6th Annual Iris House Women's Conference: Teen Summit

On the second day of the 6^th annual Iris House Women as The Face of AIDS conference, The YOU! Project of Iris House hosted a summit focused on teens, HIV, AIDS, and STD’s. Held at the New York Academy of Medicine, teens from all over New York City and New Jersey attended. The presentations focused on 1. Teaching the difference between HIV and AIDS and 2. The effect of STDs on the body. Since most of the presenters were also teens or young adults the summit was particularly effective in reaching its participants.   

The first segment of the summit began with a workshop called “HIV 101” which explained what HIV and AIDS are and the difference between the two. Many people don't realize that HIV is a virus that infects the immune system and kills white blood cells or T cells. AIDS is a more advanced form of HIV in which the immune system is so weak that any illness can become deadly. The workshop also dispelled myths associated with the infection and disease. Myths like, it's possible to contract HIV from a toilet seat or that hugging an HIV infected person can spread the virus. Also shared were tips on how to prevent contracting the disease, such as abstaining from sex, using protection for safe sex, and using clean needles when getting a tattoo. 

Sexually transmitted diseases/infections (STD’s and STI’s) were the next topic of discussion. Teens learned just how prevelant STDs and STIs are in their age group. According to one STUDY, IN 2009, the city of New York reported 19,035 cases of Chlamydia in people ages 15-19 years old. Gonorrhea was reported at 2,754 cases in the same age group. To drive home the seriousness of these diseases and infections, presenters discussed and showed pictures of how STD’s can affect a person, both internally and externally. Though graphic in nature, both the dialog and visuals helped the teens to understand just how damaging an STD can be.

The summit ended with variety of performances and demonstrations. From spoken word and stepping to how to properly put on a condom and what types of lubricant you should use (such as flavored lubricant for oral use and non flavored lubricant for genetalia). Though teens enjoyed the entertainment, a few if the demonstrations were a little uncomfortable for some. For example, a 12-year-old boy, who was granted permission to attend the workshop by his parents/guardians, he hesitated to practice putting a condom on a modeled penis until one person in the group encouraged him that it would be a “life lesson to learn”.

Summit organizer, Debra Bosier-Allen, specializes in creating HIV/AIDS and STD conferences for teens.“We have a lot of teen workshops, we go all over to do," she said," We do it here, over in the Bronx, Jersey, all over.We provide HIV 101 workshops primarily to high schools, churches. We’ve done several interventions for the young people.”  Other teen and young adult programs that Ms. Busier-Allen has created are Listen Up (for young heterosexual men), D-UP (for young gay men), and the Willow Intervention (for young women who are infected with HIV). 

Overall the summit was interesting and informative. Although I was there to cover the event I was also an attendee and participated in the demonstration on how to put a condom properly. Since most of the audience were in middle and high school (with only 3 young adults) it was in their best interest to learn about HIV/AIDS and STD/STI’s . They’re in the phase of their lives in which they become sexually active and, regardless of sexual orientation, need to learn about the risks that come with having sex and ways to protect themselves from catching an infection.

For more information regarding about STD’s, where to get tested for HIV, or to find a low cost clinic, go to www.nyc.gov/teenhealthor email mfreeman@nyc.gov.

--Nelson Morales, Jr.

GET DOWN Youth Blog Squad

nelsonmo@eden.rutgers.edu

6th Annual Iris House Women's Conference

On June 24^th and 25^th, The New York Academy of Medicine hosted the 6^th Annual Iris House Women as the Face of AIDS Summit. Iris House (www.irishouse.org), a center for women living with HIV/AIDS, brought together the leading activists in HIV/AIDS prevention from up and down the east coast…and Get Down PSA was present to partake in what was a very successful summit! The theme of this year’s event was "Beyond the Diagnosis". According to Iris House Chair, Ingrid Floyd, one of the many goals of the summit was to help those diagnosed with HIV/AIDS realize that they have every opportunity to live healthy and fulfilling lives beyond their diagnosis.

