11/26/14 V5i48 by South Florida Gay News

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November 26, 2014 // vol. 5 // issue 48

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STAYING AWARE SFGNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BI-ANNUAL SPIRIT EDITION Begins On Page 16

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Compiled by John McDonald

RIP Marion Barry

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Photo by Paul Courson, CNN

A controversial and tireless advocate for the nation’s capital who created jobs for generations of black families, Marion Barry was the ultimate District of Columbia politician, though his arrest for drug use in the midst of a crack cocaine epidemic often overshadows his accomplishments. The former four-term mayor died Sunday at 78. Linda Cropp, who led the city’s

legislative body when Barry was mayor and councilmember, credited Barry with spurring development downtown and in areas scarred by race riots of the past. He championed senior housing and programs for the elderly and was an early fighter for gay rights, she said. “He had a way of making people love him,” she said. “You know, he was a brilliant man.”

Country Stars Come Out There are plenty of country songs about how to be a man. One way is to face the music, and two country crooners did that: Ty Herndon and Billy Gilman came out as being gay. Herdon went first, in interviews

Ty Herndon and Billy Gilman

On Stands NOW!

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indicates that President Yahya Jammeh signed it on Oct. 9. One of Africa’s most vocal anti-gay leaders, Jammeh instructed gays and lesbians in 2008 to leave the MEMBER country or risk decapitation.

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with People Magazine and Entertainment Tonight. His revelation inspired Gilman to do go public as well. Gilman posted a message to YouTube, thanking Herndon for breaking the ice.

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November 26, 2014 • Volume 5 • Issue 48

Brian McNaught • Dana Rudolph • Wayne Besen Ric Reily • Steve Siler • Bil Browning Terri Schlichenmeyer

Gambia Cracks Down on Homosexual Acts The president of Gambia has signed a bill into law that calls for life imprisonment for some homosexual acts, the latest African country to codify harsh penalties for the gay community. A copy of the legislation, which was obtained by The Associated Press,

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news highlight

Transgender Lives Memorialized

Day of Remembrance pays tribute to Trans people John McDonald

Julie Carson, Wilton Manors Commissioner One by one they read aloud the names of the fallen, the day they passed and too often their horrible cause of death. Transgender Day of Remembrance came to the Pride Center in Wilton Manors as an occasion to memorialize those lives lost. Transgender individuals who were, in some instances, merely occupying space. “We are still being victimized,” said Cruz, wearing a crown on her head and acting in an emcee role. Cruz introduced Wilton Manors Commissioner Julie Carson, who addressed the audience and stated that if there was anyone in the building feeling threatened then they should call her. “This is our city,” Carson said. “When you enter this city you are in a sanctuary to work, play and live.” Carson issued a proclamation on behalf of Wilton Manors to officially recognize Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR). “You should always be safe here,” she said. Broward School Board Member, Dr. Rosalyn Osgood took the podium and stated her connection to the faith based community. “As decent human beings we have an obligation to care for each other,” said Osgood, who went on to apologize for the way in which some church members have rejected transgender people. Musician Terri Catlin performed a touching rendition of “American Girl,” saying she shared in the memorial’s pain. Catlin later played the piano as participants lined up to read the names of the dead. Jodi Reichman, who said she identified as an ally, said, “No one should be subjected

to violence simply because of their gender identity.” Reichman said there are many people who seek to erase transgender people – some in the most brutal ways possible. Reichman was in tears when she spoke. “Respect people for who they are,” Reichman lashed out. “And not who you want them to be.” Added Osgood, “Death brings tears to our heart that are often overwhelming.” Despite the evening’s dark tone, Pride Center Chief Executive Officer Robert Boo pledged the center’s full support. “For 21 years we have provided a nurturing, safe space,” Boo said. “So often the transgender community is not supported and we need to correct that.” After the readings and speeches, participants gathered in small talk while munching on catering from a nearby restaurant. One participant, human rights activist Michael Rajner, posed for photographs with his dog, Gidget, in between chatting with transgender YouTube sensation Jazz Jennings. “It’s a struggle I will never understand,” said Rajner, a gay man. It was at Rajner’s urging that U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Florida) recently signed on to a federal bill that includes transgender protections. Rajner said he had traveled recently to Miami where a commission is scheduled to hear a proposed ordinance involving Transgender people. “The opposition is trying to vilify Transgender people,” Rajner said.

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News Briefs

Brooklyn’s Collins Retires

Compiled by John McDonald

Jason Collins, the first openly gay player in one of the four major North American professional leagues, announced his retirement last week after 13 years in the NBA. “It’s time and I’m very much looking forward to the next steps,” Collins said during a press conference before the Brooklyn Nets played the Milwaukee Bucks. The 35-year-old Collins disclosed his plans earlier in a firstperson story for Sports Illustrated. It’s the same forum he used in April, 2013, to publicly reveal his sexuality. He was signed by the Nets in February and played 22 games for the team. Collins said he decided to retire over the summer and had been trying to determine how to make the announcement. “After last season, especially over the summer, my body was talking to me like it does to all professional athletes after a certain while,” Collins said. “It’s a young man’s game and Father Time is undefeated. Got another one.”

Collins started his career with the New Jersey Nets in 2001 and rejoined the franchise in Brooklyn last February. He revealed at the end of the 2013 season that he is gay, but was a free agent and remained unsigned until the Nets needed another big man. They turned to the 7-foot Collins, who helped them reach the NBA Finals in 2002 and 2003. He signed a 10-day contract, playing his first game as an out gay man on Feb. 23 on the road against the Los Angeles Lakers to a warm ovation. He stayed the rest of the season. Nets general manager Billy King congratulated Collins on a “distinguished NBA career” in a statement. “He was an integral part of the back-to-back Eastern Conference Championship teams,” King said. “We wish him well as he embarks on a new chapter in his career.”

have a lifetime mate, as I am blessed to have with Nancy. So here’s our congratulations and cheers to the future nuptials of loving couples, regardless of gender, in Montana!”

RC: Barilla Goes From Worst to First

Judge Strikes Down Montana Same-Sex Marriage Ban TIMBER!

A federal judge overturned the state gay marriage ban in Montana, one of the last states to continue defending its ban despite rulings in favor of same-sex marriage from appeals courts that oversee them. Known as the Treasure State, Montana is the fourth largest state, in terms of land, in the U.S. and home to two National Parks – Yellowstone and Glacier. “Gay Marriage has come to Montana!,” tweeted comedian Ellen DeGeneres. “To celebrate, I invented a gay dating app specifically for the people of Montana. I call it ‘Timber.’” U.S. District Judge Brian Morris ruled Montana’s constitutional amendment limiting marriage to a man and a woman, approved by voters in 2004, violates the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause. “This Court recognizes that not everyone will celebrate this outcome,” Morris wrote. “This decision overturns a Montana Constitutional amendment approved by the voters of Montana. Yet the United States Constitution exists to protect disfavored minorities from the will of the majority.” Montana’s Republican attorney general, Tim Fox, vowed to appeal but said he wouldn’t ask the state to block marriages in the meantime. Four same-sex couples filed a lawsuit in May challenging Montana’s ban. The plaintiffs included Angie and Tonya Rolando. “Calling Tonya my partner, my significant other, my girlfriend, my perpetual fiancée has never done justice to our relationship,” Angie Rolando said. “Love won today.” Former Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer, who is being mentioned as a possible Presidential candidate in 2016, issued the following statement to his Facebook fans: “It’s a wonderful thing to

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Barilla has made quite a turnaround. A year ago, the Italian pasta maker was under fire after the company’s president, Guido Barilla, said he favors “traditional” families and wouldn’t use same-sex couples in advertising. Now, the company has scored a top rating on the Human Rights Campaign’s list of employers who are LGBT-friendly. The new list gives top honors to 365 other companies, too, including 150 Fortune 500 companies. Barilla is one of several dozen companies that haven’t previously been rated by HRC. Facebook, Tesla and Yelp are also new to the list -- and each earned a perfect score. Barilla earned perfect scores in the eight categories HRC evaluates, including prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity and offering health coverage for same-sex partners and transgender individuals. It also earned points for positively engaging with the LGBT community. The company said those efforts “resulted in a great deal of positive change.” “I am proud to say that, as a result of these discussions, we have all learned a great deal about the true definition and meaning of family, and over the past year we have worked hard to reflect that throughout our organization,” Barilla, the company president, said.”.

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Photo:Twitter

Teams Battle in Hurricane Softball Showdown

Softball players from around the country are converging on South Florida this weekend for the 20th Annual Hurricane Showdown. Organized by the South Florida Amateur Athletic Assocation (SFAAA), the Hurricane Showdown comes to Mills Pond Park (2201 NW 9th Ave., Fort Lauderdale) and Brian Piccolo Park (9501 Sheridan St. Cooper City). The games feature several different levels of ability with teams from Fort Lauderdale, New York, Boston, Nashville, Houston, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Tampa, St. Petersburg, Atlanta, the Carolinas and Orlando. The tournament was originally designed to bring softball lovers out of the cold reaches of the north to play under the warm South Florida sun. Games are held Nov. 27-30 in conjunction with Gay Days Fort Lauderdale. Courtyard by Marriott Fort Lauderdale Beach (440 Seabreeze Blvd., Fort Lauderdale) is serving as the event’s host hotel. For more information, visit www.hurricaneshowdown.net

.J. Cop Arrested for Showing Penis

A police officer from New Jersey was arrested last week after allegedly showing his penis to a number of young male drivers instead of giving them a ticket. Jason Miller, 37, was arrested and charged with official misconduct and public lewdness after officials reviewed his traffic stops over a seven-month period. Miller, who has been an officer with the Newton Police Department since 2001, was released from jail on a $35,000 bail. According to an affidavit by the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office, Miller exposed himself during “numerous” late-night traffic stops to “satisfy his prurient interests.” He allegedly let the male drivers off the hook by not giving them a ticket, even though, at least in some cases, Miller was aware that the driver had been drinking or that a vehicle’s registration and insurance was expired. The document details Miller’s interaction with five men between the ages of 18 and 26. Investigators say they have evidence of other “late night or early morning stops involving Officer Miller and young adult males... wherein it appears that Officer Miller’s pants were opened and/or his genitals were exposed and/or a zipper can be heard opening or closing.” Miller, a married father of two, has been indefinitely suspended without pay pending the outcome of the criminal case

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news bites

by John McDonald

international

ungarian LGBT Rights Activist Killed

The tragic death of a young Hungarian gay rights activist is raising concerns about the current state of affairs in Central Europe. Milan Rosza, 22, died from injuries he sustained after being struck by a train in Budapest. Rosza was an outspoken advocate for the LGBT, Jewish and Roma communities in Hungary, said Stuart Milk, Co-founder and President of the Harvey Milk Foundation. “He was the only visible face in Hungary,” said Milk, who had brought Rosza to the White House in 2012 to meet with U.S. Congressional leaders. Rosza’s death is still under investigation, said Milk.

national

ells Fargo Donates $1 Million to NGLCCF

Wells Fargo contributed $1 million to the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce Foundation in support of the group’s Strategic Growth and Development Institute and Supplier Innovation Center. Companies from around the globe, including South Florida LLCs, attended a two-day business incubator program last weekend in Washington, D.C. “In 1852, two forward thinking businessmen joined together to create Wells Fargo. It is that spirit of innovation that continues today with the company’s support of entrepreneurship and diversity that we see at the NGLCC Supplier Innovation Center,” said Justin Nelson, NGLCC co-founder and president.

Justin Nelson, NGLCC President

state

Supports Marriage Alachua Equality

Alachua County is the first North Florida county to publicly support the freedom to marry for samesex couples. The Board of County Commissioners in Alachua County – home to the University of Florida — voted to sign an amicus brief (friend of the court), drafted by a growing list of local governments seeking marriage equality in Florida. “Five Florida judges have already ruled the ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional,” said Equality Florida Public Policy Director Mallory Garner-Wells. “With every passing day, the denial of marriage equality causes irreparable harm to our families. Once again, we call on Attorney General Bondi and Governor Scott to stop the senseless appeals.”

local

rantalis Opposes City’s Treatment of Homeless

Fort Lauderdale Commissioner Dean Trantalis is saying enough is enough in regards to the homeless issue. Trantalis, at a city workshop, spoke out against Fort Lauderdale’s anti-feeding ordinance, saying “We need to stop what is going on because it is only hurting the homeless. It’s hurting us as a city. Our community is shamed as a result of what we’ve done.” More than a dozen people have been criminally charged with feeding homeless people in Fort Lauderdale. Despite Trantalis’ plea, no other commissioner voiced approval for suspending the ordinance.

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Dean Trantalis, Fort Lauderdale Commissioner

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news local

As Expected Pam Bondi Continues to Defend Gay Marriage Ban Jason Parsley

In the past few weeks Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi has submitted a flurry of briefs in order to stop same-sex marriages from starting in the state. This was of course expected from her. “It is disappointing but not surprising that Pam Bondi continues to use every legal maneuver she can find to delay the inevitable while squandering state resources in what will surely be a losing battle,” said Stratton Pollitzer of Equality Florida. “Five Florida judges have ruled the ban on same-sex marriage as unconstitutional, and nearly two-thirds of Americans live in states that recognize samesex marriage.” However the Log Cabin Republicans of Miami applauded Bondi’s decision saying that it is Bondi’s job to uphold the law whether she agrees with it or not. “It is the job of the Attorney General to defend the Constitution of their respective states,” said Mimi Planas, president of the Miami chapter of LCR. “They are sworn under oath to do so and I not only respect Pam Bondi for doing her job but I admire her determination to do so even in the face of malicious attacks.” Planas believes that it’s better for these marriage equality cases to work their way through the courts rather than dropping them and potentially creating legal chaos. “If the Attorney General were to drop the appeals today and allow the rulings to go through (un-appealed), hurray! The LGBT community in Monroe County, Miami Dade County and Broward County would be able to legally marry. Would the people from any other county be able to marry? No. This ruling would only apply to those counties,” she said. “This case is making its way through the court system, as it should. This should not be a ‘special’ case. The fact that the Attorney General is trying to get it settled with the Florida Supreme Court

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now should be applauded, not demonized.” Planas even goes so far to say Bondi is doing the gay community a favor. “Pam Bondi is actually helping the cause, not hurting it.” Not everyone though agrees with Planas’ analysis. “I believe at least 7 other state’s attorney’s general have declined to defend the appeals once courts in those states ruled that the bans violated the U.S. Constitution,” said Rand Hoch, a retired judge and president of the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council. But actually there is already a precedent in Florida for dropping such an appeal and letting a lower court’s decision stand. In 2010 Bondi’s predecessor Republican Bill McCollum decided to not appeal after an appellate court overturned Florida’s ban on gay adoption. At the time he said: “This is not the right case to take to the Supreme Court for its determination. A more suitable case will give the Supreme Court the opportunity to uphold the constitutionality of this law.” Former Gov. Charlie Crist, at the time a Republican, also decided to not appeal the case. “The gay adoption ban was put into place by the Florida legislature, not by 60 percent of the voters. So in reality there is no precedence for this particular case,” Planas said. In Bondi’s brief to the federal Eleventh Circuit Court she wrote: “States have virtually exclusive authority to define and regulate marriage. No fundamental right is at issue here because same-sex marriage is not deeply rooted in this Nation’s history and tradition.” LGBT rights activist Michael Rajner offers up a different theory on why Bondi is so intent on appealing the gay marriage rulings. “Bondi is obviously preparing herself for a run for Florida Governor,” he said.

