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GMHC LOBBIES WASHINGTON WITH HUNDREDS OF AIDS ACTIVISTS;
RELEASES FEDERAL POLICY AGENDA
Click here to download a PDF of GMHC's 2008 Federal Policy Agenda.
New York, NY/April 29, 2008 — Today, Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) joins hundreds of people living with HIV and service providers in Washington, DC to participate in AIDS Watch. Now in its 16th year, AIDSWatch is the nation's largest constituent-based federal advocacy event for HIV/AIDS. This year's event includes visits with hundreds of Congressional offices, and a rally on the steps of the Capitol. AIDSWatch participants include people living with HIV/AIDS, their families, friends, health care providers, AIDS activists and other supportive colleagues.
A team of more than 50 clients, volunteers, and staff traveled from GMHC to Washington to meet with every member of the New York City federal delegation.
"We are energized again this year by our participation in AIDSWatch and the opportunity it provides to bring our concerns directly to Washington," said Marjorie J. Hill, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of GMHC. "HIV rates are up for young gay men in New York City, and for young women—particularly people of color. HIV is up for gay men across the U.S., while other sexually transmitted diseases and teen pregnancy are increasing. We are losing the prevention battle domestically here in the U.S. It's time we redoubled our efforts to promote sexual health."
GMHC also released its 2008 Federal Policy Agenda on Tuesday. Included in the agenda are legislative and appropriation priorities for Congress to address. The five top priorities of that agenda are:
- The creation and implementation of a National AIDS Strategy for the first time in the 27 years of the AIDS epidemic
- Comprehensive sex education and an end to federal funding of harmful abstinence-only-until-marriage education programs
- A one-year moratorium on cuts to Medicaid, the leading provider of health insurance to people living with HIV/AIDS
- The removal of language preventing the use of federal funds for syringe exchange
- The lifting of the entry bar for HIV+ people seeking to travel or immigrate to the U.S.
The Gay Men's Health Crisis 2008 Federal Policy Agenda is available at www.gmhc.org.
Dr. Hill added: "We will be delivering copies of our agenda to lawmakers as we urge them to provide national leadership on AIDS. Federal prevention efforts must be evidence-based and well-coordinated through a National AIDS Strategy."
AIDSWatch is a program of the National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA). GMHC is a long-standing member of NAPWA. In addition to the contingent from GMHC, other NYC-based organizations participating include the New York AIDS Coalition, Housing Works, and Harlem United.
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Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) is a not-for-profit, volunteer-supported and community-based organization committed to national leadership in the fight against AIDS. Our mission is to reduce the spread of HIV disease, help people with HIV maintain and improve their health and independence, and keep the prevention, treatment and cure of HIV an urgent national and local priority. In fulfilling this mission, we will remain true to our heritage by fighting homophobia and affirming the individual dignity of all gay men and lesbians. We provide services and programs to over 15,000 men, women and families that are living with or affected by HIV/AIDS in New York City. For more information, please visit www.gmhc.org.
© 2008 Gay Men's Health Crisis
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