33. THE PRIDE LA DECEMBER 16, 2016 by THE PRIDE LOS ANGELES

the pride ISSUE NUMBER 2, VOLUME 5 12.16 — 12.29.2016

WWW.THEPRIDELA.COM

| DEC. 16 — 29, 2016

LOS ANGELES

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THE LOS ANGELES LGBT NEWSPAPER

ART OF THE STEAL. INSIDE: > > > > > > > >

TRUMP’S COZY DEAL WITH PUTIN LGBT MOVEMENT BACK ON DEFENSIVE RELIGIOUS FREEDOM TO DISCRIMINATE SUPREME COURT WATCH WEST HOLLYWOOD ASSISTS PUTIN VICTIMS CALIFORNIA’S PROGRESSIVE SUPERMAJORITY LOS ANGELES’ AIDS CHARITABLE GIVING AND MORE...

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12.16 — 12.29.2016

LOS ANGELES

YOU MATTER AND SO DOES YOUR HEALTH

That’s why starting and staying on HIV-1 treatment is so important.

What is DESCOVY ?

What are the other possible side effects of DESCOVY?

DESCOVY is a prescription medicine that is used together with other HIV-1 medicines to treat HIV-1 in people 12 years and older. DESCOVY is not for use to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection. DESCOVY combines 2 medicines into 1 pill taken once a day. Because DESCOVY by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1, it must be used together with other HIV-1 medicines.

Serious side effects of DESCOVY may also include:

DESCOVY does not cure HIV-1 infection or AIDS. To control HIV-1 infection and decrease HIV-related illnesses, you must keep taking DESCOVY. Ask your healthcare provider if you have questions about how to reduce the risk of passing HIV-1 to others. Always practice safer sex and use condoms to lower the chance of sexual contact with body ﬂuids. Never reuse or share needles or other items that have body ﬂuids on them.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION What is the most important information I should know about DESCOVY? DESCOVY may cause serious side effects: •

•

Buildup of an acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious medical emergency. Symptoms of lactic acidosis include feeling very weak or tired, unusual muscle pain, trouble breathing, stomach pain with nausea or vomiting, feeling cold (especially in your arms and legs), feeling dizzy or lightheaded, and/or a fast or irregular heartbeat.

•

Changes in body fat, which can happen in people taking HIV-1 medicines. Changes in your immune system. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to ﬁght infections. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new symptoms after you start taking DESCOVY. Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider should do blood and urine tests to check your kidneys. Your healthcare provider may tell you to stop taking DESCOVY if you develop new or worse kidney problems. Bone problems, such as bone pain, softening, or thinning, which may lead to fractures. Your healthcare provider may do tests to check your bones.

The most common side effect of DESCOVY is nausea. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or don’t go away. What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking DESCOVY? •

•

Serious liver problems. The liver may become large and fatty. Symptoms of liver problems include your skin or the white part of your eyes turning yellow (jaundice); dark “tea-colored” urine; lightcolored bowel movements (stools); loss of appetite; nausea; and/or pain, aching, or tenderness on the right side of your stomach area.

All your health problems. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you have or have had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis virus infection. All the medicines you take, including prescription and overthe-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Other medicines may affect how DESCOVY works. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist. Ask your healthcare provider if it is safe to take DESCOVY with all of your other medicines. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if DESCOVY can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking DESCOVY.

You may be more likely to get lactic acidosis or serious liver problems if you are female, very overweight, or have been taking DESCOVY for a long time. In some cases, lactic acidosis and serious liver problems have led to death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any symptoms of these conditions.

•

Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. DESCOVY is not approved to treat HBV. If you have both HIV-1 and HBV and stop taking DESCOVY, your HBV may suddenly get worse. Do not stop taking DESCOVY without ﬁrst talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to monitor your health.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

•

If you are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk.

Please see Important Facts about DESCOVY, including important warnings, on the following page.

Ask your healthcare provider if an HIV-1 treatment that contains DESCOVY® is right for you.

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LOS ANGELES

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12.16 — 12.29.2016

LOS ANGELES

IMPORTANT FACTS (des-KOH-vee)

This is only a brief summary of important information about DESCOVY® and does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your condition and your treatment.

MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT DESCOVY

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF DESCOVY

DESCOVY may cause serious side effects, including:

DESCOVY can cause serious side effects, including:

• Buildup of lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious medical emergency that can lead to death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms: feeling very weak or tired, unusual muscle pain, trouble breathing, stomach pain with nausea or vomiting, feeling cold (especially in your arms and legs), feeling dizzy or lightheaded, and/or a fast or irregular heartbeat.

• Those in the “Most Important Information About DESCOVY” section. • Changes in body fat. • Changes in your immune system. • New or worse kidney problems, including kidney failure. • Bone problems.

• Severe liver problems, which in some cases can lead to death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms: your skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow (jaundice); dark “tea-colored” urine; loss of appetite; light-colored bowel movements (stools); nausea; and/or pain, aching, or tenderness on the right side of your stomach area. • Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. DESCOVY is not approved to treat HBV. If you have both HIV-1 and HBV, your HBV may suddenly get worse if you stop taking DESCOVY. Do not stop taking DESCOVY without ﬁrst talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months.

You may be more likely to get lactic acidosis or severe liver problems if you are female, very overweight, or have been taking DESCOVY or a similar medicine for a long time.

ABOUT DESCOVY • DESCOVY is a prescription medicine that is used together with other HIV-1 medicines to treat HIV-1 in people 12 years of age and older. DESCOVY is not for use to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection. • DESCOVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. Ask your healthcare provider about how to prevent passing HIV-1 to others.

The most common side effect of DESCOVY is nausea.

These are not all the possible side eﬀects of DESCOVY. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking DESCOVY. Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with DESCOVY.

BEFORE TAKING DESCOVY Tell your healthcare provider if you: • Have or had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis infection. • Have any other medical condition. • Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. • Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed if you have HIV-1 because of the risk of passing HIV-1 to your baby.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take: • Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-thecounter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist. • Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about medicines that should not be taken with DESCOVY.

GET MORE INFORMATION HOW TO TAKE DESCOVY • DESCOVY is a one pill, once a day HIV-1 medicine that is taken with other HIV-1 medicines. • Take DESCOVY with or without food.

• This is only a brief summary of important information about DESCOVY. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more. • Go to DESCOVY.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5 • If you need help paying for your medicine, visit DESCOVY.com for program information.

DESCOVY, the DESCOVY Logo, GILEAD, the GILEAD Logo, and LOVE WHAT’S INSIDE are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. All other marks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners. © 2016 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. DVYC0019 11/16

12.16 — 12.29.2016 FEATURE

LGBT RIGHTS

LOS ANGELES

AND THE BACKLASH BEGINS

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⚫ BY CHRIS JOHNSON

LGBT movement back on defense as Trump era arrives

DONALD TRUMP EMBRACES OUT GAY CONSERVATIVE AND TECHNOLOGY INVESTOR PETER THIEL DURING A TECH SUMMIT HELD AT TRUMP TOWERS IN NEW YORK CITY. THE TRUMP-PENCE ADMINISTRATION PROMISES TO BE THE MOST ANTI-GAY IN OUR NATION’S HISTORY.

In anticipation of the upcoming Trump administration, at least one LGBT advocate insists the movement will continue to pursue its full agenda, although the election results have dampened expectations and sent advocacy groups back into a defensive posture. The surprise win by Donald Trump dashed plans for continued LGBT progress under Hillary Clinton. With unified Republican government at the federal level and unprecedented Republican control of state legislatures, LGBT rights may take a few steps back. Stacey Long Simmons, director of public policy and government affairs for the National LGBTQ Task Force, nonetheless struck an optimistic tone, citing recent wins for the LGBT movement. “I believe that combined momentum-slash-angst that our community may be feeling because of how vehemently anti-LGBTQ the Trump administration is shaping up to be could actually put us in a position to come together in alignment with other movements that are similarly dealing with high rates of profiling, hate crime at-

tacks, assaults on our personhood and violations of privacy,” Long Simmons said. Prior to the election, the Human Rights Campaign had reportedly prepared a memo calling for the next administration to enhance LGBT rights further after progress under the Obama administration. Among the requests was the appointment of the first-ever openly LGBT Cabinet member and eliminating the ban on HIV-positive people serving in the U.S. armed forces. It’s hard to see how that could happen under the Trump administration. Jay Brown, a spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign, said his organization is bracing for the fight ahead in the new administration. “In the days since the election, President-elect Trump has created a team that includes Jeff Sessions, Ben Carsons and Tom Price, among others,” Brown said. “Personnel is policy and these appointees will play a huge role in leading agencies that are charged with protecting LGBTQ people. We are going to be aggressive in blocking any TRUMP ERA continued on p. 29

⚫ BY KAREN OCAMB

Trump will keep anti-LGBT vows White evangelicals turned out for crude, thrice-married Donald Trump, the walking definition of avarice, by 81 percent, higher numbers than for born-again George W. Bush, according to a Pew Research survey of the 2016 presidential election. “[E]ight-in-ten self-identified white, born-again/evangelical Christians say they voted for Trump, while just 16% voted for Clinton. Trump’s 65-percentage-point margin of victory among voters in this group – which includes self-described Protestants, as well as Catholics, Mormons and others – matched or exceeded the victory margins of George W. Bush in 2004, John

McCain in 2008 and Mitt Romney in 2012.” Why? Trump displayed a shocking lack of religious knowledge, even turning a sacred biblical verse into a joke (‘Two Corinthians walk into a bar…’). But white evangelicals’ hijacking of the more inclusive “Jesus loves me” practice of Christianity in hot pursuit of their version of theocracy is so Machiavellian, they willfully ignores the violence, hate and discrimination used to achieve their woeful end. Lest it be forgotten, the Ku Klux Klan inspires fear by setting afire a large Christian cross, a cross that imbues them with the mob power and righ-

teousness to virtually lynch or unabashedly commit hate crimes against whomever they target. But without by-the-book evidence of a hate crime, white supremacy and white national militias, nurtured by white evangelical Christianity, are often protected by the First and Second Amendments. Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer is trying to do something about the proliferation of violence white supremacy engenders. Last Tuesday, Dec. 13, he announced a “new front” against a white supremacist gang in the San Fernando Valley. “We’re now fighting to prevent white supremacist gangs from infesting

neighborhoods. They bring with them, of course, this toxic mix of violence and crime and hate,” Feuer said at a news conference. “There is no question that we’re living in a nation that is experiencing heightened tension. … The fear is palpable. The sense of being divided from others is palpable.” It has been widely reported that the KKK and white supremacist groups support Trump. But the connection to evangelicals needs ongoing examination. Trump wasn’t “our preferred candidate,” the Christian nationalist David Barton said in June, but he could be “God’s candidate.” And the President-elect wants to pay his loyal evangelicals back for their support. According to Politico, Trump’s evangelical advisory board is still in operation, with the transition team reaching out for advice on personnel picks.“I will say, having been involved with administrations from Reagan’s forEVANGELICALS continued on p. 13

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POLITICS

POST ELECTION

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LOS ANGELES

THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

⚫ BY MATTHEW BAJKO

A progressive and inclusive super majority in California Election night 2016 might have seemed like the punch line to a bad joke but it’s no laughing matter when the president-elect of the United States casually tweets after a Fox News report that anyone who burns an American flag should be jailed and deprived of their citizenship. It’s no laughing matter when the populace Donald Trump is about to govern questions whether he actually meant it, if it’s just another lie and misdirection or if he’s so ignorant of the U.S. Constitution that he is unaware that the right to burn the flag is settled law under the First Amendment. Even out former congressman Barney Frank tossed in his two cents during a Monday night debate on MSNBC. “[The late conservative Supreme Court Justice Antonin] Scalia wrote the opinion, he was very strongly on the other side of [flag burning], and [Trump] cited Scalia as his favorite justice,” Frank said. “I think there was a pronunciation problem there. You know, Scalia was actually the leading advocate of fag burning, not flag burning.” The MNSBC panel cracked up. “That’s not funny,” host Chris Matthews said, laughing. Frank pointed out that Scalia noted, “We have a First Amendment, which says that the right of free speech shall not be abridged — and it is addressed in particular to speech critical of the government.” Saying out loud what others might be thinking, Frank added: “That was the main kind of speech that tyrants would seek to suppress.” And therein lies the rub. Is Trump as vacuous and ignorant as he seems in his tweetstorms or is he shrewdly calculating media manipulation to shift attention from his blatant conflicts of interest and business dealings with foreign entities? The latter, Frank believes. “Let’s not continue to underestimate this man’s shrewd tactical sense,” Frank said. “He has a great ability to find out what might really anger people. And he’s clearly got problems because he didn’t just talk about this. He made this preposterous claim that there was voter fraud. He understands that when he starts proposing very controversial things – the fact is that he is by far the most

minority president we’ve ever had in this country. It’s going to be a great problem. So this, I think, is part of a calculated strategy.” Frank is referring to the fact that while Trump may have won in the controversial electoral college, former Sec. of State Hillary Clinton won the popular vote by an extraordinary margin, According to the respected Cook Report, as of Wednesday, Dec. 7, Clinton won 65,527,581 votes (48 percent) compared to Trump’s 62,851,402 votes (46 percent). That’s a difference of 2,676,179 more votes for Clinton. As the numbers indicate, the country is deeply divided, with deeply blue California seen as Clinton territory and a fortress protecting the progress that has been made under the Obama administration. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco survived a challenge to her Democratic Caucus leadership and will continue to place Californians in key congressional committee roles. Out former Assembly Speaker John Pérez had announced that he would run to replace Rep. Xavier Becerra, tapped as California Attorney General by Gov. Jerry Brown to replace newly-elected U.S. Senator Kamala Harris but later withdrew due to health concerns. Pérez had said in a statement that he would be “running for Congress to take these California values and our state’s visionary approach to the national level. California needs leadership who will stand up against Donald Trump, but also leadership that will fight for the poor, the middle class, for job creation, and for a vision that can help us win all across the country.” In a press release announcing his illness related withdrawal, Perez said he “expects to be back at full force before too long. While I won’t be a candidate for Congress at this time, you will still see me actively engaged in my business and in advancing the progressive causes we all care deeply about.” “This election amplified a trend that we also saw in the 2000 and 2004 elections – California continues on a progressive, inclusive path while the rest of the country veers to the far

right,” said Equality California Executive Director Rick Zbur. “Not only did voters overwhelmingly choose Hillary Clinton and pass measures approving bilingual education and stricter gun safety laws, but our state and local officials, from Kamala Harris to State Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de León and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon to LAPD Chief Charlie Beck, have made it very clear that they have no intention of cooperating with many of the stated goals of the incoming Trump Administration. The nation’s future lies with California.” And in California, there is a very good likelihood that longtime openly gay politico Eric Bauman, the popular and effective chair of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party and vice chair of the state Democratic Party, will succeed chair John Burton. “The election of Donald Trump ushers in one of the darkest eras in our nation’s modern political history. Many across the state and country are frightened, and they are right to feel that way,” Bauman said Nov. 11. “I call upon Governor Jerry Brown and our State Legislature to pass constitutional amendments and statutes to safeguard the people of California from Donald Trump’s dystopian worldview….Now is the time to shore up California’s mantle as a beacon of hope in the coming years,” noting that Trump has the votes in Congress to repeal the Affordable Care Act, deport thousands of undocumented immigrants, and appoint Supreme Court justices who promise to overturn Roe v. Wade and marriage equality, among other rights. “Several months ago, I facetiously called on Governor Brown to build a wall around California to keep Donald Trump out. Today, on a more serious note, I sincerely call on Governor Brown and our legislature to build a metaphorical legal wall to keep our residents safe from the grim and cynical vision that Donald Trump has laid out for America,” said Bauman. “It’s time to roll up our sleeves and get to work, and let the world know that California will never let hate win. We will always be a bastion of freedom and the protector of the real American dream.” Still, more California voters voted

for Trump than one might expect by just looking at a national map awash in red with stripes of blue on either coast. As of Thursday, Dec. 8, the California Secretary of State reports that Clinton won 8,753,788 (62 percent) of the vote to Trump’s 4,483,810 (32 percent). Not to forget that California was once a bastion of white supremacy, KKK and nazi extremism—still trying to make their mark in Trump’s America. This past summer, seven people were stabbed, nine people were hospitalized and many others suffered bruises and cuts during a violent altercation between neo-nazis and counter-protesters at the Capitol in Sacramento. The Southern Poverty Law Center documented “what has become a national outbreak of hate, as white supremacists celebrate Donald Trump’s victory. In the ten days following the election, there were almost 900 reports of harassment and intimidation from across the nation. Many harassers invoked Trump’s name during assaults, making it clear that the outbreak of hate stemmed in large part from his electoral success.” SPLC reports that anti-LGBT harassment makes up 11 percent of all reported incidents. “In Brighton, Michigan, a woman was approached by two white men who told her, ‘Just so you know, we hate fucking dykes and so does our president,’” the report says. “In Sarasota, Florida, a 75-year-old gay man was ripped from his car and beaten by an assailant who told him, ‘You know my new president says we can kill all you faggots now.’” While Trump uses media-tweets like the tail wagging the dog, his actual advisors and cabinet nominees provoke fear in progressives who have felt exuberantly free since shedding the oppressive 1950s. Aside from vice-president elect Mike Pence, whose anti-LGBT stances are well known (such as apparently suggesting that funding for HIV be diverted into “conversion therapy”), Trump is laying it on thick with anti-LGBT picks. His domestic transition adCALIFORNIA continued on p. 19

5.75 in.

