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GMHC and NYS Senator Malcolm Smith Partner to Provide HIV Testing
New York, NY/April 28, 2008 — On Friday, Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) joined with New York State Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith to provide free HIV testing and counseling to residents of St. Albans, Queens. Sen. Smith welcomed GMHC's mobile testing unit outside of his district office on Linden Boulevard, where counselors conducted free HIV screenings, and distributed condoms and educational materials for over five hours.
The event marked the launch of a new initiative in which GMHC will partner with elected officials throughout the five boroughs to bring HIV testing to the communities they represent. Senator Smith and GMHC organized Friday's visit to increase HIV/AIDS awareness and make testing more accessible.
"GMHC is excited about this collaboration with Senate Leader Malcolm Smith. He is a leader in every sense of the word, particularly on issues affecting people living with HIV/AIDS and those at highest risk for infection," said Marjorie J. Hill, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of GMHC. "Being able to provide counseling and condoms in the heart of Queens will help us turn the tide against HIV/AIDS. By expanding testing directly into communities where people live and work, we help to remove some of the barriers that keep people from learning their HIV status."
Health authorities estimate that one in four New Yorkers living with HIV is unaware of being infected. GMHC is currently backing a bill in the State Legislature to make the offering of an HIV test a routine part of a visit to the doctor's office. Senator Smith has expressed unequivocal support for this legislation, spearheaded by Assembly Member Richard Gottfried and Senators Tom Duane and Kemp Hannon.
Dr. Hill continued, "We are encouraged when leaders like Senator Smith lend their considerable political muscle behind initiatives to expand access to testing and counseling while also creating opportunities for testing in their own communities."
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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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