NMAC and USCA Applaud Lifting of HIV Travel Ban on Oct 30
October 30, 2009
The National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC), along with nearly 3,000 attendees of its annual meeting - the United States Conference on AIDS, taking place in San Francisco, CA October 29-31 - stood and applauded while watching the signing of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Extension Act when President Obama announced the end of the HIV travel ban.
“We commend and celebrate the President’s announcement to lift the travel ban barring people living with HIV/AIDS from entering the U.S.” says Paul A. Kawata, NMAC’s Executive Director. “It is particularly important during the signing of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Extension Act, which provides people living with HIV/AIDS access to treatment, care and medications.”
USCA, now in its thirteenth year, convenes those working on the frontlines of the AIDS epidemic for intensive training and networking. “The travel restriction was based on fear and ignorance, and has helped perpetuate HIV stigma in this country,” says Ravinia Hayes-Cozier, NMAC’s Spokesperson and Director of Government Relations and Public Policy. “Lifting the ban has brought the U.S. one step closer to end ending HIV stigma, and will enable those working on the frontlines of the domestic HIV epidemic – including every participant of USCA – to be a full partner in the global conversation around HIV prevention, treatment and care.”
During the announcement, Obama also noted the epidemic’s continued disproportionate impact on underserved communities in this country – particularly communities of color, gay men and men who have sex with men. He also pointedly mentioned the impact of HIV/AIDS in the South and urban centers, including in the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C., itself. The President announced that a document detailing the end of the ban will be available on Monday.
