News
Obama announces initiative to develop HIV cure
President allocates $100 million for NIH research against disease
President Obama announced on Monday he’s redirecting $100 million at the National Institutes of Health for a new initiativeĀ to develop a cure for HIV as part of his vision for an “AIDS-free generation.”
Obama made the announcement when speaking before a group of HIV/AIDS advocates at a White House event observing World AIDS Day in the South Court Auditorium of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.
“The United States should be at the forefront of new discoveries in how to put HIV into long-term remission without requiting live-long therapies, or better yet, eliminate it completely,” Obama said.
In a fact sheet published after the event, the White House clarified the $100 million would be distributed over the course of three years and would catalyze further research for new therapies to improve outcomes for people with HIV.
Rowena Johnston, amfARās vice president and director of research, said in a statement after the event the administration’s efforts to find a cure for HIV would build off previous successes in the past year.
āThis year, we saw a series of breakthroughs in HIV cure research that have brought us more clarity than weāve ever had on the precise steps and tools needed to finally end AIDS,ā Johnston said. āWe cannot achieve the Presidentās goal of an AIDS-free generation without continued investment in the research necessary to ultimately help us find a cure for this disease.ā
The event was part of the rollout for a new White House report on confronting HIV/AIDS, titled “Improving Outcomes: Accelerating Progress Along the HIV Care Continuum.” The report describes the state of the epidemic, makes recommendations going forward and highlights local successes as well as public-private partnerships.
In his remarks, Obama said significant progress has made in confronting HIV/AIDS since Congress first allocated funds to fight the disease in 1983, but certain communities continue to be affected more than others, including LGBT people and the D.C. area.
“Here in the United States, we need to keep focusing on investments to communities that are still being hit hardest, including gay and bisexual men, African-Americans and Latinos,” Obama said. “We need to keep up the fight in our cities ā including Washington, D.C., which in recent years has reduced diagnosed infections by nearly half.”
As Assistant to the President on Domestic Policy Cecilia Munoz pointed out at the start of the event, the Centers for Disease Control has reported gay and bisexual men account for two-thirds of all new HIV infections in the United States.
Obama said after his remarks were over, he would sign into law theĀ PEPFAR Stewardship and Oversight Act of 2013, which reauthorizes and extends funds under the Bush-era President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief to confront HIV/AIDS overseas.
The PEPFAR program, Obama said, has exceeded goals set two years ago to help 6 million people across the globe receive treatment for HIV/AIDS by the end of 2013. As it stands, Obama said the program has helped 6.7 million people receive treatment.
As part of the related effort to maintain theĀ GlobalĀ FundĀ to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis & Malaria, Obama said the United States will contribute $1 for every $2 pledged by other donors over the next three years, up to $5 billion total.
“Donāt leave our money on the table,” Obama said. “Itās been inspiring to see the countries most affected by this disease vastly increase their own contributions to this fight ā in some cases, providing more than donor countries do. And that ought to inspire all of us to give more, to do more, so we can save more lives.”
Other accomplishments Obama touted was an end to waiting lists for drugs under the AIDS Drug Assistance Program. Two years after the Department of Health & Human Services announced that Obama directed $35 million to end the wait lists for federal drugs for HIV/AIDS, Obama said wait lists have since been eliminated.
“At one time, the needs was so great that over 9,000 people were on the wait list,” Obama said. “We vowed to get those numbers down, and I’m proud to announce that, as of last week, we have cleared that wait list. We are down to zero.”
Other initiatives Obama mentioned included old accomplishments, such as the lifting of the HIV travel ban, and new efforts, including theĀ signing of theĀ HIV Organ Policy Equity Act, or HOPE Act, which enables HIV-positive people to donate organs to others with the disease.
Additionally, Obama said early next year the United States will host a meetingĀ with worldwide partners ā including governments, the Global Fund, U.N.-AIDS, and civil society ā to “sit around one table and develop joint HIV prevention and treatment goals for the countries where we and the Global Fund do business.”
“Weāll hold each other accountable, and weāll continue to work to turn the tide of this epidemic together,” Obama said.
Carl Schmid, deputy director of the AIDS Institute and attendee at the event, praised Obama for the new initiatives, but said more work is necessary, particularly to address the HIV/AIDS infection rate among gay men.
