Workshops begin May 18th - Chicago
www.achurch4me.org
www.achurch4me.org
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Woof Wednesday, featuring Dallas Bears
This week's WW pics - "Texas Bears Round Up 13, Dallas, TX, March 20 to 23, 2008 - Circus of the Bears: Dallas Bears and their buds got together for some furry fun and frolic!" Pics via BearFilms.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
If gay and lesbian people are given civil rights, then everyone will want them!
25-04-2008 Den Haag ToespraakGood morning, and welcome to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Today's seminar is the wonderful result of cooperation between a coalition of NGOs and this Ministry's Human Rights Department. I am strongly in favour of such cooperation: human rights policies cannot be thought up or implemented by government officials alone. In order to be effective, we need a strong partnership with civil society. We may approach issues from a slightly different angle, but our ultimate objective is always the same: a world in which every individual's rights are protected. I should like to extend a special word of welcome to the representatives of Argentina, Brazil, Finland, Norway, Sweden and Ukraine. Some of you have travelled all the way from your capitals to discuss human rights in relation to sexual orientation. Your countries are among the most progressive in this area. I hope that this morning's seminar will help you to agree on a common strategy for dealing with this issue in international organisations, like the United Nations Human Rights Council. I am happy to welcome you all to the Ministry's conference rooms today. I trust that you will have a productive, results-driven discussion.
About six months ago, I presented a new human rights strategy to the Dutch Parliament. I felt the need to do so, because human rights are increasingly under threat worldwide. More and more frequently, we are 
hearing the argument that universally accepted human rights standards do not dovetail with certain cultures, traditions or religions. Human rights violations are condoned as a result. This is not acceptable. In 1993, 171 UN member states reaffirmed the universality of human rights at the World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna. True, there was considerable discussion at the time, with certain countries accusing the West of trying to impose its own standards on everyone. But eventually, the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action was adopted. This Declaration reaffirms, in no uncertain terms, the solemn commitment of all States to fulfil their obligations to promote universal respect for, and observance and protection of, all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all. And the Declaration goes on to state that the universal nature of these rights and freedoms is beyond question. Tradition, culture or religion should not be used as an excuse to depart from internationally accepted human rights standards. There are no circumstances that allow for human rights violations: human rights apply to all people, at all times and in all places. This simple rule lies at the heart of the Dutch government's human rights strategy.
hearing the argument that universally accepted human rights standards do not dovetail with certain cultures, traditions or religions. Human rights violations are condoned as a result. This is not acceptable. In 1993, 171 UN member states reaffirmed the universality of human rights at the World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna. True, there was considerable discussion at the time, with certain countries accusing the West of trying to impose its own standards on everyone. But eventually, the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action was adopted. This Declaration reaffirms, in no uncertain terms, the solemn commitment of all States to fulfil their obligations to promote universal respect for, and observance and protection of, all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all. And the Declaration goes on to state that the universal nature of these rights and freedoms is beyond question. Tradition, culture or religion should not be used as an excuse to depart from internationally accepted human rights standards. There are no circumstances that allow for human rights violations: human rights apply to all people, at all times and in all places. This simple rule lies at the heart of the Dutch government's human rights strategy.I have placed human rights squarely at the centre of our foreign policy, not only because they are a moral imperative, but also because I believe that a world in which human rights are respected is more stable, more secure, healthier, and wealthier. Contributing to the realisation of such a world is in everyone's best interest.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Eliminating discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is a specific priority of the Dutch human rights strategy. The reasoning is simple: human rights apply to everyone, and that includes lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Unfortunately, reality is not so simple: in over 80 countries worldwide, sexual acts between people of the same sex are still criminal offences. In a few countries, such acts are even capital crimes. Even in countries that do not criminalise homosexuality, gays are often in a very difficult position - accepted for who they are neither by their families, their government, nor society as a whole. The taboo that surrounds them is still enormous. In such an environment, discrimination and even aggression are never far away.