12.16 — 12.29.2016 LEGAL NEWS NUDITY

LOS ANGELES

NUDITY LAWS IN CALIFORNIA

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⚫ BY MATTHEW BAJKO

Jury sides with San Diego officials in Pride nudity case A gay San Diego resident lost his federal lawsuit against the city and several police officers after a jury determined the public officials had not discriminated against him due to the leather outfit he wore to the 2011 Pride festival. After five days of testimony, the eight-person jury announced its verdict Tuesday afternoon (December 13). It took just two hours to deliberate its decision. As the Bay Area Reporter noted in a story in its December 8 edition, the case had drawn attention statewide as it had the potential to impact how police departments throughout California enforce nudity laws at various community events, such as LGBT pride festivals, and outdoor gather-

ings. The lawsuit centered on allegations that San Diego police use different standards when enforcing the city’s rules governing public nudity depending on the venue. It stemmed from an incident five years ago where police cited Will X. Walters for violating the nudity rules while attending that summer’s Pride festival. Walters’ attorney, Chris Morris, had argued to the federal jury that the police enforced a more restrictive policy at the LGBT event than they did at straight venues like the beach or the annual Comic-Con gathering. Deputy City Attorney Stacy Plotkin-Wolff had countered 10.0 in.that police not only had approached other Pride attendees about their outfits but also people at

the more straight-oriented events. “The jury confirmed what we’ve always known, which is that San Diego does not discriminate in its enforcement of nudity laws,” City Attorney’s Office spokesman Gerry Braun said in a statement. “Our office would not tolerate discrimination against the LGBT community or any other group.” Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman told the San Diego Union Tribune that she was pleased with the verdict, telling the paper that the jury “confirmed our officers acted appropriately in the way they addressed the municipal code regarding nudity at special events throughout our city.” In a statement Wednesday in response to the B.A.R.’s request for comment, a representative for Walters

said despite his legal team presenting strong evidence of discriminatory enforcement by the police, the jury was nonetheless “unmoved.” The press release included the same comment Morris had given to the Union Tribune yesterday, in which he stated he and Walters were “extremely disappointed” with the verdict. But he also said Walters’ lawsuit, nonetheless, would have a lasting impact on the police department. “Victories are often preceded by defeats,” Morris told the paper. “While we may have lost this battle, I can’t imagine the city will ever engage in this type of unequal enforcement of the nudity statute again in the fuSAN DIEGO continued on p. 29

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LOS ANGELES HEALTH

12.16 — 12.29.2016

COMMUNITY

TRANSGENDER

⚫ BY ZACH FORD & TROY MASTERS

Transgender people face destitution and discrimination, even in LA The National Center for Transgender Equality revealed the results of the most massive survey of transgender people ever conducted. The picture is not rosy, with transgender people suffering rampant rates of discrimination. A community bracing for increased persecution under a Donald Trump administration has already been struggling severely to access the basic necessities of life. The U.S. Trans Survey, conducted in September 2015, is a follow-up to the National Transgender Discrimination Survey (NTDS), published in 2011 based on results collected in 2008–09. An unprecedented 27,715 transgender people took the new survey, four times how many participated in the NTDS. (A recent study suggests there are about 1.4 million transgender people living in the United States.) The thorough survey covered multiple facets of life, with carefully constructed questions that allow the results to be compared with national averages. Overall, transgender people suffer — as the NTDS was subtitled — injustice at every turn in every conceivable way, starting with their families. One in ten trans people who were out to their immediate families reported that a family member was violent toward them because of their gender identity. Additionally, 8 percent reported being kicked out of their homes for being transgender, while 10 percent reported running away from home — a third before the age of 15. In general, 18 percent said their family was unsupportive, and another 22 percent said their family was neither supportive nor unsupportive. Conversely, those who said their families were supportive were far less likely to experience homelessness, to have attempted suicide, or to currently be experiencing severe stress in their lives. From there, the world was also quite harsh. At school The survey asked about what people experienced if they were out or perceived as transgender in grades K-12:

77 percent experienced some form of mistreatment during their school years. 54 percent were verbally harassed. 24 percent were physically attacked. 13 percent were sexually assaulted. 17 percent left school to avoid the kind of severe mistreatment they were experiencing for being transgender. At work Maintaining safe employment is incredible difficult for transgender people: 16 percent of respondents who had ever had a job reported losing that job because of their gender identity or expression. 27 percent of those who applied for a job in the past year reported being fired, denied a promotion, or not being hired because of their gender identity or expression. 15 percent of those who had a job in the past year were verbally harassed, physically assaulted, or sexually assaulted at work because of their gender identity or expression. 77 percent reported taking steps to avoid mistreatment at work, including hiding their identity, delaying their transition, or simply quitting their job. Transgender people were three times more likely (15 percent) to be unemployed than the U.S. population (5 percent). Transgender people were twice as likely (29 percent) to be living in poverty than the U.S. population (14 percent). 20 percent of trans people have participated in the underground economy, including 12 percent who have done sex work for income. Finding shelter Simply finding a safe place to sleep at night is a significant hurdle for transgender people: 23 percent of respondents experienced housing discrimination in the past year, such as being evicted or denied a home or apartment for being transgender. 30 percent of trans people have experienced homelessness at some point in their lives.

12 percent of trans people experienced homelessness in the past year. 70 percent of trans people who stayed in a shelter reported being harassed, sexually or physically assaulted, or kicked out for being transgender. Transgender people are four times less likely to own a home (16 percent) than the U.S. population (63 percent). Basic safety Just going about their daily lives, trans people are subjected to abuse: 46 percent of trans people experienced verbal harassment in the past year. 9 percent of trans people experienced a physical attack in the past year. 10 percent of trans people were sexually assaulted in the past year. Nearly half (47 percent) of trans people report being sexually assaulted at some point in their lives. This number was far higher for those who have done sex work (72 percent), experienced homelessness (65 percent), or who have a disability (61 percent). 58 percent of trans people who interacted with police experienced some form of mistreatment. Unsurprisingly, 57 percent feel uncomfortable asking police for help if they need it. 22 percent of those who were arrested in the past year believe it was simply because they are transgender. Many are assumed to be sex workers. Basic recognition of identity Simply securing legal recognition is a challenge for many transgender people: Only 11 percent of respondents reported that all of their forms of identification included their preferred name and gender. 68 percent reported that none of their forms of ID reflected their preferred name or gender. The reason is cost. 35 percent have not changed their legal name and 32 percent have not updated their gender because they simply can’t afford it. A third of respondents (32 percent) LGBT CENTER continued on p. 9

12.16 — 12.29.2016 LGBT CENTER continued from p. 8

have experienced verbal harassment or been denied service because their ID did not match their presentation. Accessing basic goods and services is also a major hurdle for transgender people: 31 percent of trans people experienced mistreatment in the past year at a place of public accommodation (stores, hotels, etc.), including being denied equal service (14 percent), verbal harassment (24 percent), or physical attack (2 percent). 20 percent avoided at least one type of public accommodation because they feared mistreatment. 9 percent of respondents were denied access to a restroom in the past year. Restrooms were often unsafe, with 12 percent experiencing verbal harassment, 1 percent experience physical attacks, and 1 percent experience sexual assault when accessing a restroom. 59 percent avoiding a public restroom in the last year out of fear of confrontations, with 32 percent actually limiting what they ate or drank to avoid the restroom. 8 percent reported a urinary tract infection, kidney infection, or other kidney-related problem in the past year as a result of avoiding the restrooms. Health and wellness 39 percent experience serious psychological distress in the month before they took the survey — nearly eight times the national rate (5 percent). 40 percent have attempted suicide at some point in their lifetime — nearly nine times the national rate (4.6 percent). 7 percent attempt suicide in the past year — nearly 12 times the national rate (0.6 percent). 33 percent of those who saw a health care provider in the past year experienced at least one negative experience because they were transgender, including being refused treatment, verbally harassed, or physically or sexually assaulted. 23 percent avoided seeing a doctor when they needed one because of fear of mistreatment. 33 percent did not see a doctor when they needed one because they could not afford it. 1.4 percent of trans people reported living with HIV — five times the national rate (0.3 percent). Compounding impact of discrimination Trans people were far more likely to experience discrimination if they also had an intersecting identity. Non-white transgender people were far more likely to be living in poverty, including 43 percent who were Latinx, 41 percent who were American Indian, 40 percent who were multiracial, and 38 percent who were black.

LOS ANGELES 20 percent of non-white transgender people were unemployed, four times the national rate. A staggering 19 percent of black trans women were HIV positive. Undocumented transgender people were more likely to have been physically attacked (24 percent), to have experienced homelessness in their lifetime (50 percent), or to have faced intimate partner violence (68 percent). Transgender people with disabilities were more likely to be unemployed (24 percent) or living in poverty (45 percent). Despite these bleak findings about current transgender life, the survey is not without good news. The report notes that the sheer number of trans people who came forward to take the survey reflects the increasing visibility that the transgender community has experienced, including those who identity outside the gender binary. The study also suggests that acceptance is growing, with respondents actually highlighting many family members, classmates, and coworkers who were supportive of their identity. Moreover, the study is a trove of information about the transgender community and its diversity of experiences. As happened with the NTDS, there will likely be countless follow-up analyses of the data compiled that will serve transgender advocacy for years to come. In the meantime, the U.S. Trans Survey provides an alarming glimpse at what transgender people currently experience. It’s invaluable information in the current political climate. The Trump administration has promised to roll back many of the protections President Obama put in place for the transgender community, and several states are gearing up to consider anti-transgender legislation, following North Carolina’s lead with HB2. The survey will be a vital tool for highlighting the consequences of these injustices and resisting efforts to subject transgender people to even more persecution and violence. The Los Angeles LGBT Center is responding to many of these findings locally by providing approximately 150 members of the community with financial capability training, employment counseling, and career development resources. The program is an expansion of the Center’s Transgender Economic Empowerment Project (TEEP), a program that seeks to help transgender people in the job hunt and their desire to become financially stable. The program expansion also provide inclusive workplace trainings for employers and provides advises on the legal protections afforded gender identity and guides companies on ways to make the workplace an inclusive environment. In addition to financial capability

and employment services, TEEP provides an array of support services to transgender clients, including oneon-one sessions with a client advocate and case manager; peer mentoring and goal setting; job referrals to transgender-friendly employers; and name and gender change and other legal assistance. “This relationship with Citi will enable the Center to expand vital services for the transgender community, who experience unemployment at twice the national rate—and that rate increases to four times the national rate for trans people of color,” said Center CEO Lorri L. Jean. “Even in a relatively progressive city like Los Angeles, discrimination and violence against trans people is terrifyingly common. This must end, and we are proud to work with Citi to build a world where every member of the LGBT community can thrive as healthy, equal, and complete mem-

⚫ 9

bers of society.” “Integrating financial capability training into career readiness programs enables individuals to build a more resilient financial future,” said James Alva, South California Market Manager, Citi Community Development, the funding sponsor the the Center’s program. “We are pleased to collaborate with the Los Angeles LGBT Center to expand access to critical services that will boost long term economic success for transgender individuals.” “Transgender people continue experience high rates of poverty because they are too often discriminated against by employers and are unable to find work,” said Center TEEP Program Manager Drian Juarez. “Advancing the economic stability of our community is not only the right thing to do, it is what we must do so that trans people advance in life.”

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CALIFORNIA PUBLIC HEALTH

12.16 — 12.29.2016

LOS ANGELES

AIDS & HIV

⚫ BY ELAINE KORRY

California shoots for zero new HIV infections

Zero. That’s the number of new HIV infections California officials are aiming for under a comprehensive initiative released this fall. The “Getting to Zero” plan, intended to guide the state’s AIDS policy from 2017 to 2021, is designed to boost surveillance, increase access to care and eliminate disparities in treatment. “Thanks to better treatment and prevention options, new testing technology and better access to health care, California has reached a point where we can envision the possibility of zero new HIV infections,” said Dr. Karen Smith, director of the Califor nia Department of Public Health. In the near term, however, the plan seeks to cut the number of new diagnoses in half, to fewer than 2,500 per year. It’s an ambitious goal in itself, but state health officials claim it is attainable. “We know how to do it from a clin-

ical and from a public health perspective,” said Dr. Gilberto Chavez, deputy director for infectious disease programs at the public health department. “We have the tools to make it happen.” Expanded testing is the cornerstone of California’s HIV response, Chavez said. “For folks with HIV infection, the sooner that they know about it the better, from both an individual and community perspective.” Goals Versus Reality Some say the goals in the plan may be easier stated than done. “Getting to zero is aspirational,” said Dr. Hyman Scott, a researcher and clinician with Bridge HIV at the San Francisco Department of Public Health. “If we don’t address racial, ethnic and age disparities in HIV treatment we won’t get there.” Dr. Paul Volberding, who codirects the AIDS Research Institute at the University of California San Francis-

co and has been involved in fighting the epidemic from its earliest days, also sees challenges ahead. “We can’t just coast along and in five years get to zero,” he said. “Stigma is the biggest issue, because that’s what keeps people out of the system.” Although enormous inroads have been made against HIV, and prominent researchers such as Volberding are talking about a cure as a possibility, the public health department’s Office of AIDS estimates that 139,000 people in the state were living with the virus in 2014, the latest year for which statistics were available. And nearly 10 percent of them were undiagnosed. African-Americans, Latinos and immigrants have seen a disproportionate rise in infections and have the lowest rates for testing, according to Scott. “We want people to be aware of

their HIV status so they can access care and treatments that are really life-saving,” he said. The state’s plan encourages targeted testing in these communities, not only to link patients with treatment, but also to prevent new infections. “If somebody is engaged in treatment and has a suppressed viral load, then the risk of onward transmission is negligible,” Scott said. The state’s goal is to ensure that at least 95 percent of people with HIV get diagnosed. To get there, the blueprint encourages hospital emergency departments, primary care physicians and jail and prison health systems to offer routine testing. Such tests are free to Medi-Cal patients and Californians insured under the Affordable Care Act. Regardless of their coverage, patients are able to refuse testing.

