Join the Coalition For Essential Services on Thursday at 9:30 AM at a press conference to protest passage of next year's city budget, outside City Council chambers, Room 400, City Hall, and at 10 AM in Room 400, City Hall.
ACT-UP is particularly concerned about changes to health care and housing: the proposed fees for the formerly free city health centers and the proposed cut to the Housing Trust Fund.
More Budget Fun...
I spent the afternoon trying to gather information about where the money that supports Philadelphians Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) comes from.
For my messy first draft of an organizational/funding chart, check out these two links:
Housing Money and Authority in Philadelphia: http://tinyurl.com/philly-housing-map
Office of Housing and Community Development Funding and Programs in Philadelphia: http://tinyurl.com/ohcd-map
I also spent some quality time with federal, state, and local budgets. Here's what I've figured out:
1) Good(ish) news on the local level: if Mayor Nutter gets what he wants from the state (permission to raise the sales tax and put off paying into the pension fund) he will probably be able to maintain current levels of shelter beds and other housing programs. http://voteforhomes.org/media-mayors-announcement-and-budget-address
2) Bad news on the local level: the Mayor's budget includes fees for accessing the formerly free city health clinics. All the available research tells us this means fewer people will use the clinics, and emergency room visits will go up while public health goes down. Guess who pays for the much more expensive emergency room visits (hint: it's not the city!)http://www.philly.com/inquirer/home_top_stories/20090306_New_fees_likely_at_Phila__health_centers.html
3) Bad news on the state level: The recession has hit the state hard. While they're going to maintain a lot of important health and human services funding, HIV/AIDS programs are being flatlined (no increase) or even cut. The only exceptions are a $12,000 increase for the state's contribution to HOPWA (Housing Opportunities for People With AIDS) and a possible increase for the state's contribution to Ryan White funds (it's hard to tell, because it looks like one program has been split into two). Source: http://tinyurl.com/pa-budget
4) Bad news on the federal level: President Obama has flatlined HOPWA. I think that the program will have to make cuts, because I think their obligations (stuff they have to pay for) is going to go up, and they aren't getting the funding to cover it. This is really bad news for AIDS housing, and coming at a time when there's all this exciting evidence showing that housing is as important as medicine for AIDS treatment, and really important to prevention, too. Of course, grassroots AIDS activists have known this since the beginning of the crisis...
5) OK news on the federal level: Ryan White funds (which, as far as I can tell, is where most of the non-housing money for PLWHA comes from) have gotten a small increase, though it's definitely not what we asked for...
6) Good news on the federal level (finally!): HUD (Housing and Urban Development) got 4 billion dollars ($4,000,000,000) to build new housing through the stimulus. Some of that money is specifically for people with disabilities, which includes people with HIV/AIDS. So our state and local governments can use the money to build more AIDS housing.
And finally, a question: does Philadelphia use Pennsylvania's Homelessness Assistance Program money. If so, what city department uses it, and how?
For my messy first draft of an organizational/funding chart, check out these two links:
Housing Money and Authority in Philadelphia: http://tinyurl.com/philly-housing-map
Office of Housing and Community Development Funding and Programs in Philadelphia: http://tinyurl.com/ohcd-map
I also spent some quality time with federal, state, and local budgets. Here's what I've figured out:
1) Good(ish) news on the local level: if Mayor Nutter gets what he wants from the state (permission to raise the sales tax and put off paying into the pension fund) he will probably be able to maintain current levels of shelter beds and other housing programs. http://voteforhomes.org/media-mayors-announcement-and-budget-address
2) Bad news on the local level: the Mayor's budget includes fees for accessing the formerly free city health clinics. All the available research tells us this means fewer people will use the clinics, and emergency room visits will go up while public health goes down. Guess who pays for the much more expensive emergency room visits (hint: it's not the city!)http://www.philly.com/inquirer/home_top_stories/20090306_New_fees_likely_at_Phila__health_centers.html
3) Bad news on the state level: The recession has hit the state hard. While they're going to maintain a lot of important health and human services funding, HIV/AIDS programs are being flatlined (no increase) or even cut. The only exceptions are a $12,000 increase for the state's contribution to HOPWA (Housing Opportunities for People With AIDS) and a possible increase for the state's contribution to Ryan White funds (it's hard to tell, because it looks like one program has been split into two). Source: http://tinyurl.com/pa-budget
4) Bad news on the federal level: President Obama has flatlined HOPWA. I think that the program will have to make cuts, because I think their obligations (stuff they have to pay for) is going to go up, and they aren't getting the funding to cover it. This is really bad news for AIDS housing, and coming at a time when there's all this exciting evidence showing that housing is as important as medicine for AIDS treatment, and really important to prevention, too. Of course, grassroots AIDS activists have known this since the beginning of the crisis...
