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Gay Men's Health Crisis calls for full repeal of HIV travel entry ban
as the best way to commemorate National Latino AIDS Awareness Day
New York, New York, October 15, 2008 — "The best way the U.S. government can commemorate National Latino AIDS Awareness Day is to fully repeal the HIV entry ban, which is one key factor preventing immigrants from being tested for HIV," said Marjorie Hill, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Gay Men's Health Crisis.
Immigrants in New York City who become diagnosed with HIV are one third more likely than native-born residents to be diagnosed with AIDS at the same time, meaning they are also diagnosed much later, on average, than non-immigrants. While Congress and President Bush repealed the statutory HIV entry ban in July, the regulation preventing people with HIV from legally entering the U.S. remains on the books.
"The HIV travel and immigration ban has had a negative impact in the Latino community, since it makes people fearful of being tested for HIV or seeking HIV-related services," said Felix Lopez, Director of GMHC's Legal Services. "The bar reinforces the already substantial stigma against HIV-positive Latinos. In effect, the bar says 'don't come, you are not wanted,' and, if you're here, ‘don't try to stay.'"
GMHC is proud to support the sixth annual National Latino AIDS Awareness Day. In recognition of the day, GMHC will be providing HIV testing in East Harlem and the Bronx at Duane Reade pharmacies located in Latino 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. We provide prevention and care services to more than 15,000 men, women and families that are living with, or affected by, HIV/AIDS in New York City, and advocate for scientific, evidence-based public health solutions for hundreds of thousands worldwide.
Our Mission: GMHC fights to end the AIDS epidemic and uplift the lives of all affected.
© 2008 Gay Men's Health Crisis
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