New Poll Shows DC Parents Overwhelmingly Support HIV and Sex Education

A recent city-wide poll, sponsored by MTA and the DC Healthy Youth Coalition, demonstrates that parents in the District overwhelmingly want their children to receive comprehensive sex and HIV prevention education in school. The Zogby International Poll, which sampled 652 DC parents showed that parents were nearly unanimous (98%) in their concern about the rates of HIV and STDs in Washington DC. Almost all (93%) of the parents polled think that preventing HIV and unintended pregnancies begins with comprehensive sex education that includes information on refraining from sex.

While the majority of parents support comprehensive sex education, the District of Columbia still accepts abstinence-only until marriage funding. There is no scientific evidence that abstinence-only-until-marriage programs—those that censor information about contraception—are effective in preventing HIV or teen pregnancy. Further, these messags are damaging to gay and lesbian youth.

A total of 22 states have rejected abstinence-only until marriage funding. While numerous youth organizations in DC have asked Mayor Adrian Fenty to reject this money, he has not yet done so.

40 AIDS activists draped in red tape risk arrest at White House

Following a successful protest last year, over 40 AIDS activists draped in red tape risk arrest at White House

George Kerr, Co-chair of DC Fights Back will join the protesters.

Action on the eve of World AIDS Day, November 30


When: Friday 11/30 at 2:30pm

Where: White House sidewalk - Lafayette Square

Who: Over 40 HIV positive activists, health advocates, students and others

What: Civil disobedience on the White House sidewalk

RAIN OR SHINE

EVENT DETAILS:

Over 40 HIV-positive activists, health advocates, students and others will risk arrest on Friday at approximately 2:30 by performing a symbolic sit-down protest in front of the White House, at the sidewalk near Lafayette Square. The demonstrators will be draped in hundreds of yards of red tape to demand that various government entities remove the political "red tape" that is interfering with an effective response to HIV, locally, nationally, and globally. Demonstrators will be dressed as educators and doctors; others will wear shirts identifying them as people living with or at risk for HIV.

The demonstration expands upon a civil disobedience during last year's World AIDS Day, in which 20 protesters were arrested outside the White House.

The protesters, including members of local HIV/AIDS advocacy organization DC Fights Back, will be demanding that local DC public school students receive medically accurate, unbiased, comprehensive sexuality education that includes lessons on HIV and AIDS. The protest occurs following recent reports that confirm that 1 in 20 DC residents are infected with HIV and identifying DC's HIV/AIDS crisis as a modern epidemic.

Demonstrators will be echoing the call, by almost all HIV/AIDS advocacy organizations nationwide, for the US to implement a strategic US national strategy.

The assembled also say that the reauthorization of the Presidential Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief in 2008 is the time to reform the plan. This includes the removal of the 1/3 earmark for abstinence-until-marriage funding and the implementation of evidence-based HIV prevention policies, plus increased U.S. support for HIV treatment worldwide.

Get Tested with Go-Go

Metro TeenAIDS invites youth to come out and "Get Tested with Go-Go".

Metro TeenAIDS will mark World AIDS Day in the District by hosting a free Go-Go concert at the newly renovated Market Lounge - 1309 5th Street, NE. The concert features 3rd Dimension Band, New Vision Band and All Stars. MTA Spokesperson and WKYS/93.9 radio host, EZ Street, will be broadcasting live from the Go-Go! Get in free by getting tested at Freestyle Youth Center or onsite at the event, otherwise admission is $10 at the door. Get tested, get your Go-Go partying in and enter to win some great raffle prizes like a new Ipod! This is a secure, all ages event. Check out the flyer and for more information contact MTA at (202) 543.9355.

For a complete list of World AIDS Day Events, click here

Metro TeenAIDS to Name Chantel Christie as Youth Ambassador

Chantel Christie, daughter of NBA power couple, Doug and Jackie Christie, is being named the Metro TeenAIDS Youth Ambassador for HIV/AIDS Awareness on November 17, 2007, and various city officials will be in attendance. As the new spokesperson for Metro TeenAIDS, Christie will reach out to the youth on HIV/AIDS Awareness and encourage youth nationally to get HIV tested. This inauguration starts at 2:00 P.M. (EST) at the Hill Crest Recreation Center located at 1300 Denver Street, South East Washington, D.C. 20020.

Chantel Christie has a passion to lead youth across the world as a positive role model. Earlier this fall, she was chosen as the Kids Outreach Spokesperson for the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington for 2008. Chantel also has a new reality show titled "Coming Up Christie" where she goes through the vigorous works of releasing her first single called "Best Friends" within the music industry.

"Growing up as a Christie has taught me the values of leaving a positive impact on the community. I am excited about my new ventures and working with kids across the globe," says Chantel. During the inauguration ceremony, Chantel will facilitate a Question and Answer Session on the topic of HIV/AIDS.