The amount of money raised from charitable donors to fight the global AIDS epidemic saw an annual increase of 10 percent in 2015, according to a new report. And in the U.S., California received more money than any other state. Global philanthropic AIDS funding last year totaled $663 million, the highest level of funding since 2008, according to Funders Concerned About AIDS. The bulk of the money, nearly $168 million, went to programs in the U.S., with South Africa receiving the second highest amount of $33,830,167. California alone received $17,271,905 of the funding, with New York seeing the second largest amount among U.S. states, more than $14.1 million. The funders’ affinity group released its 14th annual Philanthropic Support to Address HIV/AIDS report

Monday, December 5. It found that a total of 482 philanthropic funders in 16 countries made more than 7,300 grants for HIV/AIDS to approximately 4,000 grantees in 2015. Funding for key populations, including men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, sex workers, and transgender populations, and for children increased by 59 percent from 2014 to 2015, found the report. The funding was most often used for research ($220 million). Other top categories for intended use included treatment ($162 million), prevention ($134 million), advocacy ($123 million), and social services ($97 million). FCAA said that advocacy funding “encouragingly” increased by $32 million last year. But it also noted that advocacy funding by private funders, who are the greatest source of funding for global HIV/AIDS advocacy efforts,

accounts for only 18 percent of the money donated for AIDS purposes. “The global HIV/AIDS response would benefit greatly from increased funding for advocacy,” noted FCAA. The funders’ affinity group credited the rise in philanthropic funding last year to significant increases from several of the top 10 funders of AIDS services, research and prevention. In particular, the report noted that Gilead Sciences gave $51 million more in 2015 than in 2014. The biopharmaceutical company, which is based in Foster City south of San Francisco, was the top corporate funder last year and topped the list of philanthropic funders of U.S. HIV/AIDS programs. It is the maker of Truvada (tenofovir/emtricitabine), more commonly known as PrEP, the once-a-day-pill credited with helping to decrease HIV infection rates in San Francisco and throughout California.

The FCAA report also noted that ViiV Healthcare, Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, Johnson & Johnson, and MAC AIDS Fund all increased their funding between $5 million and $13 million each from 2014 and 2015. Yet the group also pointed out that the increased giving by the companies, “though impressive, ... was partly offset by decreases in funding from other organizations.” For example, giving by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation last year dropped by $27 million due to a yearly fluctuation in its grantmaking, while the pharmaceutical companies Merck and AbbVie fell out of the top 20 list for the first time because “their funding strategies shifted to address other health areas,” stated the report. The Gates Foundation, nonetheless, was the top global philanthropic

ZERO HIV continued on p. 24

Los Angeles also sees increase in AIDS charitable giving

AIDS GIVING continued on p. 25

12.16 — 12.29.2016

LOS ANGELES

⚫ 11

⚫ 12

ELECTION

TRUMP TRANSITION

12.16 — 12.29.2016

LOS ANGELES

SECRETARY OF STATE

⚫ BY MICHAEL K. LAVERS

Trump’s Sec. of State pick cozy with Putin

EXXON-MOBIL CEO REX TILLERSON HAS CLOSE BUSINESS TIES TO RUSSIA

President-elect Trump on Tuesday announced he has nominated ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson as his nominee for secretary of state. “I have chosen one of the truly great business leaders of the world, Rex Tillerson, chairman and CEO of ExxonMobil, to be secretary of state,” said Trump on his Twitter page. Secretary of State John Kerry in a short statement congratulated Tillerson on his nomination. “The State Department will continue to provide our full support for a smooth transition, so that the incoming administration can pursue the important work of U.S. foreign policy around the world,” said Kerry. Tillerson has been ExxonMobil’s CEO since 2006. His company in 2015 added sexual orientation and gender identity to its nondiscrimination policy. Freedom to Work, an LGBT advocacy group, two years earlier filed a complaint against ExxonMobil that alleged it showed bias against gay prospective employees. Tillerson was a member of the Boy Scouts of America’s executive board when it voted to allow openly gay scouts into the organization in 2013. Advocates express concern over Tillerson’s ties to Russia NBC’s Andrea Mitchell reported

on Saturday that Trump planned to announce Tillerson’s nomination this week. She cited sources “close to the transition” who said the president-elect would “likely” tap former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. John Bolton as deputy secretary of state. The transition team announced last week that former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani was no longer in the running to become secretary of state. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney on Monday wrote on his Facebook page that it was “an honor to have been considered for secretary of state of our great country.” “My discussions with President-elect Trump have been both enjoyable and enlightening,” said Romney. “I have very high hopes that the new administration will lead the nation to greater strength, prosperity and peace.” Trump last month nominated South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley to become the next U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Tillerson’s nomination comes against the backdrop of mounting evidence that suggests Russia tried to sway the outcome of the election in Trump’s favor. U.S. Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) are among those who have expressed concerns over Tillerson’s ties to Russian President Vladimir

Putin. Tillerson in 2011 signed a $300 billion agreement with Russia that would allow ExxonMobil to drill for oil in the Arctic Ocean. Sanctions that the Obama administration imposed against the Kremlin in 2014 over the annexation of Crimea and other interventions in Ukraine derailed the project. Putin in 2013 signed a controversial law that bans the promotion of so-called gay propaganda to minors in Russia. He honored Tillerson with his country’s Order of Friendship in the same year. “Just days after it was revealed that Russian intelligence operatives are apparently still in possession of stolen Republican campaign emails, President-elect Trump has selected a Secretary of State with deep ties to Vladimir Putin’s regime and zero foreign policy experience,” said gay Rhode Island Congressman David Cicilline in a statement that sharply criticized Trump for nominating Tillerson. Jay Brown of the Human Rights Campaign reiterated HRC President Chad Griffin’s concerns about Tillerson “Democrats and Republicans alike need to ask some tough questions at Rex Tillerson’s hearing,” Brown told the Blade on Tuesday. “Will Trump and Tillerson stand up to brutal dictators like Vladimir Putin, who has inspired attacks against Russia’s LGBTQ community? Will they give the desperately-needed help to LGBTQ Muslims refugees fleeing ISIS? Will they maintain a principal that LGBTQ rights are human rights and human rights are LGBTQ rights? These aren’t idle questions but a matter of life and death for millions of LGBTQ people around the world.” Mark Bromley, chair of the Council of Global Equality, agreed. “We are concerned with Rex Tillerson’s reportedly close relationship with Putin, who is a leading global opponent of equality,” Bromley told the Washington Blade. “That said, we trust that he has come to appreciate the strong business case for equality, and that he will understand that it is in our country’s security and economic interests to continue to defend

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human rights, democracy and LGBT equality abroad.” OutRight Action International Executive Director Jessica Stern told the Blade in a statement that “we’re all asking ourselves if would-be Secretary of State Tillerson will think of U.S. foreign policy like a business. In the best scenario, it could mean we wouldn’t have to worry.” SECRETARY OF STATE continued on p. 20

12.16 — 12.29.2016 INTERNATIONAL RUSSIA AT THE U.N.

LOS ANGELES

LGBT PROGRESS

⚫ BY TROY MASTERS

Russia blocks UN LGBT rights proclaimation Russia has prevented the United Nations security council from thanking outgoing secretary general Ban Ki-moon specifically for promoting gay rights during his decade in office, diplomats said. The 15-member council met to pay tribute to Ban, who will step down later this month. Being gay is a crime in at least 73 countries, the UN has said, and the issue of gay rights consistently sparks heated debate at the United Nations. The United States and other members had wanted a council statement to read: “It is thanks to you, Mr Secretary-General, that women, young people, and the LGBT community have been heard and assisted, and today their voices sound louder and stronger in this headquarters and around the world.” However, Russia objected, diplomats said. The 15-member council instead EVANGELICALS continued from p. 5

ward, this is the most solicitous that any incoming administration has been for input from evangelicals concerning personnel decisions that I’ve experienced,” Richard Land, longtime Southern Baptist leader, told Politico. And there have been results. For instance, Trump first offered the job of secretary of education to Jerry Falwell Jr., the ultra-right president of the anti-LGBT Liberty University, the largest Christian university in the nation and a proponent of creationism. Only after Falwell declined, did Trump pick Betsy DeVos, a wealthy Republican donor who has championed the cause of school vouchers. DeVos’ family foundations helped create the Christian Right movement, including funding the founding of the Family Research Council. “Ms. DeVos is a chip off the old block. At a 2001 gathering of conservative Christian philanthropists, she singled out education reform as a way to ‘advance God’s kingdom,’” the New York Times reports. The Times notes that the “Christian

agreed to a statement that said because of Ban’s human rights promotion “the most vulnerable or marginalised have been increasingly heard and assisted by the United Nations”. Ban has long advocated for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality but faced opposition from African, Arab and Muslim states as well as Russia and China. In 2014, Ban said the UN would recognize all same-sex marriages of its staff, allowing them to receive its benefits. Russia, with the support of 43 states including Saudi Arabia, China, Iran, India, Egypt, Pakistan, and Syria, unsuccessfully tried to overturn the move last year. In February, the 54-member African Group, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the 25-member Group of Friends of the Family led by Belarus, Egypt and Qatar protested six new UN stamps promoting LGBT equality. right has already won a number of key roles in the Trump administration,” including, at the top, Vice President-elect Mike Pence, attorney general nominee Jeff Sessions, who “favors religious tests for new immigrants and objects to chief justices with “secular mindsets.” Tom Price, nominee for secretary of health and human services, “is a member of a physicians’ organization aligned with conservative Christian positions on abortion and other issues.” And, The Times points out, “alt-right” Breitbart guru and Trump senior strategist Stephen K. Bannon once said at a 2014 conference: “I believe the world, and particularly the Judeo-Christian West, is in a crisis…a crisis both of our church, a crisis of our faith, a crisis of the West, a crisis of capitalism.” And with America on the precipice of this exaggerated Armageddon, Trump has promised not only Christian Right cabinet picks, but a stripping away of laws and regulations that prohibit the full expression of political and religious hate speech. “A lot of people said: I wonder if DonEVANGELICALS continued on p. 29

⚫ 13

⚫

12.16 — 12.29.2016

LOS ANGELES

Actual ATRIPLA patients. ‡

ATRIPLA has been chosen by more than 550,000 people with HIV and their doctors. § In the US, ATRIPLA is the #1 prescribed one-pill, once-daily HIV treatment.

TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR OR VISIT AtriplaAndMe.com TO FIND OUT MORE. What is ATRIPLA? ATRIPLA® (efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) is a prescription medication used alone as a complete regimen, or with other anti-HIV-1 medicines, to treat HIV-1 infection in adults and children at least 12 years old who weigh at least 40 kg (88 lbs). ATRIPLA does not cure HIV-1 infection or AIDS and you may continue to experience illnesses associated with HIV-1 infection, including opportunistic infections. See your healthcare provider regularly while taking ATRIPLA. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION What is the most important information I should know about ATRIPLA? ATRIPLA can cause serious side effects: n Some people who have taken medicines like ATRIPLA (which contains nucleoside analogs) have developed lactic acidosis (build up of an acid in the blood). Lactic acidosis can be a serious medical emergency that can lead to death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you get the following signs or symptoms of lactic acidosis: – feel very weak or tired – have unusual (not normal) muscle pain – have trouble breathing – have stomach pain with nausea and vomiting – feel cold, especially in your arms and legs – feel dizzy or lightheaded – have a fast or irregular heartbeat n Some people who have taken medicines like ATRIPLA have developed serious liver problems (hepatotoxicity), with liver enlargement (hepatomegaly) and fat in the liver (steatosis). In some cases, these liver problems can lead to death.

172006879.indd 1

Call your healthcare provider right away if you get the following signs or symptoms of liver problems: – skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow (jaundice) – urine turns dark – bowel movements (stools) turn light in color – don’t feel like eating food for several days or longer – feel sick to your stomach (nausea) – have lower stomach area (abdominal) pain n You may be more likely to get lactic acidosis or liver problems if you are female, very overweight (obese), or have been taking nucleoside analog-containing medicines, like ATRIPLA (efavirenz/emtricitabine/ tenofovir disoproxil fumarate), for a long time. n If you also have hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and you stop taking ATRIPLA, you may get a “flare-up” of your hepatitis. A “flare-up” is when the disease suddenly returns in a worse way than before. Patients with HBV who stop taking ATRIPLA need close medical follow-up for several months to check for hepatitis that could be getting worse. ATRIPLA is not approved for the treatment of HBV, so you need to discuss your HBV therapy with your healthcare provider. Who should not take ATRIPLA? You and your healthcare provider should decide if ATRIPLA is right for you. Do not take ATRIPLA if you are allergic to ATRIPLA or any of its ingredients. What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking ATRIPLA? Tell your healthcare provider if you: n Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant: You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

10/24/16 4:18 PM

12.16 — 12.29.2016

LOS ANGELES

TAKING CARE OF

⚫ 15

Visit AtriplaAndMe.com

For adults with HIV-1,

WITH THE STRENGTH OF

Undetectable viral load is a goal, and ATRIPLA has the power to help get you there. In a clinical trial: • ATRIPLA has been proven to LOWER VIRAL LOAD to undetectable* in approximately 8 out of 10 adult patients new to therapy through 48 weeks compared with approximately 7 out of 10 adult patients in the comparator group† • ATRIPLA has been proven to LOWER VIRAL LOAD to undetectable* through 3 years in approximately 7 out of 10 adult patients new to therapy compared with approximately 6 out of 10 adult patients in the comparator group†

SELECTED IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION n Some people who have taken medicines like ATRIPLA have developed build up of lactic acid in the blood, which can be a serious medical emergency that can lead to death. n Some people who have taken medicines like ATRIPLA have developed serious liver problems, with liver enlargement and fat in the liver, which can lead to death. n If you also have hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and you stop taking ATRIPLA, your hepatitis may suddenly get worse. ATRIPLA is not approved for the treatment of HBV. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION (continued) Women should not become pregnant while taking ATRIPLA and for 12 weeks after stopping ATRIPLA. Serious birth defects have been seen in children of women treated during pregnancy with efavirenz, one of the medicines in ATRIPLA. Women must use a reliable form of barrier contraception, such as a condom or diaphragm, even if they also use other methods of birth control, while on ATRIPLA and for 12 weeks after stopping ATRIPLA. Women should not rely only on hormone-based birth control, such as pills, injections, or implants, because ATRIPLA may make these contraceptives ineffective. n Are breastfeeding: Women with HIV should not breastfeed because they can pass HIV and some of the medicines in ATRIPLA through their milk to the baby. It is not known if ATRIPLA could harm your baby. n Have kidney problems or are undergoing kidney dialysis treatment. n Have bone problems. n Have liver problems, including hepatitis B or C virus infection. Your healthcare provider may want to do tests to check your liver while you take ATRIPLA or may switch you to another medicine. n Have ever had mental illness or are using drugs or alcohol n Have ever had seizures or are taking medicine for seizures. Seizures have occurred in patients taking efavirenz, a component of ATRIPLA, generally in those with a history of seizures. If you have ever had seizures, or take medicine for seizures, your healthcare provider may want to switch you to another medicine or monitor you.