Dutch international policy is aimed at banning the criminalisation of consensual sex between two people of the same sex; at countering discrimination by governments based on sexual orientation and at promoting social acceptance. We are using various instruments to achieve these goals, ranging from addressing the issue within international organisations - the Human Rights Council, for instance - to funding an expert at the Council of Europe, who, by the way, is also here today. But we are also raising the issue - sensitive as it may be - with the authorities of third countries. When I spoke to my Russian colleague Sergei Lavrov, for example, we talked about human rights in general, and human rights for gays in particular. Our Embassies also engage our development partners in a dialogue on these issues. Over the past year, non-discrimination of gays has been on the agenda of talks in Cameroon, Morocco, Mozambique, Rwanda, Senegal, Egypt and Kuwait. What is more, the Netherlands supports civil society organisations in Bangladesh, Bolivia, Cuba, Guatemala, Cameroon, Latvia, Lithuania, Mozambique and Nigeria. Dutch civil society also does its fair share by supporting local organisations that promote gay rights. In short: we are trying to do the best we can. The question of how we can be most effective is always on our mind, precisely because the subject is so sensitive. We do not want to do anything that may be counterproductive.
The Yogyakarta Principles, which present an overview of human rights and fundamental freedoms in relation to sexual orientation, are a great help in informing our policies. In my statement to the Human Rights Council last month, I called upon all governments to embrace them. I am pleased that the Dutch House of Representatives adopted a motion supporting my statement, and requesting the President of the House to bring the Yogyakarta Principles to the attention of other parliaments on the International Day against Homophobia on 17 May. This should help in generating awareness and, ultimately, acceptance.
Ladies and gentlemen,
There is a button that says: If gay and lesbian people are given civil rights, then everyone will want them! To this, I have only one answer: everyone is entitled to human rights, and everyone should have them. And yes, that includes gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. Let us all work hard to bring the realisation of that dream closer.
I wish you a very productive seminar.
Thank you.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Manitoba mistake: Forced HIV testing is never justified
via Shawn Symsextra.ca
Manitoba legislators are poised to force people to get tested for HIV and hand over the results. The Testing of Bodily Fluids and Disclosure Act — introduced earlier this month by the province's health minister Theresa Oswald — is supposed to protect first responders such as paramedics, or anyone else who offers first aid to an injured person.
According to a Winnipeg Free Press report, the legislation would allow someone to apply for a judicial blood-testing order if they believe they've been exposed to a blood-borne disease, such as HIV or hepatitis.
A health minister should know better. Oswald claims this bill would provide "peace of mind" to emergency workers — but the law would offer little protection at too great a human-rights cost.
The best way to show respect for the efforts of first responders and health care professionals — and demonstrate genuine dedication to their health and safety — is to provide education about the actual risks, and implement safeguards to reduce those risks.Workplace exposure to HIV is not impossible — but the real risk is dramatically low. So much so, there has only been one confirmed case in Canada over the past twenty-five years. According to the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network, practical things that would actually offer protection against occupational exposure include needles with safety features that reduce the possibility of needlestick injuries, Kevlar-lined gloves for police officers and proper containers for the disposal of sharp implements.
And if there is a genuine risk of HIV exposure, a person can take a one-month course of treatment called post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), which is believed to greatly reduce any likelihood of infection.
If someone's broken skin, mucus membranes or internal tissues have clearly been exposed to someone else's blood, they should get PEP. If not, they likely shouldn't. Some paramedics have argued they need the other person's test results to determine if PEP is needed. That's a mistake.
A potentially exposed person needs to go on PEP almost immediately, within mere hours after the risky incident. Forcing a test and awaiting the results means too much delay. And a negative test result could offer false reassurance, because of the window period before HIV is detectable.
Forced testing offers no benefit in the case of diseases like hepatitis either. All health workers should be vaccinated against Hep B and there is no preventative treatment for Hep C, so there is no benefit to knowing if the potential source person has it. On the other hand, when someone's HIV status is exposed to others unnecessarily, the risks can be unpredictable and life-changing.
