Yours In The Struggle

ramblings and other thoughts from Paul Kawata (pkawata@nmac.org)

Tuesday, October 26

Matt Damon's Birthday Wish

Monday, October 25

It Matters!

In 8 days America goes back to the polls. Please vote, It Matters! Vote like your life and/or your clients’ lives depend on it. Right now there are members of Congress talking about repealing Health Care Reform. Our bridge to 2014 may become a “fond memory”.

Those who ignore history are bound to repeat it. I want to remind you of life in the Bush administration...

In 2002, Us Helping Us (UHU), a community based HIV/AIDS organization in Washington, DC received a letter from the Office of The Inspector General at Health and Human Services (HHS) telling them about an impending audit of all their government contracts. The audit wasn’t triggered because they did anything wrong, it was part of the Bush Administration’s review of all domestic HIV/AIDS funding.

For the record, UHU is one of our constituents. They are considered a model program that targets Black gay men. UHU is committed to improving the health and well being of Black gay men through innovative programs and services, and - through a vision of inclusiveness - to reducing the impact of HIV/AIDS in the entire Black community.

Without knowing the intention of these audits, their mere suggestion sent a pale though the AIDS community. There is nothing like the threat of an audit to get you to shut-up. The grapevine worked overtime with rumors like

Us Helping Us was selected because they serve Black Gay Men,
More audits of AIDS Service Organizations (ASOs) would follow,
They were trying to stifle any criticisms,
They want to close us down.

You know gossip, it spreads very easily. At times it was hard to separate fact from fiction. I don’t know if any of these rumors are true, but I recently talked with Ron Simmons the Executive Director (ED) Us Helping Us to get his take on the audit.

According to Ron....

In March 2002, the auditor arrived @ his office. On their first day, she did an “intake interview” to tell him what to expect from the process and to answer questions. As the auditor begins to explain her process, she brings out a large Bible. According to Ron, “this was not a small pocket sized Bible, this was a big one that you saved for special occasions at church.” The bible does not get mentioned, it just sit there throughout the intake interview. So begins a 14 month ordeal...

Imagine what is it means to have an official government auditor sitting at a desk in your agency. How would it impact your work? Now image one month goes by, then another, then another.....

Six (6) months after she first showed up on their door steps, the auditor hears staff talk about last Sunday’s church service. When this individual goes to take a break, the auditor follows him. She let this staff member know that “you cannot be Gay and Christian.” She then proceeded to write scripture on the back of her church business card. You can’t make this stuff up.

The staff member gave the business card to Ron (ED), Ron called the Inspector General’s office and the auditor was replaced. Now they have to restart and recheck all the work. 6 months after the original auditor came to UHU, a new auditor restarts the process.

The process finally ends in May of 2003. 14 months later, two auditors later, hundreds of UHU staff hours, and thousands of dollars expended by the Inspector General’s Office to have no significant findings. Us Helping Us’ ordeal was over.

Least we forget, it matters who is in the White House. It matters who leads Congress. It matters who is the head of HHS. If we are going to fully fund ADAP and implement the NHAS, we need leaders that support our values and understanding the challenges of fighting HIV/AIDS. So please vote, it matters!

Friday, October 22

President Obama: It Gets Better

Wednesday, October 20

NMAC’s October Stakeholders’ Call On Lights For Rights Tuesday, October 26th at 3:00 PM (Eastern)/Noon (Pacific)

The call in number is 1-605-475-6333

Code: 481162

Save the date for the National Minority AIDS Council’s (NMAC’s) October Stakeholder Call on Lights For Rights on Tuesday, October 26th at 3:00 p.m. EST/ Noon Pacific. Our featured speaker is Eric Sawyer.

Eric works at the UNAIDS; however, I remember him from his old Act Up days.

Join us as he talks about Lights For Rights You can reach Eric at SawyerE@unaids.org

The call in number is 1-605-475-6333; code: 481162. You may e-mail your questions to info@nmac.org or send them through Twitter: http://twitter.com/NMACCommunity

The call will be limited to the first 200 participants. It will be recorded and podcast on NMAC’s web site at a later date.

