Happy LGBTQ Pride Month!

Happy LGBTQ Pride Month!

June is LGBTQ Pride Month. While NMAC is not an exclusively LGBTQ organization, we were founded by LGBTQ activists in some of the darkest days of the HIV epidemic.

We remain committed to the ideals of Pride: equality, equity, inclusion, and respect. And we will continue to work for those ideals for the LGBTQ community, communities of color, and all those living with or affected by HIV.

 

HIV & Transgender Community Spotlight Webinar is June 20

Join NMAC for our next Community Spotlight webinar on June 20, when we will look at HIV among Transgender Americans. Our presenters will be Luis Gutierrez-Mock, TRIUMPH Project Director at the Center of Excellence for Transgender Health and Marissa Miller, Program Coordinator at NMAC. Register now.

 

Join Our HIV Navigation Evaluation Webinar June 13

NMAC‘s Capacity Building Division will present A Novel Demonstration of HIV Navigation Evaluation webinar Wednesday, June 13, from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM EDT.

This webinar will introduce participants to basic monitoring and evaluation elements of HIV Navigation Services (HNS) by way of the CDC’s Prevention with Positives (PwP) in Action Novel (a CDC video). Register now.

For more information please contact linc@nmac.org.

 

The Latest HIV News from DC

Congress is entering the third and final step of the Appropriations process for 2019. In the coming months, they will make final decisions on all federal funding, including for HIV/AIDS care, prevention, and services. That means it’s time to call, e-mail, or visit your Members of Congress and tell them to keep federal funding intact. Read the latest update from our Policy Team.

 

 

Just One Day Left for USCA Early Bird Rates!

USCA’s Early Bird rates for conference registration and booth reservation end TOMORROW! Don’t wait to reserve your place at USCA. Register and reserve your booth space now.

One Week Left for USCA Early Bird Registration!

Just One Week Left for USCA Early Bird Rates!

USCA’s Early Bird rates for conference registration and booth reservation end on June 8!  Don’t wait to reserve your place at USCA. Register and reserve your booth space now.

 

HIV & Transgender Community Spotlight Webinar is June 20

Join NMAC for our next Community Spotlight webinar on June 20, when we will look at HIV among Transgender Americans. Our presenter will be Luis Gutierrez-Mock, TRIUMPH Project Director at the Center of Excellence for Transgender Health. Register now.
.

Join Our HIV Navigation Evaluation Webinar June 13

NMAC‘s Capacity Building Division will present A Novel Demonstration of HIV Navigation Evaluation webinar Wednesday, June 13, from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM EDT.

This webinar will introduce participants to basic monitoring and evaluation elements of HIV Navigation Services (HNS) by way of the CDC’s Prevention with Positives (PwP) in Action Novel (a CDC video). Register now.
For more information please contact linc@nmac.org.

June 5 is HIV Long-Term Survivors Day

June 5 is HIV Long-Term Survivors Day, a time to celebrate and honor long-term survivors of the epidemic and raise awareness of their needs, issues, and journeys.

This year, we will feature long-term survivors from our 50+ Strong & Healthy program talking about their lives and what they would tell young people living with HIV. Watch our social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) on Monday, June 5.

 

The Latest HIV News from DC

It’s been a busy week for NMAC’s Policy team with the introduction of the Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2018 and the proposed Domestic Gag Rule. We’ll need your help to make the difference on these important issues. Read the latest update from them.

HIV Navigation Webinar June 13th

USCA Early Bird Rates End June 

USCA’s Early Bird rates for conference registration and booth reservation end on June 8!  Don’t wait to reserve your place at USCA. Register and reserve your booth space now.


Join Our HIV Navigation Evaluation Webinar June 13
NMAC‘s Capacity Building Division is excited to offer A Novel Demonstration of HIV Navigation Evaluation 

webinar Wednesday, June 13, from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM EDT.

This webinar will introduce participants to basic monitoring and evaluation elements of HIV Navigation Services (HNS) by way of the CDC’s Prevention with Positives (PwP) in Action Novel ( a CDC video). NMAC will play content from this graphic novel to raise awareness and educate those either currently grappling with monitoring and evaluating one or more facets of HNS or contemplating an HNS program launch.
Register now. For more information please contact linc@nmac.org.


Welcome New NMAC Staff! 

NMAC is pleased to welcome two new members to our family.