We may imagine times have changed, but according to a survey by the Public Health Association of Canada, "20 percent of Canadians do not believe in supporting the rights of people with HIV/AIDS" — and many people would wrongly avoid even casual contact with someone HIV-positive. So people living with the virus have every right to be wary of human-rights abuses and undeserved mistreatment.
Let's show the life-saving efforts of professionals dedicated to our health and safety — and well as the rights, security and well-being of people with HIV — the concern, appreciation and respect that they all deserve.
For more information, see the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network's excellent primer on forced HIV testing.
Q: WWJD? A: LGBT Justice!
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender persons, families and allies to enter into historic dialogue with mega-church leaders and congregation members
An “American Family Outing” is taking shape in the spring of 2008 so families can talk with 
mega-church leaders and congregation members to share the message that justice for LGBT people is compatible with Christian teaching.
Pot lucks, picnics and soulful talk are the order of the day as Soulforce, the Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC), the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), and COLAGE invite churches to talk-the-talk so everyone is free to walk-the-walk. Chicago-area lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender and same-gender loving people, allies, and families are invited to join this historic dialogue with the leaders and families of
Interested persons and families must attend a free information session and training in nonviolence on Saturday May 3rd 10am – noon at the Center on Halsted, 3656 N Halsted St. in Chicago, Il and apply online here.
Between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, 2008, we will also seek peaceful dialogue with Rev. Joel Osteen and Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas; Bishop T.D. Jakes and The Potter’s House in Dallas, Texas; Bishop Harry Jackson, Jr., and Hope Christian Church in Beltsville, Maryland; Bishop Eddie Long and New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, Georgia; and Dr. Rick Warren and Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California.
Additional training sessions and details of the June 8th event will be announced at the May 3rd information session. For questions or more information about the
Download event flyer and check back for local updates here
About Soulforce.
Founded by Rev. Mel White and his partner Gary Nixon, Soulforce is a non-profit organization located in
By applying the principles of relentless nonviolent resistance as lived and taught by M.K. Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. Soulforce is determined to help end the suffering of God's lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered children and to help change the minds and hearts of religious leaders whose anti-homosexual campaigns lead (directly and indirectly) to that suffering.
About the National Black Justice Coalition.
The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) is a civil rights organization dedicated to empowering Black same-gender-loving, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered people. The Coalition works with our communities and our allies for social justice, equality, and an end to racism and homophobia.
About COLAGE
COLAGE is the only national organization in the world specifically supporting children, youth and adults with one or more lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and/or queer parent (LGBTQ). Using our experiences and creativity, COLAGE offers a diverse array of community building opportunities, education, leadership development and advocacy by and for folks with LGBTQ parents.
About the Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC)
The Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC or UFMCC) was founded in October of 1968 by Rev. Elder Troy Perry who from the very beginning challenged people of faith to celebrate God’s love for all people, to build authentic community and to join together in Christian social action to stand against oppression, ignorance and intolerance and to address the needs of “those in trouble.” Today the MCC includes more than 230 congregations in over 20 countries as well as a number of new church developments in places such as the Eastern Europe,
About achurch4me?
achurch4me? is a new worshipping community re-imagining what faith, spirituality and “church” can be. achurch4me? is a ministry of the Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC) and located at the Center on Halsted,
About Center on Halsted
Center on Halsted offers support networks and programs—Mental Health Services, Youth and Senior Programs, Anti-Violence Project, AIDS/HIV & STD Hotline and Community Technology Center—that meet the cultural, emotional, spiritual, social, educational, and recreational needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth, adults, seniors, and families.
Building a Multi-Issue, Multicultural Gay Men's Health Movement
October 17 - 21, 2008 in Seattle, Washington
.jpg)
If you are interested in sponsoring the Summit, or contributing to the scholarship fund, please email gmhs2008@gaycity.org.