For more information on Lights For Rights, please go to (http://tinyurl.com/2d6fswh)

EVENT CO-SPONSORS:

The event is part of a global LIGHTS FOR RIGHTS Campaign organized by:

The Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR)
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA)
National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC)
The World AIDS Campaign (WAC); and
UNAIDS, The Joint United Program on HIV/AIDS

WHEN: Tuesday, November 30th or Wednesday, December 1-during darkness

WHERE: At an Illuminated Landmark in your City

WHO: Speakers to Include:

Local Elected Politicians
Representatives from AIDS Service Organizations
People Living with (or effected by) HIV;
Local Celebrities, or Newscaster; Bold Face Names;
Clergy and Faith Based Leaders

WHY: To draw attention to the Media and the general population to the connection between HIV and Human Rights

ORGANIZING YOUR LOCAL EVENT

By organizing and participating in your local “Light for Rights” event, you will join other people all over the world who are “shining the light on HIV and human rights" on this World AIDS Day. Scheduled events will range from large-scale efforts involving multiple venues in major cities to more intimate events in individual locations at a local government building, a house of worship, or a bridge of monument.

But no matter how big or small the event, we hope that the event will underscore the fact that we must focus on the fundamental rights all humans share if we are to eradicate HIV from the planet.

TYPES OF EVENTS:

You can add a “Lights for Rights” component to an existing World AIDS Day event and be included in our “Lights for Rights” 100 City Spectacular or organize a new event that best addresses the needs, human rights situation and epidemic that exists in your own community. Types of events that could include a “Lights for Rights” intervention:

A Candlelight Vigil
Protesting a Harmful Policy or Human Rights Abuse
A Networking Meeting
A Film Screening or Art Exhibit
A Rally or March
A Panel Discussion
A Fundraiser
A Music Event or Dance Event
A Commemorative Dinner
A Faith Based Event

Or Whatever Else You Think of to “Shine a Light on HIV and Human Rights

PLANNING YOUR “LIGHT FOR RIGHTS” EVENTS Download your copy of the toolkit @ http://tinyurl.com/2d6fswh

NHAS Implementation Recommendations

This email is from the Executive Director of NMAC and not a co-chair of Federal AIDS Policy Partnership (FAPP). Below is a letter to Dr. Howard Koh, the Assistant Secretary for Health, providing recommendations on the implementation of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS). The letter is from FAPP and its affiliated working groups (see the letter at the end of my email). I particularly like the sentence “we urge the Administration to reach toward a bold initiative that goes beyond current investments – both financial and programmatic – and seeks systemic change.”

Some of you may not know about FAPP, we are a Washington, DC based coalition that coordinates federal policy strategies between organizations who have a presence on Capitol Hill. I am sharing information on FAPP with NMAC’s constituents in hopes that you can develop something similar at your city or state. We operate on an opt-in/opt-out process. We have 7 working groups:

AIDS budget and Appropriations Coalition (ABAC)
Global AIDS Roundtable (GAR)
HIV Healthcare Access Working Group
HIV Prevention Action Committee (HPAC)
Housing Working Group
Research Working Group
Ryan White Working Group

Most of the heavy lifting for FAPP happens in the Working Groups (WG). You may not know the individuals in these groups, but they are the ones who fight for more funding and better policies on Capitol Hill and with the Administration. They are not the only ones who fight for us, but I have to tell you, they are among the best. If you are interested in participating in one of the working groups, please email pkawata@nmac.org and we will make the connection.

In addition to the letter to Dr. Koh, some of the WG also made specific implementation recommendations. These are longer documents that I’ve put on a web page for you to download.

Care ( http://tinyurl.com/2buvthy)
Housing ( http://tinyurl.com/2dkchwp)
Prevention ( http://tinyurl.com/242np5s)
Research ( http://tinyurl.com/25qu7f4)

I have the privilege of being one of 3 co-chairs for the FAPP. The other co-chairs are Laura Hanen (NASTAD) and William Smith (NCSD). My work in FAPP is a symbol of my commitment to the legacy of Gene Copello (AIDS Institue). Gene was the driving force that made FAPP real, he was also my friend.

