World AIDS Day 2010

December 1st is World AIDS Day and is an opportunity to educate and create awareness about the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The theme for this year is Universal Access and Human Rights in an effort to demand that all people have access to preventative resources and life saving medications.



HIV can be transmitted through anal, vaginal, and oral sex, and through the use of dirty and/or used needles. HIV can be transmitted through blood, semen, vaginal secretions, pre-ejaculate, and breast milk. Please always make sure to use protection, via condoms, female condoms, and dental dams for oral-genital contact.

Action tips for the day:

-Wear a red ribbon to support AIDS awareness.

-Educate yourself about HIV/AIDS.

-Get tested for HIV/AIDS and other STI's.

-Discuss HIV/AIDS with others, urge them to get tested and learn more.

Word of the Gay: "HIV-phobia"

"HIV-phobia" is the irrational fear or hatred of people living with HIV.

Self Described "Proud Homophobe" Kicked Off of Elite Panel on Oil Spill

Thanks to activist outcry the Department of Energy has dropped Mr. Jonathan Katz from the oil spill elite team. His controversial writings were deemed a distraction to the groups efforts.

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President Barack Obama has appointed self described "proud homophobe" Jonathan I. Katz a professor of Physics at Washington University to the elite panel designed to help British Petroleum find solutions to the oil spill in the Gulf. When reffering to the AIDS epidemic Mr. Katz says: "These people died so the sodomites could feel good about themselves." He has even written an article called 'In Defense of Homophobia' which can be found on his website.

Please sign on to the public letter demanding Obama fire this homophobe.

Coalition to Protest NYC Mayor Bloomberg's HIV/AIDS Budget Cuts

Over 40 groups will protest tomorrow at the office of NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg over massive cuts to the city's HIV/AIDS budget. The cuts affect all people with HIV/AIDS and those at risk, particularly hurt are poor and low income families, and children.

Protest: 11 AM East side of City Hall near Brooklyn Bridge Subway Station

Press conference: Located on City Hall Steps at 12.

Organization Spotlight: Gay Mens Health Crisis

Gay Mens Health Crisis (GMHC) is the world’s first and leading provider of HIV/AIDS prevention, care and advocacy.

National Gay Men's HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (9.27.09)

Today is the second annual National Gay Men's HIV/AIDS Awareness Day put together by the National Association of People With AIDS. NGMHAAD is an opportunity to focus resources and attention to the alarming rate of new infections among gay and bisexual men, particularly those in communities of color where resources are severely lacking.

NGMAHAD's goals are to 1) raise awareness about HIV/AIDS among gay men, 2) encourage HIV testing, early diagnosis and linkage to care, 3) promote better understanding of the complex factors that drive HIV transmission among gay men, and 4) obtain broad based support to acquire needed public and private resources and sound governmental policies to prevent new infections among gay men and to provide treatment for gay men living with HIV/AIDS.

* Fifty-three percent of new HIV infections occurred among men who have sex with men (MSM) in 2006

* From 2001 – 2006, men who have sex with men (MSM) across all racial and ethnic groups were the only transmission category with significant increases in HIV diagnoses

* HIV incidence has been increasing steadily among gay and bisexual men since the early 1990s, consistent with increases in risk behavior, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and HIV diagnoses among MSM

* Gay men comprise over half of the total number of total HIV/AIDS cases in the United States

* More than 500,000 gay men of all colors have died in the United States. (NAPWA).

Fact sheet for National Gay Men's HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.

Help out by blogging, using widgets, or banners on your own site to promote the day.

National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day

Today is National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day and the theme for this year is "HIV Over 50, Get Educated, Get Tested!." There is an alarming rate of infections among the elder population, due to fear, lack of information and resources targeting this demographic.

This day is meant to bring awareness to the growing issue of HIV/AIDS for older people and it is essential to promote testing, safe-sex, and education for this age group.

In 2007, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported persons aged 50 and older accounted for approximately:

10% of new HIV diagnoses

24% of persons living with HIV

33% of persons living with AIDS

19% of all AIDS diagnoses (The AIDS Institute).

NHAADD awareness day pamphlet, fact sheet, and resources.

Find an HIV testing location near you, and get tested regularly!