The first day of the event focused specifically on how women and girls, globally and domestically, receive education and treatment about HIV/AIDS. The opening speaker, Dr. Gina Brown, Coordinator for Microbicides Research and Women and Girls Research, provided shocking statistics behind this epidemic. According to Dr. Brown, in New York City alone, 93% of all new female diagnoses are African American and Latina women. Dr. Brown concluded her presentation by introducing the latest trends in HIV prevention, as well as updates on the latest vaccine and microbicide trials.

Following Dr. Brown were Matthew Lesieur, of Village Care of New York and National Association of People with AIDS, and Sean Barry, of VOCAL-NY. Both men worked in conjunction to provide information on the latest federal, state and local policies affecting those living with HIV/AIDS. According to Lesieur, the United States has hit a debt limit of $14.3 trillion, a fact that has directly affected services such as Medicaid and Medicare, the biggest payers of care for people with HIV.

The summit also featured the Leading Ladies Programs Across the United States, which works with leaders of faith-based-organizations and assists them in providing HIV education and awareness within their congregations. The Leading Ladies Program creates ambassadors who, in turn, develop workshops targeted specifically towards female congregants. The panel of ladies explained that quite often, women are discouraged from getting tested if they are married or are involved in a monogamous relationship. What these women brought to light, however, was the fact that one’s martial status should not inhibit them from getting tested. Everyone should get tested and everyone should know his or her status.

The summit then divided into five breakout sessions, each of which included a panel of pastors and parishioners to help fuel heated discussions on the philosophy of safe sex and condom use. One session, titled Faith Based Organizations: The Condom Debate, addressed how FBOs within the African American and Latino communities deal with HIV/AIDS related issues. According to Rev. Gerald L. Thomas, PhD, of Shiloh Baptist Church in Plainfield, NJ, it is not the church’s responsibility to distribute condoms.

“I don’t believe Jesus would be healing a leper on one hand, while handing out a condom on the other,” said Rev. Thomas. His view, though not accepted by many, provoked panel members and audience members alike to vocalize their opinions regarding this heated topic of debate. Most people seemed to side with Leatrice Wactor, a representative from the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem, NY. According to Ms. Wactor, “Folks in the church are having sex. We don’t want to admit it, but that’s the reality. And nobody’s gonna stop simply because you said so or I said so.” Like every other panel member besides Rev. Thomas, Ms. Wactor convinced the pastor at her church to allow for condom distribution.

There is no doubt that both sides of The Condom Debate presented extremely valid arguments. In my opinion, Ms. Wactor couldn’t be more right in her claim about the “reality” of this situation. People are having sex and have been doing so since the beginning of time…and that is a fact that will not change. What we now need is for people to act responsibly and take advantage of the knowledge we have to prevent the further spread of this epidemic. Turning our backs on this situation won’t solve any problems, but putting on a condom will.

Day one of the 6^th Annual Iris House Women as the Face of AIDS Summit was a success in more ways than one. The various speakers and panel members helped to ensure that all those present gained a true understanding of exactly how this epidemic continues to affect our community…and that as women, we must stand together to make sure that our voices are heard.

-Rebecca Florczyk
GET DOWN Youth Blog Squad
florczy3@tcnj.edu

ALL THAT HUMPIN' AROUND

National HIV Testing Day is this Monday, June 27th. We know how the hot weather gets everyone out, mixing and mingling. Ahhh...the Vacation/Summer Weekend Fling. All good right? Well, if you don't know your status - or that of your partner(s) or "fling" - you are putting yourself at risk for HIV and other STDS, especially if there is drugs or alcohol involved. Feeling tipsy? Now your guard is down. And that's not hot.

Check out one of our favs, ex-Floetry vocalist Marsha Ambrosius, and her sexy new video "Late Nights, Early Mornings". Powerful message. Amazing talent. We love Marsha.

One Walk Amongst Many

Sunday, May 15th, 2011 was the first time I did the AIDS walk. It won't be the last. I can't find the words to describe my experience. Many may think that it's just walking, something we do every day, what's the significance? For anyone whose life has been affected by the devastation that is HIV/AIDS, it is more than just walking. It is an emotional and spiritual experience.