I recently asked you to tell me your policy priorities, an overwhelming number selected Fixing AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) as the first priority. Please see the results of this survey:

Fixing ADAP—484
HIV Cure-373
Test & Treat--360
HIV Prevention Targeting Women--312
HIV Prevention Targeting Gay--311
Medical Infrastructure--307
HIV Prevention Media Campaign--298
Housing—282
NHAS--229
Research—202
Global HIV Treatment—196
HIV Prevention Targeting Trans Community--179
HIV Prevention Targeting Drug Users—177
Vaccines--173
Global Fund-159
Global HIV Prevention—151
Microbicides—139
Prep—102

It was a small sample and probably not statistically significant; however, I do think the results are interesting. What do you think of the results?

If we are going to raise the money necessary to implement the NHAS and to fully fund ADAP we need strong city and state coalitions in at least 30 states. For these coalitions to work, they must be organized by people in that city or state. You don’t want Washington telling you what to do. The AIDS Foundation of Chicago is part of a strong state and national coalitions covering Chicago, Illinois and federal policy making. Contact them to help build your coalition. Register for AIDS advocacy updates at http://www.doseofchange.org or contact Jim Merrell (Jmerrell@aidschicago.og) or David Munar (dmunar@aidschicago.org). We can’t do it for you, this is something that you need to organize or re-organize. The DOSE of CHANGE website is a resource to expand local and national AIDS advocacy efforts.

Keep me informed of the policy work you are doing. I will forward your information to FAPP members. Washington needs to understand the realities of working on the frontlines. We also need to know who to contact when we need pressure from the field. This is particularly true in some key Congressional Districts. Far too often, members tell us they are not hearing from their constituency. So why should they care?

Email me at pkawata@nmac.org Tell me your stories. I know you are tired, I know that we ask too much of you, but without your pressure, I am concerned about our ability to raise the money necessary to implement the NHAS and fully fund ADAP. As they say in High School Musical, “We Are All In This Together!”

---Paul Kawata

Letter from the FAPP
October 15, 2010

Howard Koh, MD, MPH
Assistant Secretary for Health
Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20201

Dear Assistant Secretary Koh,

The Federal AIDS Policy Partnership (FAPP) and its affiliated working groups would like to commend the Administration for its leadership in developing and setting forth the National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS). President Obama’s leadership has been laudable and we hope he will stay at the visible forefront of this effort going forward.

As a community of organizations working to further federal policy and to secure sufficient resources to support HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and care, we believe the NHAS represents an important step forward. As federal agencies develop operational plans, we urge the Administration to reach toward a bold initiative that goes beyond current investments – both financial and programmatic – and seeks systemic change. Greater coordination of efforts across agencies is certainly needed, but it alone will not lead us to a reduction in new incidence.

To this end, the affiliated working groups of FAPP have each developed their own priorities for what ought to be operationalized as the NHAS moves forward. You will find each group’s plans under this cover. In brief:

On prevention, it is clear that a 25% reduction in new infections will not be achieved without a greater focus on those populations most disproportionately impacted by infection. Prevention efforts must be targeted and driven by the epidemiological data.
On care, while healthcare reform holds out hope to address many issues related to care, a planned focus on ensuring that those living with HIV/AIDS have access to Medicaid or high-risk insurance pools must occur before 2014 to ensure continuity of coverage and care. Also, we must continue to view the Ryan White program as a key safety net program for those who need it – even after 2014. Finally, the ADAP crisis is fundamentally a crisis of resources that continues to deny too many people access to life sustaining drugs. It requires a permanent solution.
On housing, we need a comprehensive solution to ensure that those living with or are affected by HIV/AIDS have high-quality housing. Housing is essential to maintaining treatment adherence, keeping people in care, and remains a proven structural intervention.
On research, we need implementation research to evaluate and test programs and their effectiveness in achieving the goals of the NHAS. Additional research is necessary to develop and improve interventions to engage the populations prioritized for HIV prevention and improved access to care under the NHAS.