What important information should I know about taking other medicines with ATRIPLA? ATRIPLA may change the effect of other medicines, including the ones for HIV-1, and may cause serious side effects. Your healthcare provider may change your other medicines or change their doses. MEDICINES YOU SHOULD NOT TAKE WITH ATRIPLA n ATRIPLA should not be taken with: Combivir® (lamivudine/zidovudine), COMPLERA® (emtricitabine/rilpivirine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate), EMTRIVA® (emtricitabine), Epivir® or Epivir-HBV® (lamivudine), Epzicom® (abacavir sulfate/lamivudine), STRIBILD® (elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir DF), Trizivir® (abacavir sulfate/lamivudine/zidovudine), TRUVADA® (emtricitabine/tenofovir DF), or VIREAD® (tenofovir DF), because they contain the same or similar active ingredients as ATRIPLA. ATRIPLA should not be used with SUSTIVA® (efavirenz) unless recommended by your healthcare provider. n Vfend® (voriconazole) should not be taken with ATRIPLA since it may lose its effect or may increase the chance of having side effects from ATRIPLA. n ATRIPLA should not be used with HEPSERA® (adefovir dipivoxil). Please see Important Safety Information continued on the following pages.

* In the above clinical trial, undetectable was defined as a viral load fewer than 400 copies/mL. Ask your doctor about your individual results. † In this study, 511 adult patients new to therapy received either the meds in ATRIPLA each taken once daily or Combivir® (lamivudine/zidovudine) twice daily + SUSTIVA® (efavirenz) once daily. ‡ Symphony Health Solutions, PatientSource APLD and Source® PHAST Prescription Monthly, counts are cumulative and equivalized. January 2007–December 2015. § Symphony Health Solutions, Source® PHAST Prescription Monthly, equivalized counts, July 2006–May 2015.

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10/24/16 4:18 PM

⚫ 16

LOS ANGELES

12.16 — 12.29.2016 Information PatientPatient Information

® (e ATRIPLA ATRIPLA

® (uh TRIP luh) Tablets ® (uh TRIP ATRIPLA ATRIPLA luh) Tablets

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION (continued) These are not all the medicines that may cause problems if you take ATRIPLA. Tell your healthcare provider about all prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements you are taking or plan to take. What are the possible side effects of ATRIPLA? ATRIPLA may cause the following additional serious side effects: n Serious psychiatric problems. Severe depression, strange thoughts, or angry behavior have been reported by a small number of patients. Some patients have had thoughts of suicide, and a few have actually committed suicide. These problems may occur more often in patients who have had mental illness. n Kidney problems (including decline or failure of kidney function). If you have had kidney problems, or take other medicines that may cause kidney problems, your healthcare provider should do regular blood tests. Symptoms that may be related to kidney problems include a high volume of urine, thirst, muscle pain, and muscle weakness. n Other serious liver problems. Some patients have experienced serious liver problems, including liver failure resulting in transplantation or death. Most of these serious side effects occurred in patients with a chronic liver disease such as hepatitis infection, but there have also been a few reports in patients without any existing liver disease. n Changes in bone mineral density (thinning bones). Lab tests show changes in the bones of patients treated with tenofovir DF, a component of ATRIPLA. Some HIV patients treated with tenofovir DF developed thinning of the bones (osteopenia), which could lead to fractures. Also, bone pain and softening of the bone (which may lead to fractures) may occur as a consequence of kidney problems. If you have had bone problems in the past, your healthcare provider may want to do tests to check your bones or may prescribe medicines to help your bones. Common side effects: n Patients may have dizziness, headache, trouble sleeping, drowsiness, trouble concentrating, and/or unusual dreams during treatment with ATRIPLA (efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate). These side effects may be reduced if you take ATRIPLA at bedtime on an empty stomach; they tend to go away after taking ATRIPLA for a few weeks. Tell your healthcare provider right away if any of these side effects continue or if they bother you. These symptoms may be more severe if ATRIPLA is used with alcohol and/or moodaltering (street) drugs. n If you are dizzy, have trouble concentrating, and/or are drowsy, avoid activities that may be dangerous, such as driving or operating machinery. n Rash is a common side effect with ATRIPLA that usually goes away without any change in treatment. Rash may be serious in a small number of patients. Rash occurs more commonly in children and may be a serious problem. If a rash develops, call your healthcare provider right away. n Other common side effects include: tiredness, upset stomach, vomiting, gas, and diarrhea. Other possible side effects: n Changes in body fat have been seen in some people taking anti-HIV-1 medicines. Increase of fat in the upper back and neck, breasts, and around the trunk may happen. Loss of fat from the legs, arms, and face may also happen. The cause and long-term health effects of these changes in body fat are not known. n Skin discoloration (small spots or freckles) may also happen. n In some patients with advanced HIV infection (AIDS), signs and symptoms of inflammation from previous infections may occur soon after anti-HIV treatment is started. If you notice any symptoms of infection, contact your healthcare provider right away. n Additional side effects are inflammation of the pancreas, allergic reaction (including swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat), shortness of breath, pain, stomach pain, weakness, and indigestion. This is not a complete list of side effects. Tell your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you notice any side effects while taking ATRIPLA. You should take ATRIPLA once daily on an empty stomach. Taking ATRIPLA at bedtime may make some side effects less bothersome. Please see the following Patient Information for more information about these warnings, including signs and symptoms, and other Important Safety Information.

ATRIPLA is a registered trademark of Bristol-Myers Squibb & Gilead Sciences, LLC. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2016 Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. All rights reserved. Printed in USA. 697US1604491-07-01 10/16

172006879.indd 3

ATRIPLA ATRIPLA help ALERT: out about medicines should be taken ALERT: Find Find out about medicines that that should NOT NOT be taken with with is needed is needed for ATRIPLA (efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate). ATRIPLA (efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate). ATRIPLA ATRIPLA may system to alsotheread the section “MEDICINES YOU SHOULD NOT TAKE ATRIPLA.” system to imp Please Please also read section “MEDICINES YOU SHOULD NOT TAKE WITHWITH ATRIPLA.” infections infections that efavirenz, emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (eh FAH vih renz, GenericGeneric name: name: efavirenz, emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (eh FAH vih renz, emuh tri SIT bean veer dye soe PROX il FYOU mar ate) ATR em tri SIT beanuhand te and NOE’tefoNOE’ veerfodye soe PROX il FYOU mar ate) DoesDoes ATRIPLA Read the Patient Information that comes with ATRIPLA youtaking start taking and each time you ATRIPLA Read the Patient Information that comes with ATRIPLA beforebefore you start it and iteach time you ATRIPLA doe get since a refillthere sincemay therebemay new information. This information doestake notthe takeplace the place of talking associate get a refill newbeinformation. This information does not of talking associated wit your healthcare provider aboutmedical your medical condition or treatment. You should stay under a of care of a d to yourtohealthcare provider about your condition or treatment. You should stay under a care a docto healthcare provider’s caretaking when ATRIPLA. taking ATRIPLA. not change or your stop medicine your medicine without healthcare provider’s care when Do notDo change or stop without shon first talking with your healthcare provider. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist Who Who should first talking with your healthcare provider. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist if youif you have any questions about ATRIPLA. Together have any questions about ATRIPLA. Together with y What is the most important information I should know about ATRIPLA? Dotake not AT tak What is the most important information I should know about ATRIPLA? Do not of ATRIPL Some people who have taken medicine like ATRIPLA (which contains nucleoside analogs) ■ of ATRIPLA are ■ Some people who have taken medicine like ATRIPLA (which contains nucleoside analogs) have developed a serious condition called lactic acidosis (build up of an acid in the blood). list of ingr have developed a serious condition called lactic acidosis (build up of an acid in the blood). list of ingredien Lactic acidosis can be a medical emergency and may need to be treated in the hospital. sho Lactic acidosis can be a medical emergency and may need to be treated in the hospital. WhatWhat should I Call your healthcare provider right away if you get the following signs or symptoms Call your healthcare provider right away if you get the following signs or symptoms of lactic acidosis: Tell your of lactic acidosis: Tell your heal ■ You feel very weak or tired. ■ Are pr ■ You feel very weak or tired. ■ Are pregna ATRIPL ■ You have unusual (not normal) muscle pain. ATRIPLA?”) ■ You have unusual (not normal) muscle pain. ■ Are bre ■ You have trouble breathing. ■ Are breastf ■ You have trouble breathing. ■ Have k ■ You have stomach pain with nausea and vomiting. ■ Have kidne ■ You have stomach pain with nausea and vomiting. ■ Have b ■ You feel cold, especially in your arms and legs. ■ Have bone ■ You feel cold, especially in your arms and legs. ■ You feel dizzy or lightheaded. ■ Have li ■ You feel dizzy or lightheaded. ■ Havetoliver do tep ■ You have a fast or irregular heartbeat. to do tests to ■ You have a fast or irregular heartbeat. ■ Some people who have taken medicines like ATRIPLA have developed serious liver ■ Have e ■ Have ever h people who havehepatotoxicity, taken medicines like enlargement ATRIPLA have developed serious ■ Some problems called with liver (hepatomegaly) and fat inliver the liver ■ Have e problems called hepatotoxicity, with liver enlargement (hepatomegaly) and fat in the liver (steatosis). Call your healthcare provider right away if you get the following signs or ■ Have ever h (steatosis). Call your healthcare What imp symptoms of liver problems:provider right away if you get the following signs or What importa symptoms of liver problems: ■ Your skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow (jaundice). ATRIPLA ■ Your skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow (jaundice). ATRIPLA causemay se ■ Your urine turns dark. cause serious their dose ■ Your urine turns dark. ■ Your bowel movements (stools) turn light in color. their itdoses. is veryO ■ Your bowel movements (stools) turn light in color. it is very impo herbal sup You don’t feel like eating food for several days or longer. ■ herbal supplem ■ You don’t feel like eating food for several days or longer. MEDICIN ■ You feel sick to your stomach (nausea). MEDICINES Y sick to your stomach (nausea). ■ You feelYou have lower stomach area (abdominal) pain. ■ ■ ATRIPL lower stomach area (abdominal) pain. ■ You have ATRIPLA a EMTRI ■ ■ You may be more likely to get lactic acidosis or liver problems if you are female, Trizivir EMTRIVA, E verybe overweight (obese), or have taking or nucleoside analog-containing more likely to get lacticbeen acidosis liver problems if you aremedicines, female, like ■ You may not be u Trizivir (aba ATRIPLA, for a long time. very overweight (obese), or have been taking nucleoside analog-containing medicines, like not be used ATRIPLA, for aalso long have time. hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and you stop taking ATRIPLA, you ■ Vfend ■ If you (voric ■ Vfendincreas may get a “flare-up” A “flare-up” when thetaking disease suddenlyyou returns B your virushepatitis. (HBV) infection and isyou stop ATRIPLA, ■ If you also have hepatitis of the in aa “flare-up” worse wayofthan Patients with HBViswho stopthe taking ATRIPLA need close medical increase may get yourbefore. hepatitis. A “flare-up” when disease suddenly returns ■ ATRIPL follow-up several months, including medical and blood tests need to check for medical hepatitis that in a worse way for than before. Patients with HBV whoexams stop taking ATRIPLA close ■ ATRIPLA sh could be getting worse.including ATRIPLAmedical is not approved for blood the treatment HBV,for sohepatitis you mustthat discuss It is also im follow-up for several months, exams and tests to of check your HBV worse. therapyATRIPLA with yourishealthcare provider. impor could be getting not approved for the treatment of HBV, so you must discuss It is also ■ Fortov your What HBV therapy with your healthcare provider. Sporan is ATRIPLA? ■ Fortovase, need (ito Sporanox What isATRIPLA ATRIPLA?contains 3 medicines, SUSTIVA® (efavirenz), EMTRIVA® (emtricitabine) and need to be r ® (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate VIREAD called tenofovir combined in and one pill. ■ Calcium ® (emtricitabine) ATRIPLA contains 3 medicines, SUSTIVA® also (efavirenz), EMTRIVADF) Isoptin anddisoproxil VIREAD fumarate are HIV-1also(human virus) nucleoside analog ® (tenofovir ch ■ Calcium VIREADEMTRIVA called immunodeficiency tenofovir DF) combined in one pill. immun reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and SUSTIVA is an HIV-1 non-nucleoside analog Isoptin (ve EMTRIVA and VIREAD are HIV-1 (human immunodeficiency virus) nucleoside analog Progra transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI). VIREAD isand are the components reversereverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and SUSTIVA an EMTRIVA HIV-1 non-nucleoside analog of immunosupp ®. ATRIPLA can be used alone as a complete regimen, or in combination with other cholest TRUVADA Prograf (tac reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI). VIREAD and EMTRIVA are the components of and Z anti-HIV-1 medicines to treat people with HIV-1 infection. ATRIPLA is for adults and children ® cholesterol-l TRUVADA . ATRIPLA can be used alone as a complete regimen, or in combination with other 12 years of age to andtreat olderpeople who weigh least infection. 40 kg (at least 88 lbs). not recommended and Wellbu Zocor anti-HIV-1 medicines with atHIV-1 ATRIPLA is ATRIPLA for adultsis and children whenSt for children younger than 12 years of age. ATRIPLA has not been studied in adults over Wellbutrin 12 years of age and older who weigh at least 40 kg (at least 88 lbs). ATRIPLA is not recommended 65 years of age.than 12 years of age. ATRIPLA has not been studied in adults over when these for children younger ■ Videx, 65 years of age. of dida HIV infection destroys CD4+ T cells, which are important to the immune system. The immune ■ Videx, Videx monito system helps fight infection. After a large number of T cells are destroyed, acquired immune of didanosin HIV infection destroys CD4+ T cells, which are important to the immune system. The immune didano deficiency syndrome (AIDS) develops. monitored m system helps fight infection. After a large number of T cells are destroyed, acquired immune didanosine m deficiency syndrome (AIDS) develops. 10/24/16 4:18 PM

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12.16 — 12.29.2016

LOS ANGELES

⚫ 17

ATRIPLA® (efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate)

ATRIPL

ATRIPLA helps block HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, a viral chemical in your body (enzyme) that is needed for HIV-1 to multiply. ATRIPLA lowers the amount of HIV-1 in the blood (viral load). ATRIPLA may also help to increase the number of T cells (CD4+ cells), allowing your immune system to improve. Lowering the amount of HIV-1 in the blood lowers the chance of death or infections that happen when your immune system is weak (opportunistic infections).

■ Reyataz (atazanavir sulfate), Prezista (darunavir) with Norvir (ritonavir), Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir), or Harvoni (ledipasvir/sofosbuvir); these medicines may increase the amount of tenofovir DF (a component of ATRIPLA) in your blood, which could result in more side effects. Reyataz is not recommended with ATRIPLA. You may need to be monitored more carefully if you are taking ATRIPLA, Prezista, and Norvir together, or if you are taking ATRIPLA and Kaletra together. The dose of Kaletra should be increased when taken with efavirenz.

■ Avoid

Does ATRIPLA cure HIV-1 or AIDS? ATRIPLA does not cure HIV-1 infection or AIDS and you may continue to experience illnesses associated with HIV-1 infection, including opportunistic infections. You should remain under the care of a doctor when using ATRIPLA. Who should not take ATRIPLA? Together with your healthcare provider, you need to decide whether ATRIPLA is right for you.

■ Medicine for seizures [for example, Dilantin (phenytoin), Tegretol (carbamazepine), or phenobarbital]; your healthcare provider may want to switch you to another medicine or check drug levels in your blood from time to time. These are not all the medicines that may cause problems if you take ATRIPLA. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking ATRIPLA?

Keep a complete list of all the prescription and nonprescription medicines as well as any herbal remedies that you are taking, how much you take, and how often you take them. Make a new list when medicines or herbal remedies are added or stopped, or if the dose changes. Give copies of this list to all of your healthcare providers and pharmacists every time you visit your healthcare provider or fill a prescription. This will give your healthcare provider a complete picture of the medicines you use. Then he or she can decide the best approach for your situation.