The crowd was a beautiful kaleidoscope of people. From Black to White, young to old, gay to straight, we all walked as one for a cause. There was so much kindness and warmth between us all. There was joy, and for some of us, stifled tears. I'm certain there were as many reasons for walking as there were faces in the crowd. But, in spite of our reasons for walking, we walked in unison. A fraternity bound together with a common goal...to spread awareness about HIV/AIDS.

The long walk is a lot for someone like me, who is not in the best physical shape(Lol). There were moments that I wanted to give in. In those moments, I had my cousin and my good friend by my side to keep me pressing on. The volunteers cheered us on as we made our way. More than that, I had my mother's spirit surrounding me. She kept me strong, kept my focus on my goal. And with that, I crossed the finish line.

At the finish line, there was an area with a sign that said 'I walk'. There was a paper 'wall' where walkers could write why they participated in the walk. I stopped to read it, and then I picked up a marker and wrote a message to my mom, with the hope that she could see it from heaven.

And then I shed a tear. But I wasn't crying for my loss alone. I cried for the millions of people who have also experienced the loss of loved ones to HIV/AIDS. That wall was a personification of the emotion and pain that was our common thread.

I feel such a sense of pride in myself for walking this year. I'm proud of the tens of thousands of people who walked with me through the rain. I proud to say that I was part of such an awesome event. But I know we're not done. We need to keep protecting ourselves. We have to keep spreading the word about prevention.

We need to keep reminding others about the importance of being tested and knowing your status. We need to support those who are affected and infected by this epidemic. We need to understand that walking is just a battle that is part of a bigger war. This is just one 'step' in the walk to find a cure...one walk amongst many.

Sincerely,

Chante'l S. Mikell

chantel.mikell@gmail.com

We're Walking and Need Your Support

We, at GET DOWN, are so happy to be walking in AIDS Walk NY this year again with FACES NY. We'll be joining CBS and companies and community based organizations in the fight against HIV & AIDS. We're helping raise money for services at the local level.

Please click on the AIDS WALK NY poster, on the right, and donate. Thanks!

Sincerely,

Team GET DOWN

GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS

Hey Ladies, Gents and Kiddies of all ages!

Since December 2010, we’ve been getting busy. On World Aids Day 2010, in conjunction with Safe Horizon’s “Safe Harbor” program at ACORN High School in Brooklyn, NY we visited four classes. It was the first time GET DOWN and FACES NY did a joint, interactive presentation. It was always GET DOWN’s goal to have education be a key component of what we do. So now, our feet are officially “on the ground”, along with our charity partner, FACES NY.

FACES NY Education Team Member educate the ACORN High School Youth.




FACES NY Education Team Member dispels the myths.


Viewing the GET DOWN PSA.

The kids at ACORN were so inquisitive. There are so many myths and misconceptions out there about HIV, what it is, what is AIDS, and how is HIV contracted. Still, 30 years later, the same questions. Not much as changed from when I was in school, except that now there is more information out there and way more research has been done. So why is it that there is still so much misinformation, especially among the youth? HIV/AIDS Education, or lack thereof, is a key barrier to prevention. With limited resources, qualified personnel and training, the education system can only go but so far. Another is school attendance. The Center For Disease Control (CDC) lists “poverty and out-of-school-youth” as a factor. Simply put, if you are not there, you can’t receive the information.

We consider ourselves “gap-fillers” because that’s where local organizations like FACES NY come in and bridge the gap between educators and lack of training, resources and tools. The GET DOWN PSA was cited by educators at ACORN High School as being a “modern teaching tool”. For this reason, we hope you will continue to support GET DOWN and FACES NY in the coming years.

HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT GET DOWN? Just by reading and following our Blog, commenting, sharing our links, following us on Twitter and friending us on Facebook. You can also blog for us every once in a while. It’s by and about people like you, people who care about what’s going on in the community and understand how HIV/AIDS affects everyone. It’s a global pandemic. The blog is our voice and offers a way to have conversation and dialogue.

