAY. When you are told that you are positive it feels as if the world comes to a complete and utter halt, everything starts moving in slow motion. For me, everything went red-a blur of tests, information, fear, sadness, anger, and nights of uncontrollable crying. You know what though, that was and is OKAY! I went through the "positive grieving" backwards. I threw myself into work, I went full force into what I needed to do to be healthy, and then I was so angry and disgusted that I couldn't even look at myself in a reflection, let alone an actual mirror. My boyfriend that gave me HIV, I couldn't stand the sight of him either. I had told one person, my boss, and he was the only one that I didn't feel viewed me as disgusting when I was around.

Then it was sadness and fear, those days were black. I felt like I couldn't connect with anybody, my only haven was ARCare-they understood. I couldn't live there though, I couldn't camp out in Dr. Moore's front yard just because I felt alone and he understood me. I HAD to find a way to my peace and happiness on my own. I couldn't live in red and black forever. I had to make my "weird" my new normal. So I did. I started reading up more, started asking questions on who to get in touch with, support groups, etc.

I recently worked on a fundraiser for the Magic Johnson foundation, and when I started doing that I started to find my inner peace. I can work and still make a difference in the HIV community. That void, that hole is beginning to go away. It takes time, and again that is OKAY! The people I have chosen to disclose my status to are wonderful, especially my mom. I don't think I could have moved forward without my support system.

What I found that gives me the most happiness is that I am opening myself up to a whole new network of people-people like me. There is no better feeling that being around strong, intelligent, healthy people that are HIV-positive. It gives me hope. We should be proud to be positive, because together we can have a voice that can be heard throughout the world.

We are at a time where we will see changes being made, and we can be a part of those changes and help make them happen. I am a strong, intelligent, determined, HEALTHY, woman. Guess what? I happen to have HIV, and that makes me stronger, this is who I am. My weird became my normal and I embrace it. I am empowered by my status and that fills me with happiness and joy.

Robin Wood

(Editor's note: Ms. Wood currently has been serving as a point person within the Walgreens organization in the fight for HIV/AIDS. Through her efforts she has brought additional awareness and information to area employees as well as customers. Ms.Wood will be joining the LA Corp family in furthering her outreach into the community and beyond. This item is unedited and composed by Ms. Wood.)

The Deep End of Living Affected 2.0

The COP 24/7 Commentary:HIV/AIDS Section Chief Departs

Today, Ms.Tina Long, MS CHES, Hep C/ HIV/ AIDS Section Chief at the Arkansas Department of Health abruptly resigned her post to work as a lobbyist for the March of Dimes organization. Ms. Long departs some eighteen months later still shrouded in a cloud of mystery and uncertainty similar to her July 2011 arrival touted by then Infectious Disease Branch Chief, Dr. James Phillip whom cited in his internally circulated e-mail:

"Tina brings a wealth of valuable education and experience to the position. Tina has a Master’s of Science degree in Health Education from the University of Tennessee. Her Bachelor’s degree is in Health Education/Community Health from UALR. She is a certified health education specialist. Tina is coming to this position from the University of Florida, where she was a coordinator of education and training programs. Prior to that, she was education director for Planned Parenthood of East Tennessee and conducted training for HIV/AIDS prevention."

Meanwhile, in a "one line blip" reported in the August 2011 of National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors newsletter.(http://www.nastad.org/Docs/080748_2011-08-01-NASTAD_News.html#Member ) Ms. Long's arrival item didn't offer any accolades, report any awards presented, interviews given or writings produced nor collaborations that Long may have participated. It seem that she appeared out of no where and no one knew who she was or exactly what she had done specifically in the area of HIV and AIDS.

The statement said, "conducted training for HIV AIDS prevention..." so what training was that and what outcomes were achieved were never concluded to my satisfaction nor anyone else. As an advocate and concerned citizen, I decided to give her the benefit of the doubt although I had my reservations then which I now realize were those gut feelings that I rely on when situations just don't seem right and usually they are not.

Apparently Ms. Long shared her resignation news among her colleagues but decided not to make a formal public statement to stakeholders, consumers, advocates or activist to perhaps cites the challenges, barriers or accomplishments if any of her tenure as the point person in this important ADH section. Even more glaring is the fact that in her new post she will purportedly be lobbying for that organization despite her lackluster position on advocating in the HIV/AIDS realm.  I certainly respect her prerogative to not do so, but to not do so again fuels critics into the mind set that the post of "Section Chief" appears to a stepping stone career move for those whom assume it. Furthermore most likely have no intentions of any longevity or possess any real formidable passion for the work in this critical position.

This situation flies in the face of the fact that prior to Ms. Long being hired, the then Arkansas HIV Community Advocates damn begged ADH hiring officials to be in the loop on who was being considered with the possibility of additionally vetting the candidate or finalist for the position. Organization members were emphatic that not only that entity be apart of the process but that it would be in the best interest of the HIV/AIDS community to weigh in on what should be sought for the next director. Yet despite those outcries, letters forwarded, phone calls, e-mails and conversations, all request were quaintly dismissed. Again resulting in an individual brought into what the 2010 SHARP report ( State Healthcare Research Access Project) observed in the following:

"part of the problem may lie in the fact that ADH has abrogated some if its responsibilities in the past, such as administration of ADAP, delegating responsibilities to community based providers. A reassertion of central authority over some functions may cause community based providers to feel that their contributions over the years are not being adequately respected or valued."