Tell your healthcare provider if you:

How should I take ATRIPLA?

■ Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant (see “What should I avoid while taking ATRIPLA?”).

■ Take the exact amount of ATRIPLA your healthcare provider prescribes. Never change the dose on your own. Do not stop this medicine unless your healthcare provider tells you to stop.

■ Are breastfeeding (see “What should I avoid while taking ATRIPLA?”).

■ You should take ATRIPLA on an empty stomach.

■ Have kidney problems or are undergoing kidney dialysis treatment.

■ Swallow ATRIPLA with water.

■ Have bone problems.

■ Taking ATRIPLA at bedtime may make some side effects less bothersome.

■ Have liver problems, including hepatitis B virus infection. Your healthcare provider may want to do tests to check your liver while you take ATRIPLA or may switch you to another medicine.

■ Do not miss a dose of ATRIPLA. If you forget to take ATRIPLA, take the missed dose right away, unless it is almost time for your next dose. Do not double the next dose. Carry on with your regular dosing schedule. If you need help in planning the best times to take your medicine, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

Do not take ATRIPLA if you are allergic to ATRIPLA or any of its ingredients. The active ingredients of ATRIPLA are efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir DF. See the end of this leaflet for a complete list of ingredients.

■ Have ever had mental illness or are using drugs or alcohol. ■ Have ever had seizures or are taking medicine for seizures. What important information should I know about taking other medicines with ATRIPLA? ATRIPLA may change the effect of other medicines, including the ones for HIV-1, and may cause serious side effects. Your healthcare provider may change your other medicines or change their doses. Other medicines, including herbal products, may affect ATRIPLA. For this reason, it is very important to let all your healthcare providers and pharmacists know what medications, herbal supplements, or vitamins you are taking. MEDICINES YOU SHOULD NOT TAKE WITH ATRIPLA ■ ATRIPLA also should not be used with Combivir (lamivudine/zidovudine), COMPLERA®, EMTRIVA, Epivir, Epivir-HBV (lamivudine), Epzicom (abacavir sulfate/lamivudine), STRIBILD®, Trizivir (abacavir sulfate/lamivudine/zidovudine), TRUVADA, or VIREAD. ATRIPLA also should not be used with SUSTIVA unless recommended by your healthcare provider. ■ Vfend (voriconazole) should not be taken with ATRIPLA since it may lose its effect or may increase the chance of having side effects from ATRIPLA. ■ ATRIPLA should not be used with HEPSERA® (adefovir dipivoxil). It is also important to tell your healthcare provider if you are taking any of the following: ■ Fortovase, Invirase (saquinavir), Biaxin (clarithromycin), Noxafil (posaconazole), Sporanox (itraconazole), Victrelis (boceprevir), or Olysio (simeprevir); these medicines may need to be replaced with another medicine when taken with ATRIPLA. ■ Calcium channel blockers such as Cardizem or Tiazac (diltiazem), Covera HS or Isoptin (verapamil) and others; Crixivan (indinavir), Selzentry (maraviroc); the immunosuppressant medicines cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune, and others), Prograf (tacrolimus), or Rapamune (sirolimus); Methadone; Mycobutin (rifabutin); Rifampin; cholesterol-lowering medicines such as Lipitor (atorvastatin), Pravachol (pravastatin sodium), and Zocor (simvastatin); or the anti-depressant medications bupropion (Wellbutrin, Wellbutrin SR, Wellbutrin XL, and Zyban) or Zoloft (sertraline); dose changes may be needed when these drugs are taken with ATRIPLA. ■ Videx, Videx EC (didanosine); tenofovir DF (a component of ATRIPLA) may increase the amount of didanosine in your blood, which could result in more side effects. You may need to be monitored more carefully if you are taking ATRIPLA and didanosine together. Also, the dose of didanosine may need to be changed.

172006879.indd 4

■ If you believe you took more than the prescribed amount of ATRIPLA, contact your local poison control center or emergency room right away. ■ Tell your healthcare provider if you start any new medicine or change how you take old ones. Your doses may need adjustment. ■ When your ATRIPLA supply starts to run low, get more from your healthcare provider or pharmacy. This is very important because the amount of virus in your blood may increase if the medicine is stopped for even a short time. The virus may develop resistance to ATRIPLA and become harder to treat. ■ Your healthcare provider may want to do blood tests to check for certain side effects while you take ATRIPLA. What should I avoid while taking ATRIPLA? ■ Women should not become pregnant while taking ATRIPLA and for 12 weeks after stopping it. Serious birth defects have been seen in the babies of animals and women treated with efavirenz (a component of ATRIPLA) during pregnancy. It is not known whether efavirenz caused these defects. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you are pregnant. Also talk with your healthcare provider if you want to become pregnant. ■ Women should not rely only on hormone-based birth control, such as pills, injections, or implants, because ATRIPLA may make these contraceptives ineffective. Women must use a reliable form of barrier contraception, such as a condom or diaphragm, even if they also use other methods of birth control. Efavirenz, a component of ATRIPLA, may remain in your blood for a time after therapy is stopped. Therefore, you should continue to use contraceptive measures for 12 weeks after you stop taking ATRIPLA. ■ Do not breastfeed if you are taking ATRIPLA. Some of the medicines in ATRIPLA can be passed to your baby in your breast milk. We do not know whether it could harm your baby. Also, mothers with HIV-1 should not breastfeed because HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in the breast milk. Talk with your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding. You should stop breastfeeding or may need to use a different medicine. ■ Taking ATRIPLA with alcohol or other medicines causing similar side effects as ATRIPLA, such as drowsiness, may increase those side effects. ■ Do not take any other medicines, including prescription and nonprescription medicines and herbal products, without checking with your healthcare provider.

10/24/16 4:18 PM

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12.16 — 12.29.2016

LOS ANGELES

ATRIPLA® (efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate)

■ Avoid doing things that can spread HIV-1 to others.

Other possible side effects with ATRIPLA:

■ Do not share needles or other injection equipment. ■ Do not share personal items that can have blood or body fluids on them, like toothbrushes and razor blades. ■ Do not have any kind of sex without protection. Always practice safe sex by using a latex or polyurethane condom to lower the chance of sexual contact with semen, vaginal secretions, or blood. What are the possible side effects of ATRIPLA? ATRIPLA may cause the following serious side effects: ■ Lactic acidosis (buildup of an acid in the blood). Lactic acidosis can be a medical emergency and may need to be treated in the hospital. Call your healthcare provider right away if you get signs of lactic acidosis. (See “What is the most important information I should know about ATRIPLA?”) ■ Serious liver problems (hepatotoxicity), with liver enlargement (hepatomegaly) and fat in the liver (steatosis). Call your healthcare provider right away if you get any signs of liver problems. (See “What is the most important information I should know about ATRIPLA?”)

■ Changes in body fat. Changes in body fat develop in some patients taking anti HIV-1 medicine. These changes may include an increased amount of fat in the upper back and neck (“buffalo hump”), in the breasts, and around the trunk. Loss of fat from the legs, arms, and face may also happen. The cause and long-term health effects of these fat changes are not known. ■ Skin discoloration (small spots or freckles) may also happen with ATRIPLA. ■ In some patients with advanced HIV infection (AIDS), signs and symptoms of inflammation from previous infections may occur soon after anti-HIV treatment is started. It is believed that these symptoms are due to an improvement in the body’s immune response, enabling the body to fight infections that may have been present with no obvious symptoms. If you notice any symptoms of infection, please inform your doctor immediately. ■ Additional side effects are inflammation of the pancreas, allergic reaction (including swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat), shortness of breath, pain, stomach pain, weakness and indigestion. Tell your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you notice any side effects while taking ATRIPLA. Contact your healthcare provider before stopping ATRIPLA because of side effects or for any other reason.

■ “Flare-ups” of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, in which the disease suddenly returns in a worse way than before, can occur if you have HBV and you stop taking ATRIPLA. Your healthcare provider will monitor your condition for several months after stopping ATRIPLA if you have both HIV-1 and HBV infection and may recommend treatment for your HBV. ATRIPLA is not approved for the treatment of hepatitis B virus infection. If you have advanced liver disease and stop treatment with ATRIPLA, the “flare-up” of hepatitis B may cause your liver function to decline.

This is not a complete list of side effects possible with ATRIPLA. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for a more complete list of side effects of ATRIPLA and all the medicines you will take.

■ Serious psychiatric problems. A small number of patients may experience severe depression, strange thoughts, or angry behavior while taking ATRIPLA. Some patients have thoughts of suicide and a few have actually committed suicide. These problems may occur more often in patients who have had mental illness. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you think you are having these psychiatric symptoms, so your healthcare provider can decide if you should continue to take ATRIPLA.

■ Keep ATRIPLA in its original container and keep the container tightly closed.

■ Kidney problems (including decline or failure of kidney function). If you have had kidney problems in the past or take other medicines that can cause kidney problems, your healthcare provider should do regular blood tests to check your kidneys. Symptoms that may be related to kidney problems include a high volume of urine, thirst, muscle pain, and muscle weakness. ■ Other serious liver problems. Some patients have experienced serious liver problems including liver failure resulting in transplantation or death. Most of these serious side effects occurred in patients with a chronic liver disease such as hepatitis infection, but there have also been a few reports in patients without any existing liver disease. ■ Changes in bone mineral density (thinning bones). Laboratory tests show changes in the bones of patients treated with tenofovir DF, a component of ATRIPLA. Some HIV patients treated with tenofovir DF developed thinning of the bones (osteopenia) which could lead to fractures. If you have had bone problems in the past, your healthcare provider may need to do tests to check your bone mineral density or may prescribe medicines to help your bone mineral density. Additionally, bone pain and softening of the bone (which may contribute to fractures) may occur as a consequence of kidney problems. Common side effects: Patients may have dizziness, headache, trouble sleeping, drowsiness, trouble concentrating, and/or unusual dreams during treatment with ATRIPLA. These side effects may be reduced if you take ATRIPLA at bedtime on an empty stomach. They also tend to go away after you have taken the medicine for a few weeks. If you have these common side effects, such as dizziness, it does not mean that you will also have serious psychiatric problems, such as severe depression, strange thoughts, or angry behavior. Tell your healthcare provider right away if any of these side effects continue or if they bother you. It is possible that these symptoms may be more severe if ATRIPLA is used with alcohol or mood altering (street) drugs.

How do I store ATRIPLA? ■ Keep ATRIPLA and all other medicines out of reach of children. ■ Store ATRIPLA at room temperature 77°F (25°C). ■ Do not keep medicine that is out of date or that you no longer need. If you throw any medicines away make sure that children will not find them. General information about ATRIPLA: Medicines are sometimes prescribed for conditions that are not mentioned in patient information leaflets. Do not use ATRIPLA for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give ATRIPLA to other people, even if they have the same symptoms you have. It may harm them. This leaflet summarizes the most important information about ATRIPLA. If you would like more information, talk with your healthcare provider. You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for information about ATRIPLA that is written for health professionals. Do not use ATRIPLA if the seal over bottle opening is broken or missing. What are the ingredients of ATRIPLA? Active Ingredients: efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate Inactive Ingredients: croscarmellose sodium, hydroxypropyl cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, sodium lauryl sulfate. The film coating contains black iron oxide, polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, red iron oxide, talc, and titanium dioxide. Revised: February 2016 ATRIPLA is a trademark of Bristol-Myers Squibb & Gilead Sciences, LLC. COMPLERA, EMTRIVA, HARVONI, HEPSERA, SOVALDI, STRIBILD, TRUVADA, and VIREAD are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. SUSTIVA is a trademark of Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma Company. Reyataz and Videx are trademarks of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. Pravachol is a trademark of ER Squibb & Sons, LLC. Other brands listed are the trademarks of their respective owners. 21-937-GS-016 ATRC0106

697US1601052-12-01

If you are dizzy, have trouble concentrating, or are drowsy, avoid activities that may be dangerous, such as driving or operating machinery. Rash may be common. Rashes usually go away without any change in treatment. In a small number of patients, rash may be serious. If you develop a rash, call your healthcare provider right away. Rash may be a serious problem in some children. Tell your child’s healthcare provider right away if you notice rash or any other side effects while your child is taking ATRIPLA. Other common side effects include tiredness, upset stomach, vomiting, gas, and diarrhea.

172006879.indd 5

10/24/16 4:18 PM

12.16 — 12.29.2016 TRANSITION

TRUMP ADMINISTRATION

LOS ANGELES

SUPREME COURT WATCH

⚫ 19

⚫ BY BETHANIA PALMA FOR SNOPES.COM

States can criminalize “homosexual activity,” says Trump’s leading SCOTUS nominee As the new administration continues to take shape, so does the coming battle to seat a new Supreme Court Justice. In the coming issues, The Pride will focus on the leading names that team Trump have promoted. We being with Alabama Attorney General William Pryor, widely believed to the the prefered nominee. On 23 September 2016, then-presidential candidate (and current President-Elect) Donald Trump announced his list of potential choices to fill a vacant seat on the U.S. Supreme Court. His list included a statement that it was “definitive” — that is, that any potential pick would be necessarily drawn from it. Among the names on Trump’s list was that of 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals Judge William H. Pryor, an entry that prompted several news outlets to report on a 2003 brief in which Pryor wrote in support of state-level laws against consensual gay sex. Donald Trump has given somewhat mixed messages when it comes to LGBT rights and same-sex marriage. During a 13 November 2016 interview on the CBS news program 60 Minutes, Trump said the question of same-sex marriage had been settled with the 2015 landmark Obergefell v. Hodges ruling holding that a fundamental right to marry is guaranteed to same-sex couples by the U.S. constitution. CALIFORNIA continued from p. 6

visor is anti-LGBT Family Research Council stalwart Ken Blackwell . His pick for attorney general, Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions, is one of the most anti-LGBT politicians in Washington. Right Wing Watch reports that Trump’s nominee for Health and Human Services secretary, Georgia Rep. Tom Price wanted Congress to study the fiscal impact before passing laws upholding LGBT rights. A 2013 exchange between Price and an anti-LGBT rabbi raises serious question about HIV/AIDS and other federal funding and programs. “Speaking on a Tea Party conference

According to the Economist, Trump is probably correct in saying the law will stand: “As a practical matter, Mr Trump is right. Aside from minor skirmishes involving recalcitrant county clerks who refuse to issue marriage certificates to gay couples, there have been no legal challenges threatening Obergefell, and it’s hard to imagine states trying to relitigate the question. Even if the Supreme Court is soon home to a lopsided conservative majority, there is no precedent for the justices completely reneging on a major expansion of a constitutional freedom.” But Pryor’s inclusion on the list has raised fears that the rights gained by the LGBT community with the Obergefell decision could be in jeopardy. In 2003, while serving as Alabama’s

attorney general, Pryor filed an amicus brief in support of a Texas anti-sodomy law in Lawrence v. Texas, arguing that states should be permitted to have laws on the books that criminalize consensual sex between LGBT couples, even when such activity occurs in the privacy of their own homes. (The law was ultimately struck down.) Pryor’s filing read, in part: “In short, the States should remain free to protect the moral standards of their communities through legislation that prohibits homosexual sodomy. If legislation of such activity is no longer supported by a majority of the citizens of the States, the legislatures of the States will repeal them, or elected executive officials will cease to enforce them. The recent movement toward decriminalizing homosexual sodomy, even with Bowers v. Hardwick on the books, shows that the legislative system is quite able to respond to popular will without judicial prodding. Impatience with the pace of change, or with the resistance of citizens who do not regard the change as beneficial, does not justify the judicial creation of a new constitutional right.” To support the argument, he discussed several cases in which judges opined that states should have the authority to render gay sex criminal: “In his Poe v. Ullman dissent, which foreshadowed the recognition of the

marital right of privacy in Griswold v. Connecticut, Justice Harlan said that homosexual activity, even when “concealed in the home,” was a proper matter of state concern and could be forbidden by the States ...” Not only did Justice Harlan find no fundamental right to homosexual activity, he found a fundamental “pattern ... deeply pressed into the substance of our social life” against such practice. Later in his dissenting opinion, Justice Harlan repeated his position “that adultery, homosexuality, fornication, and incest ... however privately practiced” are subject to state proscription. Commentators have noted that due to the advanced age of some of the current Supreme Court justices — and Senate Republicans’ successful obstruction of President Barack Obama’s efforts to install his own nominee, Merrick Garland, on the high court — odds are that President Trump will have multiple seats to fill. He won’t necessarily select William Pryor for any of those openings, but the inclusion of Pryor on his list has some observers worried about legal ramifications for the LGBT community in the years ahead. While it’s unclear if Pryor personally believes in throwing LGBT people in jail for having consensual sex in the privacy of their homes, in 2003 he did argue in favor of individual states’ rights to do so.

