(This post is derived in its entirety from an article in the Examiner, available at:
April 25,
2014
The annual AIDS Watch assembly will begin on
Monday, April 28th. AIDS Watch is a large constituent-based gathering that
focuses on advocating for HIV/AIDS issues such as funding for programs and
research, policy making, and community organizing. Advocates, grassroots
organizations, and most importantly people living with HIV will be in
attendance. The event includes policy briefing, scheduled visits with members
of Congress, awards reception and a rally in
Upper Senate Park. AIDS Watch was a long time event sponsored by the defunct
National Association for People With AIDS (NAPWA). It is now organized by AIDS
United, a DC-based advocacy group.
Michael Kaplan, President and CEO
of AIDS
United, answered three important questions about the potential
impact of AIDS United and why selected groups should get involved.
1. What can a first timer
expect at AIDS Watch 2014?
The experience can vary for so
many, but undoubtedly, they will find themselves among several hundred HIV and
AIDS advocates – many of whom are living with HIV, and others that work as
allies in the field. They will get up-to-date training on HIV within the U.S.,
core policy issues, and how to effectively tell their stories to legislators.
They will find themselves in all kinds of settings, from Congressional offices
on Capitol Hill to a rally out in the park; and from a formal training at the
FHI360 Conference Center to a Reception at the Rayburn Office building to honor
retiring House Members Waxman and Christensen as well as community advocates,
Robert Suttle and Tre Alexander.
2. How effective are these
visits to Capitol Hill?
The visits can make a significant
difference. The federal government invests well over $3 billion in
discretionary programs to address HIV, the vast majority of which is spent in
local communities to support programs related to HIV such as housing, case
management, assistance with access to HIV-related treatment, and screening and
prevention. Our legislators make decisions that impact hugely how we end this
epidemic, and without the voices of those most impacted, we’re less likely to
get the outcomes we need. We need the ban on using federal funds for syringe
exchange programs removed, we need legislation that has already been introduced
to fight HIV-criminalization passed, we need more up-to-date allocation of
housing funds for people living with HIV, and so much more if we are to really
meet the opportunity that is here to end AIDS. These issues are already being
discussed on Capitol Hill, and constituents coming to meet with their elected
officials, sharing information on how HIV impacts our lives, how Congress can
make a difference, and how we vote makes a huge impact on what legislators
decide to do.
3. Why should minorities
(African-Americans, Hispanics, LBGT, Women) get involved with AIDS Watch?
The reality is, HIV
disproportionately affects many of the most marginalized communities in our
country. While there is not a demographic you can find that has not been
touched by HIV – the huge and disproportionate impact on sexual minorities,
communities of color, on women who have faced domestic violence and on the poor
is undeniable. These are the very communities that often are the least served
in federal policy, and the only way we change that is by ensuring our current
legislators here from us; and that we work together to ensure that the
legislative body more fairly reflects the beautiful diversity of our country.
Registration is still going on for
AIDS Watch 2014. Seats fill up quickly.
Click here for more information on
the schedule of events and online registration.
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