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MoreAIDS AIDS More stories online! stories online!

June 11, 2014 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com • Vol. 4 Issue 2 NOV. 26, 2014

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The

VOL. 4 ISSUE 3

Spirit

America’s HIV/AIDS News Source

Spirit

World AIDS Day 2014 AIDS HISTORY 101 The

America’s HIV/AIDS News Source

AIDS HISTORY

Photo: facebook

HIV P osItIVe M exIcan

D enIeD a syluM Pier Angelo

The origin of the AIDS pandemic has been traced to the 1920s in the city of Kinshasa, in today’s Democratic Republic of Congo. A feat of viral archeology was used to find its origins. It is a mutated version of a chimpanzee virus, which made the species-jump through contact with infected blood while handling bush meat. Roaring sex trade, population growth, unsterilized needles used in primitive clinics helped spread the virus thru the Congo. Railways had one million people flowing through the city each year, taking the virus to nearby regions, the same way Christiana Lilly by plane from one as Ebola is today carried continent to the other. HIV came to global attention in the 1980s and has infected nearly million people. and HIV activist Eight75LGBT, immigration groups have come together to plead for the U.S. 1980 aApril 24, San Francisco to not deport gay, HIV positive Mexican resident Ken Horne, the first AIDS caseman in back to his home country. the United States to be recognized at the TheisCenter for HIV Policy the time, reported to Law the and Center forjoined Disease groups to write an amicus brief, (KS). Doe v. Holder, Control with Kaposi’s Sarcoma in support of providing the man (whose name October French-Canadian was redacted) asylum31, for fear that he could be flight attendant Gaëtan his first beaten, raped and killedDugas when pays he returns to known to NYC He would Mexico visit because of hisbathhouses. sexual orientation and later be deemed “Patient Zero” for his HIV status. apparent connection to many early cases of “Before deporting someone to torture, AIDS in the United States. courts should make nuanced decisions based on a review of all relevant said Ivan December 23,factors,” Rick Wellikoff, CHLP Legal aEspinoza-Madrigal, Brooklyn schoolteacher, diesDirector, of AIDSinina press He release. this there has been no NYC. is the“In 4th UScase, citizen known to die from the disease. consideration at all of on-the-ground realities and attitudes about HIV.” 1986 (human immunodeficiency Since 1994,HIV immigration law in the U.S. has virus) is adopted as name the retrovirus recognized HIV-positive andofLGBT people as that was first proposed as the cause of AIDS eligible for asylum. However, it’s not a sure by Luc Montagnier of France, who named itthing. LAV (lymphadenopathy associated virus) immigration and the Board of andAnRobert Gallo ofjudge the United States, who Immigration Appeals denied asylum to the // SFGN.com // / 11.26.2014 14 man, / claiming that there has been progress for LGBT Mexicans. While strides have been made

named it HTLV-III (human T-lymph tropic virus type III).

National Mall in Washington, DC. The Quilt was last displayed in full on the Mall in D.C., in 1996, but it returned in July 2012 to coincide with the start of the XIX International AIDS Conference. Weighing an estimated 54 tons, it is the largest piece of community folk art in the world as of 2010.

he World AIDS Museum opened in Wilton Manors in 2012. It is the first Museum dedicated to the HIV/ AIDS epidemic and provides information on treatment and prevention of HIV.

ACT UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) is an advocacy group formed in 1987 working to impact the lives of people with AIDS and the AIDS pandemic, to bring about legislation, medical research and treatment and policies to ultimately bring an end to the The Red Ribbon Project disease by mitigating loss of health and lives. ACT UP’s demonstrations in the late 1980s was created by the New York-based Visual and early 1990s reflected the group’s outrage AIDS Artists Caucus in 1991. The artists among others. The film earned 20 against a governing establishment that who formed the Visual AIDS Artists nominations and 9 awards, including the ignored HIV/AIDS as a national health crisis; Caucus wished to create a visual symbol to 1994 Emmy Award for Outstanding Made for that failed to secure funding for medical demonstrate compassion for people living Television Movie. Shilts himself would die of research, treatment, and education; that with AIDS and their caregivers. Inspired the disease on February 17, 1994. profited from inflated costs for therapeutic by the yellow ribbons honoring American December 1, 1993 In recognition drugs; and that homophobic soldiers serving in the Gulf war, the color misconduct andperpetuated government-sanctioned misrepresentations of HIV and AIDS.of access red was chosen for its, “connection to blood of World AIDS Day the U.S. Postal Service violence and brutality, to the denial and the idea of passion -- not only anger, but issued, at the United Nations in New York to lifesaving care and treatment.” The medical NAMES Project AIDS love, like a valentine.” First worn publicly City, a 29-cent vertical stamp picturing the In 2007, a gayQuilt, teacher attended a gay rights Memorial was conceived in by Jeremy Irons at the 1991 Tony Awards, red ribbon symbolic of the movement to marchbywearing women’s clothing. was the ribbon soon became renowned as an deal with AIDS. “For more than 60 years,” 1985 AIDS activist Cleve Jones He during attacked and lost his job. he went of to international symbol of AIDS awareness. Postmaster General Marvin Runyun said, the candlelight march, in When remembrance the United States has issued “new stamps to the 1978 ofbeaten San Francisco appeal his assassinations dismissal, he was by police, Randy Shilts (1951-1994) his help raise awareness for a variety of health Supervisor Harvey the march, arrested, and raped Milk in jail,. For according to the Jones had people Human write Rights the names of investigative journalism book “And the Band and social issues. We are building on that State Department’s Report for loved ones that were lost to AIDS-related Played On: Politics, People, and the AIDS tradition with the AIDS-awareness stamp.” Mexico. causes on signs be taped to the The next year,that a gay,would HIV-positive man was Epidemic” published in 1987 chronicles 2012 – WORLD AIDS MUSEUM San Francisco Federal Building. All the the 1980–1985 discovery and spread of HIV/ killed taped after being tortured, beaten withlike rocks, signs to the building looked an AIDS, government indifference, and political opened in Wilton Manors. It is the first and suffocated while quilt his hands were enormous patchwork to Jones, andtied he infighting in the United States to what was Museum dedicated to the HIV/AIDS behind his back, according to Edge Boston. was inspired. At that time many people whoA initially perceived as a gay disease. It won epidemic. The Educational Center provides sign was left near his body, discovered a dirt the Stonewall Book Award and brought him information on treatment and prevention died of AIDS-related causes did not on receive road, that due read,to “This is what to me for funerals, both the happens social stigma of nationwide literary fame. “And the Band of HIV. Its mission is to increase awareness AIDS by surviving familywith members goingfelt around infecting people AIDS.”and Played On” is an extensively researched and decrease stigma of the AIDS epidemic theInoutright refusal many the amicus brief,bythe manfuneral seeking homes asylum account of the early days of the AIDS by documenting the history of HIV/AIDS, and handle the age deceased’s knewcemeteries he was gaytofrom a young and was epidemic in the United States. The book was remembering the people who have suffered remains. or translated into seven languages, and in 1993 from this disease and enlightening the world beaten by Lacking his fatheraformemorial not acting service “like a boy.” grave site, The Quilt was often the only was made into an HBO film starring Richard to this continuing tragedy while empowering Until the age of 14, male cousins, an uncle, the survivors. – 1201 NE 26th St. Wilton opportunity survivors had to remember Gere, Anjelica and acelebrate neighbor their repeatedly beatThe him Huston, Phil Collins, Lily Tomlin, Ian Manors Florida – www.WorldAIDSMuseum. and lovedraped ones’and lives. for being gay. He became free from theonabuse first showing of The Quilt was 1987 the McKellen, Steve Martin, and Alan Alda, org. when he left at 14 to live in the U.S. with his soflagaynews // SouthFloridaGayNews 1 soflagaynews / SouthFloridaGayNews / SFGN.com / 11.27.13 / mother. He was diagnosed HIV positive in 2012 and

8 organizations are appealing the ruling

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The

Spirit

COMMUNITY

America’s HIV/AIDS News Source

New Project Shares Stories HIV P osItIVe M exIcan of Those Who Lost Parents to AIDS enIeD syluM

Dana Rudolph

A new project by two daughters of gay dads aims to reveal a part of history that has rarely been told before: the stories of people like themselves who lost parents to AIDS. The Recollectors, “a storytelling site and community,” was founded by writers Alysia Abbott and Whitney Joiner, “to share stories about parents lost to AIDS and to bring together a Christiana Lilly community that’s never before come together: their children,” Abbott said in an e-mail interview Abbott explained, “Because of the stigma still associated Eight LGBT, immigrationofand HIVparents activistto the misconduct raise government-sanctioned money. with AIDS, the experience losing disease is and groups have come together to plead for the U.S. violence and brutality, to the denial of access They launched largely underreported and unknown. Many parents who died to not deport a gay, HIV positive Mexican man the site at thetreatment.” end to lifesaving medical care and of AIDS died in an atmosphere of secrecy.” September, back his home country. attended a at gay rights OnetoRecollector relates, “was told her father died In of 2007, cancera gayofteacher therecollectors.com. The Center for HIV Law and Policy joined the march wearing women’s clothing. He was 20 years ago and only recently found out he died of AIDS. With “We plan to post new to groups to write an amicus brief, Doe v. Holder, attacked and lost his job. When he went The Recollectors, we will not only memorialize these men and content every few weeks in support of providing the man (whose name appeal his dismissal, he was beaten by police, women and give voice to their children’s experiences, we will including oralthe was redacted) asylumoffor fearhistory.“ that he could be arrested, and raped in jail,interviews, according to expand the narrative AIDS histories, original essays, beaten, raped and killed when he returns to State Department’s Human Rights Report for Abbott is the author of “Fairyland: A Memoir of My and book excerpts,” Abbott Mexico because of his sexual orientation and Mexico. Father,” which was a New York Times Editors’ Pick and won HIVAmerican status. Library Association’s Stonewall AwardThe next year,said. a gay, HIV-positive man was the in 2014. She added, “The Recollectors “Before deporting to torture, after being tortured, beaten with rocks, A San Francisco native,someone she is a graduate of The killed New School will be a place where people who lost courts should make nuanced decisions based and suffocated while his hands were tied Writing Program in New York, and has written for the New parents to AIDS can share their singular on a review of all relevant factors,” said Ivan behind his back, according to Edge Boston. A York Times Book Review, the Boston Globe, Vogue, and OUT, experiences and break the cycle of stigma. Espinoza-Madrigal, CHLP Legal Director, in a sign was left near his body, discovered on a dirt among others. She now lives in Cambridge, Mass., and teaches It willisalso as antoonline press release. “InStreet, this case, there hascreative been nowriting road, that read, whatserve happens me formemorial to the writing at Grub a non-profit center in “This parentspeople who died too soon, a repository of unique consideration at all of on-the-ground realities going around infecting with AIDS.” Boston. narratives, and a missing piece in the cultural history and attitudes about HIV.” In the amicus brief, the man seeking asylum Joiner is a senior features editor at Marie Claire magazine of AIDS.” Since 1994, immigration law in the U.S. has knew he was gay from a young age and was and lives in New York City. She grew up in Kentucky, graduated Abbott said, “Right we have about fifty Recollectors recognized people beaten by his father for not acting “likenow a boy.” from SmithHIV-positive College andand hasLGBT written and as edited for many residing across the world eligible for asylum. However, notGlamour, a sure the Until age of 14, male cousins, an uncle,including Canada, Switzerland, national publications, includingit’s ELLE, Newthe York California, raped New and York, Nebraska, Georgia, and thing. and a neighbor repeatedly beatColorado, him Times, and Salon. Alabama. Some of our Recollectors are members of ACT UP An immigration judge and the Board of for being gay. He became free from the abuse The two first met when Joiner worked with Abbott’s TheBody.org [anhis online AIDS resource] or Housing Immigration denied asylum to thethatwhen he left at or 14 work to liveatin the U.S. with boyfriend, nowAppeals husband, and they discovered both Joiner man,Abbott’s claimingfathers that there progress mother.soon Works [a nonprofit working to end both homelessness and and had has diedbeen of AIDS. Thefor two women AIDS].HIV positive in 2012 and LGBT Mexicans. While strides have been made He was diagnosed got together for coffee. Their vision forthe theadvocacy project goes further, though, and they are in“Ithe country, including the election of the is on medications — medicines was the first person she’d ever met who lost a parent to other AIDS-related organizations “to support first openly gay mayor in the oflate Fresnillo groups say are reaching harder toout findtoin Mexico. He AIDS,” said Abbott. “We’ve hadcity many night talks since then members who lost parents and would be open to sharing their last often year, the writersatofthe thesense amicus brief aren’t may beatdenied and marveled of isolation we each felt the treatment because of anti-LGBT stories and meeting other Recollectors.” satisfied. bias or even purposefully given the wrong time our dads died.” are reported. also considering working with an event planner According to the medication, has been Both their fathers diedrelease, in 1992, people but theirwith circumstances were whichThey partnering AIDS HIV different. and whoAbbott’s are LGBT experience “police Photo courtesy of with Brendon Lies. very father was a poet and editor, fully out and Recollector in Washington, D.C. and organizations there to hold an in-person event. in the vibrant gay literary scene of San Francisco. Joiner’s father A print anthology of essays, oral histories, and interviews is was a closeted business law professor in suburban Kentucky. on the distant horizon, but “We’re still finding members and “If only we’d known each other at the time!” Abbott reflected. After Fairyland came out in June 2013, Abbott said, she collecting and editing these stories,” Abbott said. Both Abbott and Joiner’s fathers were gay, but Abbott said started receiving notes from people who also lost parents to they are looking to share stories about parents of any sexual AIDS. She and Joiner wondered how to bring these “incredible” orientation or gender. stories together. “Some of our Recollectors lost mothers. Some lost fathers. They decided to begin with a website, and created a successful online Kickstarter campaign earlier this year to Some lost both,” she explained. “Some of these parents contracted HIV through blood transfusions, IV drugs, or sexual

8 organizations are appealing the ruling

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contact. Some Recollectors have become AIDS activists others are still ‘in the closet’ with their stories. No two experiences are alike but each contains moments of fear and confusion and secrecy.” Anyone who wishes to contribute their story should visit the website for contact information. “We’re looking at 500 to 1500 word essays,” Abbott said, but noted that they can help edit the essays or even conduct an interview of someone who isn’t comfortable or confident writing. Additionally, she said, “We want to be sensitive to outside family members but we don’t want the stories to be anonymous because we’re using this site as a means for people to go ‘public.’” Although the site has just launched, Abbott is firm in her vision: “There’s one thing that is clear: the Recollectors needed to happen and it needed to happen now. I think the time is ripe to talk about this history and to shake off the stigma that still afflicts the community today.”