This was a high profile report which included a press conference and all the trappings of a forward momentum at that time. Subsequently, proponents of that report have returned to this state to find that only increments of progress have occurred amidst a rising infection rates among African Americans, no defined strategies to track over 4,617 individuals not in care, no coordinated follow through on the Consumer Office within ADH, inadequate HIV prevention interventions juxtaposed to current community structure and lackluster interaction or monitoring of day to day collection, movement or spikes in key data reports.

Ultimately what's needed in this position is an individual whom not only has some "fire in the belly" for the problems but some sure fire leadership skills to "stand for something or be at the mercy of all." Its imperative that hiring officials take a hard look at why it appears that candidates chosen opt out in about 18 months. Money could be an actual issue even though other Section Chief's have earned up $80K and still vamped out. So if its not money then what the hell is it?

At this point the section is fully staffed albeit questionably funded to meet the demands of a state that has a "patchwork system of care." Its no secret that Arkansas has no line item in its budget for HIV prevention not to mention that federal dollars have seen some roll backs and flat lining across the board. For 2013 local CBO's most likely will have to include funding for purchasing testing packets within their minuscule budgets. Furthermore, there appears to be some nebulous understanding about budgets as well as grant writing that must be fixed either with the interim chief or whom ever is chosen.

The next leader of this entity needs to be prepared to assess the strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats of this section while engaging their considerable cultivated industry resources. We don't need another lightweight follower but a heavyweight direct leader who will be able to network and negotiate or comprise what's needed to get Arkansas in the game toward an AIDS Free generation. COP 24/7 wishes Ms. Long well on her next endeavor but now its time to roll up our sleeves and recruit a robust replacement to get the job done.

Rolling in the Deep End of Living Affected

The Dollars and Sense of Advocacy
This forum has a long and probably tired trail of talking about how important those Benjamin's either will make or break whatever anyone or group is trying to accomplish. I've encouraged, poke, prodded and damn near threw some hissy fits that if we don't support our own causes through raising the necessary funds, then exactly what outcomes can we expect. The recent "Billion" dollar election should be a clear example that hands down, its all about the money. This is obvious as I got this outreach from the national arm of the Stonewall Democrats. It seems that this organization has some "coming to Jesus" meetings about their future and sent out this "SOS" (save our services) cry for assistance from its database.They are not alone in this search for funding streams. Local community based organizations find themselves grappling with the same issue and again, this forum urges our readers to support the agency or cause of your choosing. Don't forget that those tax deductible contributions can be also in-kind, cash, frequent flier miles, stocks or used cars. No matter what, do something before the year is out. Here's the shout out from the Stonewall folks in case you want to choose them for your gift.

A record number of LGBT people were elected to Congress as well as state and local positions. The first lesbian US Senator, the first bisexual, and the first gay person of color in Congress were all major milestones on our journey toward full equality. The biggest milestone, of course, was the reelection of President Obama - the first president to support full marriage equality.

National Stonewall Democrats has been at the forefront of these advances since 1998 when Congressman Barney Frank and LGBT activists founded our organization. Since that time, we've helped lead the Democratic Party to support for full LGBT equality - including the freedom to marry - culminating in a record 550 LGBT delegates at this year's Democratic National Convention. It has truly been a banner year for the LGBT community.

We Must Bridge the Gap

At this point in our organization's history, however, National Stonewall Democrats is facing one of the biggest challenges to date. It's no secret that we've struggled with fundraising over the past few years, but today we are at a crossroads and we're turning to you - our members and supporters.

For the second year in a row, our income has not met expectations. In 2011, we were able to offset the downturn by cutting costs - staff, services, programs; we cut everything to the bare essentials. We saw an uptick in funding at the beginning of 2012 as our renewed messaging and mission focus invigorated new and former donors, but as the campaigns heated up, donors were pulled in many directions and we felt the impact.

As the year closes, we're facing a budget deficit of over $30,000 and if we do not and if we do not bridge this gap, we will likely be forced to close our doors.

We didn't come to this conclusion lightly or quickly. When the board appointed me as executive director a year ago, we took a long, hard look at the entire organization and we realized that, although the political landscape had changed dramatically since our founding in 1998, our organization hadn't changed much. We set out to fix that.

In addition to trimming our budget to the essentials, we revisited our mission and purpose and we have great plans for the future. We retooled our messaging to be more bold and direct. We rekindled old partnerships and started building new ones to expand our coalition of pro-LGBT allies. We re-engaged with our chapters and helped start new ones in places where none had previously existed.

Even with reduced staffing and funding, we have had a year full of progress.

Our Work is Essential

National Stonewall Democrats has a unique position in our movement as an integral part of the Democratic Party's social justice coalition. In order to fulfill that role, the nature of our work must change to adapt to the political realities we face. Our success in traditionally progressive states - the "blue states" - has led us to many victories, but the less progressive states - the "red states" - have lagged behind.

In far too many places, the Democratic Party structures at the state and local level maintain a less than hospitable attitude toward LGBT equality and they are holding us back. In places where there are few openly LGBT elected officials and/or party leaders, stagnation and intransigence has taken hold. These "red states" are where Stonewall Democrats are needed

most and can have the most impact.

Our goals are simple:

• Expand into the 22 states where there are no Stonewall Democrats affiliates while growing our existing membership
• Grow the ranks of pro-equality Democrats in elected and appointed positions by recruiting, positioning, and supporting LGBT leaders who run for elective office or who seek appointments within the Democratic Party
• Assist new leaders to be effective organizers and operatives through training, coaching, and leveraging our network in support of their efforts

All of this work will revolve around three essential core functions for which we are uniquely qualified and positioned to carry out:

• Communications - Developing and disseminating strong messaging and communications in support of pro-equality Democrats
• Advocacy - Lobbying, educating, and advising Democrats regarding issues important to LGBT people and holding the Party and its members accountable to the ideals laid out in the party platform
• Coalition Building - continuing to build and strengthen our relationships with other Democratic Party constituencies, such as labor, immigration, and women

Our Future Is Up to You

We will never be a huge multi-million dollar organization - and we don't need to be - but we do need the resources to complete this important work.