During the event, guests attending will enjoy personal spoken word from Chantel as well as giveaways from The Doug and Jackie Christie Infinite Love Foundation HIV/AIDS Awareness.

Thousands of Condoms Returned to Health Department

From Kaiser Daily: Tens of thousands of condoms that the Washington, D.C., Department of Health provided at no cost to residents have been returned because of concerns about the condoms' packaging and safety, the Washington Post reports (Levine, Washington Post, 9/5). District health officials in February distributed 250,000 condoms as part of the health department's efforts to prevent the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. The first batch of condoms went to several not-for-profit organizations and community health providers. The department said it aimed to distribute one million condoms by the end of 2007. The condoms' purple and yellow package is printed in English and Spanish and carries the slogan, "We've got you covered. Coming together to stop HIV in D.C." (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 2/16).

According to the Post, concerns about the condoms "arose almost immediately" after the program began. Demand at two distribution sites established by not-for-profit organizations dropped by more than 80% shortly after the condoms were introduced. More than 2,000 packets were being distributed weekly in mid-March, but by late May, about 400 were being dispensed weekly, the Post reports. Volunteers said people complained about condom packets "ripping in purses or bursting open in pockets," and some recipients said they lacked confidence that the condoms would provide protection, according to the Post. In addition, the expiration dates on some of the condoms were illegible, the Post reports.

Officials at about six organizations that had been distributing the condoms interviewed on Tuesday said they received negative feedback from clients. Many clients said that the condoms' packaging seemed substandard, according to the Post. "People were saying, 'These packets aren't any good,'" Franck DeRose -- executive director of the Condom Project, which was involved with the distribution program -- said. A coalition that includes the Condom Project returned about 100,000 condoms to the district, about 15% of what the city says has been distributed to groups. Metro TeenAIDS Executive Director Adam Tenner said some youths involved with the group "doubted the authenticity of the condoms" and wondered why the wrappers were not plastic or foil, like those sold in stores. "Distribution of those condoms has been really difficult," he said, adding, "The question becomes, how do we fix this?"

DeRose said the not-for-profit groups tried to warn officials before sending back the condoms. "There was no talk about (getting) a different condom," he said, adding, "They said, 'This is what we have.'" The coalition, which launched a condom distribution program last fall, has begun purchasing its own condoms again. The coalition's condoms are being used up rapidly, according to the Post. The health department "apparently does not consider the situation a problem," according to the Post. Health department spokesperson Leila Abrar said in a statement, "To date, we have not received any substantive complaints." According to the statement, the district has distributed nearly 650,000 condoms since February through partnerships with 50 organizations. The health department has taken notice of the comments about the district condoms' packaging, the Post reports. According to Abrar's statement, the city will hold a "contest for new versions" of its next condom package (Washington Post, 9/5).

Metro TeenAIDS Seeks Community Partners

Is your organization serving youth in Wards 5, 6, 7, or 8? Are they between the ages of 13-24?

MetroTeenAIDS (MTA), an organization dedicated to preventing HIV infection among young people in the Washington, DC metro area is looking for Coalition Partners in Wards 5, 6, 7 & 8 , and interested youth they serve, to help us design our new HIV testing campaign!

What are the benefits to your organization becoming a Coalition Partner?

• A $5,000 stipend to invited org’s, to ensure that youth and staff maintain participation in all required phases of the project
• Youth and staff will be trained in social marketing techniques designed to engage youth in HIV testing services and safer sex practices
• Youth will gain leadership and peer to peer relationship building skills – and get paid for it!
• Youth will get to be creative and use their input to design campaign messages and materials –and get paid for it!
• Youth will have the opportunity to receive safer sex & STD information as well as HIV counseling and testing through co-sponsored events – and get paid for it!

What opportunities exist for my young people?

• You may have youth who want to apply for the Youth Advisory Board (YAB) - They will be paid $100/mo. for 8 months to attend monthly meetings, share ideas about your needs, participate in media & peer outreach trainings, help design campaign materials and participate in related events. We are looking for (2) youth from Wards 5, 6, 7, & 8, that have demonstrated leadership experience, high level of commitment and creativity (10 hours a month). A completed application must be submitted for consideration and all YAB Members must attend trainings with program staff. Recruiting NOW!
• Some of your youth may want to be Project Interns– They will be paid $50/mo. for 5 months to participate in focus groups, media & peer education training, and related peer outreach events (5 hours a month) We are currently developing a list of youth interested in this phase of the project. (30) youth will be chosen to participate. Recruiting NOW!
• A number of your youth may want to participate in one of our (4)Focus Groups – They will be paid $20 just to come to a 1 hour focus group during the last week of August. Recruiting NOW!

