Miscellaneous
Oldham resigns from leadership post of new AIDS coalition
Pozitively Healthy says it’s not NAPWA’s successor
David Waggoner, founder and publisher of the national AIDS magazine A&U, serves as one of two co-chairs of Pozitively Healthy’s steering committee. (Photo courtesy of Waggoner)
Frank Oldham, former executive director and CEO of the National Association of People With AIDS (NAPWA), resigned from the steering committee of a newly formed PWA coalition one week after organizers announced its founding.
The resignation came after AIDS activists, including people with HIV/AIDS, raised strong objections to the appointment of Oldham and four other former NAPWA officials to the steering committee of Pozitively Healthy.
Organizers of the new Washington, D.C.-based coalition said in a May 10 statement that it would serve as the voice for people living with HIV/AIDS in the United States.
The 30-year-old NAPWA shut its doors in February at the time it filed for bankruptcy. Bankruptcy court documents show it owed creditors more than $750,000 and Oldham owed NAPWA $88,360 in an unexplained “accounts receivable” claim.
Oldham left his post as head of NAPWA last November before news surfaced of the impending bankruptcy.
“The work of Pozitively Healthy is absolutely paramount to 1.2 million people living with HIV/AIDS,” Oldham said in a May 17 reader’s comment posted below a Washington Blade online story reporting the creation of the new PWA coalition.
“Pozitively Healthy’s work cannot be detracted by personal issues or any individuals,” Oldham said in his comment. “I am resigning from Pozitively Healthy’s Steering Committee at this time and will continue to work hard as a person living with HIV to ensure the success of the PLWHA movement as I have done since 1988.”
The May 10 statement by organizers announcing the founding of Pozitively Healthy says the new coalition will be an arm of the Washington, D.C.- based national AIDS group HealthHIV, which the statement says will manage and have full control over the coalition’s finances and infrastructure.
Brian Hujdich, executive director of HealthHIV, said he was troubled that initial reports of the launching of Pozitively Healthy by the Blade and other publications gave the incorrect impression that the new coalition was a “successor” to NAPWA.
“This coalition was not created as NAPWA’s successor, but was created to continue and expand a consumer voice that was somewhat lost with NAPWA and other HIV non-profit closures,” he said in an email to the Blade.
Hujdich also expressed concern that a photo of Oldham that accompanied the Blade story about the founding of Pozitively Healthy could have led some readers to believe Oldham would be leading the new coalition, even though the story reported that Oldham and the other former NAPWA officials would serve as volunteers with no role in the “fiscal affairs” of the new group.
In an interview with the Blade last week, Hujdich said Oldham and the other former NAPWA leaders, along with other members of the 16-member steering committee, would be responsible for developing policy and setting the agenda for Pozitively Healthy.
“There shouldn’t be an issue about their involvement,” he told the Blade. Noting that the former NAPWA officials have been involved for many years in advocating for people with HIV/AIDS, Hujdich asked, “Why wouldn’t we want to include their voice and give them an opportunity to do this?”
The statement announcing Pozitively Healthy’s founding says veteran Washington State AIDS activist Judi Billings, a former NAPWA board chair, would serve as one of two co-chairs of the Pozitively Healthy steering committee.
David Waggoner, founder and publisher of the Albany, N.Y.-based national AIDS magazine A&U, would serve as the other co-chair, according to the statement.
Waggoner told the Blade he and others involved in Pozitively Healthy envision it as a “truly diverse” coalition that includes individuals and organizations and people who are HIV negative as well as those living with HIV.
“I will seek out celebrities to work with us,” he said. “We’re going to get some big names,” including performing artists who have been involved in AIDS causes in the past.
Several readers who submitted comments to the Blade’s May 16 story about Pozitively Healthy – including Sean Strub, the longtime AIDS activist and founder of POZ Magazine – said their main concern was that at least five former NAPWA officials were named to the new group’s steering committee.
“It seems to me that before the NAPWA gang asks people with HIV around the country to support them in a new endeavor, they should be providing an explanation as to why the organization, under their leadership, went bankrupt,” Strub said in a May 17 reader’s comment.
“So far we’ve gotten zip, let alone any kind of accountability or transparency,” he said. “This has been a problem with NAPWA’s leadership for a number of years and I’m afraid the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior, so I’m not optimistic this new venture will be any different.”
