HIV Prevention Conference

Video by Jean Carlomusto and Shanit Avirgan

No matter the spin, CDC’s not-well-protected secret is all bad news.

As widely reported in the Washington Blade, the Washington Post, and other media outlets, the official estimate for annual HIV infections in the U.S. is being raised in 2008. Ironically, UNAIDS recently lowered its global estimate for people living with HIV/AIDS, from 40 million to 33 million.

Virtually every hallway conversation at the 2007 HIV Prevention Conference in Atlanta—attended by 3,000 researchers, HIV prevention practitioners, public health officials, and AIDS advocates—buzzed with gossip and speculation about the unreleased figures and what the hold-up could mean.
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Showing the “missing pieces” of HIV prevention puzzle in the United States, more than three hundred people poured into the downtown Atlanta streets for the PJM Unity Rally and March in Atlanta, GA, on Tuesday, December 4th, where the National HIV Prevention Conference (NHPC) ended on Wednesday. People from across different communities marched to demonstrate unity for a comprehensive HIV prevention in the US, not to be divided by community or issue.

In order to draw conference attendees from the hotel to the opening rally two blocks away at Hardy Ivy Park, a group of carolers sang an HIV prevention song to the tune of “The 12 Days of Christmas.” Other PJM folks were in the lobby, decorating marchers with the PJM sash—a white satin cloth with the red PJM Unity logo. Helping to sash people in the hotel was Miss Rhode Island 2007 Ashley Bickford, who was attending the conference as someone interested in HIV/AIDS issues.

The spirited marchers burst from the Hyatt onto Peachtree Street, blowing whistles and chanting, and made their way to Hardy Ivy Park to meet the crowd already assembled. The March MC Waheedah Shabbazz-el took the bullhorn and hyped the crowd to a frenzy, reminding the crowd, “HIV is more than a disease, It’s positive proof of injustice!” The marchers grabbed signs and flashlights from organizers and marshals, and the rally was in full swing.  read more »

As we slid our tired bodies into the miniva/taxi to go to the airport, CHAMP staffers Lei, Cameron, and I (Kenyon) were met with yet another challenge. We were riding with two other people whom we did not know, but were headed to the same destination.

I say in the passenger seat, while Lei and Cameron were in the middle and back row respectively. Both were sitting next to the well scrubbed and "professionally" dressed people who had, by account of their conversation, attended the same conference we did. But what message did they get?

The two began to talk about their work. (Just to describe, they were a white man and a black woman. Both presumably straight). Without cause of provocation, they launched into their work. The woman spoke the most, while the dude offered assuring "Yes, and Uh-huh, and Something's gotta be done!" every so often. She started talking about youth in juvenile detention facilities--boy/teens. She said she has been talking to ministers about getting on board with the issue of HIV education and being more frank about sex and sexuality.

I think, OK cool.  read more »

Although, it was cold outside, it was hot in the hearts of CHAMP Prevention Justice advocates, consumers, agency heads, community leaders, and other friends. Signs waved in the air, loud chants for comprehensive care-increased funding-expansion of services-justice-and empowerment.

The energy was wild and the speakers lifted the crowd wild calls for increased funding, increased consumer involvement, voices for under-served communities....

The rally and march was transformed from a Champ activity to a living organism.... There was a synergy of people's passion and will for change. The vibe was so human. This Champ Rally and march was the unifying event for the HIV Prevention Conference. It was not overly empirical or too simplistic.. it was perfectly balanced!

 

 

Thank you, CHAMP, for leading us in mobilzing for justice! I was honored to be asked to speak at the rally and share these remarks:

It is often said in Washington that you cannot solve a problem by just throwing money at it. Well, when it comes to HIV infections in America, we’ve actually NEVER TRIED!

In just two and half days—essentially the span of this conference—the U.S. government will have spent more money in Iraq than the total annual budget for domestic HIV prevention.

Since Sunday afternoon, the Treasury has spent about $576 million in Iraq. By lunchtime tomorrow, the cost to taxpayers will have exceeded $730 million and have surpassed the amount of money Congress and the president gave CDC for HIV prevention services in the U.S. in 2007.

Shamefully, the budget for HIV prevention in our country has not increased in ten years. Our prevention efforts are literally being starved to death.  read more »

Last week, we posted here about our victory on the CBO/NGO Village--we successfully lobbied the conference chairs to allow members of the Atlanta community free access to the CBO/NGO village. What is the CBO/NGO village? It's an event that allows community-based and non-government organizations to set up outreach tables and network with peers.

Last night, we enjoyed the fruits of our labor. Rather than try to capture the jovial spirit of the night in words, I'll let our photos speak for themselves.  read more »