Dana Rudolph is the founder and publisher of Mombian (mombian.com), a GLAAD Media Award-winning blog and resource directory for LGBT parents.

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8 organizations are appealing the ruling Christiana Lilly Eight LGBT, immigration and HIV activist misconduct and government-sanctioned groups have come together to plead for the U.S. violence and brutality, to the denial of access to not deport a gay, HIV positive man Trustee to lifesaving medical(left) care and ampbellMexican Foundation Bill Venuti andtreatment.” Program Director Ken Rapkin (right) during a 2012 fundraising event. back to his home country. In 2007, a gay teacher attended a gay rights courtesy Dougthe Blevinsmarch wearing women’s clothing. He was The Center for HIVPhoto Law and Policyofjoined groups to write amicus brief, v. Holder, lost histhat job.itsWhen he went to great prideand in knowing matching grant is amfAR wantsan to get real close toDoe curing AIDS by attacked in support ofnow providing the man (whose name dismissal, he new wasresearch beaten by police, helping his to fund promising ideas that 2020—and it’s $200,000 closer to that goal appeal was redacted) asylum for fear that he could be arrested, and according to the will advance ourraped searchin forjail, a cure.” thanks to the Campbell Foundation. beaten, raped target and killed when he of returns to State Department’s Report for amfAR’s “research Human roadmap”Rights identify four key The 2020 is a mainstay amfAR’s challenges that stand in the way of a cure: Countdown to aofCure for AIDS initiative. and The Mexico. Mexico because his sexual orientation initiative is “aimed at finding a broadly applicable HIV status. The next year, a gay, HIV-positive man was cure for HIV,” according tosomeone amfAR, andtoit’s torture, working killedChart precise locationsbeaten of the reservoirs “Before deporting afterthe being tortured, with rocks, to “intensify cure-focused HIV research courts shouldamfAR’s make nuanced decisions based and Understand suffocated how while hands were HIV his persists within themtied program with plans to strategically invest $100 on a review of all relevant factors,” said Ivan behind his how back, according to hold Edge Boston. A Record much virus they million in cure research over the next six years. In Espinoza-Madrigal, CHLPFoundation Legal Director, intoa sign was left near his body, discovered on a dirt Eliminate the virus September, The Campbell pledged press “In thisincase, there has been no road, that read, “This is what happens to me for matchrelease. up to $50,000 new gifts toward amfAR’s “Thearound Campbell Foundation’s aligned consideration at all of on-the-ground realities going infecting peoplegoals with are AIDS.” goal. those of amfAR. Bothman organizations have andInattitudes about HIV.” since, 1,600 donors with In the amicus brief, the seeking asylum the two months workedhe toward HIV/AIDS contributed than $140,000, making the knew Since 1994,more immigration law in the U.S. has was gay eradicating from a young age and and was believe by thathis one day for there be a“like cure,” said total revenueHIV-positive from the matching campaign nearly recognized and LGBT people as beaten father notwill acting a boy.” Campbell Foundation Program Officer Ken $200,000. eligible for asylum. However, it’s not a sure Until the age of 14, male cousins, an uncle, Rapkin. “Matching grants, such as this one, allow “With our Countdown to a Cure initiative, we thing. and aCampbell neighbor Foundation repeatedly raped beat him The to beand involved in are intensifying our research efforts over the next An immigration judge and the Board of for being gay. He became free from the abuse few years to support more collaboration among groundbreaking, novel research projects at some Immigration Appeals denied asylum to the at 14 to live in world the U.S. his of the he topleft laboratories in the andwith we are scientists focused on developing strategies to when man, claiming that there said has been for mother. pleased tohave been able to play a part in amfAR’s eliminate HIV infection,” amfARprogress CEO Kevin LGBT While strides have been made Hefunding was diagnosed HIV positive in 2012 and latest initiative.” RobertMexicans. Frost. “The Campbell Foundation can take in the country, including the election of the is on medications — medicines the advocacy first openly gay mayor in the city of Fresnillo groups say are harder Fund? to find in Mexico. He So What Exactly does Campbell last year, the writers of the amicus brief aren’t may be denied treatment because anti-LGBT Here are some examples of what bias Campbell’s funded withofalmost satisfied. or even purposefully given the wrong $9 million 1995.which has been reported. According to the release, people with since medication, Pediatric studies to prevent the transference of HIV from nursing mothers to newborn HIV and who are LGBT experience “police

children Studies to Understand how human enzymes that are encoded with a particular gene may have a role in anti-viral immunity. The treatment of a stigmatizing rash contracted by AIDS patients Clinical trials to test medications Studies that tested the effects of steroids, nutrition and exercise on HIV-positive males Studies that tested the use of herbs to reduce the viral load in patients Studies that tested the use of acupuncture for pain relief in HIV patients Studies that tested the various novel anti-HIV medication therapies

To learn more about the Campbell Foundation, go to campbellfoundation.net. For any questions, including how to donate to the foundation, email campfound@aol.com.

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Spirit Spirit New Grant to Fund HIV New Grant Will Help Study Self-Testing InterventionexIcan HIV in the osItIVe Trans Community exIc osItIVe for Black Men in NYC Trans women of color face highest rates of The

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enIeD a s D enIeD a D syluM new HIV infections

Denise Royal

Christiana Lilly

8 organizations are appealing the ruling

Christiana Lilly

Christiana Lilly Eight LGBT, immigration and HIV activist groups have come together to plead for the U.S. to not deport a gay, HIV positive Mexican man back to his home country. The Center for HIV Law and Policy joined the groups to write an amicus brief, Doe v. Holder, in support of providing the man (whose name was redacted) asylum for fear that he could be New York Blood Center’s Lindsley F. Kimball beaten, raped and(LFKRI) killed when he returns to Research Institute Laboratory of Social Mexico because of his sexual orientation and and Behavioral Sciences has received a threeHIV status. year, $2 million grant from the National Institute “Before deporting someone of Drug Abuse (NIDA) to develop andto testtorture, an HIV self-testing intervention for young, Black,based gay, courts should make nuanced decisions bisexual, and other who have sex with on a review of all men relevant factors,” saidmen. Ivan Drs. Victory Frye and LeoLegal Wilton are leading Espinoza-Madrigal, CHLP Director, in a the groundbreaking study. press release. “In this case, there has been no “Providing a space for young, gay, Black men consideration at all of on-the-ground realities to learn the skills needed to conduct HIV selfand attitudes about testing correctly, withHIV.” the support of a friend or Since 1994, immigration law in the U.S. has buddy, is a potentially empowering approach to recognized HIV-positive andmen,” LGBT people as self-care for young, gay Black said Dr. Frye eligible for statement. asylum. However, it’s not a sure in a released “The approach also addresses two concerns thing. around self-testing. The firstand is around correct An immigration judge the Board of operation of Appeals the HIVdenied self-test, which Immigration asylum to can the affect the accuracy of thehas test. The secondfor is man, claiming that there been progress around receiving a positive test result alone LGBT Mexicans. While strides have been made and unsupported. The intervention is designed in the country, election of the to address theseincluding concernsthewhile promoting first openly gay mayor in the city of Fresnillo consistent self-testing and encouraging young last year, the writers aren’t people to take control of of the theiramicus sexualbrief health and satisfied. her statement continued. well-being,” Among groups, Accordingracial/ethnic to the release, peopleAfrican with Americans face the severe burden of“police HIV and who aremost LGBT experience HIV and AIDS in the nation. According to the Centers for Disease Control, in Florida, Blacks account for 49 percent of total HIV diagnosis and 60 percent of AIDS case deaths in 2011, even though Blacks only made up approximately 15 percent of Florida’s population.

Eight LGBT, immigration and HIV activist groupsAhave come together to plead for the U.S. San Francisco agency was recently to not deportaagrant gay, HIV Mexican awarded frompositive the Elton John man AIDS backFoundation to his hometocountry. study HIV/AIDS in the The Center for HIV Law and Policy joined the transgender population. groupsThe to write an amicus brief, Doe v.based Holder, Transgender Law Center, in San Francisco, received in aname onein support of providing the$200,000 man (whose projectasylum to explore thethat disease in this wasyear redacted) for fear he could be community. beaten, raped and killed when he returns to believeof that HIV is actually an end result Mexico“We because his sexual orientation and of the complex discrimination and harassment HIVand status. stigma that transgender people face daily, “Before to look torture, so if we deporting can actuallysomeone take a deeper into courts should make nuanced decisions based that, we would have better recommendations on ainreview all relevant factors,” said Ivan how toofprevent this from continuing to Espinoza-Madrigal, CHLP Legalsenior Director, in a happen,” said Cecilia Chung, strategist at release. the Transgender Center. press “In thisLaw case, there has been no The law at center looking to add more consideration all ofisn’t on-the-ground realities programs, andservices attitudesand about HIV.” but rather study the root causes of HIV infection transgender Since 1994, immigration law ininthe U.S. has people. Ideas that they’ve suspected all along recognized HIV-positive and LGBT people as — that transgender people fare better in eligible for asylum. it’s not a leads sure metropolitan areas,However, that discrimination thing. them to resort to certain behaviors for survival An and the of — immigration can finally bejudge confirmed with Board thorough Immigration to the studies andAppeals feedback denied from theasylum community. Chung noted that when a person is not man, claiming that there has been progress for in Mexicans. a safe environment, namely not having LGBT While strides have been made economic andincluding housing security as well in the country, the election of as thea sense of self, people are more likely to make first openly gay mayor in the city of Fresnillo choices. Couple that with physical last unhealthy year, the writers of the amicus brief aren’t and emotional abuse that transgender people satisfied. can face, it can lead to self medication that According to the release, people with increases their chances of contracting HIV/ The Florida Department of Health has a HIVAIDS. and courtesy who are LGBT Lies. experience “police Photo of Brendon

misconduct and government-sanctioned violence and brutality, to the denial of access to lifesaving medical care and treatment.” In 2007, a gay teacher attended a gay rights march wearing women’s clothing. He was attacked and lost his job. When he went to appeal his dismissal, he was beaten by police, arrested, and raped in jail, according to the So what accounts for this disparity? There are State Department’s many factors. AmongHuman them: Rights Report for Mexico. • Poverty can limit access to health care, HIV The next year, a gay, HIV-positive was testing, and medications that can lowerman levels of killedinafter beingand tortured, beatentransmission with rocks, HIV the blood help prevent risk. addition, while those who cannot were affordtied the and In suffocated his hands basics lifeback, may according end up in to circumstances that behindinhis Edge Boston. A increase HIV his risk.body, discovered on a dirt sign wastheir left near • Discrimination, stigma and homophobia: Far road, that read, “This is what happens to me for too prevalent in many communities, these factors going around infecting people with AIDS.” may discourage individuals from seeking testing, In the amicus brief, theservices. man seeking asylum prevention, and treatment knew he was gay from a young and in wasa • Prevalence of HIV and otherageSTDs beaten by his More fatherpeople for not living actingwith “like HIV a boy.” community: or Until thewith ageSTDs of 14,can male cousins, an uncle, infected increase an individual’s risk infectionrepeatedly with every sexual and aofneighbor raped andencounter, beat him especially if, within those communities, for being gay. He became free from the people abuse select frominthe when partners he left atwho 14 are to live thesame U.S.ethnicity. with his • Higher rates of undiagnosed/untreated mother. STDs can increase the risk of both acquiring and He was diagnosed HIV positive in 2012 and transmitting HIV. is on medications — medicinesamong the advocacy • Higher rates of incarceration men can groups say are harder to find in He disrupt social and sexual networks inMexico. the broader may be denied because of of anti-LGBT community andtreatment decrease the number available bias or for even purposefully thespread wrong partners women, which cangiven fuel the of HIV. medication, which has been reported. wide range of programs aimed at addressing the health disparity of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in minority communities. They include faith-based initiatives, community programs and collaborations with political and media organizations. You can see the complete list here: http://bit.ly/1thrE6N.

More important than any state initiative or community program, it is important to everyone to know his or her HIV status. For information about access to confidential testing please visit: http://bit.ly/11DX4yG

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“We really need to go deep into the root causes of that, and the only way to do that is really to engage transgender people living with HIV in a more meaningful way so that they can use their stories as a tool for efficacy,” she said. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is no uniform way of collecting data for the numbers of

misconduct and government-sanctioned violence andpeople brutality, to the denial access transgender with HIV/AIDS, so anof exact to lifesaving medicalHowever, care andittreatment.” number is unknown. is known that In 2007, apeople gay teacher attended gay rights transgender have the highest alevels of march wearing women’s clothing. He was new HIV diagnoses, especially transgender attacked women ofand color.lost his job. When he went to Knowing this, the Transgender Law Center is appeal his dismissal, he was beaten by police, hoping to create an eight10-member arrested, and raped in to jail, accordingpanel to the of transgender peopleHuman with HIV, particularly State Department’s Rights Report for women of color, from around the country. Mexico. Also, because there are less resources and more The next year, a gay, HIV-positive man was discrimination and stigma of transgender killed being tortured, beaten rocks, peopleafter in the South and rural areas,with the law and suffocated while his hands were center is hoping to hear from people living intied behind there too.his back, according to Edge Boston. A sign was left his body, discovered a dirt “Across thenear globe, not just in the on U.S., transgender people arewhat disproportionately road, that read, “This is happens to me for affected by theinfecting HIV epidemic,” Chung said. going around people with AIDS.” “Also, theamicus methodbrief, of collection data hasasylum not In the the man seeking been very consistent and so a lot of times knew he was gay from a young age and was transgender people are not being counted beaten by his father for not acting “like a boy.” correctly. We’re trying to change all that.” Until 14,months, male cousins, an uncle, Overthe theage nextof two the Transgender and a neighbor repeatedly raped and beat him Law Center is putting out a call for applications for gay. He became abuse frombeing transgender people free livingfrom withtheHIV/ when he leftthe at country 14 to livetoinbethe U.S.ofwith AIDS across a part the his panel. Chung hopes that although the grant mother. from John AIDS onlyand Hethe wasElton diagnosed HIVFoundation positive in is2012 foronone year, that — getting a panelthetogether is medications medicines advocacy can helpsaygrow the project to ainlong-term groups are harder to find Mexico. He study. Anyone interesting in being a part of may be denied treatment because of anti-LGBT the panel, especially transgender women of bias even givenareas, the wrong color or living in purposefully the South or rural are medication, which has been reported. asked to contact Cecilia Chung at cecilia@ transgenderlawcenter.org. “The first year is a lot of the planning process and to really identify ways to support people’s leadership,” she said. “Because there’s many layers of work that we need to engage in, we would be able to continue to identify additional partners so that this project can sustain.”

For more information, or for those who are qualified and interested in joining the panel, contact Cecilia@transgenderlawcenter.org.

