The BEST of Lifelube - "Whole Milk - Never Blend In" From Friday, November 14, 2008

Whole Milk - Never Blend In

Chris Bartlett reviews Milk

[opens nationwide November 26]

Read more from Chris on LifeLube here

I went to see a pre-screening of Milk, the new feature film about Harvey Milk's life, with Sean Penn in the lead role. The movie was fantastic. I was in a theater full of Philadelphian queer activists and allies who represented all generations of our movement. There was the lesbian who helped found Giovanni's Room (our still running fabulous gay bookstore), many of our key political figures, AIDS activists who have been fighting for decades, fired-up youth, people of color, transmen and transwomen. That set the perfect scene for the movie itself-- a celebration of the power of gay communities at their best.

I started crying within the first two minutes of the film. The opening scenes (I'm not giving anything away here) show 1950s era bar raids-- police pushing hapless gay men into paddy wagons; the look of fear and resignation among the gays; and a wonderful moment when one angry queen throws a drink at the camera (go Sister!). Director Gus Van Sant from the very opening paints a picture of the tremendous gains we have made in queer organizing since that time, while also ironically noting that we are fighting many of the same battles of the 1970s. Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it, and the movie is a remarkable reminder of what has often been forgotten by our gay movement.

It seems almost odd that this film could come out at this time. The ongoing battle against Proposition 8 so mirrors one of the major dramas of the film: Milk's spearheading the efforts against the infamous Briggs Initiative (Proposition 6), which sought to ban gay teachers and their allies. Watching all of the protest, marches, and advocacy was a very spooky deja vu for me. Perhaps the most telling example of this deja vu is a marvelous moment when Supervisor Tom Ammiano, playing himself (as a teacher who confronts Briggs), shouts "you're trying to take away my job!" But it is spooky to see that Ammiano's hair is gray, and that he has not been made up to look 20something. He is the adult version of himself transported by time machine back to the Briggs Demonstration. The more things change, the more they stay the same. It's bittersweet, almost, to see that the organizing against the Briggs Initiative succeeds-- it makes a critical viewer wonder what we are doing wrong nowadays.

Delightful moments include the wonderful portrayal of Cleve Jones (of AIDS Quilt fame) by Emile Hirsch. Hirsch brings out the sweet combination of Cleve's youthful bravado, ageism, and love for elders. When Milk first attempts to get Cleve to join in the gay liberation battle, Jones calls him "Old Man" and laughs in his face. But by the end, you can see the beautiful mentorship between Milk and Jones... and you can see the ways that Milk's lessons would live on in Jones' future organizing. It's all there.

Penn as Harvey Milk is really incredible. Milk protégée Anne Kronenberg reported many a double-take during the filming-- they just look so much alike! And Penn also brings out the wonderful paradoxes in Milk's behavior-- the flirtatiousness, the naiveté, the seriousness, the genius, and the bullying. And Penn plays Milk as I always had imagined him-- a mensch on a mission. There is such a sense of self-awareness and destiny. It's also possible from viewing Penn's performance to see what it means to be a leader-- the commitment that is required, the cost to relationships and family, and the charisma and charm that is required to generate a Tribe.

And to me the main story of the movie is the power of Tribe-building. Harvey does it with genius-- including all of the folks who, until the 1970s, had largely been outside political power networks. In the film, we see Milk's deft ability to build a coalition of progressive people-- gays, people of color, elders, union rank-and-file, youth, and others. Though he was a gay leader, he was far greater than that. As he says, he is there to lead "all the people".

The portrayal of the dramatic events leading up to Milk and Moscone's assassination is compelling and direct. I had hoped for a complex portrayal of Dan White (the assassin) by Josh Brolin, and I think he did a not bad job. We get a little picture into his life: the pressures, the conservative background, the police influence. In the end, the senseless assassinations seem unavoidable.

I've seem the documentary "Times of Harvey Milk" numerous times in my life, and there were moments when I felt transported back to that telling of the story. Both films are beautiful and different-- I recommend seeing the documentary before the movie to give you some background that isn't available in the feature. Notably, Van Sant omits the part of the story that occurs after Milk's assassination-- the trial and the dramatic White Night Riot. I was glad that my friend Micah had told me this ahead of time-- so I wasn't disappointed to miss the drama of police cars burning in the night. But I think Van Sant (and screenwriter Dustin Lance Black) were smart to omit the post-Milk trial and tribulation-- because really this story is focused on Harvey-- and when he is murdered, a new story begins.