The Gay Men's Health Summit is a national call to all LGBT/ queer communities and our important allies from across this nation to come together to build a multi-issue, multicultural gay men's health movement focused on long-term strategic goals for gay/bi/queer men's health and wellness.
The Summit will cover a full range of health concerns, ranging from physical and mental health, to social issues, to community building and organizing, and is inclusive of all gay/bi/queer men, including those who identify as transgender or who have transgender histories.
This summit seeks to encompass many of the same health issues and concerns as traditional health conferences, but with an important difference. This conference takes a look at those issues from the perspective of those who face disparities and discrimination in their everyday work lives and home lives. We engage in deep thinking and extended discussion about new responses and innovative programming. Earlier summits have been described as nurturing retreats, exciting think tanks, and moments of great enlightenment.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Free2B UnMe
"Do less talking and do more listening."
Stephen Adelson Helps Us
Click4Dicks Down the Sexy Superhighway
Boys and their WWW
A LifeLube exclusive
Wait...Who is Stephan Adelson?
He's the previous General Manger of Manhunt.net, is the current Executive Director of the nonprofit Internet Intervention Incorporated and the President of Adelson Consulting Services Incorporated. Stephan worked to help develop the National Guidelines for Internet Interventions, has recently been working with the New York State Department of Health to develop state wide Internet Guidelines, Protocols, and Training Materials and is currently co-chair of the Internet Interventions Advisory Group (a subcommittee of the Syphilis Advisory Group under the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene). The increase in the potential number of partners and the potential for misinformation are true concerns but the sharing of personal information through a profile, information that may not have otherwise been disclosed, can be a form of prevention.
So...are websites such as Adam4Adam and Manhunt responsible for the rise in STD and HIV among gay men?
I am of the opinion that there is no single factor, such as hooking up online, that is responsible for the increase in STDs and HIV transmission among gay men. Although increases in HIV/STD transmission share several contributing factors each has its one unique areas of responsibility. To answer the question regarding the role of hook-up sites and STD/HIV infection rates one must ask; what it is that these sites do? The one thing that all types of online social networks do best is increase communication, changing the way our society at large communicates and the range of this communication. This is a change similar to the changes brought about in society with the invention of the telephone. In its most simplistic form I see the internet as the combination of the typewriter, the television, and the telephone. The increase in communication brought about by the internet works both as a prevention tool and as transmission tool.
When in history have gay men been able to know so much about a potential partner in such as short amount of time? Simply by browsing a profile you can find out a great deal about a person; their HIV status, their preferences in life, their sexual preferences and desires, their physical attributes, etc… This information can be used as a very effective prevention tool by astute website users and I believe most website users are more comfortable posting their personal information on a profile than they are having a face to face discussion, thus increasing what a browser knows about a person before contact is made. But there are some downfalls to self generated personal information. Seeing something in print may lend the posting some under-served creditability.
When I added the field ‘HIV status’ and ‘No PNP’ to profiles on Manhunt my desire was to start conversations about HIV and drugs within the community, those conversations were broached and now they are somewhat normalized within the community, which I consider a great success, but when a user chooses to display their HIV status or make comments such as ‘D&D free’ my concern is that other users seeing their comments may interperate them as statements of fact and seeing them in print gives them undue legitimacy. When a user sees information posted in a profile my concern is that this ‘statement’ may be taken as an ultimate truth and the individual reading the posting may make choices regarding their sexual practices based solely on what they has been presented thus avoiding the critical face to face risk negotiation conversation with a potential partner.
The increase in the potential number of partners and the potential for misinformation are true concerns but the sharing of personal information through a profile, information that may not have otherwise been disclosed, can be a form of prevention.
Ultimately the blame for the increase in the number of STD/HIV cases is the responsibility of individuals and the choices they have made. The true questions are; Why do we as gay men make the sexual choices we make? and Can the internet be used as an effective behavioral intervention tool to help gay men make better informed choices and become expert risk negotiators with potential partners?