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World AIDS Day Commemorated Can We Talk? with Concert, Art Exhibits HIV P osItIVe M exIc HIV P osItIVe M exIcan Joan Rivers stood up for people with AIDS

enIeD a s D enIeD a D syluM J.W. Arnold

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8 organizations are appealing the ruling

Christiana Lilly

Christiana Lilly Eight LGBT, immigration and HIV activist groups have come together to plead for the U.S. toWhen not deport a gay, HIV positive man Joan Rivers passed away Mexican on September back his home 4, hertostatus as a country. comedy legend was intact, as wasThe herCenter work ethic. for HIV Law and Policy joined the Over to thewrite course of a career in groups an amicus brief,which Doe v.began Holder, New York comedy clubs more than a half century in support of providing the man (whose name ago, walked to thefor beat of that her own drum.be A wasRivers redacted) asylum fear he could strong woman, she often told ribald, deliberately beaten, raped and killed when he returns to offensive jokes, which were, and are, still Mexico because of his sexual orientation and considered inappropriate for “ladies.” HIV status. Rivers didn’t care. Her profanity laced standdeporting someone to torture, up “Before shows were usually sold out. courts should based As busy as hermake hecticnuanced scheduledecisions could be, Rivers found time forofatall least two causes that were near on a review relevant factors,” said Ivan and dear to her heart:CHLP GuideLegal DogsDirector, For the Blind Espinoza-Madrigal, in a and people with“In AIDS. press release. this case, there has been no Guide Dogs For theof Blind is a non-profit based consideration at all on-the-ground realities in San Rafael, CA. The organization trains guide and attitudes about HIV.” dogs and the blind people who need them, at no 1994, immigration law in the U.S. has costSince to the people. It’s a critical service, which recognized HIV-positive and LGBT as gives the blind independence. Belopeople Cipriani, eligibleofforSFGN’s asylum. However, notcolumn, a sure author Seeing in theit’s Dark isthing. a totally blind 34-year-old gay man in San Francisco. Cipriani, now the official spokesperson An immigration judge and the Board of for Guide DogsAppeals For the Blind, is able to work Immigration denied asylum to and the live on his own because of the help he gets from man, claiming that there has been progress for his beloved guide dog Oslo. He greatly appreciates LGBT Mexicans. While strides have been made the support Guide Dogs got from Rivers. in the country, including the election of the “Joan’s contributions to Guide Dogs For the first openly mayor in to themany city blind of Fresnillo Blind broughtgay many smiles people last their year, guide the writers the amicus brief aren’t and dogs,”ofCipriani told SFGN. “Her satisfied.for Guide Dogs For the Blind helped the support Accordingreach to many the release, people with organization of its goals.” Rivers’ people with AIDS was HIV and support who areforLGBT experience “police unparalleled. She is now being remembered by many for being the first celebrity to appear in person at an AIDS fundraiser three decades ago. For many years she sat on the board, and personally delivered meals, for God’s Love We Deliver, a meals-on-wheels program for people with AIDS, which is based in New York, where Rivers lived. “Elizabeth Taylor followed Joan Rivers,” recalls Paul Klees of the San Francisco based AIDS Housing Alliance. “She used the stage as her bully pulpit to bring awareness, compassion and

/ 11.27.2013 / SFGN.com /

The South Florida Symphony will perform a gala concert to

benefit AIDSmisconduct Museum on and Tuesday, Dec. 2 at the Eight LGBT, immigration andthe HIVWorld activist government-sanctioned Broward Center. Photo credit of South Florida Symphony. groups have come together to plead for the U.S. violence and brutality, to the denial of access to not deport a gay, HIV positive Mexican man to lifesaving medical care and treatment.” To2007, mark aWorld AIDS Day in Miami-Dade, the traditional candlelight vigils, backInto addition his hometocountry. In gay teacher attended a gay rights Florida Department of Health will remember thousands of activists, survivors and loved ones The Center for HIV Law and Policy joined the march wearing women’s clothing. He was across South Florida will observe World AIDS Day those lost to HIV/AIDS with a special installation groups to write amicusofbrief, Doe art v. Holder, and lost hisFaces job. When to of its award-winning of HIVhe artwent exhibit next week withan a variety concerts, exhibits attacked inand support of providing the man (whose name appeal dismissal, he was beatenCommunity by police, throughhisJan. 4 at History Miami’s observances. was On redacted) asylum could be arrested, and according to the Gallery, 101 W.raped Flaglerin St.jail, in Miami. The exhibit Tuesday, Dec. for 2, fear the that AIDSheHealthcare beaten, rapedwill and when he returns to State Human Report for will beDepartment’s open to visitors MondayRights through Saturday Foundation hostkilled “An Evening of Celebration,” from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays from noon to to benefit the ofWorld AIDS orientation Museum atand the Mexico. Mexico because his sexual Broward HIV status.Center in Fort Lauderdale. The evening 5 p.m. The next year, a gay, HIV-positive man was Faces of being HIV tortured, depicts the lives with of Florida will includedeporting a VIP reception in the to center’s new killed “Before someone torture, after beaten rocks, residents living with AIDSwere through Huizenga Pavilion to honordecisions local HIV/AIDS courts should make nuanced based and suffocated whileHIV his and hands tied larger-than-life portraits, accompanied by healthcare professionals, followed by a concert on a review of all relevant factors,” said Ivan behind his back, according to Edge Boston. A by the South Florida Symphony in the Amaturo thought-provoking video stories and powerful Espinoza-Madrigal, CHLP Legal Director, in a sign was left near hisParticipants body, discovered a dirt intimate journals. of theon project Theater. pressThe release. “Infor thisthe case, there grew has been noa road, thathow read,they “Thisbecame is whatinfected happenswith to meHIV for address concept museum out of consideration at all of on-the-ground realities going around infecting people with AIDS.” local HIV support group, Pozitive Attitudes. Steve and dealt with their diagnoses, as well as their and attitudes about HIV.” In the amicus brief, effects the man seeking asylum personal relationships, of HIV on the body Stagon, the facilitator, started creating historical and more. HIV/AIDS exhibits as topics Since 1994, immigration law inforthethe U.S.group has knew he was gay from a young age and was Tracey ofacting the exhibit’s discussion.HIV-positive The exhibits were initiallypeople displayed recognized and LGBT as beaten byDannemiller, his father forone not “like a“faces” boy.” of HIV,the said, ““Doesn’t mattercousins, if you’re rich, poor, at the Pride Center and Blancheit’s Ely not HighaSchool eligible for asylum. However, sure Until age of 14, male an uncle, black, white, young, old, gay, straight, male,him or before the museum location was secured in and thing. a neighbor repeatedly raped and beat female. It could be any of us. All the virus needs Wilton Station in Wilton Manors. An immigration judge and the Board of for being gay. He became free from the abuse The museum’s first permanent exhibit, is a human T cell to grow and replicate, and guess Immigration to the leftallathuman.” 14 to live in the U.S. with his what?he We’re “Chronology Appeals of AIDS,” denied opened asylum in May 2014 and when man, claimingthe that there has progress for mother. To welcome the exhibit to Miami, the Faces on Tuesday, museum willbeen officially celebrate LGBT Mexicans. While strides have been made was diagnosed HIV will positive in 2012 and ofHe HIV mobile art exhibit appear in Miami its grand opening. in the of the isforontwo medications medicines advocacy free shows. — The mobile artthe exhibit gives Thecountry, concert,including conductedthe by election Maestra Sebrina visitors say an up-close andtopersonal Maria Alfonso, will in include uplifting pops groups first openly gay mayor the city of Fresnillo are harder find in glimpse Mexico.into He the be lives of those living with HIVofinanti-LGBT hopes of selections, last year, theincluding writers ofGershwin’s the amicus“Rhapsody brief aren’tin may denied treatment because promoting awareness and understanding about Blue” and medleys from popular Broadway and bias satisfied. or even purposefully given the wrong the disease. which has been reported. film scores. to the release, people with According medication, The mobile exhibit will be on display on “All the music in some way is about hope, andof courtesy who are LGBT experience “police went back thirty years. AMFAR founding board HIV Photo of Brendon Lies.

misconduct and government-sanctioned violence and brutality, to the denial of access lifesaving medical and treatment.” atoreality check to her care audiences. She won NBC’s In 2007,Apprentice a gay teacher attendedher a gay rights Celebrity and donated winnings to God’swearing Love Wewomen’s Deliver. clothing. She was He an early march was supporter and alost board until he herwent death.” attacked and hismember job. When to Karenhis Pearl, President of God’s Love appeal dismissal, he and wasCEO beaten by police, We Deliver,and couldn’t in praise of arrested, rapedsay inenough jail, according to Joan the Rivers. State Department’s Human Rights Report for “She served on our Board for 29 years, and Mexico. delivered meals for 25 years,” Pearl recalled, The next year, by a gay, HIV-positive man “She was speaking to SFGN phone from New York. killedtoafter beaten withclients, rocks, came a lotbeing of ourtortured, special events, visited and suffocated whileand hiswent hands were tied worked in our kitchen, on deliveries.” Pearl addressed the claims by Rivers behind his back, according to some Edge that Boston. A was bitch.” sign“a was left near his body, discovered on a dirt “She was warm and personable,” road, that read, “This is what happensPearl to mesaid. for “She givinginfecting and caring to our clients and our goingwas around people with AIDS.” staff. She cared a lot about what she believed in In the amicus brief, the man seeking asylum and God’s Love was one of the things she cared knew about.”he was gay from a young age and was beaten his that fatherevery for not acting “like aRivers boy.” Pearl by said Thanksgiving, Until the of 14,upon maletocousins, uncle, could be age counted deliver an meals to and a neighbor repeatedly raped“She andmade beat him homebound people with AIDS. it a family affair,” said. “Cooper, herthe grandson, for being gay. Pearl He became free from abuse accompanied sometimes her daughter when he left her, at 14and to live in the U.S. with his Melissa mother.did as well.” God’s Love We Deliver the He was diagnosed HIVwasn’t positive inonly 2012AIDS and organization to benefit from Rivers’ kindness. is on medications — medicines the advocacy At it’s website, AMFAR, the American groups say For are harder to find in Mexico. Foundation AIDS Research, which was He comay be denied treatment because of anti-LGBT founded by Elizabeth Taylor, acknowledged the bias or evensupport purposefully given theAIDS wrong unparalleled that people with got medication, been reported. from Rivers. which Rivers’has involvement with AMFAR member Harley Hackett recalled finding it difficult to find celebrities to headline one of its first fundraisers, until Rivers stepped in. The event raised $500,000 and inspired the formation of Broadway Cares: Equity Fights AIDS. Rivers opened the floodgates. Soon, celebrities of every stripe were standing up and raising funds for people with AIDS. AMFAR reports that Rivers assured celebrities they had nothing to fear from AIDS. After that, AMFAR never had problems getting superstar names to lend their support.

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to make the world better,” said Alfonso, “and that’s what the World AIDS Museum is doing. We’re honored to participate in this important occasion.” The symphony will repeat the program at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton on Dec. 7. For more information and tickets to the Broward Center gala and concert, go to WorldAIDSMuseum.org.

Monday, Dec. 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Thomas University, 16401 NW 37th Ave. in Miami Gardens, and Tuesday, Dec. 2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Florida International University South Campus, 11200 SW 8th St. in Miami. For more information about the Faces of HIV art exhibits, go to WeMakeTheChange.com.

For more information about the Faces of HIV art exhibits, go to WeMakeTheChange.com.

soflagaynews // SouthFloridaGayNews // SFGN.com // 11.26.2014 //23 / 11.27.2013 / SFGN.com / soflagaynews / SouthFloridaGayNews 2

Spirit Spirit Dr. Gerald Pierone Reflects What To Do For Back on His Decades of exIcan osItIVe exIc osItIVe World AIDS Day Serving HIV Community Denise Royal The

America’s HIV/AIDS News Source

HIV P

The

America’s HIV/AIDS News Source

HIV P

enIeD a s D enIeD a D syluM Christiana Lilly

8 organizations are appealing the ruling

Christiana Lilly

Christiana Lilly As a young medical student, Dr. Gerald Pierone LGBT,toimmigration and HIV activist hadEight ambitions save the world from infectious groups have come together to plead for the U.S. disease, imagining himself traveling to Africa to to notpatients, deport adeveloping gay, HIV positive Mexican man treat brand new lifesaving back to his home country. vaccines, and helping eradicate disease. The Center HIV Law andcome Policy joined the However, hisfor dreams would much closer to home,toas it was the ‘80sbrief, and Doe the v. HIV/AIDS groups write an amicus Holder, epidemic hit New York a mighty in supporthad of providing the City manwith (whose name fist. was redacted) asylum for fear that he could be “I was raped very young idealistic,” said. “The beaten, and and killed when hehereturns to epidemic, this infectious disease had come to me. Mexico because of his sexual orientation and So that kind of became my mission.” HIV status. Today, he now works in Vero Beach, where he deporting someone to torture, was“Before one of the first doctors treating HIV/AIDS in courts shouldCoast. makeAlso, nuanced decisions the Treasure he brought the based world onfacial a review of alltorelevant factors,” said Ivan of sculpting battle lipoatrophy, or facial wasting, to patients inCHLP the area as well. Espinoza-Madrigal, Legal Director, in a His release. experience the disease began when press “In with this case, there has been no he was workingatatallMt. Sinai in New York, and consideration of on-the-ground realities later an AIDS clinic, and attitudes aboutwhere HIV.” patients were coming in droves. By 1989, more than 100,000 people Since 1994, immigration law in the U.S. has with the disease had been reported to the Centers recognized and LGBT people as for Disease HIV-positive Control and Prevention. However, eligible for asylum. However, it’s not sure with his new wife, the couple decided theyawould thing. eventually want children and felt that raising Aninimmigration judge and the So Board of them the city was near impossible. he gave up his ambitions, anticipating Immigration Appeals deniedbecoming asylum atosmall the town doing rounds at theprogress hospital for man,doctor, claiming thathis there has been more infectious LGBTbenign Mexicans. Whilediseases. strides have been made the disease wasthe again much of closer inHowever, the country, including election the to home than he thought, as the Big Apple was first openly gay mayor in the city of Fresnillo not the only place where HIV was impacting the last year, theWith writers theelse amicus brief aren’t population. no of one in the Treasure satisfied. Coast practicing or specializing in HIV medicine, to the release, people with he According became the go-to doctor. HIV andready whoand arewilling LGBTtoexperience “police “I was do it; I became kind of a magnet for people with HIV infection as soon as I got here,” he said. “In those days, there was still a lot of stigma. Word got out and I encouraged it because that’s really what I was interested in.” At Indian River Medical Center, he had his own AIDS unit and was treating up to 400 patients. The 12 beds were always full, with patients on ventilators and two or three dying every week. He remembers this time as simply “terrible.” About 10 years ago, his practice at the AIDS Research and Treatment Center expanded to include treatment of facial wasting — a side

