She Fourteen, She's Dying, and She Still Doesn't Know Why

I hear a lot of stories about HIV and AIDS in DC but this one I had to share with you. A staff person at a local medical facility today told me about a fourteen year old in the District of Columbia who is losing her battle against HIV/AIDS. Tragic as this is, it still happens, especially in the District. DC still has a higher HIV/AIDS Death Rate than any state. What makes this case particularly tragic is that the young woman does not even know she is HIV positive. (She was born with HIV, a challenge that continues to plague our city. While there are treatments that prevent HIV positive pregnant moms from passing HIV on to their children in most cases, The District of Columbia also has the highest perinatal HIV transmission rates in the country). And in this case, her mother has decided not to tell the young woman about her HIV status, and the Doctor is unfortunately obliged to respect her wishes. I've heard second-hand information about several such cases at both Howard University Hospital and Children's National Medical Center. Despite the fact that young people in DC have the right to confidentially access sexual health services beginning at 13, there are young people aged 13, 14, 15, and even sixteen, that have not been told they are HIV positive. Sometimes the parents may be concerned about how the children react. Sometimes the parents may be concerned about their own HIV status being revealed to friends and family. Either way, it continues to happen. In the case of this fourteen year old girl, it seems to me outrageous that she could leave us and never know the truth about her HIV status. But it is also outrageous to have sexually active teenagers in the District of Columbia who are HIV positive and don't even know it. Given what we know about young people in DC from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data it's quite possible these youth are sexually active for several years before they even find out they are HIV positive. It's hard to believe, but true. And it may be yet another factor contributing to our high HIV/AIDS rates in the District. Young adults have a right to accurate and honest information about their health and well-being. They should also have a right to know their HIV status.

More States Reject Abstinence-Only Federal Funding; No Change in Fenty Policy

The Associated Press reports that an increasing number of states are rejecting ill-advised Abstinence-Only-Until Marriage funding; and rightly so. 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. Numerous youth organizations in the District of Columbia have asked Adrian Fenty to also reject these funds, but to date there has been no change in the District of Columbia policy. (I personally asked Adrian Fenty to reject these funds at a Gertrude Stein Democrats Meeting on May 14th, 2007) The Associated Press reports: Some $50 million has been budgeted for this year, and financially strapped states might be expected to want their share. But many have doubts that the program does much, if any good, and they're frustrated by chronic uncertainty that it will even be kept in existence. They also have to chip in state money in order to receive the federal grants. Iowa Gov. Chet Culver, a Democrat, made his decision to leave based on the congressionally mandated curriculum, which teaches "the social, psychological and health gains of abstaining from sexual activity." Instructors must teach that sexual activity outside of marriage is likely to have harmful psychological and physical effects. A total of twenty two states have rejected these funds. Most recently, New York State rejected the funds. In addition two states, Arizona and Iowa, have announced their intention to forgo their share of the federal grant at the start of the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1. This funding comes with strings attached that are simply unacceptable. The messages required by abstinence-only-until-marriage funding are damaging to gay and lesbian youth. Further, they are Ineffective, Unethical, and Poor Public Health. I sincerely hope that the District of Columbia will listen to the concerns of the community and reject this funding once and for all.

Metro Weekly Profiles Khadijah Tribble

Metro Weekly has a great article online profiling Khadijah Tribble. I had the chance to meet Khadijah over coffee a few months back, when she was starting as Interim Director of Pediatric AID HIV Care. It's great to learn more about the important work she's doing. December 1, World AIDS Day, will again mark that sad anniversary that, while a time to tout advances such as an entirely new class of HIV/AIDS medications, primarily reminds Washingtonians that HIV/AIDS is the millstone around our collective neck as we drown in an epidemic. Data released by the Mayor Adrian Fenty's Department of Health on Monday, Nov. 26, doesn't offer much succor. According to the new HIV/AIDS report, HIV-positive children continue to be born in the District -- nearly a tenth of the country's pediatric AIDS cases in 2005 -- while some states have successfully used medication to eradicate mother-to-child transmission. Nearly 40 percent of new HIV infections are transmitted through heterosexual sex, though sex between men still accounts for 27 percent of new infections. Pointedly, black women, who are 58 percent of the District's female population, account for 90 percent of new female HIV infections in D.C. Possibly the most important point -- and the one everyone was likely expecting -- is that the nation's capital leads the country with its rate of AIDS cases: 128.4 per 100,000 people, versus the national average of 14 cases per 100,000 people. continue reading this article at Metro Weekly

American University Students Dance to Fight HIV/AIDS

Dancing for six hours straight in a college-campus building might sound like a bizarre way for college students to spend a Friday night. But this World AIDS Day at American University in Washington, D.C., students danced to support children living with HIV/AIDS at American University's first Dance Marathon, a fundraiser to benefit the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. The Foundation is a global organization that seeks to prevent pediatric HIV infection and to eradicate pediatric AIDS through research, advocacy, and prevention and treatment programs. continue reading this article on the Huffington Post

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.