What other ways can my organization to be involved?

• Provide space for a focus group of youth from your organization
• Be a distribution site for campaign materials, including youth resource guides
• Host a co-sponsored event to highlight the campaign
• Invite MTA staff to host a youth HIV testing Day at your organization
• Tell other organizations about these opportunities

If you are interested in becoming a Coalition Partner, have questions, or other collaborative ideas, please contact:

M’Bwende Anderson, at manderson@metroteenaids.org / 202.543.9355 x 12

Washington Blade Article on New Health Education Guidelines

The Washington Blade has an article on the proposed health education guidelines for DC Public Schools. The draft guidelines, which were approved by the board last month, were put online this month (click here to read the guidelines on the DCPS website).

Jeremy Ogusky (pictured left), Deputy Director of Metro TeenAIDS, is quoted in the article. Metro Teen AIDS is one of several organizations that make up the DC Healthy Youth Coalition, which submitted comments on the guidelines this week:

"'The posted draft health learning standards have addressed almost all the recommendations that our coalition made back in March,' said Jeremy Ogusky, deputy director of Metro Teen AIDS, a D.C. group that provides HIV prevention services to gay youth.

'In my view, and that of a number of national health and sex education experts, these new standards are well written, complete and strongly based in comprehensive sex education,' Ogusky said in an e-mail message."

We are one step closer to comprehensive health education in DC public schools. The real test, however, will be in the implementation of these guidelines.

Read the entire article on the Washington Blade website.

Metro Teen AIDS Issues Brief on DC Youth

Metro TeenAIDS has released a new issue brief entitled "Surveying HIV Risk Factors Among Young People in Washington, DC".

They surveyed 466 young people as part of National HIV Testing Day last year. The report states "Our findings underscore the need for a strengthened focus on HIV programming for youth in DC." To read the entire report, click here.

Among the key findings:

• Sexually active gay and bisexual males report lower rates of condom use and lower rates of HIV testing than their heterosexual peers;
• Lesbian and bisexual females report higher rates of sexual activity than their heterosexual peers;
• Heterosexual males are most likely to be sexually active
• Many young people do not know their HIV status;
• Sexually active youth report inconsistent rates of condom use.

Hoop'N for HIV: Five on Five

Metro TeenAIDS is organizing a 5 on 5 Youth Basketball Tournament and Awareness Raising Event on Saturday, June 30, 2007 from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the #10 Boys & Girls Club which is located at 2500 14th St, NW, Washington DC. A shuttle will be provided from the Columbia Heights Metro Station.

In addition to the Five on Five Tournamnet, there will also be a Half Court Shot Contest, a 3-Point Contest, and a Blindfold Shot Contest. To register your team click here to download the registration form or contact Lamar at 202-543-9355 or by e-mail

June is National HIV Testing Month. In addition a Community Health Fair will take place and youth will be encouraged to get tested for HIV as well as visit other community organization's booths. If you would like to set up a booth at the health fair, click here to download the registration form. Youth are treated to an entire day of entertainment, food, and most importantly, access to health and wellness information.

To download a flyer for this event, click here.

Speakout Reports: Youth Breakout Session

Several organizations co-sponsored a DC HIV/AIDS Speakout on May 17th, 2007. I will be posting the reports from each of the breakout groups throughout the next week. The final outcome document from the Speakout will be published on the DC Fights Back Website. If you'd like to get involved, please be sure to join this yahoo group.

The Youth Breakout group covered a lot of topics including health care and comprehensive sex education. Members of the youth breakout group included Jeremy Ogusky, Policy Manager for Metro Teen AIDS, LGBT and Latino Activist Jose Guttierez, and Rita Sinha, Miss District of Columbia International.

To very concrete recommendations came out of the Youth Breakout Group. The first is to create reality based sex and drug education for DC Youth. The good news is that a broad coalition of groups in DC are already pushing for comprehensive sex education, so we're on our way to that goal. The consensus of the group was that abstinence is very important, but it needs to be part of a comprehensive message that includes information on safer sex. The second recommendation is to create a speakers bureau of people living with HIV/AIDS in the District of Columbia to talk to young people in the District. I think this is also a great idea.

Click here to see the flip-chart notes from the Youth Breakout Group. If there was anything missed, or anything you'd like to add, please post your comments below.

Mayor Adrian Fenty on Comprehensive Sex Education

Mayor Fenty spoke last night at a meeting of the Gertrude Stein Democrats. I had six questions for Mayor Fenty, but only time to ask one. I decided on comprehensive sex education with a two part question.

First: Is the Mayor ready to reject the abstinence-only-until marriage federal funding that the District currently accepts? Second: What will the Mayor do to make sure that DC schools are providing comprehensive sex education?