We also need your financial support for FACES NY. Budgets and monies for HIV/AIDS education, counseling, treatment were adversely affected by the deep and long recession. That’s why the GET DOWN team is walking with FACES NY (TEAM #0638) at AIDS WALK 2011.

Walking with TEAM FACES NY at AIDS Walk 2010.


I personally hope to best my last year’s goal. To support my walk, which benefits FACES NY, a 501c3 HIV/AIDS organization, please make a donation by GOING TO THIS URL: http://aidswalknewyork2011.kintera.org/kimjford

Let’s GET DOWN TO BUSINESS! Thanks so much!

In peace and progress,

Kim J. Ford
Creator and Chief Bottle Washer
GET DOWN PSA Campaign & Movement

BOOM BYE HATE: Homophobia Does Disservice to HIV/AIDS Prevention

In this Part 2 of 2, GET DOWN Blogger Alysia C. continues her series on HIV & The Caribbean by taking a look at homophobia and it’s effect on HIV/AIDS prevention efforts in the Caribbean and Caribbean-American Community.

In order to gain deeper understanding of the "murder music" phenomenon and the perpetuation of fear, stigma and hate, I interviewed "Carlos", a 29 yr old gay Guyanese born man now living in New York City. "Carlos" confirmed that Boom Bye Bye is also one of his favorite songs.

I guess "Carlos" and I, like many others, are so busy enjoying the rhythm and vibe of the music that they just aren’t paying too much attention to the lyrics.

Carlos, who immigrated to the United States from Guyana at the age of 12, confirmed in our interview that though he was just starting to understand what sex was when living in Guyana, he knew of the existence of gay men, known in Guyana as “battyboys” and “anti-men”. “In Guyana, the people are in denial about it (homosexuality). It’s pushed under the rug, not talked about. And when it is known (it’s met) with hostility and hatred.” And there isn’t a wide-ranging network of outreach organizations assisting and educating gay Guyanese men and women. “Gays in Guyana live very isolated lives, here there is more awareness due to the U.S. culture (but among Caribbean-Americans it’s seen as) an outside thing, that it comes from white people and is (the result) of American influence.” As Thomas Glave, a Jamaican professor and writer now living in the States, (and also co-founder of J-FLAG along with Brian Williamson) once said, “The music exacerbates public homophobia. We don’t need this kind of advocacy of violence in Jamaica, which is already very violent.”

So what does this mean for the fight against HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean? Though we know there are multiple ways in which to contract HIV (sharing needles, from mother to child via breast milk, vaginal secretions, etc.), it is still a disease strongly associated with homosexuality. As such, the negative and violent attitudes Caribbean culture harbors about gays have tremendously affected the fight against the virus and disease. Both homosexuals and heterosexuals who in engage in risky sexual behavior fail to get tested as much as they should. Previously, I've covered the statistics of reported high rates of new HIV cases among the Caribbean diaspora in this blog. The stigma and discrimination prevent them from accessing vital HIV prevention, treatment and care services. And with the possibility that their homosexuality (or suspicion thereof) may be leaked to the public5 some Caribbean people may not seek HIV/AIDS education, testing or treatment. The harassment they would receive from family, friends, and neighbours keeps them in the dark and leaves them at a higher risk of contracting the virus and/or needlessly suffering from the disease.

Things are a little different when it comes to the Caribbean-American community. Whether born in the West Indies and now living in the States or the child of Caribbean immigrants, Caribbean-Americans and Caribbeans living in the United States often walk a fine line. They juggle the beliefs and traditions of their Caribbean culture with those of American society. Caribbean-American youths may live in a society where homosexuality is more widely accepted but they are also often raised with / exposed to the harsh Caribbean take on homosexuality and HIV/AIDS.