Thanks for Supporting HIV/AIDS Education in DC Public Schools

Thanks to everyone who came out to support the DC Public School Health Learning Standards. While there were a couple folks who came out to oppose the standars, the vast majority of people in attendance came out to support the standards, and to support HIV/AIDS education for DC Public School students. Supporters included a great mix of parents, students, teachers, ministers, medical professionals, HIV/AIDS organizations, and LGBT Groups. You can click here to see pictures from the event on our flickr page, or click here to see an amateur video montage on youtube (also below)

Stand with DC Youth TONIGHT at DC State Board of Education Meeting

We need you to stand with and for young people in the District of Columbia tonight (Wednesday Nov 28th) at the DC State Board of Education Meeting and support comprehensive sex education. The meeting takes place at the State Board of Education Old Council Chambers, Old Council Chambers, 441 4th Street, NW at 5:30 PM. Supporters will be handing out red t-shirts! Dear Friends and Colleagues, We've all seen the numbers from the HIV/AIDS Administration. You know that we're in a city overwhelmed by HIV/AIDS. But let me give you two numbers that weren't in that report. According to a survey of DC Public School students conducted by the CDC and DC Public Schools, 17.5% of middle school students and 9.5% of high school students say they were never taught about HIV/AIDS in school. These numbers are from 2005. But sadly, when we saw a glimpse of the preliminary 2007 data we learned that 2007 numbers are expected to be worse. We have failed DC youth by not getting our HIV/AIDS epidemic under control, but we will fail them yet again if we neglect to give them the tools to protect themselves in a city where 1 in 20 people is HIV positive. We must empower every student in every classroom, in every school, with comprehensive sex education and all the information they need to stay safe and healthy. Encouraging the DC State Board of Education Meeting to approve the Health Learning Standards is a crucial first step. These standards have been created with the input of local DC youth organizations and child and adolescent health specialists. Please join me TONIGHT to show your support. We need you to stand with and for young people in the District of Columbia tonight (Wednesday Nov 28th) at the DC State Board of Education Meeting and support comprehensive sex education. The meeting takes place at the State Board of Education Old Council Chambers, Old Council Chambers, 441 4th Street, NW at 5:30 PM. Supporters will be handing out red t-shirts!

AU Dance Marathon Raises Money for Pediatric HIV/AIDS Care

The Dance Marathon at American University in Washington, DC is a student-run, philanthropic event that seeks to unite the campus around a common cause: the worldwide fight against pediatric AIDS. Once at the Marathon, a six-hour event which lasts through the night, participants enjoy a range of activities to thank them for their fundraising efforts. This year's inaugural event will end in the early hours of World AIDS Day. World AIDS Day, observed December 1, is dedicated to raising awareness of the global AIDS epidemic caused by the spread of HIV infection. Students, faculty and staff will unite with the hope to collectively raise $15,000 for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. For more info, click here.

Children's National Medical Center World AIDS Day Health Fair

The The HIV Services Department at Children's National Medical Center (CNMC) will commemorate World AIDS Day in the hospital on November 29th. Children's National Medical Center will hold a service provider fair in the atrium of the hospital to share information on ways to keep young people healthy. The fair will run from 10 AM to 1 PM. Organizations are invited to send a representative to present information, with an emphasis on how your work supports the health of young people. Please expect to share a table with another vendor. Bring signage that represents your organization and be available at 9:30 to set-up. For more information contact Ebony Johnson by email or at (202) 491-3970.

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.

Local College Students Say HIV/AIDS is Not Part of New Student Orientation

From Kaiser Daily NPR's "Weekend Edition Sunday" recently reported on efforts to educate U.S. college students about HIV/AIDS. According to NPR, most colleges "operate on the principle that students already know about HIV." Some students at Howard University and George Washington University in Washington, D.C, said that HIV/AIDS education is not incorporated into orientation and that they were unaware that one in every 20 people in the district is living with HIV/AIDS. At a recent speech to students at Howard, UNAIDS Executive Director Peter Piot said that the rate of HIV in the district is higher than that in many African countries. Piot also discussed his visit several years ago with HIV-positive women in the city. The "stories that the women were telling me there, frankly, I had never heard before," Piot said, adding, "I was so shocked that this is going on in this town." Isabel Goldenberg, director of student health at George Washington, said the college offers workshops on sexually transmitted infections, distributes condoms and works with fraternities and sororities on HIV/AIDS education. Howard and George Washington also recruit students to serve as health educators. In addition, CDC has designated funding for HIV/AIDS prevention at some historically black colleges, and the Black AIDS Institute recently sent 25 black college students to the district to train as HIV/AIDS advocates (Wilson, "Weekend Edition Sunday," NPR, 10/7). Audio of the segment is available online.