Why does there seem to be so much finger pointing at the internet?
I think there are many reasons hook-up sites have become major targets for finger pointing, here are a few examples:
· For the first time in history the private sexual practices of gay men are on public display and some (even within our community) are surprised by what they see.
· Much of the historical work (especially regarding STDs) has focused around disease “control” through legal and medical interventions. Websites and the Internet cannot be controlled thus creating frustration for those that cannot learn to let go of their need (and antiquated training) to control.
· Public Health has made great strides forward in many areas but has failed to effectively influence the behavior of gay men regarding their sexual health as shown in the increases of STD and HIV rates. The internet is the new easy target for blame. This is an example of why it is so very critical that public health be early adapters of new technologies and find ways to use these technologies for prevention and interventions early in their evolution. Right now there is a scramble to ‘catch up’ with the internet. We are so far behind on the internet (and in engaging gay men in meaningful ways) that we have not even implemented effective ways to communicate with website owners.
How we refer to each other, how we embrace our own individual sexuality, and how we display our sexual pride is the place to begin the positive focus.
Why is there generally so much negativity when we talk about gay men’s sex lives?
(smile) The topic of sex in general is met with a negative responses in most societies. The topic of gay sex is challenging even within our own community.
Putting on my businessman’s perspective and dropping the moral piece of this discussion, I do not understand why a website would not want to take the concept of shared responsibility.
What are the roles and responsibilities of hook up sites in relation to gay men’s health, STD and HIV prevention?
I think a better question is “Do hook-up sites have responsibilities in relation to gay men’s sexual health?”.
In an ideal world, YES, hook-up sites ‘should’ take on some shared responsibility for the sexual health of their members. I did what I did at Manhunt because it was the right thing to do as a 
gay man, a gay business, and as a human being. Putting on my businessman’s perspective and dropping the moral piece of this discussion, I do not understand why a website would not want to take the concept of shared responsibility. Who wants to remember a website as the place where “I met that guy that gave me Syphilis or HIV?" What type of experience has been provided by the website to that member? Healthy (not exclusively HIV negative) members provide a better experience for other members making the site a better healthier place for everyone. Providing space for health professionals to do their jobs makes good business sense, and it is the ‘right’ thing to do.
Is it their responsibility? Does it matter what any of us think, really? Even if the consensus is that it is the responsibility of online venue owners to look after the sexual health of their members , who would enforce this stance?
Thinking through the path of shared responsibility… as things are now websites must voluntarily accept their portion of this responsibility. But what if a website is not willing to take on the concept of shared responsibility? There are no existing legal tools to force websites into accepting shared responsibility. The issue involves topics like freedom of speech and is much broader than simply being about gay sex and hook-up sites. The questions involves all forms of adult oriented social networking sites, regardless of their sexual orientation and includes our first amendment rights.
The ultimate question is; where is the path to success in regards to internet interventions that are dependent on online venues as their vehicle? (for example: online venues might include sites like MySpace for young women with Chlamydia, or Facebook for young men and Gonorrhea) I remain convinced that long term success with internet interventions can only be found in creating positive relationships with the online venues that are willing to be partners in health and in having those charged with looking after the sexual health of gay men become effective marketers to those websites that are currently unwilling get involved.
Force and assigning responsibility are currently fruitless arguments and nothing more than the expounding of opinions when it comes to the current state of legal affairs in regards to the internet. What we need is conversations that are productive and can result in action items rather than drama, grandstanding, and dead ends.
Honesty online goes beyond having an up-to-date picture in your profile or advertising your penis size in ‘real’ inches. Honesty is about being willing to divulge your HIV status if you know it or being willing to state that you do not know your status.
What are the roles and responsibilities of gay men who use hook up sites in relation to their own physical and sexual health?
No one but ourselves are ultimately responsible for the choices we make and their consequences - especially in regards to our physical and sexual health.