Diane Ferguson joins us as Development Associate. She worked at AARP as a Library Assistant/Research Information Specialist for 16 years. She also worked at AARP as the Executive Secretary for The Center to Champion Nursing in America for two years and as a Project Specialist in the Public Policy Institute for six years. After 24 years she left AARP and became a partner in Ferguson Property Care/Ferguson Auto Detailing. Missing the corporate environment, Diane returned to work as an Administrative Assistant at the National Quality Forum.

Our new Conference Coordinator Aryah Lester, nationally awarded author, speaker, and educator, is a transgender woman of color originally from New York. She founded the organization Trans-Miami during her time as an expert consult member of the Miami Enhanced Comprehensive HIV Prevention Plan for the National HIV/AIDS Strategy and 12-Cities Project, and continued the work of her organization, the  National Alliance of Transgender Advocates and Leaders (NATAL). Ms. Lester has been recognized with many awards, featured in numerous national articles, and was inducted into the most recent national Trans100 list.

Welcome, Diane and Aryah!

 

The Latest HIV News from DC
As the summer approaches, things are heating up in Washington on policy and budget items related to HIV care, prevention, and services. And our policy team is in the thick of it. Read the latest update from them.

NMAC Connection: Leadership Institute Announced

2018 Leadership Institute is Sept. 5

Mark your calendars for the 2018 Leadership Institute on Wednesday, September 5, in Orlando, FL, prior to the United States Conference on AIDS. Registration and the agenda will go online in June, but we want you to save the date now!

2018 Planning Committee

  • Carmarion D. Anderson, Black Transwomen, Inc.
  • Cynthia Carey-Grant, WORLD
  • Guillermo Chacon, Latino Commission on AIDS
  • Erin C. Faley-Hogue, Christie’s Place
  • David Harvey, NCSD
  • Kathie M. Hiers, AIDS Alabama
  • Joseph Hollendoner, San Francisco AIDS Foundation
  • Paul Kawata, NMAC
  • Naina Khanna, PWN-USA
  • Arianna Lint, Arianna’s Center
  • Kelsey Louis, GMHC
  • Krista Martel, The Well Project
  • Andrea Meirick, The Project of the Quad Cities
  • Jesse Milan, AIDS United
  • Anthony Mills, MD, Men’s Health Foundation
  • John Peller, AIDS Foundation of Chicago
  • Murray Penner, NASTAD
  • Michael Ruppal, The AIDS Institute
  • Bamby Salcedo, TransLatin Coalition
  • Ron Simmons, Ron Simmons Consulting
  • Shannon Stephenson, Cempa Community Care
  • Bill Tiedemann, Hope House of St. Croix Valley
  • Lance Toma, SF Community Health Center
  • Joyce Turner Keller, Aspirations
  • Tim Young, Open Health Care Clinic
  • Stacie Walls-Beegle, LBGT Life Center
  • Dana Williams, The Community Wellness Project
  • Phill Wilson, Black AIDS Institute
  • Andrea Winston, New Horizons Behavioral Health
  • Gary Paul Wright, AAOGC
  • Richard Zaldivar, The Wall Las Memorias Project

The primary goal of the Leadership Institute is to build a community of HIV leaders who can support each other and our collective efforts to end the epidemic.

USCA Early Bird Rate Ends June 8

USCA 2018 LogoUSCA’s Early Bird rates for conference registration and booth reservation end on June 8 – fewer than 30 days from now!

Don’t wait to reserve your place at USCA. Register and reserve your booth space now.

12 Days to Our Next Community Spotlight Webinar on May 22

Join us for our next Community Spotlight webinar on Tuesday, May 22, as we explore the HIV epidemic among Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders. We will be joined by: Jacob Smith Yang, Senior Capacity Building Director, Asian Pacific Islander American Health Forum; Brian Ragas, Communications Manager, San Francisco Community Health Center; Keiva-Lei Candena, Communications Manager, Life Foundation; Keleka Kaneiakala, POP Leader; Jimmy Sianipar, Senior Testing Coordinator, SSG APAIT;  and Henry Ocampo, Senior Program Analyst, Office of Minority Health Resource Center. Register now.