Though Caribbean-Americans may be exposed to these homophobic views, if living in the States, especially here in New York City, they there are few barriers to accessing HIV/AIDS testing, education and treatment information. According to Dr. Monica Sweeney, Asst. Commissioner of the Bureau of HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control at the NYC Health Department, New York state law recently amended that the public health law, Article 27F. This amendment requires that heath care professionals routinely offer an HIV test to all patients, from 13 years old to 64 years old, in primary care settings, emergency departments and inpatient settings. Patients must also be provided information on HIV/AIDS risk and treatment.

But easy access to HIV/AIDS testing treatment doesn’t equal acceptance or tolerance. Even with our growing acceptance of gays and lesbians, Americans also struggle with negative attitudes and violent treatment of homosexuals. Even among some middle school and high school youth, there exists an unbelievable level of gay bullying. So much so that several teens have committed suicide over the past few months as a result of gay bullying and harrasment. We, as Americans, have come a long way in the fight for gay rights but if there are kids killing themselves because of the treatment they are receiving in school, then we as well have a farther to go.

Both The Caribbean and Caribbean-American communities have a lot of work to do to. We must be willing to talk openly and honestly about our issues. Carlos hit it the nail on the head when he said, “[There must be a] willingness for people to confront their biases and homophobia. (There needs to be a] generational shift. People need to be open to talk about it [homosexuality] and not shun their family.”

If we continue working to erase the stigma associated with homosexuality we will see progress made in HIV/AIDS education, testing and treatment throughout the Caribbean. Grassroots efforts must be made to engage the community in a meaningful dialouge in additon to change in all levels of Caribbean society, politically, financially, socially and emotionally.

Susan Timberlake, a senior advisor on human rights and law with the Geneva-based Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), said it best, "…unless we deal with the stigma and discrimination and the punitive legal environments that exist, we will not have an effective response to this HIV epidemic."

My people, what do you think? Why is homophobia so prevalent in the Caribbean? Should the buggery laws be repealed? What do you think is needed for real change to occur? Do you take issue with ‘murder music’? Is there a place for gays and lesbians in Caribbean society?

REFERENCES

5 Avert.org ‘Homophobia, Prejudice and Attitudes toward Gay Men and Lesbians’

Alysia Christiani

alysiasimone@gmail.com

For more information please visit:

Jamaica Forum For Lesbians, All-sexuals and Gays

http://www.jflag.org/

New York City Dept of Heath and Mental Hygiene

http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/ah/ah.shtml

International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans And Intersex Association, Latin America & Caribbean

http://ilga.org/ilga/en/organisations/ILGA%20LATIN%20AMERICA%20AND%20CARIBBEAN

Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender And Queer Jamaica

http://glbtqjamaica.blogspot.com/

Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination- Guyana

http://www.sasod.org.gy/

http://sasod.blogspot.com/

Murder Inna Dancehall

http://www.soulrebels.org/dancehall.htm

BOOM BYE HATE: Homophobia Does Disservice to HIV/AIDS Prevention

In this Part 1 of 2, GET DOWN Blogger Alysia C. continues her series on HIV & The Caribbean by taking a look at homophobia and it’s effect on HIV/AIDS prevention efforts in the Caribbean and Caribbean-American Community.

CHORUS (x2): (Its like) Boom bye bye / Inna batty bwoy head / Rude bwoy no promote no nasty man. Dem haffi dead.

VERSE: (Two man) Hitch up on an rub up on / An lay down inna bed / Hug up on another / Anna feel up leg / Send fi di matic an / Di Uzi instead / Shoot dem no come if we shot dem—(GUNSHOT SOUND)

The words above are lyrics to one of my favorite reggae songs. Boom Bye Bye recorded in 1988 then re-released in 1993 by famed dancehall artist Buju Banton. Hearing the song takes me back to my high school days. Red light basement bashments. Summer time BBQs. Folks on the dancefloor doing the bogle and the buttafly. Good times, right?.