That's where you come in. If everyone receiving this email contributed just $5, we could retire our debt and have a nice cushion going into the new year. If everyone gave $10, we could pay off the debt and have nearly 3/4 of our 2013 operating budget covered too.

You have stepped up in the past and we're asking you to do so again. Please show your support by contributing any amount you can today - $5, $50, $500, even $5000. Every penny counts.

The decision on whether or not National Stonewall Democrats continues operations is in your hands.

Uptick LIving and Affected

From the President: Dealing With Change

Have you every heard the phrase, “no one likes change?” Well, we all know that change is just a part of life, but that doesn’t make it any easier to deal with. Change, at times, is necessary, beneficial and can be completely out of our control. Regardless of the circumstance surrounding any change and we must learn to deal with the changes in our lives and go on. As an organization we must also change and continually look for ways in which we can better meet the needs of our members and at the same time better equip our leaders on the board of directors to stay focused and purpose driven which helps in preventing “burn-out.”

Let’s face it, HIV Arkansas has done a lot of good things and we will continue to do a lot for the HIV Community, however, we must make some minor changes within the organization. Our members are busy our board of directors are busy and we must scale back on our activities. Below are some of the changes that have been approved by the board of directors.

Due to lack of interest and participation in the Positive Living Support Group Meetings in the Ft. Smith area the Positive Living Chapter in Ft. Smith has been suspended. We are grateful for the time and energy that Kari Coffman devoted to this group. Kari will remain active in the HIV community as she endeavors to work with ARHope (Formerly NWA HOPE) and as she develops her Away with Stigma Facebook page.

Many have noticed you are not receiving as many newsletters as before. Several months ago we decided to do a quarterly newsletter instead of a monthly one to cut production time and costs. Our intention is to utilize our email capacity by sending email reminders and updates regularly through electronic means. We are working toward developing a streamlined system for notifications.
Our business meetings have been rescheduled and will occur at the end of each quarter instead of monthly. Our next business meeting will be in December. Our board has determined we can conduct many business decisions through email communications which greatly decreases the amount of time required for board members to attend business meetings.

Our typical monthly socials have been reduced to basically a quarterly schedule as well. We plan to have a Spring Cookout, our Annual Retreat in June, a Fall Cookout and some type of Winter social. We are always open to new ideas and welcome any suggestions you may have for socials and outings. I strongly encourage each member and our friends to make every attempt possible to attend these socials and special events under the new schedule.

Although these things mentioned above are significant changes that have taken place there is one thing that remains in unchanged and that’s our NWA Positive Living Support Meetings. These meetings are held on the first Sunday of each month at 2 p.m. in the Glotzbecker Conference Room at the Rogers Public L:ibrary Chapter. The attendance varies from month to month but the meetings are always uplifting and encouraging to all that attend. We invite everyone to join us for these meetings.
If we don’t see you for the Holiday season, we wish you blessed and happy holiday seasons and a Happy New Year.

REMEMBER, LIFE IS WORTH LIVING AND LONG AS YOU'RE LIVING LIFE ON THE POSITIVE SIDE!
Michael Burks

November Tidy Endings

We’re all Facing AIDS one photo, message, video, blog at a time.

 By Michelle Samplin-Salgado, New Media Strategist, AIDS.gov

 

 

We launched the Facing AIDS photo sharing initiative on World AIDS Day five years ago to give individuals worldwide an opportunity to reflect on their involvement in ending the AIDS epidemic. Since then, thousands of you have submitted messages and stories about why you are Facing AIDS. What started as a photo sharing campaign to demonstrate how photo sharing can extend the reach of HIV-related work, has evolved into people sharing their stories using blogs, podcasts, and video. Regardless of the medium, we’re reminded that we are all in this together, whatever our reason may be.
In our third “story behind the sign,” Ken Williams created a video to share his story about why he (along with his friends and colleagues) is facing AIDS this World AIDS Day.

We encourage you to view the Facing AIDS gallery to see photos of people living with HIV, the people (friends, family members and even pets) who love them, and the hundreds of people who are working every day to move us closer to an AIDS-free generation.
Be inspired by the photos. By Ken’s video. By the stories you read and listen to. Then join us by sharing your photo and voice for World AIDS Day. We all have a story. We all have a message. We are all facing AIDS.

Learn more about photo sharing


Local Employment Opportunities with CBO

The Living Affected Corporation is seeking applicants for pre-screening for possible consideration for part-time positions within both the organizations current projects and 2013 programming. The organization serves as a sub-grantee of the Arkansas Department of Health as a conduit to offering HIV/AIDS prevention interventions such as the D-Up program. This intervention adopted from a diffusion of evidenced based model, the program is designed as a tools to educate, empower, and encourage basic prevention conversations among Black gay men ranging in ages 13-24. Facilitators were charged with a community discovery component involving identifying key community "opinion leaders", providing training and monitoring then evaluating penetration outcomes of the program implementation.