Squidoo: Michelle Rhee and HIV/AIDS in DC

Check out the latest Squidoo page which looks at Michelle Rhee and the HIV/AIDS Epidemic in DC. As the head of DC Public Schools (DCPS), Michelle Rhee plays an important role in the fight against HIV/AIDS in DC. Rhee oversees the DCPS HIV/AIDS Program. Be sure to check out the new page at www.squidoo.com/michellerhee/.

New York Rejects 'Financing Ignorance': Will DC Follow?

Today New York State Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines announced that New York is joining the growing number of states that are rejecting the Bush Administration's Abstinence Only Program. Daines stated "The Bush administration's Abstinence Only Program is an example of a failed national healthcare policy directive, based on ideology rather than on sound scientific- based evidence that must be the cornerstone of good public healthcare policy." While the policy has been in effect for some time, Daines comments coincided with the release of the report Financing Ignorance: A Report on Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Funding in New York. Daines continued: "In keeping with the Governor Spitzer's progressive healthcare agenda for New York, on July 2rd the department cancelled all existing abstinence only contracts under the federal Title V program that began under the previous administration. Earlier this year, the department made a conscious decision not to reapply for funds under this program due to the increasingly rigid federal standards imposed on New York and other states that were contrary to our commitment to fully educate adolescents about the risks associated with sexual behavior." On numerous occasions, concerned DC residents have asked Adrian Fenty to unequivocally reject Abstinence-Only-Until Marriage Funding. I asked Mayor Fenty if he would reject this money at a Gertrude Stein Democrats Meeting in May 2007. A coalition of local youth serving organizations also asked Mayor Fenty to reject this money in May. The organizations that signed on to this request include: 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. New York is one of eleven states that has rejected abstinence-only-until-marriage funding. The other states are California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, Montana, New Jersey, Ohio, Rhode Island, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Let's hope the District of Columbia is next.

Reminder: Join us Thursday for the ACTION Lunch

It's not too late to join us this Thursday for the Septmber ACTION Lunch where we will learn more about the Youth Risk Behavior Survey. The Youth Risk Behavior Survey helps us better understand young people in the District of Columbia and what behaviors may put them at risk for HIV. It's a crucial piece of the puzzle in understanding what's happening with HIV in DC and how we can most effectively prevent it. Join us for a preliminary look at the 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Survey information, including never before asked questions about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth in our city. Our presenter will be Marc D. Clark, Ph.D., Director of Health Operations for DC Public Schools. This event takes place Thursday, September 13th at the DC CARE Consortium, 1156 15th Street NW #6 To RSVP online for this event: click here. This is one lunch in a three-part series entitled 'Understanding the HIV Epidemic in DC'. To download the flyer for this series, click here.

Squidoo: Youth and HIV/AIDS in DC

Check out the latest Squidoo page on Youth and HIV/AIDS in the District of Columbia. I've included information on the HIV/AIDS advocacy in DC Public Schools, the City Year Project Hope Team, and much more. If there is something you'd like to see up on the Youth Squidoo page, just let me know.

HIV/AIDS Awareness Low Among DC Teenagers

Unlike most District teenagers, 15-year-old Kanesha Overton considers herself well informed about the rising epidemic of HIV/AIDS in the Greater Washington area. But her knowledge about the disease, she says, came from her babysitter, not HIV/AIDS information campaigns or sex education programs. "I learned about the disease from my babysitter, by her talking to me about it at a young age, starting at about age six," said Overton, a student at Banneker Academic High School. "When I became older, it made me more aware about the truth." Overton also learned about sex the hard way. Her mother got pregnant with Overton's older brother at age 19 and the father was 22. Before her father could wed her mother, he died of a gunshot to his head. Kanesha was three years old at the time. But Overton's mother made sure that her daughter did not repeat her mistakes. She began talking to her and explaining what sex was at the age of 13, speaking mostly of its consequences, such as diseases. "My mother always told me, when she had sex and how it affected her life," she said. "It makes me want to wait until I get married." continue reading this article at the District Chronicles (you may need to register)