“We are not making progress when it comes to gay men and more must be done,” Schmid said. “We hope that the Administration along with the states and community based organizations follow the Strategy and, as was discussed at the White House today, follow the science and the epidemic, and for the US, that means a greater focus needs to be on gay men.”
A number of high-profile members of the Obama administration were present at the event, including Secretary of State John Kerry, Secretary of Health & Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, Senior Advisor to the President Valerie Jarrett,Ā Director of the Office of National AIDS Policy Grant Colfax, Assistant to the President on Domestic Policy Cecilia Munoz and Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates.
In remarks that followed Obama’s, Kerry compared the international alliances that have formed to confront HIV/AIDS to similar alliances that have effected change at a global level.
“We are the nation that faced down the Soviet Union with the force of our ideals and our alliances, and without resorting to the force of arms,” Kerry said. “Now, no exaggeration, in our own time, in this generation, in our fight against AIDS ā yes, in a different way, but no less important ā we are able to engage in an initiative that can help define our nation and the global spirit.”
Jarrett maintained the administration is committed to confronting HIV/AIDS both at home and abroad because successful efforts overseas requires attention to the epidemic within U.S. borders.
“HIV remains a priority for the administration, and for the president, both here and abroad,” Jarrett said. “We’re committed to PEPFAR and the Global Fund, and to ongoing implementation of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy because the global response also requires a sustained national response to the epidemic right here at home.”
Also present at the event was HIV/AIDS advocate Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.). In an apparent ad-lib from his remarks when he mentioned he would soon sign legislation to continue funding for PEPFAR, Obama recognized Ā excitement from Lee as she applauded and said, “Count on the legislator to applaud legislation.”
After the event, Lee told the Washington Blade she was proud of Obama’s efforts in confronting HIV/AIDS and looks forward to his continued leadership to create a world without the disease.
“I think everything that this administration is doing is leading us to that, and fighting for an AIDS-free generation, and that’s the next step,” Lee said.
Obama concluded his remarks by articulating his vision for an “AIDS-free generation” in which all people can protect themselves from infection and all people with the disease have access to treatment.
“Thatās the world I want for my daughters,” Obama said. “Thatās the world that all of us want for our families. And if we stay focused, if we keep fighting, and if we honor the memory of those that weāve lost, if we summon the same courage that they displayed, by insisting on whatever it takes, however long it takes, I believe weāre going to win this fight.”
Politics
Kamala Harris addresses country after Trump victory
Vice president spoke after she conceded to incoming president
Vice President Kamala Harris addressed a large crowd of supporters Wednesday afternoon, following her loss to former President Donald Trump.
She began her remarks by reaffirming her commitment to honoring the outcome of the election and the peaceful transfer of power.
“I do not concede the fight that fuels this campaign,” she said. “The fight for freedom, for opportunity, for fairness and the dignity of all people, a fight for the ideals at the heart of our nation, the ideals that reflect America at all best.”
Harris urged her supporters, many of them emotional, not to despair ā echoing remarks she has made in the past about the need to keep up the fight for justice.
“Sometimes the fight takes a while. That doesn’t mean we won’t win. That doesn’t mean we won’t win. The important thing is, don’t ever give up. Don’t ever give up. Don’t ever stop trying to make the world a better place.”
More specifically, she said, “This is a time to roll up our sleeves. This is a time to organize, to mobilize and stay engaged for the sake of freedom.”
“I know many people feel like we are entering a dark time,” Harris said, “but for the benefit of us all, I hope that is not the case.”
“But here’s the thing, America, if it is, let us fill the sky with the light of a brilliant, brilliant billion of stars. The light, the light of optimism, of faith, of truth and service. And may that work guide us, even in the face of setbacks, toward the extraordinary promise of the United States of America.”
Politics
A message from organizations committed to advancing LGBTQ freedom beyond the 2024 elections
āOurs is a long history of never backing down from a fight for our rightsā
Leaders of more than 80 LGBTQ organizations from around the country released the following joint statement to the Washington Blade on Wednesday:
Our LGBTQIA2S+ community has risen again and again to meet moments that have challenged our rights, our humanity, and our freedom. Today is no different.
Ours is a long history of never backing down from a fight for our rights. United in our strength, during the most difficult of times, we have pushed forward and achieved significant progress across the decades. From the early days of the Mattachine Society and Daughters of Bilitis, to the Stonewall Uprising and HIV/AIDS activism, to achieving marriage equality and anti-discrimination protections in the workplace, to the fight for transgender rights, and beyond, we march on.
For every member of the LGBTQIA2S+ community and for those who support us: Weāve got this. Weāve got us. No matter who you are, where you live, or the outcome of yesterdayās election, today we are an LGBTQIA2S+ community united. Together, across races, places, genders, and abilities, we have shown up for each other by organizing, mobilizing, and casting our ballots for the freedom to be ourselves. Our work continues.
Election outcomes at national, state, and local levels will impact our health, our safety, and our rights as LGBTQIA2S+ people and families. Despite anti-LGBTQIA2S+ efforts to divide our communities, and particularly severe attacks against transgender people and LGBTQIA2S+ youth, we have succeeded in moving a few steps closer toward equity and justice for our community. In particular, we celebrate the election of the first openly transgender person toĀ U.S. Congress, Rep. Sarah McBride (Del.), as well as out lawmakers U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (Wis.), U.S. Rep. Julie Johnson (Texas), and state Rep. Wick Thomas (Mo.), and cementing the freedom to marry for same-sex couples in California, Colorado, and Hawaii.
Across the country, LGBTQIA2S+ organizations and advocates engaged and educated voters, made calls, sent texts, and knocked on doors to ensure every voter had the information necessary to cast a ballot. Every single conversation reflected our commitment to vote for our families, our freedoms, and our futures.
We know that so much more work lies ahead of us. Yet as an LGBTQIA2S+ movement, we will continue to work towards what we always have: a country where all LGBTQIA2S+ people are safe, seen, and accepted for who we truly are, without exception. We are here together, and we will move forward. Weāve got this. Weāve got us.
Shared by:
Advocates for Trans Equality
Basic Rights Oregon
CenterLink: The Community of LGBTQ Centers
Equality Federation
Equality Arizona
Equality California
Equality Delaware
Equality Florida
Equality Michigan
Equality New Mexico
Fair Wisconsin
Fairness Campaign
Fairness West Virginia
Family Equality
Garden State Equality
Gender Justice
Georgia Equality
GLAAD
Lambda Legal
LGBTQ+ Victory Fund
LGBTQ+ Victory Institute
Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition
Movement Advancement Project
National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund
NBJC
North Dakota Human Rights Coalition
One Colorado
OutFront Minnesota
OutNebraska
PFLAG National
PFLAG Akron
PFLAG Athens, TN
PFLAG Blairsville
PFLAG Bowie
PFLAG Cape Cod
PFLAG Cape Girardeau
PFLAG Carson Region
PFLAG Charlotte
PFLAG Clayton-Concord
PFLAG Corydon-Leavenworth
PFLAG Danville – San Ramon Valley
PFLAG Danville / Central Susquehanna Valley
PFLAG Denver
PFLAG Fort Collins
PFLAG Franklin
PFLAG Franklin-Hampshire
PFLAG Ft Worth
PFLAG Geneva/Tri-Cities
PFLAG Georgetown
PFLAG Greater Boston
PFLAG Greater Orlando
PFLAG Greater Placer County
PFLAG Greensburg
PFLAG Hampton Roads
PFLAG Hartford
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PFLAG Lamorinda
PFLAG Lower Columbia
PFLAG Nazareth/Lehigh Valley
PFLAG of Door County
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PFLAG Salisbury Rowan
PFLAG San Diego County
PFLAG Socorro
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Queer Vox
SAGE
Silver State Equality
Tennessee Equality Project
The Trevor Project
Transformation Project
Transgender Law Center
Politics
Aime Wichtendahl becomes Iowa’s first trans legislator
“I am honored to make history tonight.”
Aime Wichtendahl first made history as the first openly trans woman to be elected to government in the state of Iowa when elected to the Hiawatha City Council. She made history again this Election Day, becoming Iowaās first trans legislator.
Wichtendahl kept the seat blue by beating Republican opponent John Thompson 52 to 48. She will succeed Art Staed (D), who ran successfully for a state Senate seat, with unanimous support from the Democratic base.
Wichtendahl summed up her platform on a social media post days before the election as:
- Repeal the abortion ban
- Legalize marijuana
- Invest in public education
- Support unions
- Defend civil rights
“I am honored to make history tonight,ā WichtendahlĀ saidĀ in a statement toĀ The Gazette, āIt shows that Iowans and Americans at large are tired of the culture war politics and anti-trans legislation and will vote for leaders who prioritize their well being and work for them to get ahead.ā
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