5) OK news on the federal level: Ryan White funds (which, as far as I can tell, is where most of the non-housing money for PLWHA comes from) have gotten a small increase, though it's definitely not what we asked for...
6) Good news on the federal level (finally!): HUD (Housing and Urban Development) got 4 billion dollars ($4,000,000,000) to build new housing through the stimulus. Some of that money is specifically for people with disabilities, which includes people with HIV/AIDS. So our state and local governments can use the money to build more AIDS housing.
And finally, a question: does Philadelphia use Pennsylvania's Homelessness Assistance Program money. If so, what city department uses it, and how?
Quick Budget Update, thanks to the 2010 AIDS Budget and Appropriations Coalition
Trying to think through and respond to the federal budget... Meanwhile, the AIDS Budget and Appropriations Coalition has a very helpful chart. Not included is the fact that the 2010 budget still includes a ban on federal
funding for syringe exchanges, despite their proven effectiveness.
While you've got Senator Specter on the phone...
ACT UP Philadelphia supports efforts to fight AIDS everywhere.
Call Senator Arlen Specter tomorrow, May 7th, and ask him to fight for money for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria. The Global Fund provides treatment for 2 million people living with HIV around the world, and is facing a severe funding crisis. If more money is not contributed to the Fund, then they may have to start cutting grants to programs providing treatment and prevention programs. For more information on the Global Fund, you can go to www.healthgap.org/gfatm.htm.
Specter has supported the Global Fund in the past, but we need his help now. He is on the committee that decides how much money gets spent each year (the Appropriations Committee), and that committee is considering a spending bill that could include the necessary $750 million the Global Fund needs to not have to cut existing and future grants. But a Senator needs to introduce an amendment to get that money. Will you ask Sen. Specter to introduce an amendment to include $750 million for the Global Fund in the Supplemental Spending bill?
What to do:
1) Call Specter's DC office at (202) 224-4254, and when the receptionist picks up, give them your name and what city you live in.
2) Then say "I am calling as a constituent to encourage Sen. Specter to introduce an amendment to the Supplemental Spending bill that will be considered soon for $750 million for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria. Sen. Specter has been a great supporter of the Global Fund in the past, but right now the Global Fund is facing a serious funding crisis and may have to start cutting grants that are providing treatment for people with HIV. $750 million is the difference between what the US is contributing in 2009, and our fair share. And if the US gives more, other countries will give more too. Thank you."
Thank you!
TAKE ACTION TODAY FOR PEOPLE WITH AIDS WORLDWIDE
Call Senator Arlen Specter tomorrow, May 7th, and ask him to fight for money for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria. The Global Fund provides treatment for 2 million people living with HIV around the world, and is facing a severe funding crisis. If more money is not contributed to the Fund, then they may have to start cutting grants to programs providing treatment and prevention programs. For more information on the Global Fund, you can go to www.healthgap.org/gfatm.htm.
Specter has supported the Global Fund in the past, but we need his help now. He is on the committee that decides how much money gets spent each year (the Appropriations Committee), and that committee is considering a spending bill that could include the necessary $750 million the Global Fund needs to not have to cut existing and future grants. But a Senator needs to introduce an amendment to get that money. Will you ask Sen. Specter to introduce an amendment to include $750 million for the Global Fund in the Supplemental Spending bill?
What to do:
1) Call Specter's DC office at (202) 224-4254, and when the receptionist picks up, give them your name and what city you live in.
2) Then say "I am calling as a constituent to encourage Sen. Specter to introduce an amendment to the Supplemental Spending bill that will be considered soon for $750 million for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria. Sen. Specter has been a great supporter of the Global Fund in the past, but right now the Global Fund is facing a serious funding crisis and may have to start cutting grants that are providing treatment for people with HIV. $750 million is the difference between what the US is contributing in 2009, and our fair share. And if the US gives more, other countries will give more too. Thank you."
Thank you!