Michelle Rhee at Gertrude Stein Democrats Meeting

There is an article about the new chancellor of the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS), Michelle Rhee appearing at a recent Gertrude Stein Democrats meeting in Metroweekly. I was there, and I asked Michelle Rhee two questions about the Youth Risk Behavior Survey. In responding, Rhee first had to seek clarification from her aide on whether or not the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) was under her jurisdiction. I have to admit, I was a little disappointed she was unfamiliar with the YRBS, which is crucial to understanding the health and well being of DC school students (including but not limited to HIV/AIDS). Can Rhee have a measurable impact on the number of students who take weapons in our schools? Can Rhee have a measurable impact on the number of students who report being harrassed or threatened in our schools? Can Rhee in any way impact the number of students who smoke cigarattes or who have been offerred or sold illegal drugs on school grounds? All these questions are part of the Youth Risk Behavior, and two years from now, we will be comparing the 2007 YRBS data with the 2009 YRBS data to understand Rhee's impact in her first two school years. There are other tools to measure whether or not Rhee can improve the academic performance of school students, but the YRBS is the most important tool to understand whether or not Rhee can impact the health & safety of our students. If she is unfamiliar with the baseline data we are going to be using to evaluate her progress, I find that a little concerning. Still, as Adam Tenner stated in the article, "For youth in D.C., it's incumbent on us to extend the chancellor as much trust as we can, until she gives us reason not to." I look forward to working with Michelle Rhee, and hope we can achieve measurable improvements in the health and safety of our students in the District. If you want to read more about the meeting and other issues raised, click here to read the Metro Weekly article. If you would like to learn more about the YRBS, please come to the ACTION lunch next month where Dr. Clark will be speaking on the Youth Risk Behavior Survey.

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.

DCPS Revamps HIV/AIDS Website

DC Public Schools have revamped their website which includes an overhaul of the HIV/AIDS Education Program Site. The new version includes an overview of past Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) Trending Data. 2007 YRBS Data should be available soon and will be featured in an upcoming ACTION Lunch Presentation with Dr. Marc Clark. I'm glad to see the new site up and running but I find myself more than a little skeptical about some of the claims made on the new site. For example: 1. The curriculum section leaves one with the impression that there are city-wide standards for public schools when it comes to HIV/AIDS. In reality, standards vary widely from school to school. That's exactly why we've spent so much time talking about comprehensive sex education. 2. The website describes the HIV/AIDS YRBS Committee saying: "HIV/AIDS YRBS Advisory Board acts as a steering committee and has broad-based representation from the DC Department of Health, private and voluntary health agencies, professional health organizations, parents, community groups and students." Well this may be what it is supposed to be but it is a far cry from what it actually is. The Committee doesn't meet frequently enough to impact any decisions. It's been five months since our last meeting and there are no current plans to meet again. Community folks do NOT feel like their voice is being heard. Community advocates like myself were really upset that questions we wanted to add on transgender youth did not make it into the 2007 YRBS survey simply because DCPS cancelled their December 2006 meeting and refused to meet and discuss the matter. The steering committee does not include any students. I don't believe it includes any parents of DCPS students. And when it comes to involving community members, the track record is pretty bleak. Community advocates who have attended meetings like Judith Levine from Chartered Health and Tina Fernandes from City Year have not been invited back to subsequent meetings, so I find myself skeptical about their interest in engaging community members. So in short, the new website does make the DCPS HIV/AIDS program look impressive, but it's not entirely accurate. I hope one day soon it will be.

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.

July ACTION Lunch: Talk to Kids About AIDS

Join us for the July ACTION Lunch, where we will preview the film "Talk to Kids About AIDS" produced by the Vineeta Foundation. In the donor-fatigued, jargon-laden, taboo-filled world of HIV/AIDS, two innocent and innovative voices revive our understanding and compassion. By asking questions (“that only a child could ask”), two young girls get basic, honest, and fresh answers about the pandemic that defines our times. The result is a refreshing and thought-provoking documentary about our inability to make the epidemic understandable to all people because of our discomfort with issues of sex and sexuality. The fact that two kids can get to the bottom of it at the International AIDS Conference -- talking to experts, sex workers, cross-dressers and people living with AIDS-- is hilarious, hopeful and a little bit haunting . . . why have so many died because we can't talk about these subjects in an open and honest way? The lunch takes place Thursday, July 12th at 1:00 PM at the DC CARE Consortium, 1156 15th Street NW, Suite 500. To RSVP online, click here. To download the flyer for this event, click here.