Word of the Gay: "Gay Plague"

HIV/AIDS due to its high concentration in the LGBT community has been called the "gay plague" by anti-gay forces.

Word of the Gay: "ACT-UP"

"ACT-UP" is an acronym that stands for the activist HIV/AIDS and LGBT rights organization called Aids Coalition to Unleash Power created as a direct response to the federal governments denial of the AIDS epidemic.

Today is National HIV Testing Day

In 1995, the National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA) launched the very first National HIV Testing Day, which urges all sexually active people in the United States to get an HIV test to encourage early detection and treatment which is key for maintaining health if HIV positive.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 1 million people were living with HIV in the U.S. in 2006, and an estimated 21 percent of HIV positive people are unaware of their status.

Getting tested, knowing your status and receiving treatment if needed, people are taking a big step towards protecting their own health as well as the health of current and future sexual partners.

Help get the word out and encourage your family, friends and loved ones to get an HIV test today, June 27.

Click here to find a testing facility in your area.

Crossposted via Gay Agenda.

Stop The HIV Cuts Demonstrations in California

Californians from Los Angeles and Sacramento will rally against Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposed plan to slash funding for HIV/AIDS programs by the state. The plan will result in the loss of several programs and could bring about the loss of thousands of lives.

Two protests have been organized to counter the Governor's dangerous and unfair plan.

Friday, June 5,2009
5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Hollywood Forever Cemetery
6000 Santa Monica Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90038

Wednesday, June 10th
1:30-3 PM
North steps of the State Capital
Sacramento, CA

Contacts:

Oakland/East Bay Area

Naina Khanna
Director of Policy & Community Organizing
WORLD
510-986-0340 ext 316
nkhanna@womenhiv.org

Los Angeles

Ruel Nolledo
AIDS Project Los Angeles
213-785-1993
RNolledo@apla.org

For more information and to reserve transportation, check out Stop the HIV Cuts.

Radio Host "Gunny" Inflames Anti-HIV & Homophobic Wound

Just a few days ago "Gunny" Bob Newman made the outrageous and unsubstantiated claim that allowing openly gay service members will increase HIV/AIDS in the military. GLAAD issued an action alert demanding that the radio station Mr. Newman works for KOA-AM and Clear Channel Communications reprimand him.

Colorado Media Matters points out that this time, Newman posted a "poll" on his KOA web page, asking listeners to choose between an “unmarried 25-year-old openly serving gay man” and a “25-year-old married heterosexual with two kids” as the source for a hypothetical battlefield blood transfusion.

The action alert is still alive and well. Please contact if you haven't done so, and please re-contact over the new appalling info if you have done so last time.

Contact:

KOA-AM

Mr. Lee Larsen
Vice President & General Manager
KOA-AM
Outlet Phone: (303) 713-8000
Email: leelarsen@clearchannel.com

Ms. Kristine Olinger
Director of AM Programming
KOA-AM
Outlet Phone: (303) 713-8000
Email: kristineolinger@clearchannel.com

Clear Channel Communications

Ms. Kathryn Johnson
Senior Vice President of Corporate Relations
Clear Channel Communications
Outlet Phone: (210) 822-2828
Email: kathrynmaysjohnson@clearchannel.com

Ms. Lisa Dollinger
Chief Communications Officer
Clear Channel Communications
Outlet Phone: (210) 822-2828
Email: lisacdollinger@clearchannel.com

If you choose to email Bob Newman himself he can be reached at bobnewman@850koa.com

Word of the Gay: "PWA"

"PWA" is an acronym that stands for People With Aids. While AIDS is not a gay disease, many people living with HIV/AIDS are members of the community, and our history will forever be stained by this epidemic.

World Aids Day (12-1-08)

World Aids Day is observed every December 1st. The AIDS epidemic has killed more than 25 million people around the world, including many dear and beloved members of our queer community. In addition an estimated 33 million people are living and suffering with HIV worldwide. Many lives have been claimed, many have been affected, and many people remain in the dark and do not know their status.

Click here for a national listing of HIV & STD testing resources.

It is vital to get tested regularly to ensure that you are not HIV positive, this very serious disease poses a risk not only to yourself but also to potential partners. It only takes one time to get the illness and there is no cure. Regardless of ones status it is imperative to always use protection.