Queer in Immigration Detention

via HuffPost, by Jonathan Perez

There I stood in South Louisiana Correctional Center, hundreds of miles away from my home in sunny California. Immigration detention means the end of the line for most undocumented immigrants. But I was not worried when or if I would be released. In the first place, I went in there on purpose.

I also knew there were people organizing to get me out, including Dreamactivist, Immigrant Youth Coalition, and people from all over the country. It was part of a "silent action" challenging the Obama administration's immigration policy, which allegedly does not detain undocumented persons without criminal records. But there I was.

After dozens of civil disobedience actions, we learned that Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) would not detain us during public events.

We would simply get arrested and go undercover pretending to be the type of immigrant that they usually detain, and not the ones who know their rights and have connections to advocacy groups. But most importantly, we pretended to be afraid.

My home for the next 10 days would now be "Wolf 1," a pod with a dozen grown men from different parts of Latin America. I knew it wasn't going to be easy to adjust but I felt okay about it.

I was there because I needed to organize and help them out in any way I could. We created a team of a couple other detainees that were ready to organize a hunger strike.

We weren't sure exactly how or when it would happen, but we knew we needed a number of issues to focus our efforts around. In the meantime we began to take stories of people who were detained and connected them to their families and immigration attorneys.

We took on deportation cases for those that can be won, like people who have been here for more than ten years, have citizen children, no criminal record and even DREAM Act eligible youth.

But there was always a splinter in my mind, something that always told me to be careful. Although I was detained with a friend who supported me, I knew he could never understand fully what I felt, and much less what I was thinking.

Looking at all the sweating men exercising and running by me only made it harder to ignore. There was Jose from Honduras; he was a father of three and a super nice guy with hazel eyes. He was caught driving without a license, and "Secure Communities" kicked in when he was booked. He was debating whether or not to sign a voluntary removal to get to his family as soon as possible.

One day, I began to think that I maybe I could tell the guys the truth -- that they wouldn't see a problem, since I had gotten to know them and they trusted me. I was wrong!

Dead wrong. As we walked back to our pod after lunch, I noticed two other men just like me on the other side of the fence. I felt relief, and I was glad to know that I was not alone.

But then the taunting began. They were mocked, whistled at, and harassed by the other detainees. They were called names like, "putitas," 'maricones," "jotitas," etc., pretty much different ways of saying faggots. I was shocked at first, and then I became sad.

It took me to a place I had not been to in a long time. It felt like I was in elementary school or middle school again. I was forced to mask my identity with a tough exterior, and had to be careful of what I said and did.

We only saw them when they walked by on their way to their pod, and every time they were ridiculed with enthusiasm by detainees. Their gender expression was more "feminine" than mine.

They were openly queer, and so they became targets. Most people never realized, and therefore didn't make fun of me or hit me. They actually assumed I was just like them.

A few days later, I was transferred to "Wolf 2," an adjacent pod where the two queer men, along with seventy other men were housed. I was afraid.

For all of the times I claimed to be undocumented and unafraid, I was out of my element. But I saw one of the Queer guys walk by 70 beds with his head held up high, with such energy and pride, and it made me feel so ashamed.

Ashamed that I could not do what he did, to be out and proud in a place where everyday there was someone harassing you and trying to put you down.


Read the rest

HIV Advocate Pushes Mandated Condom Use in Porn

via Advocate, by Andrew Harmon

An HIV/AIDS advocate who for years has pushed required condom use in the adult film industry as a condition for film permits is now taking his fight to the next level.

Earlier this week, the Los Angeles City Council in a 9-1 vote gave final approval to an ordinance requiring porn actors to wear condoms.

Industry representatives had opposed the ordinance as governmental regulation gone overboard.

But Michael Weinstein, president of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, called the new rule “a great day for the performers and safer sex in our society" and now plans to collect signatures for an equivalent Los Angeles County measure.

Via the Los Angeles Times:

"This is a case study in the power of persistence," Weinstein said in an interview. He noted that the concept of allowing drug users to exchange needles, once seen as untouchable, finally gained acceptance as a way to protect people from HIV.

 Weinstein has pushed state legislators and the County Board of Supervisors to back mandatory condom use, but has received little support.

No state lawmakers have been willing to sponsor legislation, Weinstein said, and Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky said in 2010 that the state, not the county Department of Public Health, should be dealing with the matter. (Read the report here.)

Weinstein said that self-regulation within the porn industry is ineffective. "It's in their DNA to not have anybody tell them anything about how they do business," he said.