Each of these areas is expanded upon in the following pages. We also, however, reiterate broad community consensus that successful implementation and ongoing leadership for the success of the NHAS must be accompanied by a scale up in financial resources. It is not acceptable to ask agencies what they can do with existing resources to meet the NHAS goals and objectives. Instead, what must be asked is what agencies need in terms of resources to meet the goals and objectives of the NHAS. Without additional financial resources, the goals and objectives of the NHAS will not be achievable.

The community of groups within FAPP, its affiliated working groups, including people living with HIV/AIDS, are partners with you in achieving the Strategy’s goals. Consequently, we look forward to seeing the agency operational plans and working with you to develop appropriate and complimentary roles for national, state and local groups.

Finally, accountability must be a key factor in achieving the goals and objectives of the NHAS and a regular process to ensure accountability of all agencies’ commitments in operational plans must be systemized.

Again, we want to thank you for your continuing commitment to combat HIV/AIDS in this country and we look forward to working with you to ensure the vision of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy is achieved.

Sincerely,

Members of the FAPP Convening Group
Nancy Bernstine, NAHC, Housing Working Group Co-Chair and Liaison
Christopher Brown, Chicago Department of Health
Guillermo Chacon, LCOA
Chris Collins, amfAR
Donna Crews, AIDS Action, AIDS Budget and Appropriations Coalition (ABAC) Co-Chair and Liaison
Julie Davids, CHAMP
Kevin Fisher, AVAC, Research Working Group Liaison
Laura Hanen, NASTAD, FAPP Co-Chair and HIV Healthcare Access Working Group Co-Chair
Kathie Hiers, AIDS Alabama, FAPP Treasurer
Ernest Hopkins, SFAF
Paul Kawata, NMAC, FAPP Co-Chair
Naina Khanna, WORLD and U.S. Positive Women's Network
Matthew Lesieur, VillageCare and NAPWA
Kali Lindsey, Harlem United, Housing Working Group Co-Chair
William McColl, AIDS Action, Ryan White Working Group Co-Chair and Liaison
Jennifer Redner, Good Works Group, Global AIDS Roundtable Liaison
Carl Schmid, The AIDS Institute, HIV Prevention Action Committee (HPAC) Co-Chair and Liaison
William (Bill) Smith, NCSD, FAPP Co-Chair
Rona Taylor, The Ms. Foundation
Ed Tepporn, APIAHF, FAPP Secretary

Additional Co Chairs of FAPP Affiliated Working Groups
Lola Adele-Oso, NAHC, Housing Working Group Co-Chair
Robert Greenwald, TAEP, HIV Healthcare Access Working Group Co-Chair
Coco Jervis, TAG, Research Working Group Co-Chair
Ann Lefert, NASTAD, Ryan White Working Group Co-Chair
Suzanne Miller, National Coalition of STD Directors (NCSD), HPAC Co-Chair
Jen Yakush, SIECUS, HPAC and ABAC Co-Chair

cc:

Ronald Valdiserri, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health HHS National HIV/AIDS Strategy Implementation Group
David Vos, HUD HOPWA

Friday, October 15

We Must Address the AIDS Crisis Facing Latino

By Paul Kawata
October 14, 2010

http://tinyurl.com/338ln5a

Over the last month, our country has reflected on the many contributions Latinos have made both to the United States and society as a whole. But as National Hispanic Heritage Month comes to an end, it's time we focus our attention on an equally important, if less cheerful issue: the devastating impact of HIV/AIDS on Latino communities in the United States. Addressing this critical issue is not only important for the health of Latino communities, its imperative for the health of our nation as well.

The last day of National Hispanic Heritage Month, October 15, is National Latino AIDS Awareness Day, and an important opportunity to examine the needs of this underserved population. While Latinos account for only 15 percent of the American population, they make up 18 percent of people living with HIV and 19 percent of new AIDS diagnoses. In fact, the rate of AIDS diagnoses among Latino men and women is three and four times higher, respectively, than their white counterparts.