Action Alert from National AIDS Housing Coalition
ACT UP Philadelphia is working to make sure that everyone living with HIV and AIDS has access to housing. The federal funding for housing people with HIV/AIDS is called HOPWA. A concrete way for the Senate to work towards funding HOPWA is for Senators to sign a letter saying they support funding it.
Today, May 8, is the last day for them to sign the letter! Please call your Senators today!
Below is the alert from the National AIDS Housing Coalition:
Capitol Switchboard: 202.225.3121
Please call both of your Senators' offices. They can be reached via the Capitol switchboard (202) 225- 3121. Ask to speak to the housing staffer. Urge them to sign the HOPWA letter being led by Senator Durbin which will go the Chair and Ranking Member of the Transportation and Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee urging funding for the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS program in Fiscal year 2010. HOPWA is the only federal housing program that helps cities and states address the housing crisis facing people living with HIV/AIDS. We only have until Friday May 8th to acquire signatures so act now!
If the staffer has further questions, please have them contact Candice Cho of Senator Durbin's office at (202) 224-1934 by Friday, May 8.
Click Here for a copy of the Dear Colleague
Click Here for a copy of the FY10 HOPWA appropriations letter
_________________________________________
It is imperative we meet or exceed last year's signers to demonstrate HOPWA's supporters!
Click Here to see if your Senator signed last year's letter.
Philly in the HOUSE at AIDSWatch 2009
By Waheedah Shabazz-El
There we were, a delegation PWA’s from ACT-UP Philly and Proyecto Sol along with our supporters from Action AIDS and the Office of HIV Planning, representing the state of Pennsylvania at the most important AIDSWatch in history. The AIDSWatch that may very well identify the cornerstones for the first National AIDS Strategy (NAS) to fight AIDS by reducing the incidence of HIV, and increasing access to care through healthcare reform.
AIDSWatch, the largest annual constituent-based Federal HIV/AIDS advocacy and education event in the U.S. Participants include people living with HIV and AIDS, their families, friends, care providers, and other advocates. AIDSWatch is a project of the National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA).
The AIDSWatch platform this year was developed with the help of ACT-UP Philly. Through intensive discussion on conference calls with NAPWA’s Vice President for Federal Government Affairs Director Kali Lindsey we came to a consensus for a platform of powerful demands that not only addressed the NAS but challenged our law makers to focus on concerns that could be addressed outside of the NAS.
Many of us were able to painfully articulate our personal stories on being homeless, dealing with violence, IDU drug use, incarceration and other addictions. We were also able to joyfully share how we were able to overcome these challenges as a direct result of federal and state funded programs that were available to us, when we most need them, when we were newly diagnosed.
Some us were able to share our fears that our grandchildren (three generations) away may contract HIV if not given the honest accurate information about prevention. Others were able to describe their feelings of desperation when they are forced to choose between buying groceries for the month or paying exorbitant co-pays for life saving medications that would treat their HIV and associated conditions.
For many people in our delegation it was their very first time at AIDSWatch and they didn’t know what to expect. I saw their eyes swell over with tears, their faces wet with wonderment and gratification as an editor of POZ magazine read The Denver Principles with passion and enthusiasm. I heard them make commitments to return next year to represent the People with HIV/AIDS in the Pa. region as they grasped the importance of their spiritual and physical presence in the space. We felt a sense of our own power
I believe one of the major highlights for the Pennsylvania delegation at AIDSWatch 2009 was seeing Senator Arlen Specter and his wife, in his Senatorial Office, only minutes before he was off to the press conference with President Obama where he would make his historical announcement that he would change parties from Republican to Democratic.
AIDSWatch is an exercise in empowerment. It is an amazing opportunity that helps to develop the next generation of leaders who are HIV Positive. We have a voice it is the voice of PWA’s. Our voices echoed throughout Capitol Hill, we need a National AIDS Strategy, and we can hardly wait.
Health Care Reform which must include: (But not limited to)
Prevention which must include: (But not limited to)
Other Allocation Demands:
There we were, a delegation PWA’s from ACT-UP Philly and Proyecto Sol along with our supporters from Action AIDS and the Office of HIV Planning, representing the state of Pennsylvania at the most important AIDSWatch in history. The AIDSWatch that may very well identify the cornerstones for the first National AIDS Strategy (NAS) to fight AIDS by reducing the incidence of HIV, and increasing access to care through healthcare reform.