According to federal statistical data Black gay men have had a 48% increase in infection rates which supports the need for additional messaging and innovative approaches. LA Corp will be seeking candidates for upcoming testing and counseling training session for 2013. Concurrent to the prevention programming angle, LA Corp also seeks to explore issues around its "H.E.F.T E. initiative" ( Housing, Education, Food, Treatment and Employment) that creates a framework of social determinants that also plays a significant role in not only incidence rates but also health outcomes among marginalized communities. To further address these levels of determinants, the organization has plans to pursue a partnership within the developing Medicaid expansion exchange project connected to the Affordable Care Act. Arkansas Exchange task force is recommending utilizing community based organizations in the effort to serve as navigation points of entry for citizens shopping the exchanges for insurance. Complete details of the project are still unfolding at post time, however in lieu of the program launch, LA Corp is preparing an interview schedule, hiring parameters as well as possible drug or background checks as required for certain positions.

Each applicant must be at least 18 years old, obtained a high school degree or certified GED, capable of a flexible schedule, reliable transportation including current drivers license and willing to actively engage pre-testing and ongoing training modules will be preferred. Qualified applicants will be apart of the organizations multi teams in providing HIV testing and counseling, public outreach and speaking, fundraising, event logistic planning and supportive data gathering and entry. Desired skills include Word software applications including Excel, interest in social justice activities, being a self starter with a team player attitude and prepared for some possible travel opportunities. Appointments can be arranged at 379.8203, resumes forwarded to nealix101@comcast.net, or FAXED to 855.792.5483. Only serious applicants need apply. For additional organizational information: www.livingaffected.org Check us out and become a friend on FACEBOOK.

2012 Holiday Food Drive

 Each year HIV Arkansas helps 50 families during the Thanksgiving and the Christmas holidays by providing them with a basket of food. The food in these baskets is enough to feed a family for one week. We are anticipating this years give-a-way to be the biggest one we have ever had as our efforts are multiplied with the help of the members of The Spirit of Peace Community Church in Fayetteville. This welcoming congregation will be gathering food items and will help with assembling and distribution. We are blessed to have been given a faith-based family to help with this endeavor.
We have arranged with the Northwest Arkansas Regional HIV Clinic to host the give-a-way in the Conference Room located just across the hall from the Clinic at the Washington County Health Department. If you are in need of a basket please contact the clinic for eligibility.
If you would like to volunteer to work for this special cause, please call Michael at 479-466-6453. Lunch and drinks will be provided to all who volunteer to work the Food Drive Gove-a-Way day. Volunteers will work from 9 a.m. to 12 noon preparing all the baskets.

For more info contact: www.hivakrnasas.org

Running with November Rainbows

The Living Affected Corporation’s Plus Club. “Our Lives Our Story: The Untold Stories of Women with AIDS”, The Living Affected Corporation, 2012.

And Now the Women Speak

Amos Lassen

Sometimes we forget that AIDS is a disease that pays no attention to gender and we seldom think of the women who have HIV/AIDS. The Living Affected Corporation in Little Rock, Arkansas has no forgotten and that is due to the terrific work of its CEO, Deidra Levi. Deidra’s life goal is to make sure that voices are heard and that justice is done so it comes as no surprise that this book has come into being. We look at four women living with AIDS and what they have been through and what is happening with them now. The book opens with showing us the questions that are asked of the four women and then we meet them one by one. It is extremely interesting to see that each answers the questions differently.

Connie Roebuck is now 42 but she has been living with AIDS and HIV since 1996. Before her diagnosis she was an independent woman, a traveler, a worker. She became very angry when her doctor told her that she only had five years to live. She became referred to as “The Lady with AIDS” but she took control of herself and changed doctors and was determined to live. Now she travels and works with others who have AIDS and she has now earned the new name of “The Condom Lady”. Her faith keeps her strong and she finds help by relating her story to others and she is a very strong advocate of safer sex. She wants no one to go through what she has experienced.

Dianne Guy is now 51 and was diagnosed with HIV in 1995 and with AIDS in 2002. She says her world fell apart when she was diagnosed. She knew who had given her the disease and was very bitter to the point that she wanted to kill him but he was already dead, having lost his life to an overdose. Her husband was ok with her illness and he has continued fighting to stay alive.

At 55, Ann Dixon is one of the most loveable people I have ever known. She has been living with HIV since 1989 and was diagnosed with AIDS in 1999. I met Annie shortly after I came to Arkansas. She was helping run a food bank that supplied groceries to Katrina evacuees and we struck up a fast friendship. As I got to know her better, she told me her story which is here in the book. Before her illness, Annie had been working at a good job and she was able to provide for her son who was, as she says “the light of her life.” Then her life was torn asunder by AIDS. She learned that her husband had infected her and she divorced him on the grounds of adultery. Reading Annie’s story is akin to reading a horror tale but Annie is still here and strong and so much fun to be around.

Vera Santiago is 50 years old and has been living with AIDS since 1995. After the initial shock of learning that she had it, Vera decided that life was meant to be lived and so she did. Vera took her life back and continues to be who she is and advocates for the others who cannot.
Aside from the wonderful stories there is also a resource guide that will tell you just where to go, etc should you need to. This is a book that belongs in every caring person’s library.


Editors Note: Your $20.00 donation toward the purchased of a copy this bood continues the organizations ability to outreach and provide testing opportunities in the community. Consider purchasing a copy through our sidebar portal supported by PayPal or contact us at 877.902.7HIV.

Swirling in LIving and Affected

Anthony Mackie to play Marvel Comic’s Falcon

Anthony Mackie has been making the media rounds promoting his new movie 10 Years, which means a whole lot of people have had the chance to quiz him about his role in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. We’ve been excited ever since Mackie first landed the role as the Falcon, and now he’s finally opening up about what drew him to the role.
“It’s amazing,” he told MTV News in a recent interview. “The biggest part of it is, I think kids for so long have been looking for a role model or someone to look up to. I feel like this being truly the first African American superhero, being introduced in this movie and in this way, I feel like it’s going to be great.”
Although he hasn’t seen a copy of The Winter Soldier, he did say he had a “meet-and-greet” with Marvel where they gave him a tease of what the story is about. Mackie said that the story — as he’s heard it from the lips of Marvel executives — will fit into the Winter Soldier storyline in the comics.
“There’s going to be a lot of Anthony in a tight suit kicking ass,” he said. “Everybody wanted me in Spandex, and now you’ve got it — hours of it!”

Stars- A- Go-G0 and More

Cast of Patrik Ian Polk’s “The Skinny”

Drama, drama, and more drama!  So much has been happening this year and we are just trying to keep up or catch what's come across the radar.  For starters, Patrik Ian Polk’s new feature film, The Skinny was released to less that critical acclaim, if any. Accrording to Gay black News columnist Delvon Johnson, critics from the New York Times chopped poor Patrik’s creation to pieces.  They called it Mediocre, awkward, and clumsy.  Yet it appears that there are mixed reviews and much cross pollination as the filmaker partners with The Black AIDS Institute  to promote the importance of health in the LGBT Community, especially in the Black and Latino communities. Unfortunately and as usual unless you have a LOGO subscription, its no showing in the Little Rock market. Of course, its all abou the dollars and public request. Since there's none at this time, then we're out of luck.

Meanwhile, the Institute will sponsor appearances, receptions and panel discussions in Washington D.C. and Atlanta featuring producer/director Polk and cast members Jussie Smollett, Blake Young-Fountain and Jennia Fredrique (who all appear in the Black AIDS Institute’s latest PSA campaign “Greater Than AIDS”). The Skinny director and cast will be on hand to discuss the HIV awareness story-lines in the movie and other sexual health issues of importance to the LGBT population.

In a limited run of selected cities, the film had its world premiere at the OUTFEST FUSION FILM FESTIVAL 2012 in Los Angeles, California on March 24th, 2013, where it was well-received. Fans from all over came to view the film and also watch as Patrik-Ian Polk received the 2012 Fusion Achievement Award presented by famed director/producer Lee Daniels (“Precious”), who spoke highly of Polk.

Without the benefit of major promotions and marketing, the film was a hit with audiences, collecting a total of $21,157 at its two Landmark Theatre bookings. The movie brought in $12,507 at Landmark’s E Street Cinema in Washington DC and $8,650 at the chain’s Midtown Art Cinema in Atlanta, for a per screen average of $10,579- the 3rd highest per screen average at the box office this weekend, besting the re-release of “Titanic”’s $6,000 per screen average.

 THE SKINNY had its television premiere on MTV’s Logo Network last July. For more information, see http://www.skinnythemovie.com.

November Sweeping

Obama Standing Firm on 2nd Term Agenda

Karanja Gaçuça

Straight from his reelection President Obama is forging full steam ahead with his second term agenda, which is already looking almost as ambitious as the first. Having passed healthcare, a feat that escaped Presidents over a century, a trillion dollar plus stimulus and financial reform to name some of the most major achievements, one might have been forgiven for wondering what the president might have to do during his second term.

Having met Monday with leaders from Capitol Hill, President Obama followed Tuesday with his first meeting with non-elected officials, with a meeting with Labor leaders including Richard Trumka and progressive organizations including Moveon, as if in a nod to suggest that the middle income and worker constituencies represented by these leaders come first.

These have already been a few news filled days, what with the salacious ever emerging details of General Patreus’ indiscretions, and now General John Allen, Obama’s nominee to be the next NATO Allied forces commander.  His confirmation hearings were set to begin Thursday November 15^th have now been postponed pending an investigation.

Given all of the above, and especially after last week’s election, I was expecting this week to be somewhat of an anti-climax with regard to political news, but I’ve been very pleasantly surprised.
President Obama on Tuesday made news when he asserted that he “would not budge” on the question of the Bush tax cuts for the top 2% of the population that earn over $250,000 in income per year.
The President went on to meet second, it must be noted with leaders of business, I suppose to demonstrate that he’s willing to hear their concerns also, but first and foremost as he asserted during his press conference Wednesday 14^th, his mandate being to look after the workers of the middle class and those aspiring to join the middle class. I would much rather that he would just simply come out and use the word the poor rather than “those aspiring to join the middle class”, but the message is well taken and judging from media coverage and polling, well taken by both the media and the public.
Without using any explicit language to talk about a mandate or political capital a la George Bush after his reelection in 2004 where he eat John Kerry with a mere 286 electoral college votes, President Obama was far more subtle about his win. His demeanor however, revealed a strength and confidence that can only be exuded by a president very well aware of the very strong and clear mandate that his decisive win against Mitt Romney has provided him.
It has gone largely unnoticed, especially given that the final polls just before the election suggested a very close race, and indeed election night results looked relatively tight, but in fact, the president won very decisive margins across all of the battle ground states. For example, Obama’s win in Colorado was a whopping 5 points, having beat Romney 51% to 46%. This was a state where some of the final polling put Romney ahead of Obama, but in fact in keeping with the Obama campaign numbers, was more in line with similar convincing wins such as in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. http://www.politico.com/2012-election/map/#/President/2012/

Stories Behind Facing AIDS: Why Do I Face AIDS?

By AIDS.gov

Karen Walker

Through the Facing AIDS photosharing initiative, you and your community can join the thousands of Americans who are helping reduce stigma and promote HIV testing by putting a face to AIDS for World AIDS Day (December 1) and beyond. Karen Walker, a nurse and a mother, wrote this powerful description of why she is Facing AIDS as part of the AIDS.gov Facing AIDS anti-stigma photo initiative.

Why do I Face AIDS
By Karen Walker

I face AIDS because of my life experiences with two small children who became my foster children in 1984. At that time, my husband and I had three adopted children living in our home, along with two unwed teen mothers and their babies.  We received a frantic phone call asking if we would please take a 4-year-old girl and her 8-year-old brother whose mother had died the day before from AIDS.  The children had not yet been told of their mother’s death, but the foster mother in whose home they living, upon hearing of their mother’s diagnosis, demanded that the state child welfare worker come and get the children immediately.

 When the worker arrived, the children had been placed outside on the steps with their belongings and had not been allowed back into the house. On the drive to our house, they were told of their mother’s death.  We were only supposed to be an emergency placement for one night as we already had seven children in our house, but it soon became clear that no one else would take them, so we agreed to keep them until the state could find them a permanent home.

They lived with us for 14 months, during which time the first HIV antibody test became available.  I brought the two children to a hospital to be tested and we learned that the little girl was HIV positive, having contracted the disease in utero.

After 14 months, an adoptive home was found for them with a single parent in another part of the state, but their lives were immediately pitched into turmoil. Their pre-adoptive mother had gone to register them for school and a school official had revealed the little girl’s HIV status, breaching confidentiality. An article appeared in a local newspaper that a child with an AIDS-related condition was trying to enroll and all “heck” broke loose. She was never allowed in school that year, and her brother could only attend with a court order and police escort, walking through picketing parents and TV crews, despite the fact that six lab tests showed that he was HIV negative.  For the first week of school, parents pulled their children out of his classes. It was only after the State Commissioner of Education advised those parents that their children would be considered truant, that they agreed to leave their children in school. The boy’s desk was isolated in the classroom, he was not allowed to play with anyone on the playground, and he was told not to use the drinking fountain.

At home, the children had bricks thrown through their windows, they were asked not to attend church, and they endured people running away from them in public places. Life became unbearable for them, and after 6 months, the adoption failed. A social worker came on a Friday to pick up the little girl, and on Sunday, we drove out and picked up the little boy.

Shortly thereafter, we legally adopted the boy. For many years, the state wouldn’t tell us where his sister was.  When they did tell us, we found that she had been moved to another state, and was in a great home with people who were in the process of adopting her. Sadly, she passed away 3 weeks after her 21st birthday from an AIDS-related illness, but at least we were able to be a part of her life again.

THIS IS WHY I FACE AIDS EVERYDAY. The discrimination and stigma are less than they were in the mid-1980s, but they are still very real for many people. I will fight for as long as I can, or until the stigma is gone, and a cure is found.

Spining the Information Wheels of Steel

LA Corp to Seek Navigating Program

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires state health care exchanges to establish a “navigator” program that will help people who are eligible to purchase coverage through the exchange learn about their new coverage options and enroll. States will award grants to entities that will provide these services. The Living Affected Corporation will be monitoring the development of the the exchanges and the subsequent "navigator" outgrowth that will engage approved locally based organization to source training and hire educators. Chief Operating Officer, Cornelius Mabin believe that the Living Affected should focus on being prepared to participate in this unique opportunity to play a role as experts in the field of HIV and AIDS as well as other co-morbidity's being covered by the act. "We should definitely position our agency to be among those who bring a culturally competency to this chronic disease meanwhile ramping up our knowledge base of how the program will unfold." said Mabin.

Continuing, "It makes perfect sense that as a agency that also has "social determinants" as apart of it organizational silos, that we make the continue to connect our allies and resources in the process."

Navigators will play a critical role in ensuring that Arkansas residents have every available opportunity to benefit from the full implementation of the ACA in the state.  Currently, thousands of uninsured or under-insured people with HIV obtain health care from the Ryan White Program and the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) in Arkansas.

As a result of health care implementation the health care landscape for people living with HIV will change in Arkansas, it’s estimated that a significant percentage of current ADAP clients will be eligible for insurance subsidies to buy health care coverage on the exchange and a even higher percentage who fall in the Federal Poverty guidelines will be eligible for Medicaid under its expansion. LA Corp is seeking applicants for position within its current programming and impending 2013 calendar. If you are interested, contact us at 379.8203 orinfo@lacorponline.org  Resumes can be FAXED to: 855-792-5483. Selected positions may require additional background and drug testing. 

WORLD AIDS DAY: December 1, 2012

Raging the Machine

Justice Department: Fighting Discrimination against People Living with HIV

 

By David Knight, J.D., and Anne E. Langford, J.D., Trial Attorneys, Disability Rights Section, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice

[Editor’s note: As we approach World AIDS Day, we reflect on the fact that many things have happened this year that affect people living with HIV/AIDS and those who care for them, including the release of important new documents and Federal resources. We wanted to call your attention to two recent announcements from the U.S. Department of Justice.]

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is responsible for enforcing Federal laws and ensuring fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans. DOJ’s Civil Rights Division works to eradicate discrimination against people with disabilities, including those living with HIV or AIDS, by enforcing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA prohibits discrimination by employers based on disability, and requires state and local governments and public accommodations, like doctors’ offices, medical clinics, hospitals, and other health care providers, to provide people with HIV equal access to goods, services, facilities, privileges, accommodations, and advantages.