Everyone that hooks-up online should use rational judgment when going to a partners home or inviting strangers into your own home. I suggest that everyone that hooks online read the safety tips located on most websites. These provide some good basics guidelines when meeting strangers online.
I consider honesty to be the most basic and the most important personal responsibilities that we have to each other. For many gay men the conversation regarding safer sex does not always include condoms making accurate personal information critical when talking to a potential partner about sexual acts.
Honesty online goes beyond having an up-to-date picture in your profile or advertising your penis size in ‘real’ inches. Honesty is about being willing to divulge your HIV status if you know it or being willing to state that you do not know your status. Honesty is also about being honest with your level of sexual health education and sexual experience. Honestly is also about being honest with yourself and being strong enough to create boundaries (physical and emotional) and respect yourself enough to stick to them.
We can best take on the responsibility of caring for ourselves and potential partners by being aware of the symptoms and signs of STDs, knowing your HIV status and your partner’s status, getting testing for STDs on a regular basis (every 6 months), and have well informed honest discussions with potential partners about HIV and STDs and our emotional/physical limitations.
The potential for the use of the Internet as a prevention and intervention tool is limited only by our imaginations.
How can we look at the internet through an asset lens as opposed to a deficit lens?
The potential for the use of the Internet as a prevention and intervention tool is limited only by our imaginations.
Inventive programs such and disease interventions such as Internet-based partner services are just a few examples of the many current programs and efforts.
In the Internet we have a tool that enables us to speak to millions of individuals in a very short period of time and reach them in their homes, workplaces, schools ,etc. (aka: where they are).
Social networking sites are being used for health communication (here) and by sexual health professionals to be better at their work (here.) Text messaging has become an area that is being explored by many and I expect will become even more valuable as another tool in the tool box of sexual health.
The costs of web development, hosting, and design are continually coming down and open source software is still changing the environment of web development. Access to the internet is widespread and both users and developers have a greater variety of options.
Drop the drama and the demands in promotions. Slogans that tell us what we must do or make threats of death and destruction go unheeded by most gay men.
What are some new ways in which we can engage gay men online with sexual health info?
A few options come to mind;
· Have new conversations that have other possible endings other than ‘use a condom’ and become better risk reduction educators.
· Work with online adult venues of all types and learn from their marketing experiences with their users.
· Drop the drama and the demands in promotions. Slogans that tell us what we must do or make threats of death and destruction go unheeded by most gay men.
· Get real, meaning; create discussion by using real stories from real people.
· Drop the absolutes, the black and white imagery of statements like ‘safe only’ simply do not translate as genuine in our grey world.
· Acknowledge what ‘is so’ in our community and deal with the realities rather than continually try to change them or remake them in an image we feel is ‘right’ or ‘better’. Rather than fight against online sex venues work with them. There is a great opportunity in these venues to help create a tighter/healthier gay community. Fighting sex positive venues will not only get us locked out but will further impede education and interventions by continuing to damage the image of sexual health professionals in the viewpoint of gay men. When a sex positive venue is closed or regulated to the point where it is rendered useless, what happens to its members? Are there any behavioral changes when a venue is closed? Is anyone educated by an action or by efforts in this direction? NO - members simply find another place to go, usually one that will be even harder to find and deal with. The users of the closed venue are further shamed by being told they are ‘wrong’ and not wanted in society, and we as health care professionals are again left out of their conversations and have further damaged our relationship with gay men..
· Do less talking and do more listening. Get to know what sexual trends gay men are starting and following. Watch what people are doing in the videos that they post on websites such as Xtube.com and Pornotube.com, and observe the pages created within sexual networks for young gay men like Justguys.net and DList.com . Knowing what trends are current allows health care professionals to provide information that is relevant and appropriate to the audience.
Join LifeLube and Project CRYSP for our next forum on gay men's health featuring Stephan in the flesh - June 12, at the Center on Halsted in Chicago.