AIDSWatch, the largest annual constituent-based Federal HIV/AIDS advocacy and education event in the U.S. Participants include people living with HIV and AIDS, their families, friends, care providers, and other advocates. AIDSWatch is a project of the National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA).
The AIDSWatch platform this year was developed with the help of ACT-UP Philly. Through intensive discussion on conference calls with NAPWA’s Vice President for Federal Government Affairs Director Kali Lindsey we came to a consensus for a platform of powerful demands that not only addressed the NAS but challenged our law makers to focus on concerns that could be addressed outside of the NAS.
Many of us were able to painfully articulate our personal stories on being homeless, dealing with violence, IDU drug use, incarceration and other addictions. We were also able to joyfully share how we were able to overcome these challenges as a direct result of federal and state funded programs that were available to us, when we most need them, when we were newly diagnosed.
Some us were able to share our fears that our grandchildren (three generations) away may contract HIV if not given the honest accurate information about prevention. Others were able to describe their feelings of desperation when they are forced to choose between buying groceries for the month or paying exorbitant co-pays for life saving medications that would treat their HIV and associated conditions.
For many people in our delegation it was their very first time at AIDSWatch and they didn’t know what to expect. I saw their eyes swell over with tears, their faces wet with wonderment and gratification as an editor of POZ magazine read The Denver Principles with passion and enthusiasm. I heard them make commitments to return next year to represent the People with HIV/AIDS in the Pa. region as they grasped the importance of their spiritual and physical presence in the space. We felt a sense of our own power
I believe one of the major highlights for the Pennsylvania delegation at AIDSWatch 2009 was seeing Senator Arlen Specter and his wife, in his Senatorial Office, only minutes before he was off to the press conference with President Obama where he would make his historical announcement that he would change parties from Republican to Democratic.
AIDSWatch is an exercise in empowerment. It is an amazing opportunity that helps to develop the next generation of leaders who are HIV Positive. We have a voice it is the voice of PWA’s. Our voices echoed throughout Capitol Hill, we need a National AIDS Strategy, and we can hardly wait.
AIDSWatch 2009 Platform/Demands
Health Care Reform which must include: (But not limited to)
- Elimination of the two year Medicare waiting period for people with disabilities.
- Protect Dual Eligible Medicaid/Medicare (Part D) beneficiaries facing doughnut hole coverage gaps by allowing ADAP (AIDS Drug Assistance Program) expenditures to be counted as TrOOP, (True Out of Pocket Spending.
- Strengthen and preserve Ryan White Programs by supporting the authorization of a three year extension of the program before it expires on Sept. 30, 2009.
- Ryan White Programs: Increase overall allocations in the amount of $577.8 to increase accessibility to care and treatment for persons living with HIV.
- Support the ETHA (Early Treatment for HIV ACT) that would give states the option of amending their Medicaid eligibility requirements to extend coverage to Pre- Disabled poor and low income people living with HIV. ***Congressman Chaka Fattah (of all the congressional visits) had already signed on to extend Ryan White programs and ETHA.
Prevention which must include: (But not limited to)
- Elimination of Abstinence Only Education Programs and Promote Evidenced Based Interventions.
- Support passage of the REAL ACT (the Responsible Education About Life) that would develop age appropriate programs around relationships, dating, violence and communications skills.
- Lift the ban on Federal Funding for Syringe Exchange Programs (Serrano House Bill 79)
- HOPWA (Housing Opportunities for PWA’s) allocations at $50 Million
Other Allocation Demands:
- SAMHSA (Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Agency) $445 Million Increase
- Funding for AIDS Research in the US through the NIH (national Institutes of Health) $500 Million Increase.
- Minority AIDS Initiative (MIA) $200.5Million Increase
- HIV Prevention Education for CDC $878 Million Increase
- The REAL ACT $50 Million in grants
100 Days to Fight AIDS: How'd he do?
On November 20th, 2008, nearly 1,000 AIDS activists around the country
gathered together outside the White House to congratulate President
Obama and call on him to act quickly to fight AIDS at home and abroad
during his first 100 days in office.
We demanded that he focus on providing treatment and care to all
people with HIV, ensure housing is available to all people with HIV,
advance HIV prevention justice, and reform the US global AIDS plan.
Now that the 100 day mark has come and gone, we can reflect on the
positive steps Obama took in his first 100 days in office:
1) Appointing Jeff Crowley to the position of Director of the Office of National AIDS Policy, a
position that remained unfilled in the Bush administration for years.