NMAC (Still) Wants Your Opinion 

As we mentioned in last week’s Connection, we want your opinion on options for the 2018 USCA theme.
In honor of our special speaker Larry Kramer and all HIV activists, we wanted to make this year’s USCA theme more activist in nature. In today’s political environment, we need everyone to be an activist, including calling or e-mailing your representatives, registering to vote and voting, and getting others to vote.
What do you think? Let us know by 5:00 pm EST Monday, May 14 which option you like in an online survey.
Results will be presented immediately following your response; however, any respondent who wants to see the results, must click the “Done” button at the end of the page and wait a few seconds.

The Latest HIV News from DC

Advocating on HIV issues and protecting our hard-fought gains in Washington is a never-ending job. And it gets harder when those in power areoften skeptical at best on our issues. 

NMAC’s policy and advocacy team, in partnership with other HIV and STD advocacy organizations, is working hard each day to protect our community. Read the latest update from them here.

USCA Special Announcement: Larry Kramer to Speak to USCA

 

In our fight, Larry Kramer is mythic. As a young queen who was overwhelmed by the loss of so many friends, I found inspiration and courage from Larry’s iconic piece in the New York Native. NMAC is pleased to announce that Larry Kramer will present the opening keynote at this year’s United States Conference on AIDS on Thursday, September 6th in Orlando.

There is a whole generation of activists who have never heard Larry speak. The conference is pleased to give him this platform as we talk about what it means to be over 50 and living with HIV. There was a time when the idea of aging with HIV seemed impossible. Now it’s a reality for most – but not all – PLWH.  As our movement ages, far too many people are living in isolation and depression. Given the trauma associated with HIV, this shouldn’t be a surprise. A better understanding of this trauma may be how we fight for health equity for all communities highly impacted by HIV.

Our incentive to insure access to healthcare, medications, and wrap-around services has never been greater. Not only is there great benefit to the individuals, but there is also a prevention factor. Ending this epidemic requires leaders from communities living with HIV and people who are sexually active or use needles to work together. We have the science to create real pathways to end HIV. What would Larry say if we wasted this opportunity?

If you’ve never heard Larry speak, then buckle your seatbelts. Larry speaks his truth. In 1993 NMAC hosted a dinner at the Library of Congress for the new Secretary of HHS, Donna Shalala. Larry took over the dinner and proceeded to explain to the new Secretary that not enough was being done to fight AIDS. When I say I’ve been protested by the best, I mean it. It took Donna three years to forgive me for that dinner.

Our movement owes a huge debt to all the leaders who spoke truth to power. It may seem unbelievable now, but there truly was a time… I’m going to leave that story for Larry to share. Join us as we sit at the feet of one of our movement’s elders. Space will be limited and NMAC may need to adjust seating arrangements so that everyone will fit.
Paul Kawata
Executive Director

NMAC Connection Special: Why I Wrote an Open Letter to the Director of the CDC

Why I Wrote an Open Letter to the Director of the CDC

For the first time in the epidemic’s history, the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) believes we can end the HIV epidemic in America.  At Dr. Redfield’s first address to CDC staff, not only did he articulate this vision, but also the possibility that it can be done within three to seven years. NMAC does not agree with the new director on all the issues, but we are committed to working with CDC to make this dream real.

Last week NMAC released Blueprint II: Policies to bring biomedical HIV prevention to all the communities highly impacted by HIV. This document can be downloaded for free here. Like Dr. Redfield, NMAC is a big believer in PrEP, PEP, U=U, and TasP. This is the science needed to bend the curve of new infections, support the health of People Living with HIV (PLWH), and end the epidemic. However, it can only happen with leadership, planning, and money. NMAC strategy is to ask for all three. We plan to use Dr. Redfield’s vision as the justification to ask Congress for more HIV funding, for HHS to put together a federal biomedical HIV prevention plan to end the epidemic, and everyone’s leadership to make that a reality.

In a world that is so divided, it will be interesting to see if we can put aside differences to end an epidemic. I have my doubts, but this is the best opportunity we have to move forward. If we don’t make an effort to grab this moment, our movement will be stuck with level funding, 38,000 new cases a year, and no clear federal pathway for ending the epidemic.

NMAC gave an olive branch to the new Director when we invited him to the National Biomedical HIV Prevention Summit. We chose the Summit over the United States Conference on AIDS because we believe it is the place where we have the most agreement. NMAC spoke to Dr. Redfield prior to his appointment and heard directly about his belief in biomedical HIV prevention. We are going to use part of USCA to put together a strategy for the Summit, to listen and talk with constituents about the right messages, practices, funding, and collaboration to end the epidemic.  ore communication will follow.