As you may know, a broad coalition of youth-serving organizations have written a letter asking Mayor Fenty to reject the abstinence-only-until-marriage federal funding. There are many reasons to reject this money, probably the most significant one being that abstinence-only-until-marriage programs simply don't work. Further, the federal funds require a local match, requiring us to spend our own local money on a program that we know doesn't make sense.

The broad coalition of organizations that worked on this include: the letter include DC Fights Back, City Year Washington DC, DC Primary Care Association, Girls Incorporated of the Washington DC Metropolitan Area, The Latin American Youth Center, Metro TeenAIDS, Sasha Bruce Youth Work, Young Womens Project, and Youth Action Research Group. To see the complete list read the letter.

Unfortunately, Adrian Fenty did not say he would follow the recommendation of these organizations and reject abstinence-only-until-marriage money. He did commit, however to looking into the issue.

On the second part of the question, Mayor Fenty said (and I quote) "The District of Columbia should have the leading comprehensive sex education program in the country".

This quote is encouraging. The state of comprehensive sex education in the District is not. Don't get me wrong. There are some great programs out there like the City Year Project Hope Team, which plans to double their size next year. City Year is not welcome in every school, however. We know many schools in DC shut the door to Project Hope and to other medically accurate comprehensive sex education programs. This has got to change.

The good news though, is that Adrian Fenty agreed to have a sit-down meeting to discuss these issues, which is a start. I hope that several of the organizations listed above will be able to participate.

If your organization has not reached out to the Mayor's office on this issue, I encourage you to do so now.

Update on Comprehensive Sex Education Letter

There have been to updates to the letter on comprehensive sex education since I last blogged about it. (read the previous blog post here). First, a few changes have been made to the letter to make it a little more focused read the revised letter here. Second, the deadline for organizations to sign-on to the letter has been extended to Tuesday, April 17th. So if your organization would like to endorse the letter, please send me an e-mail and let me know.

Join Youth Organizations in Support of Comprehensive Sex Education

In response to Mayor Fenty's recent proclamation declaring March 10-16 Abstinence Awareness Week, a coalition of organizations focused on the health of young people has written the enclosed sign-on letter regarding our concerns with abstinence-only education in DC Public Schools and our support for medically accurate, age-appropriate comprehensive sex education. The letter asks Mayor Fenty to catalog and then remove all abstinence-only groups and education taking place in DC Public Schools and to reject the $170,000 the District currently receive in federal funding for abstinence-only-until-marriage programs under Title V, Section 510 (b) of the Social Security Act.

Please review the document and let David Mariner know whether your organization would like to add their name to it by Friday, April 6.

* click here to download the letter
* If your organization would like to endorse the letter, send an e-mail to david[at]fighthivindc[dot]org.

Metro Teen AIDS Art Auction

Save the Date! The Metro Teen AIDS 14th Annual Art & Articles Auction will take place Thursday, June 14, 2007 at the Embassy of Finland. Come for an evening of music, open bar and light fare and the chance to bid on the best DC has to offer!

The ticket price of $100 will benefit www.metroteenaids.org. Look for more information on the Metro Teen AIDS website in the coming months.

Metro Teen AIDS Winter Wine Event

Join Metro Teen AIDS for their fourth annual Winter Wine Event. This year's event takes place on Monday, February 26, 2007 from 6:30 to 9:00 PM at the Hotel Tabard Inn.

It's a great opportunity to enjoy an evening with friends learning more about wine and supporting a worthy cause. Just remember the five S's of wine tasting and you'll look like a pro (Swirl, Sniff, Sip, Swish and Spit/Swallow). To buy your tickets click here.

Metro Teen AIDS: Wine Uncorked

Metro Teen AIDS will be holding their annual wine-tasting event at Woolly Mammoth Theater's beautiful new downtown space (641 D Street, NW). The festivities take place from 6 to 8 PM on Tuesday, October 24, 2006.

Join Master Sommelier Pam Seaton of Vino Volo, as she presents (and you taste) some fabulous wines. Tickets can be purchased online at www.metroteenaids.org/wine. Tickets are $50 and benefit Metro Teen AIDS.

FYI, Parking is available across the street from the theater for $10 if you mention Woolly Mammoth, otherwise price is $15. And the closest metro stops are: Archives/Navy Memorial and Gallery Place.

Metro TeenAIDS Featured at International Conference on AIDS

The week before school began in DC, The International Conference on HIV/AIDS opened with a video featuring the youth and staff of Metro TeenAIDS (MTA).

The video which features our young peer educators and Anne Wiseman, MTA Director of Programs, carries an important message - the importance of ongoing, science-based HIV/AIDS Prevention education - especially among youth.

You can watch the video by at www.faceofaids.org/film3.html. You can find out more about Metro TeenAIDS at www.metroteenaids.org