Not if you were a gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered teen listening to the song. Why? Because Boom Bye Bye is one of the most hate filled, homophobic songs in reggae music. It’s basically a call to kill / inflict bodily harm on all gays and lesbians. For those not versed in Caribbean slang/patois, I've loosely translated the lyrics as:

CHORUS (x2): (Its like) Gunshots / In a gay man’s head / Real men don’t promote that nastiness / They should be killed.

VERSE: (Two men) are hugging and rubbing / then lay down in the bed / Hugging one another. And feeling up their legs / Get the automatic / And the Uzi instead / Shoot them come let’s shoot them—(GUNSHOT SOUND)

At the time the song came out, neither my friends nor I gave a thought to the lyrics. I knew what he was saying but all I cared about were the rhythm and vibe of the music. And after all, it’s just a song. No one took it seriously. Or did they?

The truth of the matter is that many people did take the song and the sentiment behind it seriously. Homophobia runs deep in the Caribbean community From Jamaica to St. Lucia, Guyana to Barbados and beyond, Caribbean culture is embedded with Christian fundamentalist beliefs and hyper-masculine attitudes that fuel the idea that homosexuality is immoral and a sin. And that anyone who strikes out against ‘battyboys & sodomites’ (gays and lesbians, note: the term batty is Caribbean slang for buttocks), verbally, emotionally, and even physically, isn’t doing anything wrong. Indeed, such behavior is often approved, encouraged, and even celebrated.

Approval of such behavior was witnessed by a Human Rights Watch¹ researcher when, Brian Williamson, a leading Jamaican gay rights activist and co-founder of J-FLAG, Jamaican Forum for Lesbians, All-sexuals and Gays, was murdered in 2004. Shortly after his mutilated body was discovered, a joyous crowd gathered around the crime scene laughing, celebrating and calling out “let’s get them one at a time,” “that’s what you get for sin,” and “let’s kill all of them.” Some even sang lyrics from the Buju Banton song as well.²

Williamsons’ murder is only one of many violent acts committed against gays and lesbians in the Caribbean. Numerous men and women are murdered, beaten, chopped, and burned once they were found out to be or even suspected of being homosexual. And usually the attacker(s) face little or no legal punishment. How is this possible? When homophobia is so deeply entrenched in a society it is hard for a victim of gay bashing to find sympathy or legal recourse for what they’ve been through.

Legally speaking, there are currently 11 countries in the English-speaking Caribbean that still have laws criminalizing sexual and intimate conduct between persons of the same sex. Known as ‘buggery laws’, (buggery is a British term for anal intercourse and beastiality) the Inter-American Commissions for Human Rights named the following countries as still having buggery laws on the books: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago. Punishment for breaking these laws is most often imprisonment / hard labor from two to ten years.³

Even in leisure time entertainment, specifically danchall reggae music, homophobic attitudes and beliefs are promoted and celebrated. Hugely popular songs by world famous dancehall artists contain lyrics such as:

Everytime I see a battyboy (gay man) / me gun it haffi (have to) buss (bust/shoot) / all battyboy (gay man) you know dem must bite de dust / because a dem the boys a bring it / the AIDS virus4

Songs containing such lyrics, which has come to be known as “murder music”, are beloved and sung by many Caribbeans and Caribbean-American’s. I too, being of Guyanese descent, have been guilty. With the recent rash of high profile “gay bullying” incidents, which have been closely followed here at GET DOWN, I decided to take a deeper look at how the music and culture that I grew up might have a negative impact on the ability to stop stigmatizing HIV and AIDS, and provide prevention and education in my own community.

To Be Continued on Friday, December 10th....

Part 1 of 2

REFERENCES

1Human Rights Watch is one of the world’s leading independent organizations dedicated to defending and protecting human rights.

2 ‘Hated To Death: Homophobia, Violence and Jamaica’s HIV/AIDS Epidemic’ Human Rights Watch 2004

3 Caribbean petition to Inter-American Commissions for Human Rights to urge the repeal of anti-homosexual legislation Oct 2010

4 Batty Boy Fi Die – Red Dragon

Alysia Christiani
alysiasimone@gmail.com