Guess what the topic will be?
Rebellion, rulebreaking & gay men's health
McGill professor says fear is not the answer...
and we have to agree!
and we have to agree!
[tidbit snip snip]
"Gay men's health and wellness means looking at the physical, mental, social, spiritual and sexual well-being of gay men. We also have to trust that, for the most part, gay men take this epidemic very seriously. I think we are seeing the beginning of a paradigm shift.
"In Montreal, we just finished a consultation in the community where we asked gay men what their health priorities were. An overwhelming majority said HIV prevention and sexual health were the most important issues. But they were not the only issues. For example, loneliness and solitude were the next most important issues on their minds."
Read the rest in Capital Xtra.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Dont Won't Let the Sun Go Down on AIDS Art, Activism and Advocacy
LifeLube exclusive
a blog chat with Dont Rhine of Ultra-red
a blog chat with Dont Rhine of Ultra-red
It's ridiculous that we're twenty-five years into this epidemic and all we've got to show for it are condoms.
Where are the microbicides, the morning-after cocktails?
Who are you?
Hello, LifeLubers. My name is Dont Rhine and I'm a sound artist as well as a grass-roots organizer with Community HIV/AIDS Mobilization Project (or CHAMP) out in Los
Angeles. CHAMP is an amazing network of folks across the U.S. connecting HIV/AIDS activism to broader social justice issues. Our particular focus is what we call HIV prevention justice - agitating, mobilizing and educating around a range of prevention issues including research. You know, back in the days of ACT UP we used to chant, "Ten years, one drug, big deal!" It was our way of protesting the federal government's obsession with AZT and their slow response in developing other forms of HIV treatment. Today, we need to be screaming, "Twenty-five years, one form of prevention, big fucking deal!" It's ridiculous that we're twenty-five years into this epidemic and all we've got to show for it are condoms. Where are the microbicides, the morning-after cocktails, and so on?Why are you in Chicago?
Alongside working with CHAMP I'm a member of the sound art collective Ultra-red. The group
has been around since 1994 and originally came out of the needle exchange program in Los Angeles. Over the years we've grown to ten members, each person comes from a different political movement: the fight to protect public housing, anti-racism, migration struggles, and HIV/AIDS. We have teams developing different sound-related performances and recording projects here in the U.S. and in Europe. Sometimes the work sounds like house music, sometimes it looks like very theatrical performances, and sometimes it sounds like abstract electro-acoustic soundscapes. It depends on the community in which we're working and the nature of the political-artistic intervention. It was because of my work in Ultra-red that the School of the Art Institute invited me to spend the semester teaching classes in the performance department.What have you learned from your time here in the City?
It's been really awesome spending the last four months in Chicago. It goes without saying that Chicago and Los Angeles are very different places. I've used a lot of my free time to explore the city and meet with folks doing all kinds of social justice work. Chicago has an incredible landscape of political movements and histories. And, of course, the city has a very special place in my own imagination as the birthplace of house music. But the best part has really been meeting incredible folks doing inspiring work from the south side to Roger's Park and all points in between. I've also seen what an incredibly difficult place Chicago can be for a great many people; struggles around housing, the catastrophic erasure of public housing communities, the criminalization of youth of color, and the massive detention and abuse of migrants. Not that Chicago is alone is contending with these things - after all, I come from Los Angeles. But here it seems to take on a particular urgency both in terms of the scale of the problems and the level of activism.
What is the intention behind the May 9 performance?
On Friday, May 9 Ultra-red will be conducting a performance, "Untitled (for large ensemble)" through downtown Chicago. I'll be joined by my Ultra-red partners; choreographer Taisha Paggett and Robert Sember. We hope to bring together some of the amazing folks I've met during my time here. Some of these people have dedicated themselves to the fight against AIDS while others have worked to build coalitions around housing for the poor, human rights for migrants, radical arts programs for youth, and a whole host of issues facing incarcerated people, from HIV prevention to torture in jail. For Ultra-red, we consider all of these people and all of these political movements to have a piece to an analysis of HIV prevention justice and the larger picture of fundamental change in our society. So, we want to bring all these people together: to hear what's on their minds, and listen as we walk together through downtown Chicago.
