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AIDS 2012: “Keep the Promise” march draws more than 2,000

Marchers demanded President Obama and others do more to combat HIV/AIDS

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HIV/AIDS activists march along 15th Street, N.W. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

More than 2,000 HIV/AIDS activists from around the world took part in the ā€œMake the Promiseā€ march through downtown Washington on Sunday.

The Rev. Al Sharpton, journalist Tavis Smiley, Dr. Cornel West and former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young were among those who urged President Obama and other elected officials to do more to combat the domestic epidemic during an earlier rally near the Washington Monument.

ā€œWe believe today will be the start of a turning point in the battle against AIDS,ā€ said AIDS Healthcare Foundation President Michael Weinstein during a pre-rally press conference. ā€œToday is not just about a march on Washington to end AIDS; this is about a rebirth of AIDS activism across this country. Our message today is the war against AIDS has not been won. Our message today is that the world must keep its promise. Now is not the time to withdraw and also today that the voices of people living with HIV in this organization will be heard.ā€

The gathering took place hours before Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, California Congresswoman Barbara Lee and others spoke at the International AIDS Conferenceā€™s opening plenary at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Obama is scheduled to address the gathering later this week in a short video message, but the AIDS Healthcare Foundation and some HIV/AIDS activists have criticized him for not attending the conference in person. (Comedian Margaret Cho, who emceed the ā€œKeep the Promiseā€ rally, noted that the president actually flew over the Mall during the event on his way to meet with victims of the Aurora, Colo, movie theater massacre and their families.)

ā€œ[AIDS] is such an important issue ā€” it is a global issue,ā€ Cho told the Blade before the rally as she responded to a question about Obamaā€™s absence from the International AIDS Conference. ā€œIt is something that we really need to talk about and deal with and so itā€™s disappointing to think that he wouldnā€™t be there, but at the same time the fact weā€™re all here ā€” we are American. Weā€™re the world and thatā€™s all that matters. This is really for us and it will inspire I think the government to get more involved when they see all these people out here dealing with this, talking about this, celebrating ourselves.ā€

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which organized the rally and march, has repeatedly criticized the White House for what it maintains is the administration’s inadequate response to the epidemic. In addition to the presidentā€™s decision not to speak at AIDS 2012, the organization has criticized Obama for cutting funding for the Presidentā€™s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. It has also accused the administration of not doing enough to eliminate AIDS Drug Assistance Program waiting lists.

ā€œNo matter how well-intentioned he is, no matter how much better he is than the other choice, he will end up another garden variety politician,ā€ said Smiley. ā€œHe will be transactional and not transformational if we donā€™t… in the spirit of love hold him accountable.ā€

Weinstein also asked Smiley and West on stage to discuss the role that homophobia within the black community impacts the HIV/AIDS epidemic in this country.

ā€œWe got to recognize that homophobia is as evil as white supremacy, as male supremacy, as anti-Jewish hatred, anti-other bigotry and anti-Islam sensibility,ā€ said West. ā€œWe want integrity and consistency and the only way to get it is youā€™ve got to bare witness.ā€

Sharpton highlighted marriage rights for same-sex couples and other civil rights struggles during his speech. He also singled out the black church and other faith traditions for not doing enough to combat HIV/AIDS.

ā€œThey have not dealt with the issue because of their own bias and their own homophobia and their own misconception of what this is,ā€ said Sharpton. ā€œJesus healed people. He didnā€™t interviewed people. He never asked people why they were sick, all he asked is do you want to be made whole. Your job reverend, your job rabbi, your job imam is not to condemn people; itā€™s to heal people. And if youā€™re not down with the healing, you need to turn in your collar and get another kind of vocation.ā€

 

Cho: We need a cure

Cho said her HIV/AIDS activism began in San Francisco as a teenager during the height of the epidemic in the 1980s.

ā€œIt was a really disheartening thing to grow up around the disease and watching it actually kill people. I would see particularly healthy grown men really in the prime of their lives and everyday I would see them slowly start to succumb to the disease,ā€ she told the Blade. ā€œIt was really a terrible awakening about mortality and the terrible nature of an incurable disease and also the incredible ignorance and suffering around it in the community in San Francisco and the gay community. It was so tough.ā€

More than three decades after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported the first cases of what became known as AIDS, Cho said that this country has made ā€œgreat stridesā€ in helping people live with HIV. She stressed that she feels a number of challenges remain in the fight against the virus.

