In this issue:
- CHAMP Welcomes New Executive Director!
- Prevention Justice Blog: A Recipe for a National AIDS Strategy
- Pushing For A Plan! Research On AIDS Drugs As HIV Prevention Is Just The Start Of The Challenge to Expand Prevention Options
- CHAMP and Allies Demand U.S. National AIDS Strategy at the International AIDS Conference
- There's More to Living with HIV/AIDS than Taking Pills
- CHAMP Provides Scholarships to Positive Youth Institute
- Rally in NYC Against Budget Cuts for HIV/AIDS Programs
- Launching a National Network of LBGT Southeast Asians
Earlier this year, CHAMP initiated a search for a new Executive Director as part of a transition plan to ensure our continued sustainability and flexibility as a national organization bridging HIV/AIDS, human rights, and social and economic justice. I am delighted to announce that the CHAMP Board of Directors has hired Vanessa Brocato as Executive Director of CHAMP.
There's been a lot of talk recently about the need for a national AIDS strategy. But what exactly would go into such a strategy? Well, I'm sitting in a barn outside of Oxford, MS with over 60 people who traveled here from around the country to Stand Against AIDS, and they're talking about just that.
The Prevention Research Advocacy Working Group (PRAWG) of CHAMP formed a pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) Committee in July 2008, co-sponsored by Project Inform and the AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition (AVAC). The PrEP Committee, which has already grown to over 50 researchers and community advocates, identifies questions that must be answered, fosters discussions in and beyond our communities about the opportunities and challenges of this potentially successful intervention, and prepares for advocacy efforts to ensure access to PrEP if proven effective.
CHAMP and Allies Demand U.S. National AIDS Strategy at the International AIDS Conference
by Cameron Lefevre
by Cameron Lefevre
CHAMP, along with a coalition of AIDS activists, marched through the halls, media center and into the "US HIV Epidemic in 2008" session, issuing a grade of "F" to U.S. policy makers, and demanding a National AIDS Strategy and a reform of the U.S. global AIDS plan to ensure the U.S. treats four million people worldwide and funds only evidence-based HIV prevention programs.
Young people infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS have few opportunities to come together to share their experiences, celebrate their successes and reflect on their concerns. The recent Positive Youth Institute was a great exception.
CHAMP was able to offer scholarships to five terrific young people ages 21 and 22 to attend the Positive Youth Institute in Atlanta in early August. The Positive Youth Institute, a project of the National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA), is designed to train HIV-positive young people from across the country in the life skills required for good health through workshops and interactive sessions that address medical and social issues and allow the participants a safe space for self-expression and personal development.
In response to New York State Governor David Paterson's stunning declarative in August that he would drastically cut already under-funded prevention, education and support services for people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS, outraged advocates staged a rally on August 15th demanding a restoration of funding.
Prevention Justice Partnership with SeaQuel: Launching a National Network of LBGT Southeast Asians
by Julie Davids
by Julie Davids
CHAMP is working with SeaQuel (Southeast Asian Queers United for Empowerment and Leadership) as a 2008-2009 Prevention Justice Partner, as they launch a national network of LBGT Southeast Asians. Gay community mobilization is a key strategy for HIV prevention justice, breaking down isolation and providing pathways for people to access health care and HIV prevention resources.
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Photo of the Month
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Funeral March in Oxford, MS for Stand Against AIDS, by Cameron Lefevre. Have a photo? Send it in! |
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Latest Videos
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Does Gender Engender HIV? Vulnerability and Resilience Across the Gender Spectrum  View more videos
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Upcoming Events
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We Will Not Rest In Peace November 20 Save the Date! - Join us in Washington, D.C., as we demand the next president prioritize HIV in his first 100 days in office. He must make preventing and treating AIDS a priority in the US and around the world. Email us for more info
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Must Read
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HHSWatch September 2008 issue: Where's Our National Campaign Against Homophobia? • Spit and Other "Deadly Weapons" • The United States' HIV Immigration Travel Ban Eliminated? Not So Fast! Download HHSWatch
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Meet the Staff
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We'd like to take a moment to introduce two of our staff members to everyone: Waheedah Shabazz-El, a 55-year-old African American Muslim woman, is a Community Organizer and Trainer with CHAMP. Cameron Lefevre began working for CHAMP one year ago as our Online Organizer. |
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