There are several factors that contribute to the disproportionate impact of AIDS on Latinos, some of which apply to other communities of color such as poverty, increased incarceration rates, access to quality health care, and others like language barriers, which mostly affect communities with high immigrant populations. And while there is no singular "Hispanic culture," the general premium placed on a sense of machismo may also serve to further stigmatize risk factors within the Latino population, particularly same-sex encounters.

Considering these factors, it is critical that we work to address the disparate impact HIV/AIDS has on Latinos, not only because it is the right thing to do, but because the health of our nation depends on it. As of 2008, more than one in five children in the United States under the age of 18 was Latino. This ratio is even greater (one in four) for children under five. The current rate of population growth in the United States is actually being driven by the Latino community, and their numbers will continue to grow.

The relative youth of Latinos serves to exacerbate other risk factors already facing the community. We know that young people are at increased risk of infection, partly because of a sense of apathy and partly as a result of a general sense of invincibility. The truth is, 13 percent of new infections in the United States are among young people, aged 13 to 24. A recent survey of 21 major American cities found that among gay Latino youth (aged 18 to 29) infected with HIV, six out of 10 were unaware of their status.

As more than one-third of Latinos in America are under 18, this confluence of risk factors poses a serious public health concern, but also offers hope. Because so much of the population is school age, there's considerable potential for comprehensive and culturally appropriate sex education programs to have a significant impact on HIV prevention efforts. Because children of immigrants often serve as translators and cultural liaisons for adults in their homes, these programs could assist in the dissemination of information to adult populations as well.

What's more, reaching out to young Latinos and educating them about the indiscriminate nature of HIV and AIDS may also serve to further remove the stigma associated with the disease among this already more tolerant demographic. This cannot be done without engaging in a public dialogue about both this disease and its effects on our Latino brothers and sisters. On this National Latino AIDS Awareness Day, I hope we will continue this dialogue.

Thursday, October 14

Wisdom

Wednesday, October 13

Don't You Just Love The French

Monday, October 11

National Coming Out Day: Tell Your Coming Out Story

October 11th is National Coming Out Day (NCOD). Given the recent rash of suicides, this day is more important then ever. NCOD was founded by Jean O’Leary and one of my mentors, Rob Eichberg. I met Rob when I was 19, I was clueless, closeted and scared. Rob took me under his wing and helped me to understand that being Gay was not the end of the world, but the start of a new life and new opportunities. With his encouragement, I become a fierce Diva. Rob died of HIV/AIDS in 1995, I miss him.

Rob wrote the book “Coming Out: An Act Of Love”, that is what coming out should be Unfortunately, with stigma, fear and misinformation, coming out can also be dangerous and destructive. Look no further then the bullying in schools to understand this danger. Why do we do it? Maybe because staying in the closet can be more dangerous and more destructive. Living a lie, not telling your friends or family the truth about your life, can lead of many destructive behaviors.

I am a third generation Japanese American. My parents were in relocation camps during World War II. I am the product of all their hopes, dreams and aspirations. Like many immigrant families, my parents wanted a life for me that they could not have for themselves. Little did them know...

My coming out story goes like this...
Being a control Queen, I wanted to orchestrate every step of my coming out. I flew home from college in the spring of my senior year. Coming home in the middle of a school year was very uncharacteristic for me. College was thousands of miles away and we did not have the money for frequent trips home. My parents knew something was up.

So they couldn’t gang up on me, I decided to speak with them separately. I took dad to his favorite restaurant, I figured its harder to scream in a crowded restaurant. I was nervous and scared. During dinner, I looked very intently at my salad, avoiding any eye contact. The lack of contact continued through the rest of the meal. Finally he asked “why did you come home?”

This was my opening, I had rehearsed my response for years. I wanted to share my news in a loving way, unfortunately, my nerves got the best of me. Instead of telling my story, I mumbled “Dad I’m Gay.”

This is the moment in every coming out story...