Read the rest

A Day for the Cure in the U.S. Capital

by Mark Hubbard, for LifeLube

It’s sometimes hard to describe what we HIV/AIDS advocates do. Over the years, when I submitted a bio or printed home-made business cards, I described myself as an “independent educator, advocate, and activist.” At the same time, I often commented, “I don’t do politics.” I knew that work needed to be done, but I wanted to focus on what I saw as my strengths – presentations, committees, outreach, etc. “Bring on the prevention education,” I said,“bring on the planning group involvement, bring on the research advocacy – just leave me out of the politics.”

There’s a word for that kind of thinking - denial.

Perhaps the reason I stayed in that denial so long was that we were spoiled. Until the middle of the last decade, any Tennessean who had HIV and was uninsured was eligible for TennCARE, our state’s souped-up, generous version of Medicaid. We never had an ADAP waiting list and nearly anyone who tried to get clinical and support services could get them.

Then the screws were tightened. TennCARE was gradually dismantled and replaced by a much more austere program for which most PLWHA’s are ineligible. Medicare Part D and aggressive management on the part of the state health department prevented disaster, but the future became cloudy. Expanded testing led to many new diagnoses. Tennessee had its first ever ADAP waiting list for a time in 2010 and with the current budget running neck and neck with need we very well could have one again in 2012.

Don’t get me wrong. When particularly threatening issues came up I tried to do my duty by making a phone call or writing an email. During the fight to save TennCARE I showed up at some public hearings and even testified in court. Mostly though, I kept my head down. Then, when the Ryan White CARE Act was up for reauthorization, the community came together to form the Tennessee AIDS Advocacy Network (TAAN). I joined their email list and attended a workshopon how to engage elected officials.

Over time, the truth became self-evident. There never has been and there never will be HIV/AIDS advocacy without politics.

A Challenge

About three months ago a friend and colleague forwarded an email from the Treatment Action Group (TAG) to me. The subject line read: “Scholarship Application: What Would You Do for the Cure? An AIDS community challenge.” Recipients would travel to Washington DC to meet with congressional delegations. They’d stress the importance of cure and HIV and aging research. It seemed like I was just the sort of person they wanted, but it was politics. Scheduling would be a challenge due to a family obligation. I’d been working on a better balance between the personal and the professional, and I’d promised myself not to over-commit. I wrote my friend and told her I probably wouldn’t apply.

I slept on it a couple of nights though, and came to some realizations. I could make my schedule work. I care very much about these two areas of research as did one of my heroes, Martin Delaney.Although I’d met with state officials once or twice, I’d never done so on the federal level. This was an opportunity to grow and I could get past my anxiety about politics. I applied and feel fortunate to be one of about 35 folks selected to speak truth to power about HIV/AIDS research.

We’re a small group, but our diversity is exciting. We’re straight, gay, black, white, yellow, brown, single, married, newly diagnosed, long term survivors and HIV negative allies. We’re ministers, lobbyists, social workers, athletes, prevention and social service providers and our ages range from 20-something to 60-something.

A New Day

On conference calls, we learned that United States National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding, and the corresponding funding for HIV/AIDS research, had been fairly consistently maintained over the years without much need for organized community advocacy. It hadn’t been ideal – with level funding or with small increases, inflation had yielded a 15% decline in buying power over 8 years – but no one had ever really feared radical cuts.

We all realize, however, that it is a new day in Congress. In some ways, it is a scary new day. Many long term stalwart supporters of NIH funding are gone. Some like Senator Kennedy have died. Others were defeated and replaced by individuals who either are simply inexperienced and less than knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS orwho are radical fiscal conservatives willing to indiscriminately swing the axe 360 degrees.

On the Hill

Finally some twelve weeks ago, inexperienced and experienced alike, we arrived in Washington DC. We traveled from 20 different states -from Minnesota to Texas, from New Jersey to Florida, and from points in between to begin our new initiative. We introduced ourselves, shared a meal, and laid plans for the next day’s advocacy on the Hill.

We introduced ourselves as constituents to congressional staffers and discussed the importance of federally sponsored research with them. We talked with pride about the excellence the U.S. has demonstrated in the field and how that manifests in critical work in and for our communities, from the laboratory to the clinic. We reminded them that HIV/AIDS research has led to progress in countless other fields. Although we highlighted the hope and need for cure research and the emerging urgency around HIV/AIDS and aging research, our primary ask was simpler:“Will you please commit to advocating for the highest possible level of NIH funding?”

Were there a lot of immediate, momentous, life changing outcomes? It depends on how you look at it. When it comes to funding, particularly in the current political environment, that’s not a realistic expectation. Just as we know that HIV/AIDS research is a long haul of incremental progress (and regular setbacks), we know that whatever we accomplish with Congress will be the result of patience and persistence.

On the other hand, experiencing the reality that we can – that anyone can - schedule an appointment, walk into elected officials’ offices, and actually be heard, was for some of us a very profound experience.

The Treatment Action Group has expressed its long-term commitment to this project. So have we. We’ve made our start.It’s the birth of a new effort to preserve HIV/AIDS research funding, but beyond that we believe it’s the beginning of an important new effortto help ensure that cure research will expand and succeed.

Being an HIV/AIDS educator, advocate, and activist is tough work. I often feel impatient, angry, sad, frustrated, and burnt out. I mustn’t forget the progress we’ve made and the times of satisfaction, joy, and triumph I’ve experienced. On this first day of 2012, as I enter my 25th year of living with HIV and struggling to fight the pandemic, I remind myself to focus on the one consistent gift all of my work has provided:a sense of hope.

Happy New Year, fellow advocates. Happy New Year indeed!

PrEP Sign on Letter for HIV+ Gay, Bi Men - Support an Informed Debate Based on Facts!

Read the letter, and sign on here.

 The release of data from the iPrEx study of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention in gay and bisexual men and transgender women has led to a good deal of debate about whether and how PrEP should be used.

Unfortunately, some of that debate has been fueled by misrepresentations of the study data and, perhaps more alarmingly, by groundless assertions that gay/bi men and other men who have sex with men (MSM) will misuse PrEP, spread drug resistance and act without regard to their health or the health of others if PrEP is made available. A paid ad campaign by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation running in gay papers across the country has contributed to spreading false ideas both about PrEP and about the commitment of gay/bi men to care for themselves and others. We reject those false assertions and want a full and factual discussion of the pros and cons of PrEP in our community.

Recently, two additional studies, Partners PrEP and the CDC's TDF2 study have confirmed the safety and efficacy of PrEP, this time in heterosexual women and men.

A small group of HIV positive gay/bi men who are committed to promoting safer sex and the open exchange of accurate information are circulating the following letter to help clarify the facts about PrEP, open up community discussion and make clear our belief that we are entitled to respect, accurate information and new HIV prevention tools.

This sign on letter is part of a broad array of advocacy activities being undertaken by the national PrEP Committee. Members of the PrEP Committee include individuals from a host of organizations working on PrEP and other new prevention technologies who meet regularly by phone and email to share information and strategize.  

For allies who are not HIV+ gay/bi men, you can learn more about this work and how to participateby sending an email to Jim Pickett at jpickett@aidschicago.org.

We encourage HIV+ gay/bi men who are allied in the fight against AIDS to help us clear the record about PrEP by signing on to this letter.

Read the letter, and sign on here.

On Wisconsin!

We Are Wisconsin from Finn Ryan on Vimeo.

CHICAGO: Watch Tonight's Mayoral Candidate Forum on LGBT Issues Live Online!

Can't attend tonight's mayoral forum on LGBT issues? No sweat! You can tune in and watch it live as it streams on the internet at the Windy City Times or Radio Arte's websites.

We are expecting all candidates to participate and address the needs of the LGBT community, especially on issues related to education, HIV and AIDS, public safety, transgender rights and youth homelessness.

The forum will stream live tonight, Wednesday, February 9, from 6pm-8pm on Windy City Times and Radio Arte websites.

How is Derrick Mathis healthy?

Um, I masturbate a lot. I so dare you guys to post that. 

Other things I do to stay healthy...hmmm...I've slowed down over the years being in my mid-forties. So I'd say that my lifestyle today contributes a lot to my staying healthy. I'm very politically active and very outspoken on social causes. And I honestly believe that because this is where a good portion of my focus and passion is these days, it has created it has more or less created a healthier lifestyle for me without my putting a lot of energy into creating one.

I'm a writer so I spend a lot of time in my head. So today staying healthy means stepping away from my PC and being with friends, you know, getting out of the house, like a movie, meeting for coffee or grabbing a bite to eat. It also means spending time with my family. I have a ton of neices. The youngest is two years old. And I love hangin' out with her when I get the opportunity. Laughter is the healthiest activity I think there is.

And I laugh A LOT.

Other things include cooking at home. I'm big about that these days. Economically it's smarter yet it's healthier. So even though I do go out once in a while for a meal I primarily cook and eat at home. I'm digging going grocery shopping and getting my fresh veggies 'n' stuff. There's these elderly women in the apartment complex where I live and they've taught me alot about picking out veggies when I go grocery shopping.

I can now pick out the best avocado blindfolded and I do pretty well with tomatoes, too. It's all in the feel.

I think most importantly for me these days in terms of staying healthy is my state of mind. Being involved in politics and social justice issues I'm a born debater. So I have to watch myself in terms of getting too emotionally worked up or angry about things. For the most part I've learned that sometimes it's best to let things go----or just move on. Because it can in fact impact my health if I don't.

This sort of behavior-----paying attention to my emotional and mental state of mind-----I'd say is one of the most important things I've found to work in staying healthy. I don't ignore myself anymore when I feel disturbed or something just isn't working for me. I pay attention these days to myself while at the same time trying not to star in my own drama as I work it out-----whatever it is.

I think of all the things I do in terms of healthiness the above would be the number one thing I feel has improved my lifestyle and kept me healthy and hardly sick in the last few years. Don't sweat the small stuff. It'll add years to your life if you just follow that mantra is my feeling.

I will say though in the activity department I could use some work. I used to be quite physically active. The last three or four years however, I've found myself married to my computer. And that's not a good thing. So within the next two months I'm committing to rejoining a gym or finding some intramural activity to participate in. I do value my health. And I feel blessed to have it as I do. And it's an ongoing responsibility and experiment, that much I've learned over the years. 

--- Derrick Mathis
Los Angeles


How are you healthy?

Join in the conversation.
Tell us HERE. Send a pic to the same place.
And we'll blog it, right here.
Read past posts.
Learn more about the campaign.

Deadline to Ride Lobby Days Bus Extended to January 24!

Save Our State, Lobby Days 2011 is upon us and we’re gearing up fast! The AIDS Foundation of Chicago is hoping to send as many AIDS advocates as possible to the 2011 HIV/AIDS Lobby Days in Springfield on March 2, 2011, but times are tough and we’re anticipating a decrease in the number of scholarships we are able to offer this year. We are working to get a fleet of buses for this event so that we can transport as many Chicago-area advocates down as possible, and are offering the opportunity for organizations and individuals to reserve and pay for spots at a very affordable rate (around $35 per seat roundtrip).

If you or your organization are interested in participating, please contact Pete at psubkoviak@aidschicago.org. The bus will depart from downtown Chicago at 6 a.m. and return around 6 or 7 p.m on March 2nd, 2011.

We will need the final number of seats you or your organization want to reserve by January 24th, 2011. You will be responsible for the cost of all seats you reserve. Seat availability on a first come, first serve basis.

LifeLube's "It's Not Just Faggot!" forum - a recap

recap by John Garver of the Project CRYSP team

Last Wednesday, December 8, about 100 people joined  LifeLube and Project CRYSP for another one of our fabulous community forums at Center on Halsted titled “It’s Not Just ‘Faggot!’ End Homophobia Now.”

Simone Koehlinger (former director of the city's Office of LGBT Health and current consultant with the Cook County Department of Public Health) moderated the town hall discussion between the audience and panelists Keith Green of the Chicago Black Gay Men’s Caucus, Rick Garcia of Equality Illinois, and Lois Bates of Howard Brown Health Center.

Here are some highlights from the discussion:

The panelists helped first to expand the notion of “homophobia” as something beyond a fear of those who are in same-sex relationships. Keith Green addressed the existence of “institutionalized homophobia” wherein larger social systems reinforce messages about being “second-class citizens” through policies such as Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (DADT) and the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which in turn shape one’s self-concept, self-esteem, and sense of self-efficacy. Addressing his own experience as a youth and that of youth today, Keith discussed what is at stake when teachers don’t teach comprehensive sex education. What happens when LGBT youth don’t find themselves represented by educators or as part of the conversation when they try to learn about their sexual health and preventing HIV? Keith also discussed the need to consider the role of sexism.

The above word cloud reflects the prominence
of different words and themes that came
up during the discussion.

Rick Garcia provided information around the work he and Equality Illinois are doing in the political sphere with regard to civil unions and marriage equality—how did we get to civil unions and where do we go from here. Rick also addressed the need to make schools safe for LGBT youth from discrimination and hate, both physically and emotionally. He called upon audience members to hold Chicago’s future mayor accountable for ensuring safety in schools and the need to know the mayoral candidates’ positions with respect to these issues.

Rick also emphasized that the political effort is shaped largely by personal experiences—that a politician from a conservative district might vote for civil unions because their best friend is gay, and that friendship brings the reminder of our shared humanity.

Lois Bates discussed the ways in which “faggot” is a term used to describe lots of people who do not live up to cultural expectations about masculinity and femininity. Lois addressed the need to support and affirm LGBT people who are in the military, the Boy Scouts, neighborhoods, or schools where homophobia or heterosexism is well-inculcated.

On the front lines, bullets aren’t discriminating, so LGBT people in the military who are discriminated against need support. Lois noted how language and action fracture the sense of community and equality that can move people forward and emphasized learning about our own community so that we can stand up for every part of it. How can we make sure that everyone is on the bus in the ride toward equality?

Simone and audience members asked questions about “compromise” in moving legislation forward to advance equal rights; speculation on a future 50 years from now; the role of churches; “bigotry” as a replacement term for “homophobia”; uniting rather than dividing Chicago’s neighborhoods and communities, while ensuring that every community is safe and nurturing; transferring what’s happening in academia into the streets; and future actions to end “homophobia” now!

Click here for more photos from the forum.

Click here for the Windy City Times coverage of this forum. 

Click here for info on past and future forums.

Deadline to Apply to IL ASAP Extended to December 20th!

The deadline to apply to join IL ASAP has been extended to December 20th!

Illinois Alliance for Sound AIDS Policy (IL ASAP) is a project of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) to develop, nurture, and support statewide policy and advocacy leaders in Illinois. IL ASAP exists to increase the number of people involved in HIV advocacy, and build stronger bonds within and between every region of the state.

This year, IL ASAP will choose up to five new members to join our advocacy group; members will have great opportunity and responsibility to push for fair policies regarding HIV/AIDS.

Read more and consider applying today!

Barcelona Welcomes Family Values Pope With a Big Gay Kiss - VIDEO

Pope attacks gay marriage in Spain, gays kiss in protest (Reuters)

Chicago AIDS Run and Walk 2010 - PHOTOS

Lot's of great photos of all the folks who showed up in less-than-lovely weather this past Saturday in Chicago.

Click here to see the whole set.

Save our State - 2010 AIDS Run/Walk Chicago Needs YOU to Help Avoid a Shipwreck

Looking for volunteers to enlist!

Gearing up for the 2010 AIDS Run/Walk? Wanna add a sailor hat into the mix? This year, AFC’s policy department will be gearing up sailor-style to Save Our State.

The-Titanic-is-sinking-themed tent will urge event participants to learn more about Illinois’ budget crisis and how they can fight to change it - plus folks can play our Save to State game and win a free t-shirt! In addition, AFC will be running a separate tent to register Illinois residents to vote.

All this madness means only one thing – WE NEED YOU! You can sign up for a two-hour shift at either tent, or donate whatever time you have. Please reply to psubkoviak@aidschicago.org and specify the tent and time you’d like to help out.

 2010 AIDS Run and Walk Advocacy Volunteers

Saturday, October 2nd

7am-1pm (shifts from 7-9, 9-11, 11-1)

Grant Park – Columbus and Balbo

Chicago

A Day With HIV in America - Take a picture, it lasts longer

A nationwide photo essay sponsored by Positively Aware magazine

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO LIVE WITH HIV?

Positively Aware wants you to think about that question. Because, whether you’re positive or negative, we are all affected by HIV.

On Sept. 21, take a snapshot of a moment from your everday life. Use your digital camera or cell phone camera, and capture a scene: Getting ready for work. Hanging out with friends. Spending a quiet moment alone. Caring for someone with HIV. The idea is to come up with your own response to the question, What does it mean to live with HIV?

Make it happen.

"That's not judicial activism. That's judicial responsibility (bitch!)"

I gotta say, after your appearance today, I don’t understand how you ever lost a case in the supreme court, sir.



This morning (Sunday), Ted Olson — the conservative lawyer who represented President Bush in Bush v. Gore — appeared on Fox News Sunday to discuss his recent victory in overturning Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriages in California. Throughout the interview, host Chris Wallace attempted to trip up his guest with a series of familiar Republican talking points, all of which Olson repudiated.

Read more on The Wonk Room, and watch the video!

30 Years of Advocacy: Black & White Men Together Celebrate DIVERSITY

[part 1 of 2]

...commitment to a kaleidoscope of social justice issues rather than pandering to stereotypes or promoting a racist module of creating a group for people who prefer dating others based on their race or ethnicity. 

by Cornelius Mabin

The National Association Black and White Men Together (NA) is a nationwide collective network of affiliated and developing chapters in over 20 cities that identify themselves as Black and White Men Together (BWMT), Men of All Colors Together (MACT), or People of All Colors Together (PACT) in keeping with the cultural dynamics of their respective areas.

Conceived conceptually by Michael Smith in 1980 in San Francisco, the organization offered an outlet for individuals and couples sharing their lives inter-racially amidst racial challenges within gay male culture.

Two fundamental objectives guided the group and its many local chapters. First, was to explore our own attractions to men of different colors and ethnic backgrounds as well as it's impact in  a racially segregated society. And secondly, to began seeking answers about overt racism that were witnessed as a part of the gay construct.