Wisconsin AIDS activist and retired auditor Greg Milward, editor and publisher of the USAHIV.com blog, said he was troubled that HealthHIV and others involved with Pozitively Healthy announced the coalition’s formation and its 16-member steering committee as a fait accompli without seeking broader community input.
Hujdich said the formation of the initial 16-member steering committee represented the opening round of a process to recruit more members of both the committee and the coalition.
“We have received over 20 applications from the community to join the steering committee, as well as numerous requests to join the coalition,” Hujdich told the Blade in an email on May 21. “We are very pleased with the response and interest.”
He said Pozitively Healthy would release the names of new steering committee members after a “governance workgroup reviews all the applicants.” He didn’t say who served on the workgroup.
Waggoner said that, among other things, Pozitively Healthy plans to lobby Congress and the Obama administration to restore cuts in the AIDS Drug Assistance Program that came about through the budget sequestration law. ADAP subsidizes the cost of life-saving HIV drugs for low-income people without insurance.
He noted that although President Obama this week arranged to transfer funds from other federal health programs to add $35 million to ADAP, the program remains under funded.
“We’re facing a crisis in this community,” Waggoner said on Tuesday. “And if we don’t do something about it we’ll have 14,000 Americans on waiting lists for AIDS drugs. That’s untenable in a country as wealthy as our, totally untenable.”
Added Waggoner, “I think we need to put that forward as an agenda item for Pozitively Healthy.”
Miscellaneous
What it means to be an active ally to your LGBTQ+ co-workers TEST
Five easy tips to help you avoid common risks
Your home is more than just a place to eat and sleep; it’s your safe haven. As much as you might cherish your home, you should probably also recognize the potential hazards within its familiar walls. Accidents can happen in an instant, yet with a little foresight and some simple adjustments, you can transform your house into a safer haven.
Accidents can happen anywhere, and with a few simple tweaks, you can lower risks in your space. Below you’ll find five tips for each room in your home to help prevent injuries, falls, and other mishaps. In short, home safety.
This article was inspired by a shower in a rental we managed that began leaking through the kitchen ceiling below. If only the landlord had installed grab bars, right!? Below, we’ll guide you through the steps to fortify your bathroom, making it a place of relaxation without the fear of slips and falls. Then, we’ll venture into the room where the magic happens, where proper planning can ensure great nights and peaceful mornings. We’ll show you how to prevent accidents while you experiment becoming the next Gordon Ramsey. And we’ll include a few surprising solutions for those other rooms that hold their own unique hazards, offering solutions to safeguard against unexpected mishaps.
Bathroom Safety
Install Grab Bars: Adding grab bars near the shower and toilet can provide essential support for family members of all ages. Not only can they help with getting in and out, but they can help provide stability when washing. Make sure they are securely anchored to the wall.
Non-Slip Mats: Place non-slip mats inside the shower and bathtub to prevent slips. They’re a small investment that can save you from falls and head injuries.
Adjust Water Temperature: Ensure your hot water is set to a safe temperature to avoid scalding. The hot water heater should be set to around 120°F (49°C)l, the middle setting on many water heater settings.
Medicine Cabinet Locks: If you have young children, use childproof locks on your medicine cabinet to keep harmful substances out of reach.
Proper Lighting: Ensure there’s adequate lighting in the bathroom to avoid trips and falls during nighttime visits. Nightlights can be a simple and effective solution.
Bedroom Safety
Clear Pathways: Keep pathways in the bedroom clutter free to prevent tripping. Ensure there’s enough space to move around comfortably, particularly getting around the bed. Be aware where all furniture is when walking around to avoid stubbed toes, particularly at night.
Secure Rugs: If you have throw rugs, use rug grippers or double-sided tape to keep them from slipping. Loose rugs are a common trip hazard.
Bed Rails: For anyone at risk of falling out of bed, consider installing bed rails to provide extra support and prevent falls.
Nightstands with Drawers: Opt for nightstands with drawers to keep essential items. This reduces the need to get out of bed at night, minimizing the risk of falls, as you race to grab what you need and not lose a moment’s rest.
Fire Safety: Install battery-operated smoke detectors in the bedrooms if there are none. Make sure to install them 36 inches away from an air vent or the edge of a ceiling fan. Also six inches away from the joint between the wall and ceiling. And test smoke detectors regularly.
Kitchen Safety
Non-Slip Flooring: Choose slip-resistant rugs in the kitchen, especially in areas where spills are common. Mats near the sink and stove can also help and you can often buy them fairly cheaply at Costco.
Childproof Cabinets: If you have little ones, use childproof latches on cabinets and drawers to prevent them from accessing potentially hazardous items.
Anti-tip brackets: Install an anti-tip bracket behind the range. These are often used when children are in the home. Although they are less likely to open the oven door and use it as a step stool to get to the stove-top, adults can also benefit from installing these.
Adequate Lighting: Proper lighting is crucial in the kitchen to avoid accidents. Under-cabinet lighting can illuminate work areas effectively.
Secure Heavy Items: Ensure heavy pots and pans are stored at waist level to prevent straining or dropping them from high shelves.
Sharp Object Storage: Keep knives and other sharp objects in a secure drawer or block. And handle all sharp items with extreme care, even when washing and drying. These steps reduce the risk of accidental cuts.
Other Safety Tips
Furniture Anchors: Secure heavy furniture, like bookshelves and dressers, to the wall to prevent tip-overs, especially if you have young children.
Adequate Outlets: Check for damaged outlets and replace them promptly. Avoid overloading circuits with too many devices. Install placeholder plugs in outlets to prevent young curious fingers (or tongues?) from going inside an electrical outlet.
Stair Gates: If your home has stairs, install safety gates at the top and bottom to prevent falls, especially if you have toddlers or pets to keep them off of the stairs when you cannot monitor them.
Emergency Escape Plan: Develop and practice an emergency escape plan with your family, including a designated meeting place outside.
Carbon Monoxide Detector: If your home burns any fossil fuels for heating or appliances, install carbon monoxide detectors in common areas of your home to detect this odorless gas. The D.C. building codes require this if you use a fireplace or if you have an attached garage. In essence, if there is any potential source of carbon monoxide in the home, be sure to install these detectors.
Remember, a safer home not only prevents accidents but also provides peace of mind for you and your family. Implement these simple tips to create a secure environment in every room of your house.
With these practical tips and a few adjustments, you can significantly reduce the risk of injuries and falls in your home. Enjoy peace of mind in your now much safer haven.
Scott Bloom is owner and senior property manager of Columbia Property Management.
When Lizzo sings “If I’m shinin,’ everybody gonna shine,” in her hit song, “Juice,” she means it. Proof of that came this week on Instagram when the LGBTQ ally announced the first winner of her annual Juneteenth Giveback Campaign is the Marsha P. Johnson Institute, a national nonprofit based in Richmond, Calif., dedicated to the protection and defense of Black transgender people.
And she did so in song: “On the first day of Juneteenth, Lizzo gave to me,” she sang in her video, posted Tuesday, as she revealed her $50,000 gift to MPJI.
“That’s right, we know who Marsha P. Johnson is. We know what Marsha P. Johnson has done for the LGBTQ, emphasis on that ‘T,’ Q community,” said Lizzo to her 13.5 million followers. “Thank you so much to the people at the Marsha P. Johnson Institute. You deserve this, and I hope this helps you so much as you help protect our Black trans family.”
“What the Marsha P. Johnson Institute does is protects and defends the rights of Black transgender people. They do this by organizing community, advocating for the people, and creating an intentional healing community, developing transformative leadership and promoting collective power,” she said.
“We are overjoyed for the shoutout from Lizzo today, the generosity of her sharing her platform and the recognition of MPJI and its work,” said Elle Moxley, MPJI’s executive director. “The resources from this campaign will ensure the protection and defense of Black transgender people continue at a time where it is so vitally needed. We are so grateful for the support of Lizzo and her fans.”
As one of Time Magazine’s Persons of the Year for 2019 and a 2023 Grammy winner, Lizzo is more than a pop star but an inspiration to millions of fans for her body-positive attitude, her self-confidence on stage and in her videos, her empowering music and her activism. She’s also the founder of her own clothing line, Yitty. In 2021, she made headlines when she publicly corrected a paparazzo for using “she/her” pronouns and misgendering Demi Levato.
As part of her campaign, now in its 4th year, Lizzo recognizes Black-led grassroots organizations and businesses and encourages her fans to join her in supporting each of the five organizations she highlights this week. Fans who take action by donating are entered into a drawing for an all-expenses paid trip to see her perform at Fuji Rock in Japan later this year.
This week’s other nonprofits receiving gifts are: Black Girls Smile, Sphinx Music, the University of Houston and Save Our Sisters United.
Find out more about Lizzo’s 4th annual Juneteenth Giveback Campaign by clicking here.
Celebrity News
Anne Heche dies after removal from life support
Actress dated Ellen DeGeneres in late 1990s
Actress Anne Heche died after she was removed from life support on Sunday, nearly two weeks after her Mini-Cooper crashed through a two-story house in Los Angeles’ Mar Vista neighborhood. Investigators with the Los Angeles Police Department believe she was intoxicated at the time.
She sustained a severe anoxic brain injury along with severe burns and was being treated at the Grossman Burn Center at West Hills Hospital, near Chatsworth in the San Fernando Valley.
The 53-year-old actress who was a star of films like “Donnie Brasco,” the political satire “Wag the Dog” and the 1998 remake of “Psycho,” had been declared legally dead under California law on Friday, however, her family kept her alive long enough to be an organ donor.
In a statement Friday, the LAPD announced that: “As of today, there will be no further investigative efforts made in this case. Any information or records that have been requested prior to this turn of events will still be collected as they arrive as a matter of formalities and included in the overall case. When a person suspected of a crime expires, we do not present for filing consideration.” LAPD detectives had previously made public that investigators into the crash found narcotics in a blood sample taken from Heche.
The actress’s family released a statement on Friday:
“Today we lost a bright light, a kind and most joyful soul, a loving mother, and a loyal friend. Anne will be deeply missed but she lives on through her beautiful sons, her iconic body of work, and her passionate advocacy. Her bravery for always standing in her truth, spreading her message of love and acceptance, will continue to have a lasting impact,” the statement added.
Heche was married to camera operator Coleman Laffoon from 2001 to 2009. The two had a son, Homer, together. She had another son, named Atlas, during a relationship with actor James Tupper, her co-star on the TV series “Men In Trees.”
Laffoon left a moving tribute on an Instagram reel in which he also gave an update on how their 20-year-old son Homer Laffoon is coping with the loss of his mother.
“I loved her and I miss her, and I’m always going to,” he said adding: “Homer is okay. He’s grieving, of course, and it’s rough. It’s really rough, as probably anybody can imagine. But he’s surrounded by family and he’s strong, and he’s gonna be okay.”
“Rest In Peace, Mom, I love you, Homer,” the actor’s 20-year-old son, Homer, said in a statement after Heche was declared legally dead on Friday.“ My brother Atlas and I lost our Mom,” read the statement. “After six days of almost unbelievable emotional swings, I am left with a deep, wordless sadness. Hopefully, my mom is free from pain and beginning to explore what I like to imagine as her eternal freedom. Over those six days, thousands of friends, family, and fans made their hearts known to me. I am grateful for their love, as I am for the support of my Dad, Coley, and my stepmom Alexi who continue to be my rock during this time. Rest In Peace Mom, I love you, Homer.”
Tupper, a Canadian actor who starred alongside Heche in “Men in Trees,” had a 13-year-old son, Atlas, with her. “Love you forever,” Tupper, 57, wrote on his Instagram post’s caption with a broken heart emoji, which shared an image of the actress from Men in Trees.
Between 1997 and 2000, Heche was also in a relationship with talk show host Ellen DeGeneres.
“This is a sad day,” DeGeneres posted on Twitter. “I’m sending Anne’s children, family and friends all of my love.” The year after her break-up with the comedian, in September 2001, Heche recounted in her memoir “Call Me Crazy,” about her lifelong struggles with mental health and a childhood of abuse.
KTLA’s entertainment reporter Sam Rubin noted that over the past two decades, Heche’s career pivoted several times. In 2017, she hosted a weekly radio show on SiriusXM with Jason Ellis called “Love and Heche.”
In 2020, Heche made her way into the podcast world. She launched “Better Together” which she cohosted alongside Heather Duffy Boylston. The show was described as a way to celebrate friendship.
She also worked in smaller films, on Broadway, and on TV shows. She recently had recurring roles on the network series “Chicago P.D.,” and “All Rise” and was a contestant on “Dancing with the Stars.”
People magazine reported that several of Heche’s acting projects are expected to be released posthumously.
These include “Girl in Room 13,” expected to be released on Lifetime in September, “What Remains,” scheduled to be released in 2023, and HBO Max TV series “The Idol,” created by Abel Tesfaye (The Weeknd) and Euphoria creator Sam Levinson.
In her Instagram post from earlier this year Heche stands between her sons Atlas, 13 and Homer, 20.
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