call in 2013, Price took a question from Rabbi Noson Leiter, who asked him, “Is it feasible to ensure that any legislation on the various moral issues that’s being considered, whether it be pertaining to the homosexual agenda or abortion or pornography, take into account the fiscal impact of that legislation? In other words, when they want to, let’s say, promote some homosexual agenda item that they should take into account the tremendous medical, health impact and economic impact that promoting such a lifestyle would result in,” Right Wing Watch reported Tuesday. “Thank you, Rabbi, and you’re absolutely right,” Price responded. “The consequences of activity that has

been seen as outside the norm are real and must be explored completely and in their entirety prior to moving forward with any social legislation that would alter things.” And Trump’s nominee for the Department of Education, Betsy DeVos, raises serious concerns, given her family’s longtime ties and contributions to anti-LGBTQ groups such as the Family Research Council and the National Organization for Marriage determined to undo progress on equal access to public facilities for transgender students. Some pundits have shrugged off the permission Trump gives to his base to be “politically incorrect” and downright mean. Somehow, gut-wrenching

stories such as how Trump trolls on Facebook targeted the partner of a transgender suicide victim have been normalized. “’Lol good riddance,’ wrote a user with the fake name ‘Oi McVeigh.’ The user’s profile picture was a shot of Donald Trump pointing and laughing,” The Daily Beast reported Tuesday. “A Photoshop of the MGM logo popped up, with Donald Trump’s face replacing the lion. All of the words were replaced with the word ‘Haha’ over and over again. Twenty-nine likes. Then this, from the user Donny J Trump: #TRANSLIVESDONTMAT TER.’” Trump’s America. No laughing matter.

WILLIAM PRYOR, ALABAMA ATTORNEY GENERAL

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MOST HOMOPHOBIC NATIONS RANKED 10. IRAN Since 1979 there have been 4,000 to 6,000 gay men that have been executed for engaging in homosexuality relationships. Women found to be in lesbian relationships are not executed. However, they can receive fifty lashes for their crimes. A law passed in 1987 made sex changes legal, so many people undergo hormone treatments and surgery to appear heterosexual, rather than risk death.

that humiliate the men in their families, but it also happened to LGBT children if their parents suspect they are engaging in same-sex relations or even thinking about it. It is not illegal for men to engage in homosexual activity with young boys, but for illegal for two men. Many homosexual individuals will hide their sexuality, marrying members of the opposite sex for protection from discrimination and exile.

9. NIGERIA Due to strict Sharia law, homosexuals living in the northern part of the country may be stoned to death if found out. Dressing as a woman when the biologically male is also punishable with a fine and a year in prison due to section 284 of their penal code. In the southern regions, homosexuality is punishable by fourteen years in prison according to section 214. In 2012 there was even a bill passed that would make it illegal to hide a prison’s sexuality, meaning a person could be imprisoned for failing to report someone that they believed to be a homosexual.

4. UGANDA Having a same sex relationship here can cost someone fourteen years of their life in prison with some of the most deplorable conditions. Simply portraying or mentioning a homosexual, even in play, has caused people to be detained or even deported. Newspapers have even posted the names and addresses of suspected homosexuals in the hopes that others will retaliate and become violent against them.

8. SAUDI ARABIA Homosexual men in Saudi Arabia risk 100 lashes, banishment, and even castration if convicted, and it’s even worse if they are already married. If a married man engages in homosexual activity, Sharia law states that he is to be stoned to death. People do not have the right to privacy, so the government can obtain a court order at any time to search homes and vehicles in search of “evidence of incident acts”. 7. TURKEY Homosexuality is not illegal in Turkey, but hate crimes and violence against transgendered people are alarmingly high. A report in 2011 found that 89% of trans women in Turkey had been detained, assaulted and blackmailed by police simply for crossing their path. Many homosexuals are murdered in so-called ‘Honor Killings’ and all too often the authorities are reluctant to press charges. 6. DOMINICA Members of the LGBT community can be jailed for up to ten years if convicted of gross indecency or twenty-five years if convicted of buggery. People convicted of these crimes must also undergo psychiatric therapy to cure them of their homosexuality. Unlike many other countries homosexuality acts between two women are just as punishable as an act between two men. Additionally, Dominica does not often investigate complaints of abuse from the LGBT citizens and will not step in during an attack. 5. AFGHANISTAN ‘Honor Killings’ are not unheard of in Afghanistan for wives or daughters SECRETARY OF STATE continued from p. 12

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“Countries that support full and equal human rights are countries that enjoy high levels of education, a thriving workforce, healthy people and safe communities,” she added. “Worst case, it means making deals and compromising human rights and the environment for dollars. We hope that Tillerson will be as loyal to the American public as to corporate shareholders and fight for LGBTI and human rights globally.” Gregory T. Angelo, president of Log Cabin Republicans, told the Washington Blade on Tuesday during a telephone interview the “notion (Tillerson is) going to be soft on Russia is incorrect.” “It’s important to have relationships with powers in the world,” said Angelo.

3. INDIA Despite homosexuality becoming legal in 2009, the law was reversed four years later in December 2013. The original law was more than 153 years old and referred to same-sex relations as ‘unnatural’ and was punished by up to ten years in prison if convicted. Transwomen, are known as ‘Hijras’ and are considered lower than a second-class citizen. Many are forced to beg on the streets and are often victims of violent crime despite the fact that many believe they are touched by God. 2. JAMAICA While there are no specific laws disallowing gay, lesbian, transgendered, or bisexual people in Jamaica, there are laws against same-sex intercourse. Persons convicted of engaging in anal sex can be imprisoned for up to ten years with hard labor. Simply holding hands or hugging another man could lead to prison time. Hate crimes, such as corrective rape of woman thought to be lesbians, and murder of LGBT individuals is not uncommon either and police often do not investigate when it’s reported. 1. RUSSIA A law passed by Vladimir Putin in 2013 made homosexual ‘Propaganda’ illegal, meaning there could be no public demonstrations, or performances involving homosexual characters or any form of LGBT rights group. 88% of citizens voted for the law. There was an even talk of passing a law that would allow police to take away the children of gay couples, but this was eventually dropped. Since the 2013 ruling, instances of violence against members of the LGBT community have skyrocketed leading many to hide their sexuality for fear of retaliation.

The promotion of LGBT rights abroad has been a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy during President Obama’s second term. It remains unclear whether this policy will continue under a Trump administration. “It would look bad for Trump personally and for his administration more broadly if they were to suddenly just say no more Pride flags on embassies, no more Pride celebrations, ambassadors should not march,” said former U.S. Ambassador to Romania Michael Guest last week during a panel at the Gay and Lesbian Victory Institute’s International LGBT Leadership Conference that took place at the Washington Hilton. “I just can’t quite imagine he would do that because it would look bad for him and it’s about the way he is viewed personally.”

12.16 — 12.29.2016 TRANSITION

STATE DEPARTMENT

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INTERNATIONAL LGBT

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⚫ BY MICHAEL K. LAVERS

Will Trump discontinue Pride celebrations at US Embassies around the world? Former U.S. Ambassador to Romania Michael Guest on Thursday said President-elect Trump’s administration should support U.S. efforts to promote LGBT rights abroad. “It would look bad for Trump personally and for his administration more broadly if they were to suddenly just say no more Pride flags on embassies, no more Pride celebrations, ambassadors should not march,” he said during a panel at the Gay and Lesbian Victory Institute’s International LGBT Leaders Conference that took place at the Washington Hilton. “I just can’t quite imagine he would do that because it would look bad for him and it’s about the way he is viewed personally.” Guest, who is a senior advisor for the Center for Global Equality, is the first openly gay ambassador confirmed by the U.S. Senate. He represented President George W. Bush’s administration in Romania from 2001-2004. Guest joined U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Ted Osius, U.S. Ambassador to Denmark Rufus Gifford, U.S. Ambassador to the Dominican Republic James “Wally” Brewster and Special U.S. Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBTI Persons Randy Berry on the panel that Victory Institute President Aisha Moodie-Mills moderated. Todd Larson, senior LGBT coordinator for the U.S. Agency for International Development spoke at the beginning of the event. Tamara Adrián, the first openly transgender person elected to the Venezuelan National Assembly, was among the more than 100 elected officials and activists who attended the panel. “There’s no turning back,” said Osius, speaking to his fellow panelists from the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi via Skype. ‘We can continue doing what we do’ under Trump President Obama in 2011 directed agencies that implement U.S. foreign policy to promote LGBT rights abroad. Argentina, the Netherlands, the Human Rights Campaign and the Arcus Foundation are among the contributors to the Global Equality Fund, a pub-

lic-private partnership the State Department manages with the U.S. Agency for International Development that seeks to promote LGBT rights around the world. Berry has traveled to Jamaica, Honduras, Ugandaand more than 40 other countries since he assumed his post within the State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor in April 2015. The U.S. in August 2015 co-sponsored the first-ever U.N. Security Council meeting on an LGBT-specific issue that focused on the so-called Islamic State’s persecution of LGBT Syrians and Iraqis. USAID’s rule that formally bans contractors from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity took effect in October. Osius, Gifford and Brewster are among the openly gay ambassadors that Obama appointed during his second term. Trump has previously noted ISIS, which has publicly executed Iraqi and Syrian men who were accused of sodomy, and other Islamic extremist groups pose a threat to LGBT people. Vice President-elect Pence opposed U.S. efforts to promote gay rights abroadwhen he was a member of Congress. It remains unclear whether the promotion of LGBT rights abroad will factor into the Trump administration’s foreign policy. Advocates with whom the Washington Blade has spoken since the election have urged the president-elect to leave current U.S. policy intact. “I’m going to continue to do what I do as long as they let me,” said Osius during Thursday’s panel. “It will be hard to maintain the same momentum, but I think we can continue doing what we do.” Gifford, who married his husband at Copenhagen City Hall in October 2015, acknowledged “we are undergoing a presidential tradition right now.” “We cannot, cannot, cannot let up,” he added. “If we’re not visible, you’re giving up,” said Brewster. Obama’s 2013 decision to nominate Brewster as the next U.S. ambassador to the Dominican Republic sparked

controversy among the country’s religious leaders. Then-Cardinal Nicolás de Jesús López Rodríguez of the Archdiocese of Santo Domingo described Brewster — who is married to Bob Satawake — as a “faggot” during a press conference that he held after Obama nominated him. Dominican advocates maintain that Brewster and Satawake have raised visibility around LGBT issues in spite of the criticism they have faced. “Representation matters,” said Moodie-Mills. Diversity remains ‘an issue’ at State

Department Moodie-Mills during the panel noted the Obama administration has faced criticism over its failure to nominate a lesbian, bisexual, trans person or an LGBT person of color to an ambassadorship. The panelists acknowledged this criticism. Brewster, who noted his husband is Native American, said he is “confident” that Hillary Clinton would have nominated an openly lesbian woman to become an ambassador if she were elected. Gifford conceded he is “very frustrated with the lack of diversity within the State Department.”

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LOS ANGELES

OPINION

JUSTICE AND EQUALITY

TRANSGENDER

⚫ BY JACQUELINE CARAVES

Inequality and injustice for Transgender people Trans people experience injustice and discrimination in every realm of their lives. Violence against the Trans community is at an all time high. With a total of 24 Trans people being killed this year alone, The Advocate has called 2016 the deadliest year on record for the Trans community. Of those murdered this year, close to 90% were Trans women of color. According to the largest study on Trans discrimination in the U.S., Injustice at Every Turn, Trans people of color face higher rates of poverty, homelessness, HIV positive status, and attempted suicide. For undocumented Trans Latin@s discrimination is exacerbated. On November 20th, Transgender Day of Re-

membrance, we honored Trans lives that were lost to anti-Trans violence. In honoring those who courageously passed in the face of violence, we must also honor and ensure the victory of Trans individuals who are still here. In an effort to do just that TransLatin@ Coalition, which is a Trans led and Trans run national nonprofit organization advocating for the dignity and respect of Trans Latin@s, lives its daily mission. Earlier this week, TransLatin@ Coalition released its groundbreaking report, “The State of Trans Health: Trans Latin@s and their Healthcare Needs.” The report brings visibility to the needs of the Trans Latin@ community in Southern California, and an understanding

of the various components of Trans Latin@ lives and what allows them to be physically, socioeconomically, and emotionally healthy individuals. I joined with TransLatin@ Coalition President and CEO Bamby Salcedo to put together this timely and necessary report. The report was developed using a community-based participatory research approach. Community members and organization representatives were involved in all aspects of the process. Salcedo, Caraves, and members of TransLatin@ Coalition contributed their knowledge and expertise in the decision-making process of the research design, from collaborative development of the survey, to the collection of surveys, analysis of the data and writing of the report.

Surveys were conducted from January to August 2016, and 129 individuals participated from key areas in the Southern California area, including Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Diego, San Gabriel Valley, San Fernando Valley, and Santa Ana. Key findings in the report center on access to six categories: housing, employment, medical healthcare, sexual healthcare, mental healthcare, and spiritual health. Of the 129 participants 57% reported earning less than $10,000 a year, and 26% of participants are undocumented immigrants. When it comes to housing, close to 33% of participants are homeless, living in temporary housing, or rely on someone else TRANSGENDER continued on p. 23

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to pay for housing. The largest group are those who are unemployed (26%), and only 20% of all participants have full-time employment. When it comes to health insurance, the survey found that close to 50% of participants have Medical or Medicaid, and 28% of participants have no health insurance coverage at all. When participants are in need of healthcare, 31% reported going to the emergency room, which can become very costly, very quickly. In regards to mental health, 51% of participants reported currently experiencing anxiety, and 26% are currently experiencing depression. A majority of participants reported that when it comes to both medical and mental healthcare, a lack of personal resources and long distances from services resulted in not receiving the healthcare they need. Accordingly, 43% of participants strongly agree that their mental health needs are not being met because of a lack of support groups. In all cases, fear of discrimination from practitioners and staff resulted in needs not being met. The report is an important snapshot and highlights the great need to have Trans-competent medical and mental health practitioners on staff to best serve this community. One surprising finding was the affinity for spiritual services. An over-

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TOP: PICTURED, LEFT TO RIGHT: PANELISTS AND CO-PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS OF REPORT, CRIS SALAMANCA, QUEEN VICTORIA ORTEGA, GRETTA MORENO, BAMBY SALCEDO, AND JACQUELINE CARAVES

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whelming majority (76%) indicated that they believe their spirituality is important to their overall health and well-being. In addition to peer support groups, and the support of Trans friends and accepting family members, spirituality is a major source of resilience and empowerment in the Trans community. Ultimately, this report is a call to action for employers, service providers, medical and mental health practitioners, legislators, and key stakeholders in the community. It is not enough to only honor Trans lives in November; we must honor and remember Trans lives everyday. Hire Trans people if you are an employer. Treat Trans people with the dignity and respect they deserve as your patients, clients, peers, and fellow human beings. Join hands with the Trans community and break down the barriers that a lot of Trans people face just by the nature of their gender identity. Trans violence and discrimination is not a Trans issue, it is a human issue.

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TESTING AND PREP ACCESS ARE KEY TO ENDING THE TRANSMISSION OF HIV

ZERO HIV CALIFORNIA continued from p. 10

The “Getting to Zero” plan seeks to have new patients begin antiretroviral treatment on the same day as diagnosis and to have them connected with a medical provider within 72 hours. “In our plan, it’s not just about providing medication, but also providing a medical home and making sure that folks are getting evaluated regularly,” said Chavez. The plan will be paid for through a mix of federal, state and local dollars. The state Department of Public Health says that it “utilizes existing state resources,” suggesting that it adds no new costs. But California’s plan was constructed before the presidential election, which has injected uncertainty and “great fear” into the AIDS treatment community, said UCSF’s Volberding. We rely on a good deal of federal support, and if that is dramatically reversed I think we are in for some serious trouble.” ‘A Game Changer’ The best way to cure any epidemic, of course, is to prevent infections in the first place. The state’s plan urges greatly expanded use of preexposure prophylaxis, known as PrEP. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates the prevention therapy could reduce infections by 70 percent by 2020. It involves taking a daily dose of Truvada, an antiviral pill that contains two AIDS medications (emtricitabine and tenofovir). When people who take PrEP are exposed regularly to HIV through sex or injection drug use, the medication can reduce their risk of infection by more than 90 percent, according to the CDC. (Still, health officials emphasize it is still important to wear condoms to protect against other STDs, pregnancy and highly-resis-

tant strains of HIV.) PrEP costs about $1,400 per month, but the public health department’s Chavez said it is covered by Medi-Cal and most health insurers. “PrEP is a game-changer that can really transform our HIV prevention strategies in California and across the nation,” said Scott, who has led efforts to increase PrEP use in San Francisco. The program, established last year, has approximately 300 people on PrEP across 18 primary care clinics. Nineteen-year-old James has been taking PrEP for nearly a year. The freshman at California State University, Chico requested that his last name not be used to protect his privacy. He has, like many of his gay peers, grown up in fear of HIV infection. James doesn’t have a steady boyfriend and says he uses condoms “most of the time.” The student, who is majoring in animation, learned about PrEP when he was being tested for sexually transmitted diseases. “I used to always be really worried about STDs and especially HIV, and now it’s, like, okay, that’s one great big scary thing that I don’t have to worry so much about,” he said. James, who is insured by Kaiser Permanente, has a prescription for Truvada with no copayment. To be effective, the medication must be taken every day. James said he takes his pill “every morning after I brush my teeth,” and has experienced no side effects. He goes to the student health center at school for regular HIV testing, which is what health officials recommend. James is among about 9,000 Californians now taking PrEP medication, according to the California Needs Assessment for HIV. Still, officials say the treatment is indicated for up to 240,000 people in the state. “We are just now at the beginning of our PrEP program,” Chavez said, “so there’s a long way to go.”

12.16 — 12.29.2016 HIV CHARITIES continued from p. 10

AIDS funder last year, according to the report, as it donated more than $197 million. The San Francisco-based Tides Foundation was in 14th place on the list, as it gave $8,495,852 in 2015, an increase of $2,226,275 from the year prior. The report did warn that philanthropic HIV/AIDS funding is largely concentrated among a handful of donors, so that in 2015 the top 20 funders accounted for 84 percent of the total funding. It also noted that the top 10 funders, primarily Gilead Sciences, were what drove the overall increase in funding seen last year. “Although the increase in philanthropic funding is encouraging, there is still much effort needed to ensure we have the resources necessary to meet global HIV and AIDS targets,” stated FCAA Executive Director John L. Barnes. “It’s important to note, too, that philanthropic resources allocated to fighting the epidemic are concentrated among a handful of donors, leaving the field vulnerable to the decisions and fluctuations of a relatively small group.” New for the 2015 report, FCAA broke down the funding to highlight the efforts of organizations whose work focuses specifically on HIV/AIDS. Although comprised of just 25 organizations – 5 percent of all funders – the group provided critical leadership in areas including support for key populations, community-led funding mechanisms, and driving advocacy for funding, noted FCAA. “Ending the epidemic will require us to look beyond the list of funding organizations typically highlighted in this report to those that address key issues intersecting with, and often fueling, HIV and AIDS – such as racism, homophobia, poverty, and reproductive health and justice,” stated FCAA board Chair Channing Wickham , who is also the executive director of the Washington AIDS Partnership. Other key findings from the 2015 report were that East and Southern Africa, with $173 million, was the top region receiving private philanthropic funding while the U.S. was the top country recipient, with $168 million granted. Among the 27 corporate foundations and giving programs that supported HIV/AIDS work in 2015, several are located in the Bay Area. In addition to Gilead, the San Francisco-based Levi Strauss & Co. was eighth with more than $2.6 million and the Wells Fargo Foundation was 11th with $354,500.

The Williams Sonoma Foundation, which is also based in the city, was 24th with $3,227. While charitable giving by corporate sources rose last year, governmental funding dropped, especially among smaller countries, as the Kaiser Family Foundation/UNAIDS documented in their own recent report. The groups found that donor government funding to support HIV efforts in low- and middle-income countries fell for the first time in five years, from $8.6 billion in 2014 to $7.5 billion in 2015. And there is growing concern that AIDS and HIV funding will be slashed by the administration of President-elect Donald Trump . The U.S. government is the single largest donor to international HIV efforts worldwide through PEPFAR, the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. In 2016 the U.S. allocated more than $6.8 million to the program and has spent more than $72.7 million on it since 2004. Trump has repeatedly complained about other countries not paying their fair share on a number of issues, though he has not specifically pointed to AIDS funding. And a number of his Cabinet appointees to oversee federal health agencies have already drawn criticism for espousing anti-gay views in the past. AIDS advocates are concerned that any decrease in support for PEPFAR could imperil its goal of ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 and delivering the first AIDS-free generation in over three decades. On World AIDS Day, December 1, PEPFAR released new data showing for the first time that the AIDS epidemic is becoming controlled in older adults and babies in three key African countries – Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe – where the program has significantly invested. “PEPFAR’s success is measured in saving lives and changing the course of the pandemic. The fact that the epidemic is becoming controlled in several key African countries demonstrates the remarkable impact of PEPFAR’s investments, which have long received strong bipartisan support,” stated Ambassador Deborah L. Birx, M.D., U.S. global AIDS coordinator and special representative for global health diplomacy. The FCAA report predicted that if global government support for AIDS funding remains at 2015 levels and does not increase going forward, then the goal to end AIDS over the next 14 years “will not be met, and an estimated 18 million more new HIV infections and 11 million more AIDS deaths will occur between now and 2030 that could have been prevented.”

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What is TRUVADA for PrEP (Pre-exposure Prophylaxis)?

TRUVADA is a prescription medicine that can be used for PrEP to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection when used together with safer sex practices. This use is only for adults who are at high risk of getting HIV-1 through sex. This includes HIV-negative men who have sex with men and who are at high risk of getting infected with HIV-1 through sex, and male-female sex partners when one partner has HIV-1 infection and the other does not. Ask your healthcare provider if you have questions about how to prevent getting HIV-1. Always practice safer sex and use condoms to lower the chance of sexual contact with body fluids. Never reuse or share needles or other items that have body fluids on them.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is the most important information I should know about TRUVADA for PrEP?

Before taking TRUVADA for PrEP to reduce your risk of getting HIV-1 infection: uYou must be HIV-negative. You must get tested to make sure that you do not already have HIV-1 infection. Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP to reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 unless you are conﬁrmed to be HIV-negative. uMany HIV-1 tests can miss HIV-1 infection in a person who has recently become infected. If you have flu-like symptoms, you could have recently become infected with HIV-1. Tell your healthcare provider if you had a flu-like illness within the last month before starting TRUVADA for PrEP or at any time while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Symptoms of new HIV-1 infection include tiredness, fever, joint or muscle aches, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, night sweats, and/or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or groin. While taking TRUVADA for PrEP to reduce your risk of getting HIV-1 infection: uYou must continue using safer sex practices. Just taking TRUVADA for PrEP may not keep you from getting HIV-1. uYou must stay HIV-negative to keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP. uTo further help reduce your risk of getting HIV-1: • Know your HIV-1 status and the HIV-1 status of your partners. • Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months or when your healthcare provider tells you. • Get tested for other sexually transmitted infections. Other infections make it easier for HIV-1 to infect you. • Get information and support to help reduce risky sexual behavior. • Have fewer sex partners. • Do not miss any doses of TRUVADA. Missing doses may increase your risk of getting HIV-1 infection. • If you think you were exposed to HIV-1, tell your healthcare provider right away. uIf you do become HIV-1 positive, you need more medicine than TRUVADA alone to treat HIV-1. TRUVADA by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time. TRUVADA can cause serious side effects: uToo much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious medical emergency. Symptoms of lactic acidosis include weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, nausea, vomiting, stomach-area pain, cold or blue hands and feet, feeling dizzy or lightheaded, and/or fast or abnormal heartbeats. uSerious liver problems. Your liver may become large and tender, and you may develop fat in your liver. Symptoms of liver problems include your skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, and/or stomach-area pain.

uYou may be more likely to get lactic acidosis or serious liver problems if you

are female, very overweight (obese), or have been taking TRUVADA for a long time. In some cases, these serious conditions have led to death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any symptoms of these conditions. uWorsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. If you also have HBV and take TRUVADA, your hepatitis may become worse if you stop taking TRUVADA. Do not stop taking TRUVADA without ﬁrst talking to your healthcare provider. If your healthcare provider tells you to stop taking TRUVADA, they will need to watch you closely for several months to monitor your health. TRUVADA is not approved for the treatment of HBV.

Who should not take TRUVADA for PrEP? Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP if you already have HIV-1 infection or if you do not know your HIV-1 status. If you are HIV-1 positive, you need to take other medicines with TRUVADA to treat HIV-1. TRUVADA by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time. Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP if you also take lamivudine (Epivir-HBV) or adefovir (HEPSERA).

What are the other possible side effects of TRUVADA for PrEP? Serious side effects of TRUVADA may also include: uKidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests to check your kidneys before and during treatment with TRUVADA for PrEP. If you develop kidney problems, your healthcare provider may tell you to stop taking TRUVADA for PrEP. uBone problems, including bone pain or bones getting soft or thin, may lead to fractures. Your healthcare provider may do tests to check your bones. uChanges in body fat, which can happen in people taking TRUVADA or medicines like TRUVADA. Common side effects in people taking TRUVADA for PrEP are stomach-area (abdomen) pain, headache, and decreased weight. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking TRUVADA for PrEP? uAll your health problems. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you have or

have had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis virus infection. uIf you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if TRUVADA can harm your unborn baby. If you become pregnant while taking TRUVADA for PrEP, talk to your healthcare provider to decide if you should keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Pregnancy Registry: A pregnancy registry collects information about your health and the health of your baby. There is a pregnancy registry for women who take medicines to prevent HIV-1 during pregnancy. For more information about the registry and how it works, talk to your healthcare provider. uIf you are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. The medicines in TRUVADA can pass to your baby in breast milk. If you become HIV-1 positive, HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk. uAll the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. TRUVADA may interact with other medicines. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine. uIf you take certain other medicines with TRUVADA for PrEP, your healthcare provider may need to check you more often or change your dose. These medicines include ledipasvir with sofosbuvir (HARVONI). You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see Important Facts about TRUVADA for PrEP including important warnings on the following page.

12.16 — 12.29.2016

LOS ANGELES

lk P.

Have you heard about

TRUVADA for PrEP ? TM

The once-daily prescription medicine that can help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 when used with safer sex practices. • TRUVADA for PrEP is only for adults who are at high risk of getting HIV through sex. • You must be HIV-negative before you start taking TRUVADA. Ask your doctor about your risk of getting HIV-1 infection and if TRUVADA for PrEP may be right for you.

visit start.truvada.com

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⚫

12.16 — 12.29.2016

LOS ANGELES

IMPORTANT FACTS (tru-VAH-dah)

This is only a brief summary of important information about taking TRUVADA for PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection. This does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your medicine.

MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT TRUVADA FOR PrEP

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF TRUVADA FOR PrEP

Before starting TRUVADA for PrEP to help reduce your risk of getting HIV-1 infection: • You must be HIV-1 negative. You must get tested to make sure that you do not already have HIV-1 infection. Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP to reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 unless you are conﬁrmed to be HIV-1 negative. • Many HIV-1 tests can miss HIV-1 infection in a person who has recently become infected. Symptoms of new HIV-1 infection include flu-like symptoms, tiredness, fever, joint or muscle aches, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, night sweats, and/or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or groin. Tell your healthcare provider if you have had a flu-like illness within the last month before starting TRUVADA for PrEP.

TRUVADA can cause serious side effects, including: • Those in the “Most Important Information About TRUVADA for PrEP" section. • New or worse kidney problems, including kidney failure. • Bone problems. • Changes in body fat. Common side effects in people taking TRUVADA for PrEP include stomach-area (abdomen) pain, headache, and decreased weight. These are not all the possible side effects of TRUVADA. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with TRUVADA for PrEP.

While taking TRUVADA for PrEP to help reduce your risk of getting HIV-1 infection: • You must continue using safer sex practices. Just taking TRUVADA for PrEP may not keep you from getting HIV-1. • You must stay HIV-1 negative to keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP. • Tell your healthcare provider if you have a flu-like illness while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. • If you think you were exposed to HIV-1, tell your healthcare provider right away. • If you do become HIV-1 positive, you need more medicine than TRUVADA alone to treat HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time. • See the “How to Further Reduce Your Risk” section for more information. TRUVADA may cause serious side effects, including: • Buildup of lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious medical emergency that can lead to death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, nausea, vomiting, stomach-area pain, cold or blue hands and feet, feeling dizzy or lightheaded, and/or fast or abnormal heartbeats. • Severe liver problems, which in some cases can lead to death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms: your skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, and/or stomach-area pain. • Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. If you have HBV and take TRUVADA, your hepatitis may become worse if you stop taking TRUVADA. Do not stop taking TRUVADA without ﬁrst talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months. You may be more likely to get lactic acidosis or severe liver problems if you are female, very overweight, or have been taking TRUVADA for a long time.

BEFORE TAKING TRUVADA FOR PrEP Tell your healthcare provider if you: • Have or have had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis infection. • Have any other medical conditions. • Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. • Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed if you become HIV-1 positive because of the risk of passing HIV-1 to your baby. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take: • Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist. • Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about medicines that should not be taken with TRUVADA for PrEP.

HOW TO TAKE TRUVADA FOR PrEP • Take 1 tablet once a day, every day, not just when you think you have been exposed to HIV-1. • Do not miss any doses. Missing doses may increase your risk of getting HIV-1 infection. • You must practice safer sex by using condoms and you must stay HIV-1 negative.