Crowley's appointment was met with wide support from AIDS activists,
who cited his vast knowledge of Medicare and Medicaid, as well as his
connections to the HIV/AIDS community. Since his appointment, Crowley
has met multiple times with grassroots AIDS activists.
2) Signed a budget that included preliminary funding to develop a national AIDS
strategy.
3) Launching a new prevention campaign, using Web 2.0 technology,
designed to both restore a sense of urgency about fighting AIDS in the
general public and to target groups most at risk for contracting HIV.
4) Repealing the widely condemned global gag rule (which prevented any
organization receiving US government funds from using other funding
sources to discuss abortion as an option) and expanding access to
family planning domestically and globally.
5) Calling in his budget for evidence-based, medically accurate sex
education, in contrast to the failed abstinence-only policies.
6) Appointing Eric Goosby as the Global AIDS Coordinator to oversee
implementation of the $48 billion over five year global AIDS program
reauthorized by Congress last year.
7) Continuing to push for healthcare reform that strengthens Medicare
and Medicaid and provides universal health coverage.
8) Repeatedly emphasized his support of federal funding of syringe
exchange, which would dramatically reduce HIV infections without
increasing rates of drug use.
In spite of all the progress made, Obama made one major misstep. In
his 2010 budget outline, Obama only included a small increase in
funding for foreign assistance. At a time when the poorest in the
world are suffering disproportionately from the global economic
crisis, and given the campaign commitment to double foreign assistance
and provide $50 billion over five years for global AIDS programs,
Obama's budget outline did not include sufficient funding to meet the
needs of people around the world and fulfill his campaign promise.
In the next 100 days, Obama has the opportunity to come through on
more of his campaign pledges, including:
1) Introducing a detailed budget that:
a) lifts the federal funding ban on funding syringe exchange
b) fully funds Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS
c) increases spending on domestic HIV prevention, in line with
the CDC's recommendation that, to cut infection rates in half, we need
to increase spending on prevention by 138%
d) meets our commitment to the Global Fund for AIDS, TB, and
Malaria ($2.7 billion) and bi-lateral US global AIDS programs ($9
billion)
2) Support for ETHA (Early Treatment for HIV/AIDS Act) which is before
the House now and will soon be before the Senate. This bill would
expand Medicaid to cover all people with HIV, not just those who are
already sick with an AIDS diagnosis.
3) A detailed plan for healthcare reform that includes a guarantee
that people with HIV have access to treatment when medically
necessary, and are not forced to wait.
4) A detailed National AIDS Strategy.
5) Reforms the US Global AIDS plan to mitigate the harm of policies
that further marginalize people at high risk of HIV infection,
including drug users and sex workers. Additionally, Obama should
support efforts to train and retain sufficient health workers to meet
the commitments the US government has made to ensure universal access
to HIV prevention, treatment and care worldwide.
gathered together outside the White House to congratulate President
Obama and call on him to act quickly to fight AIDS at home and abroad
during his first 100 days in office.
We demanded that he focus on providing treatment and care to all
people with HIV, ensure housing is available to all people with HIV,
advance HIV prevention justice, and reform the US global AIDS plan.
Now that the 100 day mark has come and gone, we can reflect on the
positive steps Obama took in his first 100 days in office:
1) Appointing Jeff Crowley to the position of Director of the Office of National AIDS Policy, a
position that remained unfilled in the Bush administration for years.
Crowley's appointment was met with wide support from AIDS activists,
who cited his vast knowledge of Medicare and Medicaid, as well as his
connections to the HIV/AIDS community. Since his appointment, Crowley
has met multiple times with grassroots AIDS activists.
2) Signed a budget that included preliminary funding to develop a national AIDS
strategy.
3) Launching a new prevention campaign, using Web 2.0 technology,
designed to both restore a sense of urgency about fighting AIDS in the
general public and to target groups most at risk for contracting HIV.
4) Repealing the widely condemned global gag rule (which prevented any
organization receiving US government funds from using other funding
sources to discuss abortion as an option) and expanding access to
family planning domestically and globally.
5) Calling in his budget for evidence-based, medically accurate sex
education, in contrast to the failed abstinence-only policies.
6) Appointing Eric Goosby as the Global AIDS Coordinator to oversee
implementation of the $48 billion over five year global AIDS program
reauthorized by Congress last year.
7) Continuing to push for healthcare reform that strengthens Medicare
and Medicaid and provides universal health coverage.
