A Sad Anniversary

This year is the 30th anniversary of the identification of a disease called Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, or AIDS. Back in 1981, the illness was killing people at an alarming rate, and it would only get worse through the 80s and into the 90s, when drugs were invented that could slow the rate of infection by the HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), the agent that causes the disease. Now, because of anti-retroviral therapy developed in the mid-90s, many people can live with HIV for many years without developing AIDS.

Going back 30 years, I remember the days when it seemed that there was a funeral every week where a friend or acquaintance was buried. Some were well known, like the film actor Rock Hudson, some more obscure like my friend Michael Snow, a successful dentist. One thing almost all had in common was their homosexuality. Because of society's general proscription of that way of life, AIDS afflicted people were stigmatized as immoral and thus, to some, deserving of a painful death at a young age. This perception persists and causes people whose only crime was having unprotected sex or a using an infected needle to be cut off from sources of food, shelter, livelihood and medical care.

The disease may be moderated and controlled, but it is not gone. There are mutations that are not responsive to the medications used today. And there are still stigmas that cut sick people off from the things they need to survive, including the care and compassion they must have in order to go on after a diagnosis of HIV infection.

Want to be on TV?

Lifelong AIDS Alliance will be on King5’s New Day Northwest program Thursday morning (yes, that's tomorrow), July 29^th.  You're invited to join the studio audience and support us as we talk about the upcoming Seattle AIDS  Walk & 5K Run.  Newport High School's ASPEN (AIDS Peer Education) class will also be there to celebrate their accomplishments.  The audience comes in at 9:30 a.m. and the program done by 11:30 a.m.  Email newdaytickets@king5.com right now for your free tickets!

White House Meeting Addresses HIV Epidemic Among African American Men

By Garland Jarmon, CRCS and ONE2ONE Coordinator

June was a big month for the GLBT community.  The President declared it National Pride Month and celebrations took place in many cities, including Seattle. We should take pride in everything the GLBT community has accomplished and think about how much more work we have yet to do.  We should also take a moment to acknowledge those who continue to be infected with, and affected by, HIV and AIDS.

There is a segment of our community that is often unrepresented, undereducated about HIV/AIDS, and invisible; African American men. They currently make up more than half of all new and current HIV cases in the US. Because of this, The Office of National AIDS Policy (ONAP) held a meeting at the White House on June 2, 2010 to discuss the reasons for this catastrophe and what can be done. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that about 1 in 16 African American men will contract HIV in their lifetime. The three-and-a-half-hour meeting was a step to address ways to improve national HIV prevention programs, and some of the key issues within the African American community that hinder effective HIV prevention.

As a counselor, I have noticed that these challenges can include education and spirituality, class and race, machismo and the connotation of the word “gay.” Some issues, like education, can be faced head on but many are not as easy to navigate in the interest of curbing HIV in the African American community. At Lifelong AIDS Alliance, we offer counseling services through our Comprehensive Risk Counseling Services (CRCS). One of these counseling services, the ONE2ONE program, is specifically designed for African American men and the challenges they face.  If you or someone you know is having difficulty with issues related to their sexual health, please contact us at 206.957.1602 and speak with one of our counselors.

National HIV Testing Day is June 27th

By Megan White, CRCS Coordinator

June is coming to an end and that means National HIV Testing Day is here!  On June 27^th health departments, AIDS service organizations and community activists across the country will remind people of the importance of regular HIV testing. At Lifelong, we believe that knowing your HIV status is vital to making informed decisions about your health and sex life.  If you are sexually active, particularly if you are having unprotected sex with one or more partners, doctors recommend getting tested every 3-6 months.

Getting an HIV test can be scary.  For many people, the fear of receiving a positive diagnosis keeps them away from the doctor. Concerns about privacy and stigma are understandable, but there are many reasons to do it.  If you are HIV+ studies suggest that the earlier you know, the more likely you are to live a long and healthy life.  Seattle has many resources offering financial, social and emotional support to people living with HIV or AIDS.  Finding a place to get tested all year round is easy with online sites like www.hivtest.org. Or, send a text message with your zip code to KNOWIT (566948).

If you are HIV negative and want to talk more about testing or your sexual health, join our Intersexions/One2One counseling program by calling 206-957-1602.  If you are HIV- positive and want to talk, join the Positive Choices program by calling the same number.

An HIV test is a great way to take control of your life and health.  And, regardless of the result, Lifelong can support you.  Get tested today!

Lifelong is hiring!

Do you like fighting for the forces of good?  Do you speak Spanish and have experience working in social services?  Think about working for Lifelong!  As our new Bilingual Case Manager, you would:

• Work with a diverse group of clients from Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, and other Spanish-speaking countries to coordinate comprehensive care services like health insurance, housing, and mental health care
• Maintain and update client records
• Develop good working relationships with community agencies and medical providers
• Participate in monthly Latino Providers Group meetings with members of the greater Latino community
• Enjoy and feel good about what you do!

We're also hiring a Workstudy Student and other positions! For more information, check out the Jobs page on our website.

May 18th is National HIV Vaccine Awareness Day

It’s a day to thank the thousands of people around the world and here in Seattle who are working hard to create a vaccine.  It’s also a day to remember that 29 years after AIDS began changing the world, we need to use the tools we already have to prevent the spread of HIV.

At Lifelong, one of the hardest things we fight every day is complacency.  Our staff and volunteers do community outreach to help people make healthier decisions about sex, and all too often talk to those who think that HIV will never happen to them – until it does.

When used correctly, condoms are very effective against spreading HIV.  They’re cheap and easy to find.  Many places give them away!  Stop by Lifelong’s office and take a few.  Speaking of free, there’s no reason to share needles when King County has an excellent needle exchange (a program still banned in many places) and Lifelong hosts the Capitol Hill location six nights a week.  If you do have HIV or AIDS and are taking medications, be sure to take them correctly to reduce your viral load which, along with condom use, makes it harder to transmit HIV. 

May 18th is National HIV Vaccine Awareness Day, not National HIV Vaccine Day.  It’s your job to protect yourself and others by preventing the spread of this still-incurable disease.  And until there is an effective vaccine and the spread of HIV ends, until HIV/AIDS is no longer associated with stigma and discrimination, until everyone living with HIV/AIDS has equal access to healthcare, the loving support of family and friends, and can meet their basic human needs for things like food and housing – Lifelong will be here to help.

  

Edited to add: if you would like to help work toward these goals, please partner with Lifelong as a donor or volunteer.

The MPowerment Project

Lifelong’s MPowerment Project is a peer-to-peer outreach and education program empowering queer youth to make positive and healthier choices about sex and drug use.  Located next to the Lifelong Thrift store, MPowerment is a queer-friendly youth space open to its Core Team of peer-educators.  Each week LGBTQ youth ages 16-22 meet to discuss upcoming prevention outreach on the streets and in the clubs, peer-led workshops, youth empowerment, and events. Outreach activities take place during the week, particularly targeting homeless LGBTQ and other young people.

Last week, more than 200 people attended MPowerment’s annual Youthopolis event at the Seattle Asian Art Museum in Volunteer Park.  The event honored leadership in Seattle’s Young Queer Community and was attended by State Senator Ed Murray and local transgender rights advocate Marsha Botzer, co-chair of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.  There were musical performances by Sketch Echo, Team Gina, and others.  The Seattle University Spectator’s blog covered the event in more detail. 

Learn more about MPowerment or find out how you can get involved by visiting The MPowerment Project’s website or emailing mpowerment@llaa.org.