HOW TO FURTHER REDUCE YOUR RISK ABOUT TRUVADA FOR PrEP (PRE-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS) TRUVADA is a prescription medicine used with safer sex practices for PrEP to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection in adults at high risk: • HIV-1 negative men who have sex with men and who are at high risk of getting infected with HIV-1 through sex. • Male-female sex partners when one partner has HIV-1 infection and the other does not. To help determine your risk, talk openly with your doctor about your sexual health. Do NOT take TRUVADA for PrEP if you: • Already have HIV-1 infection or if you do not know your HIV-1 status. • Take lamivudine (Epivir-HBV) or adefovir (HEPSERA).

TRUVADA, the TRUVADA Logo, TRUVADA FOR PREP, GILEAD, the GILEAD Logo, and HEPSERA are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. All other marks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners. Version date: April 2016 © 2016 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. TVDC0067 10/16

• Know your HIV-1 status and the HIV-1 status of your partners. • Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months or when your healthcare provider tells you. • Get tested for other sexually transmitted infections. Other infections make it easier for HIV-1 to infect you. • Get information and support to help reduce risky sexual behavior. • Have fewer sex partners. • Do not share needles or personal items that can have blood or body fluids on them.

GET MORE INFORMATION • This is only a brief summary of important information about TRUVADA for PrEP to reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more, including how to prevent HIV-1 infection. • Go to start.truvada.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5 • If you need help paying for your medicine, visit start.truvada.com for program information.

12.16 — 12.29.2016 TRUMP ERA continued from p. 5

attempt to roll back or undermine our rights. The reality is the vast majority of Americans still support LGBTQ rights and we are going to fight to ensure our voices are heard loud and clear these next four years.” After Trump’s election, a number of groups have experienced a surge in donations likely out of fear civil rights will be undone. The American Civil Liberties Union is among the groups that support LGBT rights experiencing a spike in donations since Trump’s election. As of Monday, the ACLU has reported nearly 295,000 donations totaling almost $20.5 million. The group has pledged to use that money to protect civil rights for transgender Americans in addition to ensuring safety for Muslims in the United States and “Dreamers” who received presidential deferred action protection. Long Simmons said she was unable to speak to any increased donations to the Task Force in the aftermath of the election, but the uptick generally is unsurprising. “I’ve heard before that in times of difficulty, there are people who more inclined to give to non-profits just generally speaking because they’re angered by what they see and want to make a change, and so people donate with their time or they donate with their money,” Long Simmons said. Over the course of his presidential EVANGELICALS continued from p. 13

ald will get the evangelicals. I got the evangelicals. I’m going to make it up to you too, you watch. There are no more decent, devoted, or selfless people than our Christians brothers and sisters here in the United States,” Trump said solicitously to the Family Research Council-sponsored Values Voters Summit. “So let me say this right up front: A Trump administration, our Christian heritage will be cherished, protected, defended, like you’ve never seen before. Believe me. I believe it. And you believe it. And you know it. You know it. And that includes religious liberty – remember, remember.” And appointing a religious conservaSAN DIEGO continued from p. 7

ture.” Walters has yet to comment publicly about the jury’s decision. The legal case had wound its way through the courts since 2012, when Walters first filed a complaint against the city, several police officers, and Pride organizers. In March 2013 San Diego Pride’s motion for dismissal was granted, and Walters amended his complaint. In 2014, U.S. District Judge Cathy Ann Bencivengo ruled in the city’s favor, and Walters appealed to the

LOS ANGELES

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campaign, Trump has taken anti-LGBT positions despite saying he’d protect LGBT people from a “hateful, foreign ideology” during his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention and waving an upside down Pride flag with the words “LGBTs for Trump” at a rally in Colorado. Trump has signaled support for the First Amendment Defense Act, a federal “religious freedom” bill that would enable anti-gay discrimination, said he’s “with the state” on North Carolina’s House Bill 2 and said he’d rescind guidance instructing schools to allow transgender students to use the bathroom consistent with their gender identity. Although Trump said after the election he’s “fine” with the U.S. Supreme Court decision in favor of samesex marriage, he urged social conservatives during the campaign to “trust” him to oppose it. The president-elect continues to stock his Cabinet with officials whose common feature seems to be hostility toward LGBT people. Just this week, Trump tapped as energy secretary former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, famed for an ad during his 2012 presidential campaign in which he said, “There’s something wrong in this country when gays can serve openly in the military but our kids can’t openly celebrate Christmas or pray in school.” Trump’s choice for interior secretary, Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.), implied in a debate this year his opponent, Denise Juneau, was a lesbian by choice. After North Carolina Gov. Pat McCro-

ry lost his bid for re-election — a defeat observers attribute to his signing the notoriously anti-LGBT HB2 — Trump met with the Republican last week at Trump Tower. According to a report in the Charlotte Observer, a source close to Trump’s transition team said the ousted governor “definitely” has a place in the upcoming administration. Emboldened by Trump’s commitment to pass the First Amendment Defense Act, Republicans who support the bill, as Buzzfeed reported, are eager to move forward in the next Congress. Conn Carroll, a spokesperson for Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), said her boss, the chief sponsor of the First Amendment Defense Act, is among the lawmakers eager to move forward with the legislation. “Sen. Lee does plan to reintroduce the First Amendment Defense Act in the next Congress and we are hopeful the next White House occupant will be more supportive of the legislation than the previous one,” Carroll said. The state level also may be a place of anti-LGBT attacks. In Texas, lawmakers have pre-filed bills in anticipation of the upcoming legislative session that would roll back LGBT rights. Among them is Senate Bill 92, which would prohibit localities in Texas from enacting pro-LGBT non-discrimination ordinances. Despite these ambitions, undaunted in efforts to advance LGBT rights under a Republican-controlled Congress and a Trump administration is Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.).

Martina McLennan, a Merkley spokesperson, said her boss intends to reintroduce LGBT non-discrimination legislation known as the Equality Act in the upcoming Congress. “With an incoming administration that is indifferent at best and hostile at worst when it comes to LGBT rights, Sen. Merkley believes it is more important than ever to keep fighting for LGBT equality,” McLennan said. “The American people are firmly on our side, with a large majority saying that they not only believe that full non-discrimination protection is the right thing to do, they believe it is already law. As the saying goes, the best defense is a good offense, which is exactly why Sen. Merkley will keep pushing for a vision of full equality by reintroducing the Equality Act and by pressing the Trump administration and congressional Republicans to make clear if they stand for or against equality.” Long Simmons said the major defeats on Election Day shouldn’t diminish the expectations for achievement because “there are still pockets of the nation where people are standing with us.” She called for building a grassroots apparatus in preparation for the 2018 midterm elections. “I feel like it’s going to be the way that we protect what we’ve already won as we put forward our voices and whatever manner of resistance makes sense, and also just making sure that there’s absolute full engagement in our democracy on the part of as many people as possible,” Long Simmons said.

tive Supreme Court justice to overturn marriage equality and Roe v Wade. “We could end up with a total of five judges by one president. It would be record-setting. Probably be three. Could be four. Could even be five,” Trump told the evangelical audience. “And you pick the wrong people, you have a country that is no longer your country. It will be a disaster.” Trump’s other huge promise was to do away with a law that prevents churches from preaching politics from the pulpit. “The first thing we have to do is give our churches their voice back. It’s been taken away. The Johnson amendment has blocked our pastors and ministers and others from speaking their minds from their own pulpits. If they want to

talk about Christianity, if they want to preach, if they want to talk about politics, they’re unable to do so. If they want to do it, they take a tremendous risk that they lose their tax-exempt status,” Trump told the evangelicals. “All religious leaders should be able to freely express their thoughts and feelings on religious matters. And I will repeal the Johnson amendment if I am elected your president, I promise. So important. Thank you. That’s so important.” An opening salvo in the upcoming Christian Right wars is the plan by conservative Republicans Sens. Mike Lee of Utah and Ted Cruz of Texas and Rep. Raúl Labrador of Idaho in the House to re-introduce the specifically anti-LGBT religious freedom bill next year. Trump has pledged to sign the First Amend-

ment Defense Act protects individuals and corporations from consequences if they discriminate based on their religious objection to same sex marriage. “Hopefully November’s results will give us the momentum we need to get this done next year,” Lee’s spokesperson, Conn Carroll, told Buzzfeed last Friday, Dec. 9. 2016. “The prospects for protecting religious freedom are brighter now than they have been in a long time,” Cruz said. “We are having ongoing conversations with our colleagues both in Congress and leaders in the new administration about a multitude of ways we can honor the commitment made to the voters in this last election.” Now, how will the other half of this divided country react?

9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. A three-judge panel on the appellate court overturned her decision this past April and sent the case back for a jury to decide if the San Diego police had violated Walters’ 14th Amendment right to equal enforcement of the law. He had sought unspecified damages for emotional distress, as he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder following the incident. According to his lawyer, Walters has incurred $1 million in legal fees in pressing his case. Walters, 35, attended both the

2011 Pride parade and the ticketed festival area adorned in a custom-tailored, fine-leather gladiator kilt and upper-torso leather harness outfit, which included thong underwear beneath. He had worn the same outfit, which cost him $1,000, the year prior without incident. But while inside the gated festival area’s beer garden in 2011, Walters was approached by San Diego police Lieutenant (now Captain) David Nisleit and told his outfit was not compliant with the city’s dress code because his buttocks were visible. Walters disputed that his outfit was an issue and

told the officer to either cite him or leave him alone. Nisleit then left but returned a short while later with several other police officers and told Walters he was going to cite him for his outfit. Walters claims a female officer then grabbed him from behind and led him out of the beer garden and just outside of the festival area. Eventually, the police told him they would cite him and he would then be free to go on his way, said Walters. But when he refused to sign the citation without being able to read it, he was arrested.

LOS ANGELES ⚫ LGBT Center gets greenlight for 2017 expansion 12.16 — 12.29.2016

The Los Angeles City Council has approved construction of the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Anita May Rosenstein Campus in Hollywood, a facility that will contain more than 100 units of affordable housing for senior LGBT folks as well as other services that include programs and shelter for homeless

LGBT youth. LGBT Center CEO Lorri Jean said “the need for affordable housing in Los Angeles is particularly dire, especially in Hollywood. The Center and our new Anita May Rosenstein Campus are part of the solution to the growing problem of homelessness, which is precisely

why the Center and this project enjoy so much support from the community and elected leaders.” Construction on the project to begin in early 2017. The new campus will serve as the Center’s administrative offices. The McDonald/Wright building will offer an

expanded health and medical center, focusing on mental health care, addiction recovery services, HIV/STD testing and treatment in addition to general healthcare. A 2014 $6.5 million gift from philanthropist Anita May Rosenstein made the facility possible.

12.16 — 12.29.2016 NATIONAL

PRESIDENTIAL PARDONS

LOS ANGELES

TALKING POINT

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⚫ BY CHASE STRANGIO

President Obama, please save Chelsea Manning...last chance Chelsea Manning is my friend and hero and I am worried she will not survive much longer. I first met Chelsea on August 22, 2013— the day she announced to the world that she is a transgender woman named “Chelsea”. By then it had been years since she was first arrested for disclosing classified documents to the news media to expose U.S. government abuses being perpetrated around the world. She had already endured unthinkable nightmares both prior to and during her time in custody including torturous conditions of solitary confinement while detained at Quantico before the start of her trial. But despite all that she had experienced and the terror of the thirty-five year sentence before her, she was still more concerned about the well-being of those who were worried about her than her own needs. Since that day more than three years ago, I have gotten to know Chelsea as a client, a friend and a human being. Knowing her has made me a better person, a better advocate, and a more engaged citizen of the world. It is easy to be complacent or give in to your demons. It is easy to see injustice and remain silent. It is easy to fear violence and repress your truth. But Chelsea does not succumb to the easy, instead she fights boldly for what she believes is right and just. Perhaps even more remarkable than her bravery and brilliance, though, is Chelsea’s capacity for care and empathy. As lawyer and journalist Glenn Greenwald wrote in his letter of support for her clemency petition: “Whenever I have spoken with her about her prison life, she expresses nothing but compassion and understanding even for her jailers. She is devoid of the resentments and grievances which are common even among those with blessed lives, let alone those facing great deprivation. It’s difficult to believe for those who don’t know Chelsea — and even for those of us who do — but the longer she has been in prison, the more compassionate and concerned for others she has become.” She is a gift to the world and we are at risk of losing her way too soon. After six and a half years in custo-

dy — already the longest prison term served by a whistleblower in the history of the United States — Chelsea has applied to you for clemency. She is asking only for time served and a first chance, as she explains in her application, “to live my life outside the USDB as the person I was born to be.” This request comes at the peak of Chelsea’s escalating trauma and despair and on the eve of a new Administration’s rise to power. Her life is in your hands. In the past six months, Chelsea has attempted to end her life twice and been punished for those attempts. Last year she was punished for possessing reading materials like Caitlyn Jenner’s cover issue of Vanity Fair and an allegedly-expired tube of toothpaste. All this after the pain of serving in the Army for years under both Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and the ban on open transgender service. After 11 months in solitary confinement at Quantico. After a childhood of abuse, homelessness, and poverty. On top of that, with almost three decades left of her sentence, she lives day in and day out with the perpetual reminder that the government is invested in stripping away the core of who she is — a woman. If you do not act to free her now, she may never be free to live the truth that she for so long was forced to repress. Your Justice Department has stood boldly for transgender people and for that I am grateful. On May 9, 2016, Attorney General Lynch and Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta spoke directly to our community and in defense not just of our rights but of our dignity as human beings. AAG Gupta poignantly proclaimed the simple truth that “Transgender men are men — they live, work and study as men. Transgender women are women — they live, work and study as women.” But Chelsea Manning, a woman, has been held in a men’s facility since her arrest in 2010 and your same Justice Department has been fighting to deny her the basic dignity of being treated as the woman that she is while incarcerated. Why does she lose her womanhood? And how can we expect her to survive in

the face of such unrelenting violence and erasure? This Sunday, November 20, Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR), I will travel to the Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth, to visit with Chelsea and give her my love and support. My greatest fear is that next TDOR or one in the coming years, we will be mourning Chelsea’s death. I will never stop fighting for Chelsea and my transgender siblings. When I talk to my four year-old about justice, we talk about what it means that Chelsea is locked away and unable to see, touch and share time with her friends and family. We speak about her bravery. She is a hero to my family and to so many people around the world. Six and a half years is enough. She is in pain. She is afraid. Please commute her sentence. White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest had no comment Thursday (Dec. 9) on whether President Obama would grant clemency to Chelsea Manning, a transgender former intelligence analyst convicted of leaking classified information. Earnest said he couldn’t comment on the specific case in response to a question from the Washington Blade about Manning, who’s currently in the seventh year of a 35-year sentence in military prison for leaking information to Wikileaks.

“I’m not going to discuss individual cases,” Earnest said. “There is a process that’s been established at the Department of Justice. For the way that those applications, whether or not those applications have been filed and how they’re being processed is a question you should direct to them.” Manning, 29, filed a petition for clemency before the White House in the aftermath of the presidential election. The American Civil Liberties Union and a number of LGBT groups have endorsed the petition. “At this point, I wouldn’t speculate on what factors the president may consider,” Earnest said. “So there’s a well-established process for considering these clemency petitions, and I’d refer you to the Department of Justice for an update on why that may stand.” If Obama were to commute the sentence for Manning, he would have to do so before President-elect Donald Trump takes office Jan. 20. “I would anticipate that the process will continue to run until the end,” Earnest said. “But this is a process that cannot be done overnight, that these kinds of applications have to be filed well in advance, and there’s a lot of background work that has to be done before decisions on individual cases can be rendered. So I would not envision a rush to the exits here, but I would anticipate that the process will continue until the last day.”

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⚫ 32

LOS ANGELES

12.16 — 12.29.2016