ā€œThereā€™s this idea that AIDS is gone, itā€™s over,ā€ said Cho. ā€œA lot of young people are not paying attention to the way I was raised with it. In my culture there was so much fear around it. There was a lot of not knowing the facts. At this point in time, 30 years later, the fear has subsided. Itā€™s become a kind of apathy.ā€

Cho further reflected upon the march when asked about Washingtonā€™s HIV rates, which are among the highest in the world.

ā€œEvery time thereā€™s a march on Washington, it is really an inspiring thing,ā€ she said, noting she attended the 2000 Millennium March on Washington for gay rights. ā€œIt was so amazing and I really feel like that march really led to people starting to realize that gay marriage can happen and now weā€™re seeing that over the last 12 years. Itā€™s taken 12 years, but weā€™re starting to see it happen. That was I think a catalyst. When we have a march on Washington ā€” and this is solely devoted to awareness, AIDS awareness, AIDS education and really just healing this city ā€” thatā€™s really powerful.ā€

Those who attended the ā€œKeep the Promiseā€ march and rally shared Choā€™s activism towards ending the epidemic.

ā€œThe citizens of this country need to step up,ā€ said Omar Lopez of Austin, Tex., who was discharged from the Navy after he said he was falsely accused of being HIV-positive. ā€œThey need to get educated, stop being tabooed about it, stop being stigmatized. It doesnā€™t discriminate.ā€

Christine Dubreeze, an HIV/AIDS service provider who works with South African farm workers, told the Blade that she hopes groups that work with people living with the virus receive adequate funding from governments, UNAIDS and other global bodies.

ā€œThe most important [thing] is medication and really the use of condoms,ā€ she said as she marched along 15th Street, N.W., near the Wilson Building. ā€œBut people donā€™t change their attitudes and their behaviors.ā€

(Washington Blade photo gallery by Michael Key)

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Health

UNAIDS to commemorate Zero Discrimination Dayā€™s 10th anniversary

UN agency urges global action to protect human rights

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A UNAIDS anti-discrimination exhibit at Tocumen International Airport in Panama in 2018. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

As the world marks the 10th anniversary of Zero Discrimination Day; UNAIDS is sounding the alarm on the increasing threats to human rights, calling for renewed efforts to protect the rights of all individuals as a fundamental step towards ensuring health for everyone.

Established by UNAIDS a decade ago, Zero Discrimination Day aims to promote equality and fairness regardless of gender, age, sexuality, ethnicity or HIV status. The progress achieved over the past years is now in jeopardy, however, due to rising attacks on the rights of women, LGBTQ people and other marginalized communities.

UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima emphasized the critical link between protecting human rights and safeguarding public health. 

“The attacks on rights are a threat to freedom and democracy and are harmful to health,ā€ she said in a press release. ā€œStigma and discrimination obstruct HIV prevention, testing, treatment and care and hold back progress towards ending AIDS by 2030. It is only by protecting everyoneā€™s rights that we can protect everyoneā€™s health.”

Despite challenges, there has been notable progress. 

At the onset of the AIDS pandemic more than 40 years ago, two-thirds of countries criminalized consensual same-sex sexual relations. They are now decriminalized in two-thirds of countries. An additional 38 countries around the world have pledged to end HIV-related stigma and discrimination, contributing to positive changes that include 50 million more girls attending school compared to 2015.

To sustain and enhance these advancements; UNAIDS urges global support for womenā€™s rights movements, LGBTQ rights, racial justice, economic justice, climate justice and peace initiatives. By standing with communities advocating for their rights, the U.N. aims to reinforce the collective effort towards a more inclusive and equitable world.

Zero Discrimination Day is observed on March 1.

Events and activities that will take place around the world throughout the month will serve as reminders of the essential lesson and call to action: Protecting everyoneā€™s health is synonymous with protecting everyoneā€™s rights.

