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

Uploads and Upticks in Living Affected

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.