HIV can be transmitted through anal, vaginal, and oral sex, and through the use of dirty and/or used needles. HIV can be transmitted through blood, semen, vaginal secretions, pre-ejaculate, and breast milk.

Please always make sure to use protection, via condoms, female condoms, and dental dams for oral-genital contact. No question is ever too stupid when it comes to dealing with sexual health, and please visit AVERT for comprehensive information on HIV/AIDS for specific countries, sexuality, and more.

On this day let us contemplate the millions of lives who have been and are currently affected by HIV/AIDS. Please use protection, educate yourself and educate others!

Stay safe, and please feel free to use the comment section to ask any questions, we are all here to help one another and no question can be deemed invalid when it comes to our sexual health.

Demand Investigation Over Guatemalan Attack on "Our Gay Beauty" HIV Prevention Event

"On October 18, 2008, two Guatemalan organizations—Amigos contra el Sida and Asociación Gay de Samayac—organized an event called “Our Gay Beauty” in Samayac Suchitepéquez. The event itself was focused on HIV prevention in the context of the campaign by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS. During the evening, someone threw a tear gas bomb into the space where the event was being held. While no one was seriously injured, people fainted, children became excessively tearful, and everyone was affected by the fumes. This is the second time this year that tear gas bombs have been used to attack events held by the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) community.

The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) joins Colectivo Amigos Contra el Sida in requesting that you send emails or faxes asking Guatemalan authorities for a fair and thorough investigation of the case, and to make sure that similar attacks do not occur in the future."

Click here to send one email that will go to the Human Rights Associate Procurator, Departmental Governor of Suchitepequez, Public Ministry Office Attorney in Suchitepéquez, Deputy Carlos Enrique Bautista Godínez, Presidential Commissioner on Human Rights as well as a copy of your letter to IGLHRC and Colectivo Amigos Contra el SIDA.

US; PA: Learn how to engage Presidential Candidates with ACT UP

"Join ACT UP Philly for this training on "birddogging" - asking questions to
decision makers to get *real* answers, and real commitments, from them as a
way to win *real* policy changes that improve people's lives.

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What if you were so powerful you could help save 33 million lives?

Until November 2008, Philadelphians are the most powerful people in the
world!

Learn how you can use your power and access to Presidential Candidates to
fight poverty and AIDS at home and abroad, and help 33 million people around
the world, and 1 million in the US, living with HIV/AIDS.

Date: Monday, Sept 8th

Time: 6:00pm

Location: ACT UP Philadelphia
St. Luke¹s Church Community Room
330 S. 13th St, Philadelphia

For more information, contact Kaytee Riek at 267.334.6984

Sponsored by:

ACT UP Philadelphia
Health GAP
Student Global AIDS Campaign" (Trans News)

Please Wrap it Before you Tap It!

Tell your Senator that NOW is the time to abolish the HIV Travel Ban!

"We are so close to ending the inhumane HIV Travel Ban, which prevents individuals living with HIV from traveling to or becoming citizens of the United States. By writing your lawmakers today, you can help ensure that they keep the removal of the ban in PEPFAR legislation, and help us end this unjust policy.

Tell your Senator that it is time for the U.S. to stop discriminating based on HIV status - they need to ensure the discriminatory HIV Travel Ban is abolished."

Please fill out the e-contact form below to message your rep:
http://www.hrcactioncenter.org/campaign/hivtravelban

HIV/AIDS is Still a Big Deal!

A great and moving video put out by the New York University and Public Health Solutions targeting the gay community.

Initial studies have found that after viewing the video people were more likely to disclose their HIV status and to get tested regularly.

Please support the project, and spread the video. This can save lives people!

http://www.hivbigdeal.org

Please Act Now to End the HIV Travel and Immigration Ban

Please join Gay Men's Health Crisis in fighting the HIV travel & immigration ban.

"What do terrorists, money launderers, child smugglers and people living with HIV have in common? They're all automatically banned from entering the United States.

After more than twenty years, this outrageous ban against HIV travelers and immigrants needs to go. Today all but 13 countries have recognized the injustice of such a ban: Iraq, China, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Sudan, Qatar, Brunei, Oman, Moldova, Russia, Armenia, South Korea and the United States. Tell your senators to listen to the facts and stand up for the rights of people with HIV."

Click here to contact your representatives!