We can’t do this alone. It’s going to take a movement to make this work. This is the first bridge we’ve had to an administration that has many of us concerned. Deciding to cross the bridge is a test of our leadership. For some it will be impossible. For others it will be impossible not to. There is no clear right answer, but NMAC has always been committed to working with the federal government regardless of the administration. This is also our test.

NMAC will cross the bridge leading with race. We believe in biomedical HIV prevention; however, we are very concerned that it is not equivalently reaching all the communities highly impacted by HIV. The majority of people living with HIV are people of color and the majority of new infections happen to people of color, yet the vast majority of people on PrEP are white, we have a problem.

This is a real test of our movement’s leadership. Where is the line? What are we willing to do to ensure healthcare, medications, and wrap around services for all people living with HIV? What are we willing to do to end an epidemic?  That’s why I wrote the letter to Dr. Redfield. I will keep you informed when/if I hear back from him.

Yours in the struggle,

Paul Kawata
Executive Director

NMAC Connection: National Transgender HIV Testing Day

National Transgender HIV Testing Day is April 18
By Marissa Miller, NMAC Program Coordinator
April 18 marks the second annual National Transgender HIV Testing Day (NTHTD), a national initiative to increase HIV screening, prevention, and treatment among transgender people. HIV screening is an important step in HIV prevention and the first step in the HIV Care Continuum, the recommended treatment plan for people living with HIV. As simple as getting tested might seem, transgender people still encounter many barriers to screening. NTHTD aims to facilitate screening and prevention among transgender individuals by actively engaging them in their sexual health and wellness and empowering them to take charge over their health and wellness.

Read the full story.

50+ Strong & Health Grantees Impacting Their Communities
The HIV 50+ Mini Grant Program supports our HIV50+ Strong & Healthy Scholars to become involved in their communities and develop and implement projects to educate and engage people living and aging with HIV to connect with other peers. Here are several of those projects:

  • Eric Jannke of Palm Springs is developing an educational manual addressing the needs of long-term survivors and others aging with HIV.
  • Bryan Jones of Cleveland is working on all-day training for PLWH to become leaders in their community.
  • Jennifer Chang of Los Angeles is organizing a meet-and-greet and dog-walking event for 50+ survivors of HIV/AIDS.
  • Rob Quinn of Boston will facilitate a Health and Wellness Day for HIV 50+ and Long-Term Survivors on April 21.
  • Michael G. Smith of Santa Fe is working to assist PLWH on disability to return to work and educate about benefits and financial planning.

To find out more about the Mini Grant Program and see other grantee projects, please visit our website.

NMAC’s Next Community Spotlight Webinar is April 24
Join us for our next Community Spotlight webinar on April 24 at 3:00 PM EST. This month’s focus will be on Youth and HIV and feature voices from NMAC’s Youth Initiative program, which trains future leaders in the fight against the HIV epidemic.

Register now.

NMAC Connection Special: An Open Letter to CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield

An Open Letter to Dr. Robert Redfield
Director, Centers for Disease Control

Dear Dr. Redfield,
Congratulations on your appointment as the new Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It was especially heartening that, at your first meeting with CDC staff, you said it’s possible to end the HIV epidemic in America. Your ambitious goal of ending it within the next three to seven years was music to our ears. You are the first CDC director to have this vision and NMAC wants to work with you to make it a reality.

We have a mutual belief that biomedical HIV prevention is key to bending the curve of new HIV infections. Attached is the latest Blueprint from NMAC that shares policy recommendations on ways to expand access to PrEP and U=U/Treatment as Prevention. This document highlights the unique challenges people of color face in HIV prevention, care, and treatment. It gives ways to improve outreach to gay men of color, women of color, and the transgender community.

NMAC would like to formally invite you to attend this year’s National Biomedical HIV Prevention Summit on December 3-4, 2018. The meeting will be an opportunity to dialogue directly with community, share your vision for ending the epidemic, and discuss CDC’s plans to fully implement biomedical HIV prevention.