As part of its ongoing ADA outreach efforts, the Department has two recent announcements to share:

Questions & Answers: The ADA and Persons with HIV/AIDS

DOJ recently updated Questions and Answers: The Americans with Disabilities Act and Persons with HIV/AIDS, a 14-page publication explaining the rights of persons with HIV/AIDS and the requirements of the ADA for employers, businesses, and nonprofit agencies that serve the public, and State and local governments to avoid discrimination against persons with HIV/AIDS.

The publication covers such questions as, “Are people living with HIV or AIDS protected by the ADA?” and “What employment practices are covered by the ADA?” It also addresses questions related to public accommodations, including, “Can a public accommodation exclude a person with HIV or AIDS because that person allegedly poses a direct threat to the health and safety of others?” and “Are health care providers required to treat all persons with HIV or AIDS, regardless of whether the treatment being sought is within the provider’s area of expertise?”

The publication is a helpful resource for those who want a better understanding of their rights or obligations under the ADA.

Settlement Agreement with Pennsylvania School Regarding Child with HIV

In September, DOJ and the AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania  reached a settlement with the Milton Hershey School of Hershey, Pa., to remedy alleged violations of the ADA. The agreement resolved allegations that the school violated the ADA by refusing to consider a child for enrollment due to the fact that he has HIV.
Under the settlement agreement, the school is required to pay $700,000 to the child and his mother, adopt and enforce a policy prohibiting discrimination and requiring equal opportunity for students with disabilities, including those with HIV, in the school’s programs and services, and to provide training to staff and administrators on the requirements of the ADA.  The school must also pay a $15,000 civil penalty to the United States.
Both the full text of the settlement agreement and a press release announcing the settlement are available on the Department’s website.

Learn More about the ADA

To learn more about the Department’s activities, please visit its website dedicated to Fighting Discrimination Against People with HIV/AIDS.  For more information about the ADA, you may call DOJ’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 or 800-514-0383 (TDD), or access the ADA Website at www.ada.gov.
[Editor’s Remarks:  Our readers may also want to be aware of the work of the Office of Civil Rights at the Department of Health and Human Services, described below].
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) protect individuals with HIV or AIDS from discrimination on the basis of their disability. Section 504 prohibits discrimination by health care and human service agencies that receive federal funds. Title II of the ADA prohibits discrimination by state and local government entities even if they do not receive federal financial assistance. Title II requires that state and local governments provide individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in a service or receive a benefit from the entities’ activities, programs or services. The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ensures that health care and human service agencies comply with these laws. OCR also enforces the HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules, a set of federal standards to protect the privacy and security of patients’ medical records and other health information maintained by covered entities: health plans; most doctors, hospitals and many other health care providers; and health care clearinghouses. HIPAA also provides patients with important rights such as access to their medical records and significant controls over how their personal health information is used and disclosed. OCR’s website includes helpful information for those who want to learn more about their rights under Section 504, the ADA and HIPAA: http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/civilrights/resources/specialtopics/hiv]

The Voting Public Speaks Obama

Obama Wins Second Term as POTUS
It's four more for forty-four as Barack Obama decisively wins both the popular and Electoral college vote. Despite pundits and a massive GOP war chest, Team O captured swing states of Ohio with results still being counted in Florida. Unfortunately, Arkansas was not in the win column for the President, but states such as Nevada, California and Colorado allowed the incumbent to a second term victory. With this win, Obama announced to the world in his acceptance speech that he has truly evolved as he had learned more from citizens from coast to coast. All of this in lieu of his final evolution on the issue of marriage equality in the LGBTQ community with improving economic conditions as a backdrop. In his methodical, thought driven and heartfelt expression of words Obama's speech soared as he was emphatic that the country must move forward. His striking verbiage and stately demeanor was prefaced by his references to First Lady Michelle Obama and his observation of daughters Sasha and Malia's support and love as a family unit wanting a more fair minded playing field for all Americans. Furthermore he noted his desire to engage issues that affects all communities ranging from the Dream Act to his bold initiative of the National HIV AIDS Strategy. He seems committed to healthy relationships and will work to embolden the middle class as well as us his political leverage for the poor.

I'm proud of Mr. Obama for speaking his convictions after what must have been a thoughtful process during this hard fought election cycle. He was not hurried to make a "forward" decision nor bowed to being berated into taking a position that he was not comfortable with taking. Great decision makers usually weigh all the facts while seeking to assess if their decision is the right one. Amazingly just a few years ago, many in the LGBTQ community were bemoaning and under cutting what they had perceived as an abandonment of his campaign promises. Somehow the gay "wish list" was lacking and their was an air of unhappy voters who didn't want to talk about hope and change anymore.

The Gay Power Mafia types were folding their checkbooks, writing all types of surly Opt-Eds and acting as if there one night stand had left without leaving their number but the tide changed as the thought of a Romney Administration was unfathomable.  All of this despite Obama's constant moves to embrace the LGBTQ community with appointments, addresses at the Human Rights Campaign gala, commemorating Gay Pride Week with proclamations, no DOMA charges, and signature repeal legislature as Don't Ask, Don't Tell, it didn't seem to be enough. Gays continued to act as if nothing had been done or that they had been left out of the process, when nothing could be further from the truth. As a reminder the administration created and Twittered about the laundry list of accomplishments that should shut up anybody whom believes that Obama has not had gays and lesbians on his radar. You can find it on www.my.barackobama.com which offers a timeline of activity ranging from White House receptions to major policy decision. Check it out as a reminder of the facts not the tomfoolery.