8) Repeatedly emphasized his support of federal funding of syringe
exchange, which would dramatically reduce HIV infections without
increasing rates of drug use.
In spite of all the progress made, Obama made one major misstep. In
his 2010 budget outline, Obama only included a small increase in
funding for foreign assistance. At a time when the poorest in the
world are suffering disproportionately from the global economic
crisis, and given the campaign commitment to double foreign assistance
and provide $50 billion over five years for global AIDS programs,
Obama's budget outline did not include sufficient funding to meet the
needs of people around the world and fulfill his campaign promise.
In the next 100 days, Obama has the opportunity to come through on
more of his campaign pledges, including:
1) Introducing a detailed budget that:
a) lifts the federal funding ban on funding syringe exchange
b) fully funds Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS
c) increases spending on domestic HIV prevention, in line with
the CDC's recommendation that, to cut infection rates in half, we need
to increase spending on prevention by 138%
d) meets our commitment to the Global Fund for AIDS, TB, and
Malaria ($2.7 billion) and bi-lateral US global AIDS programs ($9
billion)
2) Support for ETHA (Early Treatment for HIV/AIDS Act) which is before
the House now and will soon be before the Senate. This bill would
expand Medicaid to cover all people with HIV, not just those who are
already sick with an AIDS diagnosis.
3) A detailed plan for healthcare reform that includes a guarantee
that people with HIV have access to treatment when medically
necessary, and are not forced to wait.
4) A detailed National AIDS Strategy.
5) Reforms the US Global AIDS plan to mitigate the harm of policies
that further marginalize people at high risk of HIV infection,
including drug users and sex workers. Additionally, Obama should
support efforts to train and retain sufficient health workers to meet
the commitments the US government has made to ensure universal access
to HIV prevention, treatment and care worldwide.
"A detailed National AIDS Strategy"
In the 100 Days post below, we didn't talk much about what "a detailed National AIDS Strategy" should include.
We have some ideas, but we want to hear from you. What should Jeff Crowley, Director of the Office of National AIDS Policy, focus on in the strategy?
We have some ideas, but we want to hear from you. What should Jeff Crowley, Director of the Office of National AIDS Policy, focus on in the strategy?
Good news from fellow lobbyists, National Center for Transgender Equality
A bunch of ACT UP Philly members were in DC last week for AIDSWatch, a big lobbying day for people living with HIV/AIDS, sponsored by the National Association for People With AIDS. Stay tuned for further coverage!
Member Waheedah Shabazz-El passed along that she met Suzan Collins, Philadelphian who was down in DC lobbying with the National Center for Transgender Equality. The bill Ms. Collins was lobbying for just passed the House!
The bill is the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (H. R. 1913), which would add sexual orientation, gender identity, gender and disability to the categories included in existing federal hate crimes law and would allow local governments who are unable or unwilling to address hate crimes to receive assistance from the federal government. Meaning that people who are stigmatized by their local community law enforcement now are protected by the federal government, who will help prosecute crimes against them and send the message that everyone gets equal protection under the law no matter where they live.
Since this bill specifically mentions crimes against people based on having a disability, it protects people who are targeted for their HIV status. And of course any time we fight discrimination associated with gender, sexuality, race, class, etc. we are fighting the stigma and injustice that help spread AIDS.
So take a moment to fight AIDS today, by calling your senator and telling them to vote for the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act.
http://nctequality.org/take_action/takeaction.html
Member Waheedah Shabazz-El passed along that she met Suzan Collins, Philadelphian who was down in DC lobbying with the National Center for Transgender Equality. The bill Ms. Collins was lobbying for just passed the House!
The bill is the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (H. R. 1913), which would add sexual orientation, gender identity, gender and disability to the categories included in existing federal hate crimes law and would allow local governments who are unable or unwilling to address hate crimes to receive assistance from the federal government. Meaning that people who are stigmatized by their local community law enforcement now are protected by the federal government, who will help prosecute crimes against them and send the message that everyone gets equal protection under the law no matter where they live.
Since this bill specifically mentions crimes against people based on having a disability, it protects people who are targeted for their HIV status. And of course any time we fight discrimination associated with gender, sexuality, race, class, etc. we are fighting the stigma and injustice that help spread AIDS.
So take a moment to fight AIDS today, by calling your senator and telling them to vote for the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act.
http://nctequality.org/take_action/takeaction.html
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