How would he respond? Would he still love me? Would he still support my college education? Dad looked directly in my eyes and said “Son, I want you to know that I will always love and support you.” We were a nice Asian family, we never say I love you. He then took off his ring and said “I’ve been saving this for you, I think its a good time to give it to you.”

As we were driving home, Dad says “we need to talk to your mother, she is very worried.” My mother... people ask how I became such an evil Queen, I have two words “my mother”. Mother is an amalgam of kindness and caring to the outside world while internally she is scared, ambitious and a force of nature. I both love and fear her.

When we get home from dinner, mother was anxiously waiting for our return. Immediately, she wants to know why I flew home in the middle of a school year. Feeling confident after dinner and forgetting that I was talking to my mother, I blurted out “I’m Gay!”. That was the last thing I remember saying.

Mother’s response was this piercing scream... A scream that last 20 years. I knew I should've taken her to a restaurant.

In her defense, gay was not something she understood. This was before Will and Grace, there were no cultural references. None of her friends had gay children or so she thought. How could she continue to play mah-jongg with the girls?

From then on, we never discussed my “problem” except to scream at each other. Remember, I am my mother’s son. It took many years for me to come out, so I knew to give her time. Who knew it would take 20 years.

In 2000, the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) selected me to be “Citizen of the Millennium”. They gave me this award as an openly gay man. At the banquet, I dedicated the trophy to my parents for helping me become the man that I am. 20 years later, mother finally got that being Gay was not the end of the world. Later she would say with a tear in her eye, “I am so proud of you”. This was completely out of character and meant the world to me.

I share my story for those who provide services to men who have sex with men, gay men, bisexuals or questioning men. To be a good provider, you need to understand our lives. Coming out is an unique cultural experience. It can be a driving force to self-acceptance or a denial of one’s sexuality. If we are going to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS, we must do it in these communities. Tell me your coming out story. It will help to educate our communities.

P.S. If you ever meet my mother, please don’t tell her about this article. She will just regale you with stories about how I was a difficult child. Remember, she is her son’s mother.

Friday, October 8

Lights For Rights

Make your World AIDS Day Event One of 100 Selected Cities Sites for the GLOBAL WORLD AIDS Day "LIGHTS FOR RIGHTS" EVENTS And one of the 50 U.S. "LIGHTS FOR RIGHTS" EVENTS

Commemorate World AIDS Day in your City, inspired by "Night without Light", a project undertaken by Visual AIDS in 1990. Emphasis will be on shining the light of Human Rights on the HIV Response! (http://tinyurl.com/2d6fswh)

EVENT CO-SPONSORS:
The event is part of a global LIGHTS FOR RIGHTS Campaign organized by:

The Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR)
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA)
National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC)
The World AIDS Campaign (WAC); and
UNAIDS, The Joint United Program on HIV/AIDS

WHEN: Tuesday, November 30th or Wednesday, December 1-during darkness

WHERE: At an Illuminated Landmark in your City

WHO: Speakers to Include:

Local Elected Politicians
Representatives from AIDS Service Organizations
People Living with (or effected by) HIV; Local Celebrities, or Newscaster; Bold Face Names; Clergy and Faith Based Leaders

WHY: To draw attention to the Media and the general population to the connection between HIV and Human Rights

ORGANIZING YOUR LOCAL EVENT
By organizing and participating in your local “Light for Rights” event, you will join other people all over the world who are “shining the light on HIV and human rights" on this World AIDS Day. Scheduled events will range from large-scale efforts involving multiple venues in major cities to more intimate events in individual locations at a local government building, a house of worship, or a bridge of monument.

But no matter how big or small the event, we hope that the event will underscore the fact that we must focus on the fundamental rights all humans share if we are to eradicate HIV from the planet.

TYPES OF EVENTS:
You can add a “Lights for Rights” component to an existing World AIDS Day event and be included in our “Lights for Rights” 100 City Spectacular or organize a new event that best addresses the needs, human rights situation and epidemic that exists in your own community. Types of events that could include a “Lights for Rights” intervention: