HIV/AIDS Activists Complain of Unfair Treatment by U.S. Attorney's Office

via HuffPost Gay Voices, by Arin Greenwood

WASHINGTON -- Last April, a dozen HIV/AIDS activists chained themselves together inside the office of House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) and were arrested on federal charges.

They were protesting cuts to HIV/AIDS programs and a proposal that would have prevented the District of Columbia from spending its own money for needle exchange programs. (The needle exchange restriction was ultimately dropped in the final budget deal.)

The same day, 41 D.C. voting rights activists, including Mayor Vincent Gray, also were arrested on Capitol Hill. They were charged with misdemeanors by the D.C. attorney general. Most, including the mayor, paid a $50 fine.

Some of the HIV/AIDS protestors, along with their supporters, gathered Wednesday on the steps of the D.C. government's Wilson Building in an effort to get the charges against them dropped by the U.S. Attorney's Office.

They complained that compared with the voting rights activists, the HIV/AIDS protestors have been treated harshly.

One of the HIV/AIDS activists is Antonio Davis, a paralegal from Philadelphia who said he's been subjected to especially punitive treatment by prosecutors.

Davis was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in 2002. He was also recently diagnosed with a painful joint disease. His doctor recommends that he use medical marijuana to manage his pain and to increase his appetite, Davis said.

The first prosecutor handling the activists' case ordered each person who had been arrested to pass three drug tests as a condition for having charges dropped. Davis' tests showed the presence of marijuana.

There have been three prosecutors on the case by now, and the activists complained that each has set new conditions and failed to fulfill promises made by previous prosecutors.

The other activists have been offered community service in exchange for the charges being dropped -- though they complain that prosecutors have twice refused to recognize the service.


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Op-ed: Our Groups Need More Color in Their Rainbow

via Advocate, by Jimmy Nguyen op-ed contributor

The rainbow flag, the very the symbol of gay pride, represents both our aspirations and the diversity of our population. 

Yet the top of the gay community’s rainbow — the leadership tier of LGBT non-profit organizations — is more awash in white than any other color. 

At the executive director position, LGBT groups have historically been led almost exclusively by white men. 

A step down at the board level, gay non-profits have tried for years to recruit members who better match the racial diversity of America.

After all this time talking about the need for greater racial inclusion, it’s time LGBT entities did better in finding leaders who represent the full spectrum of colors.

The figures are troubling, especially at the very top.  In 2008, only 4% of executive directors of LGBT organizations were people of color.

That figure comes from The Pipeline Project, a group formed to develop LGBT leaders who reflect our multicultural, multiethnic community. 

It is a far cry from the 36% of the U.S. population who self-identifies as a racial minority.  And our 4% is one-third less than non-profit groups in general. 

While I have not come across more recent statistics, it’s hard to imagine racial diversity among executive directors has dramatically improved in the past few years.

Executive directors act as faces to the public of their organizations and the overall LGBT movement; it is critical that those faces be as diverse as possible.

Because the LGBT population is itself a minority group, it is sadly ironic that our organizations need their own diversity initiatives.

In the boardroom, the picture is better but still lacking.  At the major LGBT non-profit entities, only 25% of board members are racial minorities, according to the 2011 annual National LGBT Movement Report released by the Movement Advancement Project, which studies the health of LGBT organizations. 

Despite efforts to improve board diversity, the 25% figure has not materially changed from the prior year.  While the MAP study does not capture data from all gay non-profit entities, it represents a good cross-section.

The 2011 report (summarizing 2010 data) covered 40 of the most prominent groups that collectively control 71% of the budgets from known gay organizations. 

Luckily, LGBT non-profit entities are doing well at the staff level. 

MAP found that 32% of staff members at participating organizations identify themselves as people of color.

This more closely tracks with the 36% figure for the U.S. population.

Why is the leadership of our LGBT organizations so awash in white?  Let’s begin with the elephant in the room. 

The gay community needs to be more racially inclusive – not just in its organizational structures and political strategies, but in its social fabric. 

Ethnic minority groups still are not as integrated into the gay world as they should be. 

That isn’t to say Caucasian people have no racial minority friends, but it is a fair observation that their social circles tend to be less racially diverse. 

This spills over into the milieu of “A-gay” charity events, where the people who historically run the show (often gay white men) invite people they know (usually more gay white men than racial minorities) to attend, contribute money or support in other ways. 

Trust me, I’ve showed up at many gay fundraisers to find myself as an Asian man just one amongst a limited number of racial minority people in the ballroom.  That results in fewer people of color getting exposure to the good work of LGBT organizations.

In turn, this affects boardroom composition. With leaders of LGBT entities being less diverse, so too are their social circles, which they reach out to for recruiting prospective board members. 

This leads to a spiraling cycle that makes it difficult for non-profit groups to improve their ethnic diversity.
 
Adding to the challenge is the money factor. For executive directors and board members, a big part of their job is to solicit donations from people who have money or strong business relationships to leverage. 

That immediately starts filtering out some people of color from the contact list.  There are, of course, many LGBT racial minorities who are professionally successful. 

But it’s the cold hard truth that an income disparity still exists in America between whites and racial minorities (irrespective of sexual orientation) even with the same level of educational attainment. 

This monetary discrepancy leaves racial minorities less likely to be invited into LGBT leadership.  I’ve experienced this myself during my time on an LGBT board. 

I would look through my contact list to see who amongst my friends had the financial means to make a significant donation or had business contacts that would be valuable. 

Fewer of my racial minority friends fit that bill than my Caucasian colleagues.

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with having gay, white men at the top (just as there is nothing inherently wrong with straight, white male leaders). 

But we need more color not just for atmospherics; we need itto help win the gay civil rights movement. 


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Youth Activisim for a Better Tomorrow

via HuffPost Gay Voices, by Warren J. Blumenfeld

It was a brilliantly sunny, though rather cool, mid-June afternoon in Boston. Banners flying, music blasting, people of all walks of life assembled, reuniting, greeting, embracing, kissing, catching up on lives lived in the space between.

The signal was given with a contagious cheer rising from the crowd, and for the next few hours the streets would be theirs:

Dykes on Bikes revving their engines; shirtless muscled young men dancing to a disco beat atop flatbed floats winding their way down the streets; dazzling drag queens in red and gold and silver; the Freedom Trail Marching Band trumpeting the call;

a black-and-white cocker spaniel wearing a sign announcing "DON'T ASSUME I'M STRAIGHT"; lesbian moms and gay dads pushing strollers or walking beside youth of all ages; Gays for Patsy Klein decked out in their finest country duds, two-stepping down the boulevard;

AIDS activists falling to the pavement of those same boulevards in mock death to expose governmental and societal inaction, which is still killing so many; married same-sex couples walking hand in hand;

Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (P-FLAG) proclaiming "WE ARE PROUD OF OUR LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER SONS AND DAUGHTERS";

alongside political, social, and service organizations, business and religious caucuses of all stripes and denominations, and of course, bystanders watching the procession, holding court from the sidelines.

And in the midst of this merriment and this protest, the humorous posters and angry placards, the enormous rainbow balloon sculptures arching overhead, and the colorful streamers and glistening "fairy dust" wafting down from open windows, amid the shiny black leather and shimmering lamé,

the multicolored T-shirts and the drab business suits, came the youth, their radiant young faces catching the rays of the sun, marching side-by-side, hand-in-hand, their middle school, high school, and college Gay/Straight Alliance banners waving exaltedly in this storm of humanity, announcing their entry, their solidarity, their feisty outrage, and yes, their pride, chanting

"Two, Four, Six, Eight, Queer is Just as Good as Straight, Three, Five, Seven, Nine, LGBTs are Mighty Fine;" then, gaining intensity, singing, "Hey Hey, Ho Ho, Homophobia Has Got to Go," and then, as if hit by an all-consuming revelation, shouting, "We're Here, We're Queer, We're Not Going Back, We're NOT Going Back, WE'RE NOT GOING BACK!"

And indeed, they will not go back into those dank closets of fear and denial that stifles the spirit and ruins so many lives. Oh, they will physically return to their schools and their homes.

They will continue to study and play sports, to watch movies, listen to their iPods, and write about their days on Facebook, MySpace and Twitter.

Some will most likely continue to serve as community organizers, and some will go on to become parents, educators and political leaders once their school days are behind.

The place they will go to, though, is nowhere that can be seen. It is a place of consciousness that teaches those who have entered that everyone is diminished when any one of us is demeaned; that heterosexism, sexism, and bisexual, intersex, and transgender oppression (as well as all the other forms of oppression) have no place in a just society.

From the sidelines of the parade, beginning as a whisper and gaining to a mighty roar of support: "We are so glad you are here," came voices from the crowd.

"We wish we could have done this when we were in grade school and in college," cried others too numerous to count. "Thank you so much for your courage!"


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Op-ed: Let Your Money Talk to Help LGBT Organizations

via Advocate, by Jimmy Nguyen, op-ed contributor

I repeatedly hear and see criticism of LGBT organizations and their leaders.

The chatter machine gripes about why the Defense of Marriage Act hasn’t been repealed yet, why transgender persons are not always included in proposed legislation, and even why there is a glut of gay charity summer pool parties.

LGBT people sure like to talk about the work of gay social justice groups; but far too often, they criticize without doing much to help.

While serving on the board of directors for Equality California for the last few years, and while helping support other groups financially or otherwise, I found myself immersed in dialogue about the LGBT rights movement.

I’m all for constructive criticism. No entity or person is beyond reproach, and feedback from the community is always good.

But much criticism comes from people who donate no money to any LGBT group (let alone contribute time to serve).

In 2010, less than 3% of LGBT adults in the U.S. gave money to any national LGBT organizations; the number of donors who gave $35 or more to LGBT non-profits dropped 12%.

These disheartening statistics were reported by the Movement Advancement Project in its recently released 2011 National LGBT Movement Report. (Fortunately, the report found LGBT organizations remain fiscally healthy due to support from other sources.)