8 organizations are appealing the ruling

effect of some medications that leaves the patient misconduct and government-sanctioned with a gaunt, hollowed-out look in the cheeks. violence and brutality, to the denial For those in the gay community, it canof beaccess a sure to lifesaving medical and treatment.” sign of someone’s HIVcare status. In 2007, a Pierone gay teacher gay rights However, was attended having aa hard time finding doctors who would clothing. treat his He patients. march wearing women’s was Most patients lowjob. income, and attacked and were lost his When hethere wentwas to still the his stigma of AIDShe —was “They didn’tbywant my appeal dismissal, beaten police, skinny guys in their pretty beach offices,” Pierone arrested, and raped in jail, according to the said. State Department’s Human Rights Report for However, he finally found Dr. Peter Engelhart Mexico. in Miami, a former HIV physician who retired Themedicine next year, gay, HIV-positive from buta went to France to man learnwas the killed after being tortured, beaten rocks, art of facial fillers and sculpting. Hewith was willing andtreat suffocated were tied to Pierone’s while patientshis andhands even taught him behind hisitback, according to Edge Boston. in A how to do himself, eventually participating studies Food Drug Administration. sign waswith leftthe near his and body, discovered on a dirt At Engelhart’s office, each happens doctor worked on road, that read, “This is what to me for one of the patient’speople face. When they were goingside around infecting with AIDS.” finished, toldthe theman patient that heasylum would In the Engelhart amicus brief, seeking look very different than he was used to, and it was knew he was gay from a young age and was all right to be emotional about it. beaten his father forthe notmirror actingand “like a boy.” “The by patient looks in broke into Until and the Iage 14,wow, malethis cousins, an uncle, tears wasof like, is not just a little and a neighbor raped and beat him cosmetic issue,” repeatedly Pierone said of the experience. for being gay. He became fromcore theofabuse “This really affects people free to their who they they’re in the world. whenare, he how left at 14 to treated live in the U.S.real with his There’s mother.definitely a lipoatrophy face for gay guys. If they havediagnosed a face likeHIV that,positive it’s almost like aand red He was in 2012 letter, people know they have HIV.”the advocacy is on medications — medicines Within the last few years, the treatment center groups say are harder to find in Mexico. He transitioned into the Whole Family Health may be denied treatment anti-LGBT Center. Today, his practicebecause cares forofabout 1,000 bias or even purposefully giventothe HIV/AIDS patients from Vero Beach Fortwrong Pierce. medication, whichdown has been reported. With the winding of the Ryan White Act and the implementation of Obamacare, they’re able to serve more underinsured and uninsured patients this way. Also, with word getting around about his work with facial sculpting, he opened another practice, Facial Rejuvenation FL, for more mainstream facial work. “HIV is much more of a manageable, chronic disease and that does breed a little bit of complacency because it used to be an automatic death sentence,” the doctor says when he thinks back to the epidemic of decades before. “We haven’t reached the tipping point of the epidemic, but we’re getting pretty close.”

soflagaynews // 24 // 11.26.2014 // SFGN.com // / 11.27.2013 / SFGN.com / soflagaynews / SouthFloridaGayNews 2

Eight LGBT, immigration and HIV activist groups have come together to plead for the U.S. to not deport a gay, HIV positive Mexican man back to his home country. The Center for HIV Law and Policy joined the On to December people brief, aroundDoe thev.world will groups write an1amicus Holder, once again celebrate World AIDS Day — South inFlorida supportisofno providing thewith manmultiple (whose name exception events was redacted) asylum planned for the week. for fear that he could be beaten, killed when he returns WADraped raisesand international awareness of to the Mexico because of hisThis sexual and HIV/AIDS pandemic. year’sorientation theme is “Focus, HIV status. Partner, Achieve: An AIDS-free Generation.” The day is also deporting used to showsomeone support forto people living “Before torture, with HIV and make to commemorate people who have courts should nuanced decisions based ondied. a review of all relevant factors,” said Ivan WAD was the first ever Legal global Director, health dayinand Espinoza-Madrigal, CHLP a the first one was held in 1988. There are many press release. “In this case, there has been no events commemorating WAD across South consideration of on-the-ground realities Florida. Belowatis all a listing of a few of them. and attitudes about HIV.” Sunday, November – has Since 1994, immigration law in30th the U.S. World AIDS Day Vigil recognized HIV-positive and LGBT people as Broward House,However, South Florida’s eligible for asylum. it’s not a oldest sure and largest HIV/AIDS community service thing. organization has announced plans for their An immigration judge andthethe Board of 2013 candlelight walk, vigil, rally & concert Immigration Appeals denied asylum to theto commemorate this year’s World AIDS Day. man, claiming that there has been progress for Step Off: 7:30pm at Hagen Park, 2020 LGBT Mexicans. WhileManors, strides have Wilton Drive, Wilton FL been made in the country, including the election the Rally: 2040 North Dixie Hwy, of Wilton first openly Manors, FLgay mayor in the city of Fresnillo last year,Special the writers of the amicus brief aren’t Appearances By: Lorrie Cram, Mayor Gary Resnick, The AIDS Memorial Quilt satisfied. According Monday, to the release, people with December 1 HIV Photo and courtesy who are LGBT Lies. experience “police of Brendon

• • •

misconduct and government-sanctioned violence and brutality, to the denial of access to lifesaving medical care and treatment.” In 2007, a gay teacher attended a gay rights march wearing women’s clothing. He was To commemorate AIDSheDay, AIDS attacked and lost his World job. When went to Healthcare Foundation (AHF) will host free HIV appeal his dismissal, he was beaten by police, tests complete with games and giveaways at its arrested, andCloset” raped Thrift in jail,Stores according to the “Out of the throughout State Department’s Human Rights Report for South Florida from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mexico. Out of The Closet has the following locations next year, a gay, HIV-positive man was inThe South Florida: killed after being tortured, beaten with rocks, Ft. Lauderdale Out of the Closet and suffocated while his hands were tied 1785 E. Sunrise Blvd. behind back, according Fort his Lauderdale, FL 33304to Edge Boston. A sign was left Out nearofhis discovered on a dirt Miami thebody, Closet road, thatBiscayne read, “This is what happens to me for 2900 Blvd., going around infecting people with AIDS.” Miami, FL 33137 South Beachbrief, Out of Closet In the amicus thethe man seeking asylum 1510 knew heAlton was Road gay from a young age and was Miami FL 33139 beaten by Beach, his father for not acting “like a boy.” of the Closet an uncle, Until Wilton the ageManors of 14,Out male cousins, 2097 Wilton Manor Drive and a neighbor repeatedly raped and beat him Wilton Manor, FL 33305 for being gay. He became free from the abuse November December 3 his when he left at 14 to 19 live–in the U.S. with mother. In recognition of World AIDS Day, Compass Hedisplays was diagnosed positiveofin 2012 and the largestHIV collection the AIDS is on medications — medicines the advocacy Memorial Quilt in Florida. Each year, a groups say areis hosted harder on to December find in Mexico. ceremony 1, whichHe may be denied because of light anti-LGBT includes the treatment quilt display, a candle vigil, a special performance the biasinduction, or evenand purposefully given the by wrong Voices of Pride. will host two weeks medication, whichCompass has been reported.

• The public is invited to Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. for a

World AIDS Day Community Event titled “It takes a Village to Stop HIV: World AIDS Day Community Cookout.” This family friendly event will include guest speakers, youth performances, quilt displays, HIV testing and education, and free food.

• • • •

worth of events for World AIDS Day. In an effort to work closer with national and local initiatives to provide Palm Beach County with resources, Compass’ World AIDS Day promotes awareness about HIV and how to live a stronger and healthier life. The AIDS Memorial Quilt, founded in 1987, is the largest piece of community folk art in the world, a 54-ton collage affixed with the names of over 91,000 victims of AIDS.

For more information visit www.CompassGLCC.com.

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The

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OFF THE WALL

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AIDS: A Cocktail of Stupidity and HIVBigP osItIVe exIcan BusinessMAs Usual

D enIeD a syluM Pier Angelo

In 2011 Michael Musto wrote a column for The Village Voice called “Why I Hate Being Gay.” At the time I thought it was tongue and cheek. Perhaps not. It made me stop and think. I do not hate being gay, but I am dismayed. After thirty years plus of AIDS, a very large number of young men continue practicing unsafe sex and dismiss the cancer as if it was a headache or a chronic illness. It is even idiotically referred to as “The Gift” by a subculture who actively seeks out getting Christiana Lilly They call themselves infected with HIV/AIDS. bug-chasers and they look for an HIV positive man who’s a gift-giver to pass on the gift of HIV. Eight LGBT, immigration and can HIVbeactivist “Bug-chasers” and “gift-givers” found groups comeatogether to plead for the U.S. on the have Internet: sick phenomenon worldto notItdeport a gay, HIV positive MexicanThey man wide. is a case of arrested development. back home country. live intoa his fallen universe of denial. The HIVsay Lawitand joined the It is Center a battlefor some isn’tPolicy fought groups to write an amicus brief, Doe is v. Holder, very hard to win. All around there in support oftoproviding the man (whose name indifference the alarming 22 percent was redacted) for fear that he could be increase of asylum HIV infection among young gays. If HIV to spread beaten, raped andcontinues killed when he returns to at current rates, ofhalf college-aged Mexico because his of sexual orientation and gay men will have the infection by the HIV status. age“Before of 50. deporting New HIV infections someone have to torture, remained steady in the generaldecisions public. based courts should make nuanced Gayamen represent two-thirds of newsaid Ivan on review of all relevant factors,” infections. Espinoza-Madrigal, CHLP Legal Director, in a Of course pharmaceutical press release. “In this case, companies there has been no bear part of the blame as well. Their realities consideration at all of on-the-ground ads, attitudes for drugs controlling and about HIV.” HIV, the same ads1994, featured in this newspaper, Since immigration law in the U.S. has make it sound as if it can be easily kept recognized HIV-positive and LGBT people as under control. Pop a few pills, goit’s to the eligible for asylum. However, not a sure gym, take an “aspirin” and it becomes thing. manageable. An immigration judge and the Board of Little thought is givendenied to the fact that to the Immigration Appeals asylum the cost of these drugs is astronomical, man, claiming that there has been progress for their side effects,While debilitating. Nor are LGBT Mexicans. strides have been made HIVthe drugs keeping people alive: Nearly of the in country, including the election 6,000openly gay men dyinginofthe AIDS every first gayare mayor city of Fresnillo year,year, butthe they continue, last writers of the mindlessly, amicus brief aren’t going bareback. It is not justifiable with satisfied. ignorance of not anymore. According toknowing the release, people with Instead they are seem to experience be saying “police HIV and who LGBT (especially when high on crystal meth): “I never met a cock I didn’t like.” AIDS has been a bonanza for Big Pharma. Why not? For them the side effects may include enlarged profits. From a business standpoint it is more profitable to keep sick people alive than to cure them. If a patient must continuously take a daily cocktail of pills to survive, then pharmaceutical companies make tons of money by selling these drugs

for years and years. Irresponsible gay men are accomplices in this cozy status quo. The biggest problem we have within the drug industry is that it is funded by profit centered corporate money engines. This leads to the million dollar protocols as an attempt to recoup spent funds which are often a 20 year investment in trials, materials, facilities and labor costs. Unless research is government funded, then someone has to pay for it. Obviously the easiest pockets to pick are the end-user’s. There is a huge conflict of interest and ethical dilemma posed by having profitcentered corporate funding at the helm of misconduct government-sanctioned the R & D’s and pharmaceutical conglomerate. violence andincentive brutality,intoscientific the denial of access There is no venues and to lifesaving medical and treatment.” disease control centerscare to wipe out this scourge. In 2007, aCynical? gay teacher attended a gay rights Farfetched? Paranoid? march wearing women’s clothing. He was attacked and lost his job. When he went to appeal his dismissal, he was beaten by police, arrested, and raped in jail, according to the State Department’s Human Rights Report for Mexico. The next year, a gay, HIV-positive man was killed after being tortured, beaten with rocks, and suffocated while his hands were tied behind his back, according to Edge Boston. A sign was left near his body, discovered on a dirt road, that read, “This is what happens to me for going around infecting people with AIDS.” In the amicus brief, the man seeking asylum knew he was gay from a young age and was beaten by his father for not acting “like a boy.” Until the age of 14, male cousins, an uncle, and a neighbor repeatedly raped and beat him for being gay. He became free from the abuse when he left at 14 to live in the U.S. with his mother. He was diagnosed HIV positive in 2012 and is on medications — medicines the advocacy groups say are harder to find in Mexico. He may be denied treatment because of anti-LGBT bias or even purposefully given the wrong medication, which has been reported.

8 organizations are appealing the ruling

The only conspiracy here is GREED mixed with stupidity. Until there is a drastic realignment of funding, starting at the university level, it will continue getting worse by keeping new vaccines or cures out of reach. Not just for AIDS patients but all people with major illnesses. Wearing the red ribbon on your lapel, throwing or attending fundraising parties and events are not the answers. But it is the sort of thing people like. All you have to do is “feel their pain,” write a check, pour an ice bucket over your head, and you are doing the right thing. Americans have a tendency to believe that to “feel” is more important than doing something or, at any rate, it is the same. As CEO of this newspaper, I could flex my muscle and pull rank on the Publisher and the Associate Publisher

but I rarely do besides getting into heated discussions. What irks me the most is the way AIDS is often shown. We did it again a few issues ago. Our front page read: “Ten Things HIV Positive Guys Want Negative Guys to Know” printed over the well sculptured, statuesque chest, of a young gay man. Really? Why always associate beautiful pecs and abs with this plague? How is that going to help? We are not alone, other publications do the same. I would put the emaciated body of a patient dying of AIDS, over and over, with the caption: “This is What Aids Look Like” to shock people into thinking instead of making it sexy. Our responsibility is to inform and educate the public not perpetrate a myth of deceit and lies. It’s time to wake up and have a reality check. Enough already.

This is what AIDS really looks like.

soflagaynews // 26 // 11.26.2014 // SFGN.com // / 11.27.2013 / SFGN.com / soflagaynews / SouthFloridaGayNews 2

Photo courtesy of Brendon Lies.