With the marriage confirmation, the campaign money machine has begun to ring off the chain. I've seen notices that are using the Stonewall Uprising date of June 1969 as a rally cry for contributions. It seems that the fact that Obama would be a "Billion Dollar" incumbent was no joke including news reports that after his marriage equality revelation he raised at least One Million dollars in 90 minutes. Then there was the George Clooney's Hollywood conclave for a $40,000 a person fundraiser, JayZ and Beonyce's soiree, Sarah Jessica Parkers New York's meet and greet and other "rainmakers" that made the cash dash go stupid.

The Living Affected Corporation is proud of the President as man of conviction, fully understanding that his stance of all culture war bombshells would be tossed by his opponents into a firestorm of criticism. It is our belief that, "you've got to stand for something or you will fall for anything." We value men of integrity, substance and fortitude in the face of making the hard decisions. Although we respect the frenzy surrounding the marriage equality issue, but we believe that the lack of economic parity, continuing racism in the LGBTQ community and other health inequities should be among the priorities during his second term.

Let's be clear, Obama has stated that all marriage decisions will be up to the states to decide. Presently states including Arkansas and now North Carolina have bans on any moves to allow any marriage equality. There will undoubtedly be more victories as the counting unfolds in Washington state and Maine, but we can't forget that there will be considerable push back and opposition to come. As for anything else, everyone has to deal with where ever they are and what ever the law states in their area. In the meantime, congratulations Mr. Obama on staying in the fight and taking the messages to the people who are now ready for more action from your bully pulpit.

Zip Streaming into Fall

Commentary Discusses “On-the-Ground” Details Necessary to Achieve an AIDS-Free Generation

By Miguel Gomez, Director, AIDS.gov, and Senior Communications Advisor, Office of HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Policy, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

World AIDS Day (December 1) is fast approaching and plans are underway both here at AIDS.gov and throughout the HIV/AIDS community to mark this important international health observance, which serves as a key opportunity to raise awareness and renew and invigorate our commitment to ending AIDS.

In anticipation of World AIDS Day, Dr. Ronald Valdiserri, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health, Infectious Diseases, and Director, Office of HIV/AIDS Policy, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, authored a commentary in the November/December 2012 issue of Public Health Reports  providing insights into the challenges of achieving an AIDS-free generation.

In the commentary, Achieving an AIDS-Free Generation: It’s the Details the Matter , Dr. Valdiserri maintains that while new scientific breakthroughs are key to curbing the epidemic, we also must attend to the critical “on-the-ground” details of their implementation.

He proposes five principles for such implementation efforts: addressing the social determinants that fuel the epidemic, engaging communities in finding solutions to HIV/AIDS, encouraging leaders in all sectors to view the fight against HIV/AIDS as “their” fight, engineering the systems and infrastructure necessary to implement new research findings into practice, and adapting to changes in the epidemic.

As you prepare your World AIDS Day activities, I strongly encourage you to read Dr. Valdiserri’s article and use it an opportunity for discussion: what are you doing integrate evidence-based interventions into your policies and practices, and how are you attending to the day-to-day details of implementing the advances in prevention and clinical science?

OMNIBUS Seeks Advertisers

The OMNIBUS project is seeking advertisers and sponsors to widen its distribution throughout the mid-south. Under the initiative Healthy 20/20 innovations from Health and Human Services, the periodical was the first of its type to deal with health issues and dilemmas that were not HIVcentric, but rather addresses the organizations approach to holistic health. The group believes that "treating the whole individual, is primary to either linking or retaining them in care," said  D. Levi. Although HIV information was included, the tone and scope of the periodical was to be a "broad journal" of lived experiences and journeys. Also the journal serves as a resource guide with the latest statewide information for consumers and end users. Advertising and sponsorships contacts are available from info@lacorponline.org  or 501.379.8203 .


10 Years and the Dialogue Continues” – HIV Prevention as Social Justice for Black Gay Men/MSM 2013 and Beyond
 The only National conference for and by Black gay men, the 2013 National African American MSM Leadership Conference on HIV/AIDS and other Health Disparities will be held in Los Angeles, CA from January 17– 20, 2013. Staff members of The Living Affected Corporation have expressed interest in attending and will seek resources to expend for expenses.

In press releases, organizers have shared that they are looking forward to another large turn out with the help of the residents, government officials and the host committee of Los Angeles. The conference theme, 10 Years and the Dialogue Continues” – HIV Prevention as Social Justice for Black Gay Men/MSM 2013 and Beyond reflects the renewed sense of unity and commitment to an end of HIV. NASEM Founder and CEO, Rudolph Carn stated that "there is strength in our diversity and we have seen that we, as a community are a powerful force to be reckoned with."

Also included in the event will be the introduction of the fifth Creating Responsible Intelligent Black Brothers (CRIBB) Fellowship participants. Plus a new first time conference partners, UCLA Health and, Hope & Healing (H3) conference. The H3 conference will take place the day before the 2013 conference starts.

Its purpose is to:
1) explore the current research, examining the intersection of behavioral, psychological, socio-cultural, and biomedical risk factors contributing to the HIV epidemic, as well as protective and resiliency factors among Black MSM
2) Develop and sustain local and national relationships between current and aspiring investigators, and community based participatory research collaborative to advance research and training aimed at reducing HIV among Black MSM
3) Generate reports, monographs and manuscripts that document key issues and provide recommendations for future research, programs and funding opportunities.

You can discover conference information by visiting: www.naesm.org for additional information about the conference or call (404) 691-8880. If you are you interested assisting staff members with attending the conference through donations call 501.379.8203 or www.lacorponoline.org