September 13th ACTION Lunch: The DC Youth Risk Behavior Survey

Join us for the Septmber ACTION Lunch when we will learn more about the Youth Risk Behavior Survey. The Youth Risk Behavior Survey helps us better understand young people in the District of Columbia and what behaviors may put them at risk for HIV. Join us for a preliminary look at the 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Survey information, including never before asked questions about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth in our city. Our presenter will be Marc D. Clark, Ph.D., Director of Health Operations for DC Public Schools. This event takes place Thursday, September 13th at the DC CARE Consortium, 1156 15th Street NW #6 To RSVP online for this event: click here. This is one lunch in a three-part series entitled 'Understanding the HIV Epidemic in DC'. To download the flyer for this series, click here.

Beyond Shame: Democrats Sell Out Youth

From rhrealitycheck.org: Today, the House Democrats will waltz into the mark-up of the Labor HHS Subcommittee and proudly present a bill that puts their stamp of approval on domestic abstinence-only-until-marriage programs—an ideological boondoggle that threatens the health and well-being of America's youth. The most appalling aspect of this sell-out is that that the Democrats will not only fully fund the worst of the failed abstinence-only-until-marriage programs—they'll give them a $27 million increase—the first in three years! Shame on Congressman David Obey for brokering this "deal;" shame on Congresswoman Nita Lowey for agreeing to it; and shame on the other Democrats on the Appropriations Committee who have already promised not to offer any amendment that would cut funding for abstinence-only programs and thus "upset" the deal. In one inglorious motion, the Democrats have sold the health and well-being of young people down the proverbial drain, delivered a public slap in the face to evidence-based public health, and made a mockery of their "prevention first" message. Consider this irony. The first domestic policy the Democrats will endorse on the prevention front will be to fund abstinence-only-until-marriage programs for young people up to the age of 29! Good work, gang. You make me proud to be a Democrat—NOT! And consider this second irony. The Democrats will now become one of the largest funders of an ultra-conservative network that is clearly hostile to its policies and candidates (See an in-depth article in The Nation.) The funding of abstinence-only-until-marriage programs represents the worst of cynical, "inside-the-beltway" deal-making. Whose interests were protected at the expense of young people's health and lives? Whose politics were advanced by including this "sweetener" for conservatives in an appropriations bill threatened with a Presidential veto? Inquiring minds would like to know. Now is the time for advocates to hold these Democrats accountable. It would be the height of hypocrisy to go mute when this kind of damage is done to young people because "our friends" are in power. We cannot afford to play the "never mind" game. Never mind the Society of Adolescent Medicine report that stated abstinence-only programs "threaten fundamental human rights to health, information and life"; never mind the congressionally-mandated Mathematica study released in April showing that abstinence-only programs simply do not work; never mind the research showing that young people who take "virginity pledges" are more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior. Should we really ignore it all because these Democrats are "our friends" and we shouldn't publicly criticize our "friends?" To hell with that! Over the next few weeks we need to mount a campaign to reverse this policy even if it means publicly dinging our "friends." After all, with friends like these, who needs conservative Republicans? I urge everyone to take action. Tell the Democratic leadership that it is time to END funding for failed abstinence-only programs today!. - James Wagoner

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.

Education Town Halls Scheduled In Ward 7 and 8

Mayor Adrian Fenty wants to hear your ideas for improving the District's Public School System. The Mayor will hold town halls in every ward with to capture input from parents, teachers, and students. The first two of these forums are in Ward 7 and Ward 8. The Ward 8 Town Hall will be Tuesday May 29th at 6:30 PM at Johnson Junior High, 1400 Bruce Place, SE. The Ward 7 Town Hall will be Tuesday June 5th at 6:30 PM at Smothers Elementary, 4400 Brooks St, NE. click here to download the flyer with details on these two events. Mayor Fenty needs to hear that every young person has the right to honest and accurate information about how to be protected from HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases and teen pregnancy, and that comprehensive sex education in our public schools must become a top priority. If you attend these events I encourage you to tell Mayor Fenty you support comprehensive sex education in our public schools. I also encourage you to ask the following important question. Is the Mayor ready to reject the abstinence-only-until marriage federal funding that the District currently accepts? 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. The broad coalition of organizations that signed on to 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. The American Medical Association has rejected abstinence-only-until-marriage education. They support teaching abstinence as well as honest and accurate information about HIV and pregnancy prevention. The Mayor however, has yet to commit to rejecting the abstinence-only-until-marriage federal funding. (This funding also requires a local match, meaning your local tax dollars go towards an HIV prevention program that medical experts agree doesn't work).

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.