If the LGBT community wants progress toward full equality, the other 97% of us need to financially support the organizations that fight our fights.

With the holiday season and tax year-end upon us, now is the perfect time to contribute and let your money talk for you.

Why don’t LGBT people give money? Let’s debunk the most common reasons I hear.


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Winning the Battle Against HIV/AIDS

via Champions of Change, by David Ernesto Munar

Ed. Note: Champions of Change is a weekly initiative to highlight Americans who are making an impact in their communities and helping our country rise to meet the many challenges of the 21st century.

I am honored that the White House chose to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the HIV/AIDS pandemic with me and other openly HIV-positive organizers from across the country. We gathered recently with federal officials to reflect on the salient lessons learned and milestones marked in the fight against HIV/AIDS over the past three decades.

Reflecting on this solemn occasion stirs a mix of emotions.

In 30 years, HIV has caused tremendous loss and human suffering in every corner of the inhabited world. But it has also inspired heroic acts of kindness, generosity, and leadership. Looking back, we must laud the significant medical, political, and scientific advances achieved but also sustain a firm understanding of the unfinished work that lies ahead. With record numbers of people living with HIV and increasing numbers of new infections, we must reinvigorate efforts to provide people with and at risk for HIV/AIDS with the health and social services, housing, prevention, and human-rights protections they so desperately need and deserve. HIV knows no borders and neither should our compassion and actions.

Recognizing the rapid maturity of HIV medical, behavioral and social sciences, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now considers HIV a winnable battle. To truly win the future, the U.S. must not relent until we’ve won the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Read more.

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.

How is Louis Spraggins healthy?

I try to keep the joy in my life

I try to live in moderation in terms of alcohol, fatty foods, and other vices.

But what I believe really makes me healthy is my ongoing effort to keep life’s stresses in check.

I try to keep the joy in my life, even in the most simple ways, like by letting myself enjoy a video game here or there, going through my daily affirmations, or by talking to a friend.

-- Louis Spraggins
Chicago

How are you healthy?
Join in the conversation.
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Corduroy Skirts are a Sin

Last week at Syracuse University, Michelle Deferio, Syracuse resident (not student), and her father stood on a street corner on campus holding a sign that read, “Homosexuality is a sin, Christ can set you free.”

Chris Pesto, a junior drama major, decided to take action.

In his own words, on a facebook note about the protest, Chris wrote:

Today (Wednesday, November 18th) I left my voice lesson and noticed two adults on campus holding signs that said “Homosexuality is a sin”. First, I would just like to say that I support people with their own opinions. I think that everyone is entitled to their right to think what they want. However, when someone comes on my campus, where I pay tuition to live, I don’t think it’s appropriate to rub such a hateful sign in someone’s face. I decided that because this woman thought it was okay to make me feel uncomfortable in my home, I would retaliate and make her feel just as uncomfortable, if not more.

Read the rest at F-Bomb.

Illinois HIV/AIDS Advocates Turn Out in Force for Fair Budget Rally

Thursday, June 18 at the Thompson Center

CHICAGO – In a massive midday turnout, thousands of children, students, parents and leading advocates of state and citywide organizations that provide badly needed human services to working families and low-income communities [including people living with and at risk for HIV/AIDS] here protested at the downtown Thompson Center June 18th against “doomsday” budget cuts approved by state lawmakers last month.

Read the rest on People's Weekly World



-FREE TRANSPORTATION TO SPRINGFIELD RALLY TUESDAY, JUNE 23: There is a massive rally planned for Tuesday 6/23 at 11:30 AM, when the legislature comes back into session for two days. Our partner SEIU is offering FREE bus transportation, but you must register in advance. Contact rose.white@seiuhcil.org or call 312-933-7726.

-OPEN LETTER: AFC released on June 18 an open letter to Illinois leaders detailing the impact of HIV funding cuts. Please read it and share it widely.

-IDPH BUDGET CUTS: The Governor’s Office released earlier this week a list of potential IDPH funding cuts. Note that the list includes HIV prevention for communities of color.

-ADVOCATE, ADVOCATE, ADVOCATE!!!! If you haven’t faxed your legislator yet, click here. Or download this letter, pass it around to everyone you know, and fax it back to AFC, and we’ll send it along to your legislators.

Sieze This Moment

Social Action and Spirituality
Via Sunfire

I’m a member of a YahooI group called Gay Mystics. Recently one of the members submitted a post on the question of whether Obama is an enlightened being. My first thought was that if enlightenment is actually the experience of discovering that you were really enlightened all along, then we all are enlightened beings.

Putting that aside, my own conviction is that if we expect Obama to be an avatar or savior he will deeply disappoint us. If we - and by we I mean all Americans who want peace, political justice, social equality and environmental security - can seize this moment when the forces that have been plundering our nation for their own personal gain have been, perhaps only temporarily, put on the defensive, then we have the possibility of making some progress toward the society and world we seek. We can’t say, “Let Obama do it.” We must put pressure on Congress and the administration to make the changes we need.

Read the rest.