And I think that's what we hope everyone will leave the experience with: learning how to listen - to each other, to people who are like us, to people who aren't like us, to people who are HIV positive, to people who are HIV negative, listening across all the boundaries and borders in this city, listening to the city itself.What do you hope will result from the May 9 performance?
The exciting thing about working with CHAMP is its commitment to bringing folks together across social movements and across localities. This performance hopes to enact just that sort of coming together. So we'll walk through the city beginning at the Abraham Lincoln statue in Grant Park. We'll make our way down Van Buren Street across Michigan Avenue, under the Elevated, past Harold Washington Library, past Metro Jail, past Board of Trades, the north entrance to the Stock Exchange, across the river, past the old Post Office, and finally come to Jefferson Avenue - also named "The Godfather of House Music, Frankie Knuckles, Way." We'll have a group of Art Institute students helping us with chants and choreography. And we'll listen to statements performed for the record by our friends in different social movements. At the end, we'll ask a very simple question, "What did you hear?" And I think that's what we hope everyone will leave the experience with: learning how to listen - to each other, to people who are like us, to people who aren't like us, to people who are HIV positive, to people who are HIV negative, listening across all the boundaries and borders in this city, listening to the city itself. From out of that, we can begin to build something new - something we can't even imagine on our own.
I hope all the people from LifeLube will come out and walk with us on May 9.
www.ultrared.org
www.champnetwork.org
LifeLube's sexygoodtime forum gets some... press
Sex forum focuses on what gay men want
Windy City Times - April 23, 2008
Click here for more photos, and for comments on the event.
Click here to listen to the Feast of Fools podcast!
SAVE THE DATE - next forum is June 12 [topic - coming soon!]
Windy City Times - April 23, 2008
Click here for more photos, and for comments on the event.
Click here to listen to the Feast of Fools podcast!
SAVE THE DATE - next forum is June 12 [topic - coming soon!]
AASECT credentialed Alternative Sexuality Conference - Chicago - May 22, 2008
Leather/Kink/BDSM Sexuality: Cultural Competence and Clinical Issues
Center on Halsted
3656 North Halsted Street
Chicago, Illinois
May 22, 2008
Planned in conjunction with
International Mr. Leather weekend
Leather, kink, B&D, S&M, alt sex….. Non-traditional sexual practices, lifestyles and identities have become increasingly visible in recent years. With more portrayals on television and in movies, as well as in literature and music, clients are feeling increasingly comfortable about bringing “forbidden” sexual issues to psychotherapy.
Clinicians have few, if any, sources other than the popular media to learn about these populations. This conference will provide clinical perspectives, empirical data and opportunities to discuss challenges encountered in psychotherapy. The Level 1 seminars serve as an introduction for the “kink-naïve” practitioner, while Level 2 seminars will provide clinicians who have some familiarity with the community the opportunity to expand their skills. Advanced seminars are offered for those who are well versed with this population, providing an occasion to learn what is new in research and discuss more intricate issues.
Sexual Orientation and Gender Institute
www.centeronhalsted.org
Chicago, Illinois
Community-Academic Consortium
for Research on Alternative Sexualities
www.caras.ws
San Francisco, California
Registration fee is $120./$90. for graduate students with school ID (limited positions available)
Participants may earn 6 continuing educations credits.
- The Center on Halsted is licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation as a Social Work, Professional Counselor and Clinical Professional Counselor continuing education sponsor.
- This program meets the requirements of the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists. These CE credits may be applied toward AASECT certification and renewal of certification. AASECT is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. AASECT maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
Please Call 773-472-6469 ext. 472 or write sogi@centeronhalsted.org for additional information, including registration info.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