Ending AIDS must be more than a slogan; it takes planning, collaboration, and funding to make it real. Over the past five years, significant achievements have been made. Despite these successes, our gains have not been realized equally.  Your vision to end the HIV epidemic within our lifetime can only happen when we work together. We may not agree on everything, but NMAC can definitely support, collaborate, and work to end the epidemic with CDC.

Yours in the struggle,


Paul Kawata
Executive Director

NMAC Connection: Scholarship Applications Open

More Federal Funds for Opioid-Related Infections is Good – But More is NeededFive of the nation’s leading organizations focused on ending the HIV, STD, and hepatitis epidemics in the United States – AIDS United, NASTAD, the National Coalition of STD Directors, NMAC, and The AIDS Institute – applaud Congress and the Administration for restoring critical funding for HIV and STDs and bolstering hepatitis programs. The Fiscal Year 2018 Omnibus Appropriations represents a down payment on shoring up the nation’s public health infrastructure, but it also falls short on necessary resources to combat the nation’s opioid crisis and associated infectious diseases.

Read the full statement.

 

April 10 is National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day
From time to time, we will feature voices from NMAC program participants to talk about their communities and their work. This week, in honor of National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day, we’re featuring Joe Gray, a participant in our Youth Initiative.

This is such an overwhelming feeling and such an honor to get to serve my Tribe, the HIV Community. I am a young man from very humble beginnings and this is my truth. I have gone from a hopeless Addict to an HIV Activist. April 10, 2015, National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day, is the day I got clean and moved into a 90 day homeless shelter for persons living with HIV here in Sacramento. I have done a lot of work on self over the years to be where I am and I strive daily to be the person I needed when I was that young kinder-queer and newly diagnosed person living with HIV.
Read the rest of Joe’s story.

Still Time to Apply for NMAC’s Youth Initiative

There’s still time to apply for the eighth cycle of NMAC’s Youth Initiative program to train future leaders in the fight against the HIV epidemic. The seven-month program is open to applicants ages 18-25. Youth living with HIV or on PrEP, LGBTQ, youth of color, and young cis & trans women are particularly encouraged to apply. For more information or to apply, visit the NMAC website.

 

Applications are due by April 10.

NMAC’s Next Community Spotlight Webinar April 24

Join us for our next Community Spotlight webinar on April 24 at 3:00 PM EST. This month’s focus will be on Youth and HIV and will feature voices from NMAC’s Youth Initiative program, which trains future leaders in the fight against the HIV epidemic.

Register now!

We’re Hiring!

NMAC is hiring! If you’d like to come work with us, please check out our latest job opportunities.

NMAC Connection: Important Deadlines for You to Know!

USCA Abstract Submission Deadline is One Week Away!
Want to present at USCA? The deadline for submission of abstracts is now just eight days away on April 6!Whether you’re interested in convening a workshop or presenting a poster, your abstract must be submitted no later than 5:00 PM ESTon Friday, April 6.

Visit the USCA website for full information on the submission process, including a recording of our abstract submission webinar. We can’t wait to see what you send us. While we’re talking about USCA, are you interested in applying for a scholarship to attend? Join us for a webinar on April 11 to explain the process, including application deadlines, scholar responsibilities, and important dates.
Whether you’re interested in an Option A or B scholarship, an HIV 50+ Strong & Health scholarship, or a Social Media Fellowship, this webinar is for you. Register now.

 

Still Time to Apply for NMAC’s Youth Initiative 
There’s still time to apply for the eighth cycle of NMAC’s Youth Initiative program to train future leaders in the fight against the HIV epidemic. The seven-month program is open to applicants ages 18-25. Youth living with HIV or on PrEP, LGBTQ, youth of color, and young cis & trans women are particularly encouraged to apply. For more information or to apply, visit the NMAC website.
Applications are due by April 10.

 

Webinar on Multimorbidity and HIV+ Older Adults
Join us for “Why Are Older Adults with HIV at Increased Risk for Multimorbidity?,” a webinar from our Treatment division, on Friday, April 6, at 3:00 PM with national expert on HIV and aging, Dr. Stephen Karpiak. Register now.

 

2017 Biomedical HIV Prevention Summit Survey Deadline
Did you attend the 2017 Biomedical HIV Prevention Summit? Then we want to hear from you! If you haven’t already, please take a few minutes to fill out our survey on the Summit. We want to hear your feedback to make the 2018 Summit better. The deadline for the survey is April 10.