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PUBLISHER’S COLUMN

AIDS Starts with Us HIVEnding P osItIVe M exIcan

D enIeD a syluM Norm Kent

Once again, it falls upon us to come to grips with the diseases once known as GRID- Gay Related Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Once, there was no hope. Once, there was death on every corner. Once, there was no Truvada, no magic pills, no protease inhibitors, no steroid cocktails. Once, HIV scared us. Have we become too complacent today? As my business partner, Pier, points out in another column, misdirected though it is, there is nothing sexy about AIDS. Nevertheless, as we see new cases grow, and HIV populations get larger, I Christiana Lilly think we are sometimes living in La La Land. We live in a community that is the epicenter of Eight the virus. One in every LGBT, immigration and88 HIVBroward activist residents ages 13 together and older HIVforpositive. groups have come to is plead the U.S. Broward County hasHIV hadpositive the nation’s highest to not deport a gay, Mexican man per-capita infection rate since 2008, not a back to his home country. statistic to be proud The Center for HIVof. Law and Policy joined the Here,toatwrite SFGN, try to remind you that groups an we amicus brief, Doe v. Holder, this disease is not done with us. We publish in support of providing the man (whose name the bi-annually, wasSPIRIT, redacted) asylum forand fearHIV thatcommunity he could be reports least and monthly. run he stories about beaten,atraped killedWe when returns to AIDS there is nothing Mexicomethodically, because of hisbut sexual orientation and routine about the virus in in South Florida. HIV status. Our newspaper runssomeone three pages of ads “Before deporting to torture, every AIDSdecisions Health based Care courts week shouldfrom make the nuanced Foundation, and full-page ads on a review of all periodically relevant factors,” said Ivan from Broward House, Care Resource, and Espinoza-Madrigal, CHLP Legal Director, in a the Department Health. We promote press release. “Inof this case, there has beenthe no Smart Ride and House, Latinos consideration at allPoverello of on-the-ground realities Salud and Impulse. We salute the work of and attitudes about HIV.” theSince Children’s Diagnostic Center 1994, immigration law in theand U.S. the has Campbell Foudation. recognized HIV-positive and LGBT people as eligible for asylum. However, it’s not a sure thing. An immigration judge and the Board of Immigration Appeals denied asylum to the man, claiming that there has been progress for LGBT Mexicans. While strides have been made in the country, including the election of the first openly gay mayor in the city of Fresnillo last year, the writers of the amicus brief aren’t satisfied. According to the release, people with HIV and who are LGBT experience “police

My business partner can find a little bad in the best of things. He thinks that the pharmaceutical companies want to perpetuate the virus to line their pockets. He wants us to point out how the disease ravages the body. He has it all wrong. Don’t blame AIDS on Hotspots or SFGN for running shirtless ads of hot gay men. Don’t accuse the pharmaceuticals of being careless by promoting their products, which are designed to make sick people feel better, or healthy people feel not sick. This one we can’t lay on the government for being negligent. This one we can only blame on ourselves for getting laid recklessly. None of us and are trying to make a plague misconduct government-sanctioned ‘beautiful.’ Webrutality, are simply trying to of sayaccess that violence and to the denial we won’t let a disease defeat us. We will fight to lifesaving medical care and treatment.” back. We will getteacher healthier. As strong the In 2007, a gay attended a gayasrights virus we will get stronger.clothing. We are going to marchis, wearing women’s He was pan the pandemic. attacked and lost his job. When he went to We don’t need to he run of police, dying appeal his dismissal, waspictures beaten by men on our AIDS kills. arrested, andpages. rapedWe in know jail, according to We the are trying to show Human how HIVRights is notReport a death State Department’s for sentence Mexico. or a cause for denying your dreams. WeThe are next trying to ashow people they man can live year, gay, HIV-positive was with HIV intelligently, not be its victims killed after being tortured, beaten with rocks, ignorantly. If people and tied get and suffocated whilegethisundressed hands were careless, that’s notaccording our fault.to WeEdge are doing ourA behind his back, Boston. part. sign was left near his body, discovered on a dirt There no “This shortage of visuals road, thatisread, is what happensdepicting to me for what HIV virus doespeople to you.with We AIDS.” have seen goingthe around infecting it visualized on screen forman years. It certainly In the amicus brief, the seeking asylum isknew worth pointing out to those of you are he was gay from a young age who and was 25-35 years of age that there are a wealth of beaten by his father for not acting “like a boy.” Until the age of 14, male cousins, an uncle, and a neighbor repeatedly raped and beat him for being gay. He became free from the abuse when he left at 14 to live in the U.S. with his mother. He was diagnosed HIV positive in 2012 and is on medications — medicines the advocacy groups say are harder to find in Mexico. He may be denied treatment because of anti-LGBT bias or even purposefully given the wrong medication, which has been reported.

8 organizations are appealing the ruling

/ 11.27.2013 / SFGN.com /

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films you can view showing what AIDS used to do to you, and how little your government or business helped you. Rent films like “And the Band Played On,” “Philadelphia,” “Longtime Companion,” The Living End,” or “An Early Frost.” More recently, there has been the “Dallas Buyers Club” and “Jeffrey” and “Angels in America.” These films accurately share the history and impact of AIDS upon American gay lives. Some of you are too young to know there was a day when the people were afraid to use a public toilet seat for fear of contracting HIV. Some of us are old enough to remember Pedro Zamora, Ryan White and Freddy Mercury. But for most of us, AIDS is not about celebrities like a Magic Johnson. It is about our friends and family members, living in our own communities. It’s about finding a local AIDS agency to turn to. There is no shame in living with AIDS, only embarrassment in doing nothing about it. You do not have to make headlines to make a difference. You just have to make headway. You just have to be a voice for hope instead of an apologist for excuses.

When you celebrate World AIDS Day next week, remember that friend who once stood by your side. But live your life today in such a way that no one will need to be lighting a candle for you years down the road. Ultimately, it falls upon each of us to be responsible, not reckless; cautious, not careless. That means in bed. Yes, a day will come when we gather to celebrate a cure and not commemorate a loss. That is why we march still today, not because it’s sexy, Pier, but because we have to. We know we still have friends quietly dying from HIV, out of the limelight and far from the spotlight. That does not mean we should not proudly live our lives in the daylight while being more cautious at night. In fact, you can’t leave the Pride Center or an average nightclub without finding a box of free condoms at the door. If the virus is still spreading, then so too must our voices every December. We light candles not just for those who are lost yesterday, but also to help see better for ourselves today. There is nothing sexy about it.

Photo courtesy of Brendon Lies.

SouthFloridaGayNews

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The

Spirit

America’s HIV/AIDS News Source

The

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America’s HIV/AIDS News Source

Red P Reminds Me HIV osItIVe M exIc

Monthly News from the South Florida AIDS Network osItIVe exIcan

HIV P

D enIeD a D syluM enIeD a s Sean McShee

The South Florida AIDS Network (SFAN) functions as the networking/advisory body for the Ryan White Care (RWC), Part B grant in Broward County. Its monthly meetings are open to the public. The November SFAN meeting focused on the upcoming transition of clients from Ryan White Care (RWC) programs to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces. Joshua Rodriguez of Broward Department of Health reported that ADAP will select about 800 clients to transition from RWC programs to ACA marketplace programs. Christiana Lilly Rodriguez stated that clients could decline this opportunity. This opportunity allows those selected clients to move from an immigration HIV activist HIVEight healthLGBT, care system (RWC) toand a full health care groups(ACA have come together to plead the U.S. system marketplace plans). Thisfor transition to not positive Mexican man has the deport backingaofgay, theHIV Federal Government. back his home country. On toNovember 10, Florida ADAP issued an ADAP Update. In that Health TheProgram Center for HIV Law andupdate, Policythe joined the Resources and Service Administration (HRSA) groups to write an amicus brief, Doe v. Holder, stated its requirement thatthe all grantees “vigorously in support of providing man (whose name pursue enrolling clients in the was redacted) asylum for fear that Marketplace he could be and inform clients of the consequences of not beaten, raped and killed when he returns to enrolling.” That update also reported that the Mexicoprogram becausewill of his sexual and ADAP select for orientation transition those HIV status. clients with incomes between 100 percent and 249 “Before someone percent of thedeporting Federal Poverty Level. to torture, courts makebynuanced decisions based ADAPshould will notify letter those RWC clients selected for this to a new program on a review oftransition all relevant factors,” saidADAP Ivan Premium Plus. Unselected clientsDirector, will remain Espinoza-Madrigal, CHLP Legal in a in traditional of press no one press release.ADAP. “In thisAscase, theretime, has been no could provide the this notification. ADAP consideration at date all offoron-the-ground realities Premium Plus will pay ACA insurance premiums, and attitudes about HIV.” deductibles, copays, and other insurance related Since 1994,clients immigration lawtointransition. the U.S. The has costs for those who decide recognized HIV-positive and LGBTitspeople as ACA marketplace program will provide standard eligible based for asylum. However, it’s notsize. a sure subsidy, on income and household thing. People will have to report their income and household size in order calculate the ACA An immigration judgeto and the Board of subsidy correctly. The denied IRS willasylum determine if Immigration Appeals to the someone’s income reports match their employer’s man, claiming that there has been progress for reports. They will adjust person’s refund to LGBT Mexicans. Whilethat strides havetax been made resolve any differences. Someone whose income in the country, including the election of the varies throughout the year may find this both first openly gaydifficult. mayor in the city of Fresnillo important and Those individuals will

Jason Parsley

8 organizations are appealing the ruling

last year, the writers of the amicus brief aren’t satisfied. According to the release, people with HIV and who are LGBT experience “police

An HIV related photo contest

8 organizations are appealing the ruling Christiana Lilly

Eight LGBT, immigration and HIV activist groups have come together to plead for the U.S. to not deport a gay, HIV positive Mexican man back to his home country. The Center for HIV Law and Policy joined the groups to write an amicus brief, Doe v. Holder, in support of providing the man (whose name was redacted) asylum for fear that he could be beaten, raped and killed when he returns to Mexico because of his sexual orientation and HIV status. “Before deporting someone to torture, courts should make nuanced decisions based on a review of all AIDS relevant said Ivan For World Dayfactors,” TheBody.com has Espinoza-Madrigal, CHLP Legal Director, in a launched The Red Reminds Me photo presscontest release.to“In thisfight case,the there has been no help stigma of living consideration all of asking on-the-ground with HIV. at They’re readers torealities share a and attitudes about HIV.” the color red, while photo that incorporates Since 1994,their immigration in the has sharing opinions law about theU.S. current state ofHIV-positive HIV and howand it affects using recognized LGBTthem people as the for hashtag #RedRemindsMe Facebook, eligible asylum. However, it’sonnot a sure thing.Twitter or Instagram. “Every year we do something World An immigration judge and the for Board of AIDS Day,” said Mathew Rodriguez, Immigration Appeals denied asylum to the editor TheBody.com. man,community claiming that therefor hasthe been progress for “This year we wanted to do something LGBT Mexicans. While strides have been made more interactive. It’s our first social media in the country, including the election of the campaign.” first openly gay mayor thethe city of Fresnillo Rodriguez hopesin that campaign will writers to ofthe thestigma amicus aren’t may be denied treatment because of anti-LGBT last year, bringthe awareness ofbrief HIV as well bias or even purposefully given the wrong satisfied. as help get people talking about the virus. According the there release, with medication, which has been reported. “Yes I dotothink is stillpeople a stigma,” he HIV said. and who are LGBT “police Photo“There courtesy Brendon Lies. isofstill a lotexperience of fear surrounding it.” One of the participants in the photo contest this year is Jack Mackenroth, long time HIV activist and former project runway contestant. “I think the stigma has actually become worse as the treatments have improved. It’s a catch-22. Stigma and discrimination are

misconduct andreport government-sanctioned have to monitor and any changes. This issue violence and brutality, the denial access concerns local insurancetobroker, Cliff of Eserman, to lifesaving and treatment.” President of medical Incompascare Financial Insurance, Inc. 2007, gay teacher attended a gay rights HeIn feels thataeasily made errors of omission could cause with a small refund to accumulate marchsomeone wearing women’s clothing. He was aattacked tax debt. and lost his job. When he went to Broward residents have by about 100 appeal his County dismissal, he waswill beaten police, health plans which to choose. The Florida arrested, andfrom raped in jail, according to the ADAP program and the AIDS Institute will be State Department’s Human Rights Report for selecting a subset of plans that meet criteria for Mexico. HIV care and cost-effectiveness. ADAP will only next in year, gay, HIV-positive man was payThe for plans this asubset. People on ADAP should killed after being tortured, beaten not select plans before knowing whichwith plansrocks, ADAP andapproved. suffocated while his hands were tied has Some his agencies will provide assistance behind back, according to Edge Boston. to A people in left selecting a health plan. Lisa sign was near his body,care discovered onAgate, a dirt Program Regionalto me Health road, that Manager, read, “ThisBroward is what happens for Planning Council, reported that each going around infecting people withADAP AIDS.”client selected for this transition will be assigned to an In the amicus brief, the man seeking asylum ACA assistance agency for help. Agate said people knew was gaythe from young and was should he wait until firsta week in age December to beaten by his father for not acting “like a boy.” select a plan. Until agecertainty, of 14, male cousins, an uncle, The the lack of amid the seriousness of the and a neighbor andOne beat him issues, frustrated repeatedly many at theraped meeting. person for being itgay. became free from thewith abuse compared to aHe train running at 100 mph the track laid just feet ahead of his the whenstill hebeing left at 14down, to live in50 the U.S. with engine. mother. Next SFAN Meeting: Friday, December 5 at 10:00 He was diagnosed HIV positive in 2012 and a.m., the Holy Cross 1000advocacy NE 56th is onatmedications — Healthplex, medicines the Street, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33334. Newcomers are groups say are harder to find in Mexico. He encouraged to attend.

For more information on this transition, please visit http://bit.ly/1zwB2Zv soflagaynews // 28 // 11.26.2014 // SFGN.com // / 11.27.2013 / SFGN.com / soflagaynews / SouthFloridaGayNews 2

misconduct and government-sanctioned violence and brutality, to the denial of access to lifesaving medical care and treatment.” In 2007, a gay teacher attended a gay rights march wearing women’s clothing. He was attacked and lost his job. When he went to appeal his dismissal, he was beaten by police, arrested, and raped in jail, according to the State Department’s Human Rights Report for Mexico. The next year, a gay, HIV-positive man was killed after being tortured, beaten with rocks, and suffocated while his hands were tied behind his back, according to Edge Boston. only dispelled when there is education and A sign was left near his body, discovered on a dirt visibility. We know this to be true by looking road, read, “This is whatof happens to me for at thethat improved acceptance LGBT folks going infecting peopleyour withfamily, AIDS.” as we around came out and became In the amicus brief, the manand seeking asylum your friends, your neighbors people knew heinwas gay culture,” from a young and was you saw popular he said.age “There is reallybynot today“like for an beaten hismuch fatherincentive for not acting a boy.” HIV positive be public about Until the ageperson of 14,tomale cousins, anhis uncle, or her status. The medications areand so good and a neighbor repeatedly raped beat him that,being whengay. treated early, you canfrom expect for He became free thetoabuse live a pretty normal life. New studies show when he left at 14 to live in the U.S. with his that if you are undetectable you aren’t even mother. contagious so you aren’t putting others at He was diagnosed HIV positive in 2012 and risk either. We are stuck in a difficult spot. is on medications — medicines the advocacy It would be great if everyone who was HIV groups are be harder find itinbecause Mexico. He positive say would opentoabout may denied of anti-LGBT then be you wouldtreatment see just because how many of us bias given the wrong there or are.even But purposefully I don’t see that happening medication, whichsohasthe beenjudgment reported. and any time soon misinformation are just left alone to grow and become more intense.” The contest lasts through Dec. 12. After that public voting will take place from Dec. 13 to 31. The three most creative photos will be announced the week of Jan. 12. One grand prize winner will be awarded two tickets to the Lifebeat pre-VMA Concert plus the cost of the flight and hotel.

