For Immediate Release
September 12, 2007 |
Press contacts:
Noel Alicea/GMHC: 212.367.1216,
noel_a@gmhc.org |
GMHC Applauds Congress for Removing Abstinence-only Restrictions from Foreign HIV Prevention Bill
New York, NY – On September 6, 2007, the U.S. Senate voted against an amendment to the foreign aid appropriations bill that would reinstate President Bush's abstinence-only-until-marriage earmark for HIV and AIDS prevention. In the past several years, ideology has driven not only domestic funding for HIV prevention, but also funding for foreign aid to address the international HIV and AIDS epidemic. Abstinence-only requirements have made HIV prevention both difficult and culturally irrelevant in many countries.
In 2003, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) required that one-third of the prevention money allocated for HIV and AIDS abroad—an unprecedented $5 billion—be used exclusively for abstinence-only-until-marriage programs, despite an overwhelming body of scientific evidence that such programs are ineffective in preventing HIV transmission.
Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) staff, clients, and volunteers have repeatedly lobbied for the removal of restrictive abstinence-only language in both foreign and domestic HIV prevention legislative, holding more than 100 meetings with Representatives and Senators since early 2007 and mobilizing thousands of calls and emails. Although the President has not yet signed this appropriations bill, last week's Senate vote is an important step in the fight against global AIDS, and would allow federal funds to be used for more effective prevention measures. Before the bill was forwarded to the Senate, Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY) led a successful effort in the House of Representatives to strike language requiring that one-third of prevention funds be reserved for abstinence-only programs. The House subsequently beat back an amendment that sought to reinstate the abstinence-only funding restriction.
The recent foreign aid bill votes in both houses of Congress demonstrate a shift in Congressional support of HIV prevention legislation that embraces science and evidence, not ideology. In early July 2007, the House voted to allow Washington, D.C. to use local funds for syringe-exchange programs, repealing a ban instituted in 1998. Syringe exchange programs have proven highly effective across the country in dramatically slowing the spread of HIV and other diseases transmitted by needles without increasing intravenous drug use. In New York City, the rate of HIV transmission from needle sharing has decreased by 75% since the introduction of state-funded needle exchange programs.
Unfortunately, the House of Representatives increased funding for domestic abstinence-only-until-marriage by $28 million in the Labor, Health and Human Services appropriations bill.
"The elimination of the abstinence-only requirement in the foreign aid bill and the recent House vote allowing the District of Columbia to provide syringe exchange are encouraging steps toward evidence-based prevention," said Dr. Marjorie J. Hill, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of GMHC. "Finally, after years of ideological obstruction, we may be turning the corner toward science-based prevention. We are hopeful that a shift has occurred, and call on Congress to remove abstinence-only-until-marriage funding from domestic legislation as well."
GMHC applauds Congress for standing against ideologically-driven legislation that is ineffective and harmful in fighting AIDS, and instead allocating funding for comprehensive prevention in the foreign aid bill. GMHC also strongly urges the President to sign this bill, which will support more effective HIV prevention efforts around the world.
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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, and outreach and education to hundreds of thousands throughout the world. For more information about GMHC programs and services, please visit www.gmhc.org.
© 2007 Gay Men's Health Crisis
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