With the success of it's initial beginning from posted ads in The Advocate and other news sources, BWMT's unique appeal and message grew additional chapters incrementally. Ultimately creating a national entity known as the "NA" to centralize it's leadership while designating support for local endeavors.

Continued development of the organization’s mission required additional structure and direction resulting in adopting it's Statement of Purpose citing NABWMT as “a gay, multiracial, multicultural organization committed to fostering supportive environments wherein racial and cultural barriers can be overcome and the goal of human equality realized. To these ends, we engage in educational, political, cultural and social activities as a means of dealing with the racism, sexism, homophobia, HIV/AIDS discrimination and other inequities in our communities and in our lives.”

During it's 30 year odyssey, the organization has pursued the course of addressing systemic oppression and cultural indifference with numerous coordinated projects such as a 1983 Discrimination Response System in reference to local bars with excessive carding  practices resulting in discrimination complaints with the Washington, D.C. Office of Human Rights. During the 1988 Boston convention, the group formed the National Task Force on AIDS Prevention funded in part by the first million dollar Centers for Disease Control and Prevention grant.

Continuing to confront racism and homophobia, NABWMT established the Bush-Mallon Institute, offering workshops with trained facilitators to it's network of chapters, community organizations and Fortune 500 companies across the nation as well as published a supportive reference manual utilized for the program.

Throughout the nation, local chapters have participated in pantry drives, health fairs, Pride activities, eco activities and social interaction agendas determined by individual chapter members and leadership.

By it's nature and namesake, the organization over the decades has had it's detractors and espoused misconceptions concerning it's goals and motivations. As a revolutionary concept from it's inception, NABWMT has affirmed and demonstrated through it's enduring work, its commitment to a kaleidoscope of social justice issues rather than pandering to stereotypes or promoting a racist module of creating a group for people who prefer dating others based on their race or ethnicity.

The iconic legacy has set the tone for the future of the organization, while mandating that human rights messages continue to resonate in the 21st century.  


Part 2 in LifeLube tomorrow will detail information about the NA’s upcoming 30th Anniversary Convention called DIVERSE 2010, in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, July 26th - August 1st.  Click for more information about Chicago’s excellent chapter, Men of All Colors Together.

Mixner: What happened to silence = death?

[sing it sister]

Ask yourself: Have I been tested for HIV in the last year? Have I talked about HIV with my partners? Have I reached out to friends that I’m worried about, who may be at risk?

via dcagenda, by David Mixner

If you listen to gay rights discussions these days, you’d think that marriage equality and “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” are the only issues that matter. And they do matter — for our dignity and our fundamental civil rights. But there is a fire in our house that we are no longer talking about, that we pretend no longer exists: the unchecked spread of HIV.

Not only did HIV never leave the gay community, it’s getting worse. New HIV infections among gay men have doubled in the last 15 years. Last week, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention reported that gay and bisexual men are more than 44 times as likely as straight men to test positive for HIV. But instead of increasing funding in response, states are slashing their prevention budgets.

Amid this crisis, the silence from our community is deafening. Where’s the outrage? Where’s the protest? Understandably, after decades of coping with AIDS, we’ve been eager to change the subject. But in our impatience to move on, we’ve overshot the mark. Our silence is fueling the spread of HIV.

Read the rest.

"Everybody needs to take a small risk, and maybe get into a little bit of trouble"

Visit http://GetEQUAL.org to sign the pledge, along with 10-year-old Will Phillips and thousands of others who want to take action for full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people.

How is Greg Sanchez III healthy?

Freeing my voice and speaking of my story my testimony and helping others did something to me...I believe it bought me purpose and something to look forward to. 

How does a 44 yr old man manage ADHD and live with AIDS for 25yrs?

I strive to stay healthy and look great!

I have been procrastinating a bit when it comes to getting up the focus and sit still long enough to write what my experience has been. 

I like to be in a space where I am clear and it is filled with optimism about the future, but still hold true of the ups and downs of managing HIV. For me and I am sure for many life throws you curve balls and before ya know it , your in a place you never thought you'd be. I remember at 19yrs old I was thinking I would be gone by now at 44,... fast forwarding in my mind years ago and low and behold I'm still kicking.

I currently take about 16 pills lower than the once 32 pills I had to take for different reasons not just because of having AIDS. I'm quite the pro at throwing down my pills without gagging. Along with the HIV medication I'm on Epivir and Isentress, I take ADHD medication, sleep medication, pain medication, medication for neurapathy,cholesterol, anxiety, depression,IV Immuno globulin, herbs and vitamins. But hey I'm told I look great even though sometimes I don't feel the best. 