Visit TheBody.com for more information.

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The

Spirit

America’s HIV/AIDS News Source

The

Spirit

America’s HIV/AIDS News Source

AIDS Insurance Continuation Origin of HIV Virus Florida’s Program’s Turbulent Year HIV P osItIVe M exIc HIV P osItIVe M exIcan Revealed

enIeD a s D enIeD a D syluM Sean McShee

Christiana Lilly

8 organizations are appealing the ruling

Christiana Lilly

Christiana Lilly Eight LGBT, immigration and HIV activist groups have come together to plead for the U.S. to not deport a gay, HIV positive Mexican man back to his home country. The Center for HIV Law and Policy joined the groups to write an amicus brief, Doe v. Holder, in support of providing the man (whose name was redacted) asylum for fear that he could be beaten, raped and killed when he returns to Mexico because of his sexual orientation and HIV status. Two European researchers havetotraced the “Before deporting someone torture, origins of HIV/AIDS back to 1920 in what is courts should make nuanced decisions based now Democratic Republic of Congo. on athe review of all relevant factors,” said Ivan Oliver Pybus, professor of zoology at in thea Espinoza-Madrigal, CHLP Legal Director, University of Oxford in England, and Philippe press release. “In this case, there has been no Lemey, assistant of immunology and consideration atprofessor all of on-the-ground realities microbiology at KUHIV.” Leuven - University of and attitudes about Leuven Belgium, published paper Sincein1994, immigration lawa in the on U.S.their has research in October. recognized HIV-positive and LGBT people as There for have been different the eligible asylum. However,theories it’s not of a sure cause thing.of the disease’s spread throughout Africa andAn when, but Lemeyjudge said inand an email that “we immigration the Board of now estimated where this virus emerged in the Immigration Appeals denied asylum to the human population, how ithas initially spread and man, claiming that there been progress for eventually transitioned into a pandemic.” LGBT Mexicans. While strides have been made the circumstances in“Knowledge the country, of including the election ofthat the facilitated the epidemic expansion assist first openly gay mayor in the city ofcan Fresnillo the of of effective education and last development year, the writers the amicus brief aren’t prevention satisfied. programs.” According the disease According toto the theprofessors, release, people with was able to rapidly spread throughout the HIV and who are LGBT experience “police region due to Kinshasa being a major hub of transportation at the time, especially with railways. Unsafe use of needles among sex workers and public health workers helped make the disease into a “full-blown epidemic.” The researchers also noted that the diseases started in 1920 with 95 percent certainty, based on data they were looking at from 1909 to 1930. However, the biggest find in their research was pinpointing an exact location. “The location of origin was open to

8 organizations are appealing the ruling

misconduct and government-sanctioned violence and brutality, to the denial of access to lifesaving medical care and treatment.” In 2007, a gay teacher attended a gay rights march wearing women’s clothing. He was attacked and lost his job. When he went to appeal his dismissal, he was beaten by police, arrested, and raped in jail, according to the Democratic Republic of Congo State Department’s Human Rights Report for Mexico. Map data ©2014 Google The next year, a gay, HIV-positive man was speculation,” Lemey saidbeaten aboutwith previous killed after being tortured, rocks, studies. “Some circumstantial evidence led and suffocated while his hands were tied to the his suggestion that Kinshasa was the behind back, according to Edge Boston. A origin, not the only (untested) sign wasbut leftthis nearwas his body, discovered on a dirt hypothesis… provide strong statistical road, that read,We “This is what happens to me for evidence thatinfecting Kinshasapeople is thewith location origin going around AIDS.” allowing us to align history with In the amicus brief,the thegenetic man seeking asylum historical data.” knew he was gay from a young age and was Otherbylocations haveacting been“like studied in beaten his fatherthat for not a boy.” the past included Cameroon, Gabon, and the Until the age of 14, male cousins, an uncle, Republic of Congo. and a neighbor repeatedly raped and beat him However, didn’t thethe attention for being gay.HIV/AIDS He became freeget from abuse of the world until it infected gay men droves when he left at 14 to live in the U.S.inwith his in New York City and southern California in mother. theHe 1980s. The study HIV did not go into why and this was diagnosed positive in 2012 was the case, but Lemey believes that because is on medications — medicines the advocacy doctors didn’t the to disease on Mexico. their radar, groups say arehave harder find in He the epidemic in the ‘80s came as shock to may be denied treatment because ofaanti-LGBT healthcare workers. bias or even purposefully given the wrong “The symptoms were notreported. specific enough medication, which has been in Africa to trigger the alarm and lead to the identification of a new infectious disease,” Lemey said. “It took clusters of particular risk group patients with unexpected symptoms in several cities of the most medically advanced country in the world to alarm the medical world. Unfortunately, sensationalist press following these first reports led to an anti-gay campaign in those days.” The disease was first known as gay-related immune deficiency (GRID) in 1982. It was not renamed AIDS until 1986.

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Eight LGBT, immigration and HIV activist Before the Affordable (ACA), groups have come together toCare plead Act for the U.S. Ryan White Care (RWC) program toanother not deport a gay, HIV positive Mexican man linked RWC clients to insurance for HIV care. back to his home country. The AIDS Insurance Continuation Program The Center for HIV Law and Policy joined the enabled its clients to brief, keep Doe their private groups to write an amicus v. Holder, andthesaved public funds. inhealth supportinsurance of providing man (whose name Unfortunately, that program hashe had a very was redacted) asylum for fear that could be turbulent year. beaten, raped and killed when he returns to In the fall of of 2014 administrators the Mexico because histhe sexual orientationofand AIDS Insurance Continuation Program (AICP) HIV status. informed its subcontracted agencies that all “Before deporting someone to torture, their should contracts would end bydecisions March 31,based 2015. courts make nuanced had subcontracted thesesaid agencies onAICP a review of all relevantwith factors,” Ivan to recruit clients CHLP and Legal to provide “health Espinoza-Madrigal, Director, in a insurance” management clients. press release. case “In this case, therefor hasitsbeen no As of press time, it is clear who willrealities provide consideration at all ofnot on-the-ground recruitment and case and attitudes about HIV.”management to AICP clients after March 31, 2015. Since 1994, immigration law in the U.S. has Two local agencies, Broward recognized HIV-positive and LGBTHouse, peopleand as The Wellness Center, had their eligible for asylum. However, it’s notcontracts a sure terminated. According to staff of the Wellness thing. Center, other problems occurred last year: An immigration judgehadand the Board of a rushed attempt to transition AICP clients Immigration Appeals denied asylum to the intoclaiming ACA marketplace a poor selection man, that thereplans, has been progress for of ACA plans, andstrides change eligibility LGBT Mexicans. While haveinbeen made inrequirements. the country, including the election of the numberin the of AICP first While openly the gay mayor city ofclients Fresnillois relatively theof AICP Program has had last year, thesmall, writers the amicus brief aren’t over ten years of experience providing funds to satisfied. maintain health for people withwith HIV. According to insurance the release, people With the coming transfer of large numbers of HIV Photo and courtesy who are LGBT Lies. experience “police of Brendon RWC clients to the ACA marketplace plans, this experience could be invaluable. This experience, however, was concentrated at three levels: the Department of Health in Tallahassee, Health Council of South Florida, and the direct service agencies. The Federal Ryan White Care Program and the State of Florida General Revenue jointly provide funds to the Florida Department of Health which contracts with the Health Council of South Florida to administer the program. The Health

SouthFloridaGayNews / 11.27.2013 / SFGN.com / 2

misconduct and government-sanctioned Council had withdenial agencies such violence andsubcontracted brutality, to the of access aslifesaving Broward House and theand Wellness Center to to medical care treatment.” provide client services In 2007, a gay teacher attended a gay rights Another RWCwomen’s insurance program march wearing clothing. He has was recently emerged Premium Manyto attacked and lost- ADAP his job. When Plus. he went people his lackdismissal, a clear idea of the relationship appeal he was beaten by police, between these two programs. As the Florida arrested, and raped in jail, according to the Department of Health controls the budget State Department’s Human Rights Reportfor for both programs, its interpretation has great Mexico. clout. The next year, a gay, HIV-positive man was Nickafter Van Dertortured, Linden beaten of thewith Florida killed being rocks, Department Health explained and suffocatedof while his hands were the tied relationship as follows: “ThetoADAP behind his back, according Edge Premium Boston. A Pluswas insurance is a component sign left near program his body, discovered on a dirt of ADAP designed assisthappens eligibletoADAP road, that read, “This to is what me for insured clientsinfecting with their out-of-pocket costs. going around people with AIDS.” ADAP Plus clients private or In thePremium amicus brief, the manhave seeking asylum government-sponsored health insurance knew he was gay from a young age and was with by prescription equivalent beaten his father forcoverage not acting “like a boy.” to thetheADAP Until age offormulary 14, male drugs. cousins,The an AIDS uncle, Insurance Continuation (AICP) is and a neighbor repeatedlyProgram raped and beat him a sub-component of the ADAP Premium for being gay. He became free from the abuse Plus insurance paid when he left atprogram. 14 to live Premiums in the U.S.are with his through our contracted provider, the Health mother. Council ofdiagnosed South Florida.” He was HIV positive in 2012 and According to the people who control is on medications — medicines the advocacy the budget of both programs, the newer groups say are harder to find in Mexico. He ADAP Premium Plus insurance program has may be denied treatment because of anti-LGBT absorbed the purposefully older AICP program. bias or even given theUnder wrong this definition, within ADAP, programmatic medication, which has been reported. difference exists between government sponsored health-insurance and private health insurance. While this has been a turbulent year for AICP, it has probably been confusing to its clients. With an influx of RWC clients into ACA marketplace plans set to occur over the next few years, the percentage of clients with private insurance will decrease relative to those with government-sponsored insurance. More changes lie ahead.

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The

Spirit

America’s HIV/AIDS News Source

Make conversation before you make out NATIONAL

Young Gay Men and Black Gay Men Aren’t P Staying on HIV Treatment HIV osItIVe M exIcan New study reveals less than 50 percent of HIV positive gay men are receiving treatment

D enIeD a syluM Denise Royal

Recent analysis from the Centers for Disease Control and burden of new HIV infections among Prevention shows that only half (49.5 percent) of gay and young and African-American gay and bisexual men diagnosed with HIV in the United States are bisexual men. High prevalence of HIV within receiving treatment for their infection. And just 42 percent these communities, coupled with low rates of have achieved viral suppression – meaning their virus is under viral suppression, means people in these groups control at a level that helps keep them healthy and also greatly are at higher risk of infection with every sexual Christiana Lilly encounter. reduces their risk of transmitting HIV to others. “Factors such as economic barriers, stigma, The findings – based on 2010 data and published recently in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report – underscore the homophobia and discrimination may deter these men from accessing medical care, which means they wouldn’t be getting need for improvements at eachand stage of HIV care, from diagnosis and Eight LGBT, immigration HIV activist misconduct government-sanctioned the caretoand they need,” said Wolitski. “While this to retention caretogether and support for treatment groups havein come to plead for the U.S.adherence. violence and brutality, the treatment denial of access analysis that levels of engagement in HIV care are higher prevention specialist with the CDC says thismedical toAn notHIV/AIDS deport a gay, HIV positive Mexican man to lifesaving carefound and treatment.” Latino gay anda bisexual shows of thecountry. most powerful tools to protect health anda gayfor back toone his home In 2007, teacher attended gay rightsmen than for African American include an 11-city MSM Testing Initiative to identify best many clothing. HIV-infected prevent HIV treatment is and reaching a fraction of gay wearing men men, The Center for HIV Law Policyonly joined the march women’s He Latino was gay and bisexual men are not practices for delivering HIV testing to gay and bisexual receiving care he they need. who need groups to it. write an amicus brief, Doe v. Holder, attacked and lost his job.the When went to As is a challenge for the Latino men. The CDC provided $55 million to community-based community, a whole, complex social issues such as stigma organizations to test an additional 90,000 young gay, bisexual, findings underscore the(whose need name for improvements in“The support of providing the man appeal his at dismissal, he was as beaten by police, and discrimination cantoalso each stage of HIV care,for from to retention in care and was redacted) asylum feardiagnosis that he could be arrested, and raped in jail, according theaffect access to and willingness and transgender youth of color. In addition, the CDC launched the Care and Prevention in care. Additionally, support treatment adherence,” Ph.D, Lead to stay beaten, for raped and killed when heRichard returnsWolitski, to State Department’s Human Rights Report for language barriers can influence in the United States project – a three-year $44.2 million pilot Behavioral Scientist, of HIV/AIDS Mexico because of hisDivision sexual orientation andPrevention, Mexico. CDC access to high-quality information and medical care.” news isn’tman all grim. told HIVSFGN. status. The next year, aBut gay,the HIV-positive was Studies like this highlight the program that is helping eight state health departments increase the number of people with HIV who receive ongoing medical work that needs to be done. In a released statement, Dr. Jonathan Mermin, director of “Before deporting someone to torture, killed after being tortured, beaten with rocks, “Stopping the spread HIV among gay and bisexual men in care and treatment. CDC’s Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, courts National should make nuanced decisions based and suffocated while his hands wereof tied The agency has also released national communications United States is Boston. CDC’s highest HIV prevention priority. We and Prevention, said, said “It’sIvan unacceptable thatback,the on a Tuberculosis review of all relevant factors,” behind his according to Edge A that getting tested least once a year and using condoms campaigns, including several designed to increase testing treatment, one of our most protecting Espinoza-Madrigal, CHLP Legalpowerful Director,tools in a forsign was left nearknow his body, discovered onat a dirt help isstop spreadtoof people’s health“In andthis preventing new HIV infections, is reaching press release. case, there has been no road, that read, “This whatthe happens meHIV. for Powerful new HIV prevention among gay and bisexual men of color and, most recently, Start tools like pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) have the potential Talking. Stop HIV, which encourages all gay and bisexual men only a fraction at of all gayofmen who need it.”realities going around infecting consideration on-the-ground people with AIDS.” to talk openly with theirtesting, sexual partners HIV risk and alterthe the course of the epidemic.yourself And recent and research showspartner. The report reveals disparities in care for young gayInmen and attitudes about HIV.” the and amicus to brief, man seeking asylum Protect your Talk about yourabout status, condom that starting HIVage treatment black gay1994, men:immigration law in the U.S. has knew he was gay Since from a young and wasearly not only helps people with how to identify the prevention strategies that are right for HIV for stay healthy, butnew can nearly eliminatelike the risk they will them. options medicines that prevent and treat HIV. Get the facts a recognized HIV-positive and (men LGBT who people as sexbeaten by his father not acting “like a boy.” Overall, among MSM have with men) pass the virus to others during sex,” eligible forwith asylum. it’s not sure Until age of 14, male cousins, an uncle, diagnosed HIV, However, three-quarters (77.5a percent) were the linked on how to start the conversation at cdc.gov/ActAgainstAIDS/StartT Wolitski told SFGN. “Today, one of CDC’s thing. andhalf a neighbor to care within three months of diagnosis, but only (50.9 repeatedly raped and beat him highest prevention priorities for gay and An immigration judge andInthe of for being gay. He became free from the abuse percent) were retained in care. largeBoard part because many were bisexual men is to ensure that every Immigration Appeals asylum to the with when left at 14 to live in the U.S. with his not in care, fewer than denied half of MSM diagnosed HIVhe (49.5 man infected with HIV knows it and man, claiming that there has been progress for and mother. percent) were prescribed antiretroviral therapy only 42 receives LGBT Mexicans. While strides have been made He was diagnosed HIV effective positive incare 2012and andtreatment. percent achieved viral suppression. At — themedicines same time,the all advocacy gay men must have in the country, including the election of the is on medications While gay 71 percent of the young 13-24) MSM diagnosed the knowledge and tools they first openly mayor in city(aged of Fresnillo groups say are harder to find in Mexico. He need to with HIV were linked to care, only 45.7 percent were retained protect themselves from infection. CDC last year, the writers of the amicus brief aren’t may be denied treatment because of anti-LGBT in care. Largely as a result, fewer than one-third (30.5 is aggressively investing in scientifically satisfied. biaspercent) or even purposefully given the wrong of those aged 18-24 (therelease, most comparable age group for whichwhich proven technologies According to the people with medication, has been reported. and approaches, Follow us online at: facebook.com/StartTalkingHIV @Ta data are available) were prescribed antiretroviral therapy, and and pioneering new technologies and HIV and who are LGBT experience “police Photo courtesy of Brendon Lies. just one-quarter (25.9 percent) achieved viral suppression (vs. solutions that will redefine the nation’s 42 percent of MSM overall). approach to HIV prevention. We fund state and local health departments, and While 72 percent of black MSM diagnosed with HIV had community-based organizations (CBOs) been linked to care, only 46 percent were retained in care. across the country to reach those at Largely as a result, fewer than half (47.1 percent) of black MSM highest risk with the strategies that can were prescribed antiretroviral therapy and just 37 percent have the greatest impact – with more achieved viral suppression (vs. 44 and 42 percent of white and prevention resources now going to reach Hispanic MSM, respectively). gay and bisexual men than any other The findings suggest that age-and race-related disparities in population.” care and treatment may play a key role in the disproportionate Some of those resources