“Through upholding rights for all, we will be able to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and secure a safer, fairer, kinder and happier world ā€” for everyone,” said Byanyima.

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Health

New CDC report finds transgender women at higher risk for HIV

More than 1,600 people in seven cities surveyed

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta (Photo courtesy of the CDC)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a new study report this week that revealed that restricted by employment and housing discrimination and lack of access to needed gender-affirming healthcare for transgender women increasing the risk of contracting HIV. 

Researchers reviewed data from a 2019-2020 survey, theĀ National HIV Behavioral Surveillance Among Transgender Women, which found that the demographics of HIV/AIDS have been disproportionally high, especially among Black and Latina trans women, who had experienced employment and housing discrimination coupled with lack of access to gender-affirming healthcare.

The Jan. 25Ā Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report was based on data studies of more than 1,600 trans women in seven major urban locales. Participants from Atlanta, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle were chosen by referrals from people and community-based organizations who knew or were part of the local population of trans women.

The studyā€™s researchers noted: ā€œEmployment discrimination occurs at the overlapping nexus of poverty, homelessness, incarceration, health insurance, disability, food insecurity and survival sex work. These issues are interconnected.ā€

The study stated that trans womenā€™s inability to access quality healthcare, including gender-affirming treatment or access to PrEP, and can expose them to potential incarceration as many turn to ā€œsurvival sex workā€ and violence, which increases the risk of contracting HIV. 

The studyā€™s authorā€™s pointed out: ā€œWhen economically marginalized transgender women are refused employment, this refusal cyclically contributes to economic hardships. This analysis ā€¦demonstrates the importance of transgender women working and living with dignity and without fear of unfair treatment.ā€

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Health

A Whole New Perspective on Well-Being

The Matherā€™s team recognizes that everyoneā€™s wellness journey is completely unique to their life experiences and influences.

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The Mather is incorporating biophilic designā€”a design approach to facilitate access to nature or things that replicate natural patterns.

Itā€™s easy to spot the distinctive, elegant silhouette of The Mather, a Life Plan Community for those 62+ opening this spring in Tysons, Virginia. What is not apparent to the naked eye is The Matherā€™s unique wellness philosophy, which is literally built into the community.Ā 

The Matherā€™s team recognizes that everyoneā€™s wellness journey is completely unique to their life experiences and influences.

Nature is one of the important factors that contribute to well-being. So The Mather is incorporating biophilic designā€”a design approach to facilitate access to nature or things that replicate natural patterns. This can include interior spaces with sightlines to a garden, choosing natural wood and stone as interior materials, or incorporating fragrant flowers and plants indoors to spark memories and provide tactile opportunities such as gardening.Ā 

Residents of The Mather will be able to select from plentiful amenities, programs, and other offerings to target their personal wellness goals and preferences.

ā€œProviding biophilic design within interior settings connects residents to the natural world,ā€ says Mary Leary, CEO and President of Mather, the organization behind The Mather. ā€œResearch shows that a connection to nature provides positive benefits to mental states and overall well-being. At The Mather, biophilic design is the intersection of buildings and programs with nature in an urban setting.ā€

ā€œThe Mather is attracting a diverse group of older adults,ā€ says Mary. ā€œAs a result, we aim to incorporate wellness practices from around the world, including Wyda movement theory of the Celtic Druids, which helps people achieve harmony with nature and contentment through mindfulness.ā€ This holistic regenerative approach is similar to Qi Gong and yoga, while born in a different part of the world. Mather Institute has a special focus on mindfulness to support older adultsā€™ practice of present moment awareness, which can lead to increased overall well-being, compassion, and joy.

A very different example of a wellness offering at The Mather is the Gharieni Welnamis spa wave bed, which uses computer-controlled vibrational therapy and audio frequencies to train the brain to relax. ā€œThe bed increases mindfulness, concentration, and creativityā€”all of which support our mission of creating Ways to Age Well,SMā€ says Mary.

These and other personalized ways to wellness will ensure that residents of The Mather can choose from seemingly countless ways to focus on their well-being. In other words, the skyā€™s the limit!

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