When I first found out I was positive I went into denial. In the 80's, I was living in Indiana and everybody was scared of what the big disease with the little name was and how it was spread. I went inward and did nothing about it for years.When I did finally deal with it my t-cells were 219 in the 90's. In 1993 was in the hospital with PCP, In 1997 I was diagnosed with AIDS since then my basline has never went beyond 550 t-cells but am undetectable. 

Later in life in 1990 I was in an ex Gay ministry and was a fanatic about sticking to healing, herbs, lots of supplements and exercise. People would say I could be healed if I really believed. I was somewaht healthy but lost ALOT of weight, I looked unhealthy. This mentality lasted for so long then I began to ease up on my over obsession with doing everything in access to stay alive, I was scared though afterall I was so very young I had my whole life to live and this wasn't part of the plan, I didn't want to die in my early 20's.

Fast forward -  I escaped the ex Gay ministry with a belief system that was not traditional but one in which I could embrace and I needed , thanks to a Pastor from Hospice that met with me religiously every 2 weeks.He believed there was purpouse for me, ...while I was so ready to denounce my hope and beleifs in GOD or something bigger than me.I had to make sense of my life. My beliefs were so important to have comfort, for survival and to believe maybe I'd be alive when a cure comes. 

The biggest difference was that I could tell my attitude and personality changed for the better when I began to get involved with HIV/AIDS Education, Advocacy and Activism. Freeing my voice and speaking of my story my testimony and helping others did something to me...I believe it bought me purpose and something to look forward to. 

I love helping people, seeing people grow, become active or enlightened about their purpose..in a sense passing the torch on for others to light the way and discovering their voice. I believe silence is not healthy and to keep in shame , regret, embarrassment or feeling bad about yourself isn't good. I know speaking out and being vocal isn't for everyone, but for me it was what made me soar. It wasn't about me focusing on me but on others and that took the constant worry of my own life. 

One of the biggest obstacles in managing HIV/AIDS was managing the ADHD first so I could develop a way to take my meds right, catch myself in hyperactive mode and not bite more off than I could chew. I am one for doing several projects at once, but my brain is going so fast that my body has a hard time catching up with it. Because ADHD comes with it's unique individual to individual co-morbid symptoms that follow include depression ,anxiety and impulsiveness...  my road has been a bit of a roller coaster at times.So for me alot of this balance came after managing ADHD. 

Then there is SAD to deal with so it feels great spring is coming I need the sunlight. I am not immune to addictions and have had and can still have times when these weaknesses want to pull you back down. I believe that for me being happy is important, having purpose in life-the exchange of giving and receiving, listening and learning, being involved in life. I have a tendency to go inwards when something triggers the depression and it can become quite debilitating.

I have alot of health problems but I cope with it. I can go on and on about being in the hospital, procedures done on me, all my current health problems, but right now I am focusing on rising above some recent difficulties I've been having with my health.vI think having a lot of loving friends who care for me is key, I think helping others is key, exercise is key, lifting your voice is key, finding strength in people who believe in you and are positive for you but allow you the freedom to be down when you need to feel sadness..

I always say just don't stay there..let it be but then get up wipe yourself off and move on.I have the support of some of my family and seem to have more support from my surrogate family, my non biological family. I don't waste my time with people who don't see me and what I can contribute. I have learned to knock at the door and bring forth from my memory what I have learned from my former mentors that are no longer living but have passed on and are asleep now, some people don't open the door for more progressive ideas so I don't waste my time anymore, there are other avenues. 

I have seen too much suffering, death, but I've also witnessed remarkable stories of survival. I think I need to be true to my own testimony  never forgetting the message that we still have alot to do and evidently I still have lots to do. 

I have fun , I joke, I'm a kid at heart, I say what I need to say , good ,bad or indifferent, there is something to be said for being authentic even if the next person does not agree. We all play a part, the mover , the shaker, the peacemaker.I can be too serious and intense I am well aware of this, none the less I still have a place in this world where this person is needed.I have the support and Love of my BF Billy and Tyson and miss Daisy my pets. I try to be balanced about my life/moderation and not so hard on myself anymore. History along with the present needs to be told. 

I know I belong here on this planet right now and with a unison of others will be part of change somehow. I'm not going anywhere anytime soon.

God at least I hope not.

 -- Gregory Sanchez III
Chicago

How are you healthy?
Join in the conversation.
Tell us HERE. Send a pic to the same place.
And we'll blog it, right here. 
Read past posts.
Learn more about the campaign.