8 organizations are appealing the ruling

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a&e film

Ghilherme Lobo of ‘The Way He Looks’ Talks to SFGN Gary M. Kramer

Three Must See Gay Films at Cinema Paradiso ‘The Way He Looks,’ ‘Life Partners,’ and ‘The Circle’ Showing till mid-December

Gary M. Kramer Ghilherme Lobo makes an indelible impression as Leo, the blind gay teenager in out writer/director Daniel Ribeiro’s delightful queer crowd-pleaser, “The Way He Looks.” Lobo, who is neither blind nor gay, has mostly performed as a ballet dancer, not an actor. In an email exchange with SFGN, he discussed his participation in the film, doing nudity, and his level of laziness. You have a very good camaraderie with your co-stars. Was that a result of working with the same actors in the short and then the feature? We have all become great friends since the very beginning of the process. Tess and Fabio are great actors and great human beings. I have no doubt that the feature film benefitted because of the connection we made when we acted together on the short movie a few years earlier. How did you research your role as a blind teenager? Actually, I didn’t do much research. All I had was one day of Braille classes with a very gentle blind woman and that was it. The rest was between Daniel and me. We used to talk a lot at the rehearsals about how to make things look real. Daniel is a very open-minded director. He was always available to discuss the character and the script. So we had no trouble developing Leo. There are many scenes of contact— Leo dancing with Gabriel, or riding a bike? What can you say about the importance of touch in the film? Leo is a very sensitive guy—not only when Gabriel touches him, but also when Giovanna kisses him on the side of his face. There are some moments when he is not expecting anybody to touch him, so he expresses a little reaction. I think that it is spontaneous, and truthful. So, when Gabriel begins to touch him on the bike scene, or in the dancing scenes, Leo feels that touch more than another person would feel it. That means a lot to him. Leo listens only to classical music. What kind of music do you like? I took classical ballet classes since I was 7 years old. Today I am a professional ballet dancer, so I really like to listen to classical music, especially Tchaikovsky, Beethoven (like Leo) and Bach. I also enjoy tango (Astor Piazzolla), Frank Sinatra, Norah Jones, System of a Down, Avenged Sevenfold, Bob Marley, Mika, Brazilian Popular Music, and a few other things. My taste is very eclectic. Leo is not just blind, but also gay. What can you say about the themes of difference in the film?

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I don’t think that his being gay is the reason why the other students tease Leo. They bully him because he is blind, and because a boy is helping him. When Giovanna helps him, Fabio (the bully) calls her a “guide dog.” Leo adapts to that by responding, by fighting back. But at some point, he adapts by wanting to move away from that situation. I think that is typical behavior of a teenager who is having problems at school and home. Leo practices kissing in the shower. He almost kisses a dog. Gabe is his first kiss. What can you say about your first kiss? My first kiss happened when I was 10. Her name was Lara, and she was 12. We kissed in the theater where we were rehearsing our ballet presentation of “Don Quixote.” It was quite good--at least for me. Can you talk about your career as a dancer and how that type of performing helped you with making this film? I began my career by acting in “Beauty and the Beast,” in São Paulo, in 2002, when I was 7. Since then, I knew that I was going to be an artist. I acted in a few other plays, including “The Sound of Music,” but my first job as an actor without dancing or singing was on the short film, “I Don’t Want To Go Back Alone.” It was quite a challenge, but also an amazing experience. Were you comfortable doing the nudity in the shower scene? At first, I was nervous. It was going to be the first nude scene of my life and career. But after the first 5 seconds, I was like “OK, everybody here had seen ‘this’ now.” After that I was totally OK with it. Three weeks ago I did another nude scene, but this time, was a love scene, with a girl. Giovanna and Leo talk about their level of laziness. What is your level of laziness? HA! I love this question! I’m working so hard in a new TV soap, and I’m also reading and studying a script of a feature film I’m going to shoot next year. I’m not allowed to be lazy now. So my laziness level is around 0.5 because I’m not made of iron. soflagaynews //

A trio of LGBT films each get week-long runs at Cinema Paradiso, 503 SE 6th St. in downtown Fort Lauderdale between now and mid-December. Brazil’s Oscar entry, “The Way He Looks” (November 26-December 4), is out writer/ director Daniel Ribeiro’s feature length version of his excellent 2010 short “I Don’t Want to Go Back Alone.” The film is a real charmer about Leo (Ghilherme Lobo, see Q&A), a blind teenager, who develops an attraction to his new classmate Gabriel (Fabio Audi). This causes Leo’s best friend Giovana (Tess Amorim) to become jealous. Ribeiro shows how these two teenagers fall in love; the guys never discuss their emotions, but they are all tactile. Viewers will be rooting for the boys to couple up. The Way He Looks is sure to leave a smile in viewers’ hearts. Life Partners (December 5-11) is a bright, genial comedy (co-written by openly gay Joni Lefkowitz) about the bond between twentysomethings Sasha (Leighton Meester), a lesbian, and her straight best friend, Paige (Gillian Jacobs). Their close friendship, which includes fake fights, TV nights, and sleepovers, changes when Paige falls for Tim (Adam Brody). Sasha’s dating, however, is much less successful (and more amusing). Sasha clings to wanting to maintain the good old times with Paige, even though her bestie is moving ahead with her life. Life Partners has some keen observations about growing up and about girlfriends—both the sexual and platonic kind. While there are some obvious jokes about lesbians dating their friends’ exes, the film emphasizes how people have to change themselves, not each other. Meester and Jacobs are terrific together and it is the credibility of their friendship that makes Life Partners so engaging. The Circle (December 12-18), is Switzerland’s submission for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar. This hybrid drama and documentary provides a fascinating glimpse into gay life in 1950s Zurich. Alternating between actors in dramatic episodes and real-life interviews with the people being portrayed, The

Circle effectively chronicles the love between Ernst (Matthias Hungerbühler), a schoolteacher, and Robi (Sven Schelker), a drag performer. Both men are members of the secret homophile society of the title. The film makes salient points about the need of gay men to be true to their natures, even though it not entirely “safe” to be out. Although the film crams too many subplots into 102 minutes, The Circle provides a critical and affecting history lesson.

“Exquisite! Will charm you from beginning to end. It’s an instant classic!” -San Francisco Chronicle

WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY

DANIEL RIBEIRO

FACEBOOK.COM/THEWAYHELOOKS THEWAYHELOOKS.COM STRANDRELEASING.COM

STARTS WEDNESDAY, NOV. 26 CINEMA PARADISO - FORT LAUDERDALE 503 SE Sixth St, Fort Lauderdale (954) 525-FILM

STARTS friDAY, NOV. 28

O CINEMA MIAMI SHORES @MTC 9806 NE 2nd Ave, Miami Shores (786) 565-FILM www.o-cinema.org

Skype Q&A with the Filmmaker after the 7pm show on Sat, 11/29 at Cinema Paradiso

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Datebook

Theater Christiana Lilly

Calendar@SFGN.com

broward county * Melissa Etheridge Nov. 28 at 8 p.m. at Pompano Beach Arts, 1806 NE Sixth St. in Pompano Beach. The singersongwriter and activist takes the stage with Alexander Cardinale. Tickets $55.45 to $87.25. Visit PompanoBeachArts.org.

* David Koz & Friends Christmas Tour 2014 Nov. 30 at 8 p.m. at the Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach. Get into the Christmas spirit with Koz and his musical guests, Jonathan Butler, Christopher Cross, and Maysa. Tickets $20 and up. Call 561-832-7469 or visit Kravis.org. * Of Kings & Angels Dec. 3 at 8 p.m. at Palm Beach State College’s Duncan Theatre, 4200 Congress Ave. in Lake Worth. The Mediaeval Babes perform Christmas tunes from 13th century England. Tickets $27. Call 561-868-3309 or visit DuncanTheatre.org.

* The Timekeepers Dec. 3 to 21 at West Boca Theatre Company at the Levis JCC, 21050 95th Ave. S. in Boca Raton. A revival of the Island City Stage play of a Jewish prisoner who stays alive in a concentration camp by fixing watches, and a gay hustler who * Mystical Arts of Tibet Nov. 29 at 7:30 p.m. at the Broward Center, 201 befriends him. Tickets $29. Call 561-558-2512 or SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. The famed visit LevisJCC.org/BoxOffice. Loseling monks perform the feat of multiphonic singing -- simultaneously singing three different The Odd Couple notes. Tickets $49. Call 954-462-0222 or visit Through Dec. 7 at the Lake Worth Playhouse, 713 Lake Ave. in Lake Worth. Two divorced BrowardCenter.org men, the messy Oscar Madison and neat freak Felix Unger, come at odds with one another The Phantom of the Opera Through Nov. 30 at the Broward Center, 201 when they decide to become roommates. SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. The beloved Tickets $29 to $72. Call 561-586-6410 or visit Broadway musical of an opera house’s phantom LakeWorthPlayhouse.org. and his obsession with up-and-coming singer Christine. Tickets $34.75 to $124.75. Call 954462-0222 or visit BrowardCenter.org

PIAF Through Dec. 14 at the Delray Square Performing Arts, 4809 W. Atlantic Ave. in Delray Beach. Edith Piaf, who was allegedly raised in a brothel by her grandmother while her parents worked as performers, lived in a life in the spotlight. Tickets $37.50. Call 561-8880-0319 or visit DelraySquareArts.com. Free Friday Concerts Fridays at 7:30 p.m. at the Delray Beach Center for the Arts, 51 N. Swinton Ave. in Delray Beach. Enjoy live music from the comfort of your picnic blanket or lawn chair every week, for free! Call 561-243-7922 or visit DelrayArts.org.

Marvel have enjoyed a resurgence on the screen, and now they’re here for a live show with special effects, pyrotechnics, aerial stunts, and other impressive feats. Tickets $28.80 to $208.50. Call 786-777-1000 or visit AAArena.com The Gospel According to Jerry Through Dec. 14 at the New Theatre at the South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center, 10-950 SW 211 St. in Cutler Bay. A rabbi and a gospel singer have an unlikely relationship, and with each one experiencing a life changing moment, they need each other more than ever. Tickets $26. Call 896573-5300 or visit New-Theatre.org.

* Bad Jews Through Dec. 21 at GableStage, 1200 Anastasia Ave. in Coral Gables. When a family’s grandfather Milton Nascimento has passed away, they start clawing at a family Nov. 26 at the Adrienne Arsht Center, 1300 heirloom with strong religious significance. Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. The Brazilian musician Tickets $47.50 to $55. Call 305-445-1119 or visit is known for bringing together Africanized jazz GableStage.org. with Latin American folk music. Call 305-9496722 or visit ArshtCenter.org. PAMM Outdoor Music Series Third Thursdays at the Perez Art Museum Miami, * So You Think You Can Dance? 101 W. Flagler St. in Miami. Come out for live Nov. 28 at 8 p.m. at the Adrienne Arsht Center, music from DJs and musicians by the bay. Drink 1300 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. The top 10 specials available. Free with museum admission. finalists of the TV show stop in Miami on their Call 305-375-3000 or visit PAMM.org. national tour. Tickets $29 to $365. Call 305-9496722 or visit ArshtCenter.org. The Big Show Fridays and Saturdays at 9 p.m. at Just the Funny * Marvel Universe Live! Theater, 3119 Coral Way in Miami. A collection Nov. 28 to 30 at the AmericanAirlines Arena, of comedy mixing the likes of improvisation and 601 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. The superheroes of sketches. Tickets $12. Call 305-693-8669 or visit JustTheFunny.com.

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* Silver Balls: a Life in Dragée Dec. 4 to 21 at Empire Stage, 1140 N. Flagler Drive in Fort Lauderdale. Rich girl Francie goes on the adventure of a lifetime, starting with her stint as a cabaret singer in New York City and then hitting the high seas. Tickets $30, $20 for first-night preview. Call 954-678-1496 or visit EmpireStage.com. Winter Wonderettes Through Dec. 28 at the Coral Springs Center for the Performing Arts, 2855 Coral Springs Drive in Coral Springs. When Santa comes up missing at a holiday party, the Wonderettes must find him while singing holiday favorites with ‘60s flair. Tickets $59. Call 954-344-5999 or visit CoralSpringsCenterfortheArts.com.

palm beach county So You Think You Can Dance? Nov. 26 at 8 p.m. at the Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach. The top 10 finalists of the TV show stop in Miami on their national tour. Tickets $30 and up. Call 561832-7469 or visit Kravis.org. * Over the River and Through the Woods Nov. 29 to Dec. 14 at the Delray Beach Playhouse, 950 NW Ninth St. in Delray Beach. Nick is the apple of his Italian grandparents’ eyes in New Jersey, but when he is set to accept a job in Washington state, the four work together to find a girl to make him stay. Tickets $30. Call 561272-1281, ext. 4 or visit DelrayBeachPlayhouse. com.

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