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UPCOMING EVENTS   |
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In our October Issue:
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ACTION ALERT: Your help is needed immediately to protect HIV/AIDS funding!
As you may know, following months of stalemate on our state budget, the California Legislature reached a budget compromise that now sits with Governor Schwarzenegger for approval. Remarkably, thanks to the advocacy work of groups from across California and people just like you, this budget compromise would restore $52 million in funding for state HIV/AIDS programs, reversing many of the devastating cuts made last year. This would be a big win for HIV/AIDS prevention and care programs in California, BUT we must defend it in the final budget. The money is critically important for vital services including HIV testing, prevention, early intervention, home and community-based care, and housing. Governor Schwarzenegger will have the final say about whether this funding remains in the budget. The Governor is expected to act this week. Help us fight Schwarzenegger's blue pencil by making your voice heard! We urge you to contact his office today to let him know how critical this funding is for saving lives in California.
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Lance Toma Reflects on the United States Conference on AIDS
The United States Conference on AIDS 2010 (USCA) in Orlando, FL, highlighted two key themes this year, the ADAP crisis and the National HIV/AIDS Strategy. What I appreciated about the conference this year was the presence of several key members of the President's staff to voice their plans and efforts to impact the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the US. On September 13th, Secretary for Health & Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius addressed conference attendees of her focused attention to the crisis of ADAP and how the Affordable Care Act will expand coverage for people living with HIV/AIDS. She also spoke of her commitment to the National HIV/AIDS Strategy and expanded resources for HIV/AIDS prevention and wellness efforts for this year and even more in future years. READ MORE... |
A&PI Wellness Center Staff at the United States Conference on AIDS
Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center was everywhere at this year's United States Conference on AIDS held in Orlando, Florida from September 12-15, 2010. We lead or co-presented twelve different conference sessions, highlighting our expertise across different arenas in HIV/AIDS. READ MORE... |
On September 23, 2010, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new data showing that among 21 major cities that 19% of men who have sex with men (gay, bisexual or otherwise) are living with HIV while 44% don't know they are living with HIV. The study is based on a data analysis of the 2008 National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System and reported in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Among Asians, the study found an 8% HIV prevalence rate, and among Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, the rate was much higher at 18%. Of those that tested positive, nearly half of both Asians and Pacific Islanders did not know their status (43% and 45% respectively). For Asians and Pacific Islanders, the data could be inconclusive due to low recruitment of Asian and Pacific Islanders (A&PI) in the sample of the study where only 2% were Asian and less than 1% were Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander. This low recruitment of A&PIs into the study is disappointing because the study did include seven metropolitan areas where large populations of A&PI MSMs reside. These cities included Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle. At this point, we do not have a clear understanding why such low recruitment rates of A&PIs occurred for this study. A&PIs have the lowest testing rates of all races and ethnicities. A comparison of San Francisco Department of Public Health data and US Census Bureau data show that A&PIs test at a significantly lower rate compared to their population. In 2008, A&PIs made up over 30% of the population, but of all HIV tests given in the city, only 10% were to A&PIs. Yet, data shows from 2004 to 2010, A&PI MSM HIV rates have gone from 4% to 10% of the city's epidemic. Nationally, two-thirds of Asians and over half of Pacific Islanders have never been tested for HIV. Here are ways to find out more about this study: Read Dr. Kevin Fenton's blog post. Dr. Fenton is the Director of CDC's National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention. Read the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. [September 24, 2010, Prevalence and Awareness of HIV Infection Among Men Who Have Sex with Men-21 Cities, United States, 2008. 59(37);1201-1207.] |
LGBT, HIV, Asylum & Immigration Panel Discussion
Comprehensive immigration reform, barriers to a grant of asylum, and HIV- and LGBT-related stigma were some of the topics discussed during an LGBT, HIV, Asylum & Immigration panel discussion hosted by A&PI Wellness Center and the National Immigrant Justice Center on Monday. Attendees had an opportunity to meet four experts and advocates in the field and to further connect with much needed services. Of the 12 million undocumented workers living in the US, "we estimate 1 million of them are Asians and Pacific Islanders," said Chris Punongbayan of Asian Law Caucus. For A&PIs, language barriers and a lack of visible resources to provide help for undocumented workers often prevent them from navigating the complex immigration system. While the prospects of comprehensive immigration reform have waned since the passing of national health care legislation, there is still a possibility that Congress may pass some sort of immigration reform during the "lame-duck" session after November. This could provide a path to citizenship for undocumented workers. However, this won't necessarily address immigration barriers for LGBT families. Erik Schnable from Out4Immigration says, "while the immigration process is difficult to navigate for most people, it's often even more impossible for LGBT families. There are fewer possibilities of relief under the current system." Out4Immigration is advocating for the Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America's Security and Prosperity Act (CIR ASAP) in the House of Representatives, and pushing for the Uniting American Families Act to allow partners of permanent US residents to stay in the US. Conservative estimates indicate that more than 36,000 same-sex couples would be affected by this legislation. Some progress has been made in the last few months on HIV issues. In particular, the government overturned its travel ban on people living with HIV from entering the United States, and HIV and sexual orientation are two of the protected classes acknowledge in asylum applications. "It is incredibly affirming that you can tell a client that it doesn't matter that you have HIV," said Linda Tam of East Bay Community Law Center. However, other hurdles, including the one-year deadline to apply for asylum as well as heightened travel restrictions and scrutiny in the U.S. post-September 11 make it much more difficult for asylum seekers to enter the country. Asylum seekers who have made it into the U.S. must apply for asylum within one year of entry. The stigma and shame, real or perceived, in outing one's HIV status or sexual orientation prevent many from asking for help, missing this important deadline. "People ask for advice for their brother or friend, when they're really talking about themselves, and then they don't follow through with the process" said Dusty Araujo of the National Immigrant Justice Center. Even with exemptions from the one-year deadline for "changed or extraordinary circumstances" such as mental illness, change in home country stability or a new HIV diagnosis, each case is judged on its own individual merits and the judge's discretion. With all these new developments in immigration and asylum, A&PI Wellness Center plans to partner with these organizations to provide trainings, workshops and clinics to our clients and the community. |
"The Other City" Comes to San Francisco
In every city, there's another city that visitors rarely see. But this other city isn't just anywhere — it's in Washington, DC. The very city that is home to the capitol of the most powerful country in the world has an HIV/AIDS rate that is not only the nation's highest, but rivals some African countries. "The Other City" has been called "compelling" and "deeply affecting" by the Los Angeles Times and "alarming" by the Village Voice. You now have two chances to catch this film at the Roxie Theater in San Francisco on Sunday, October 10 at either 1:00 or 3:15 PM. The filmmakers will also be on hand to talk about the film. Tickets are $10 and can be pre-ordered. For more information about the film, visit the official website. |
Shut Up & Sing! was an absolute blast! Thank you to all the attendees and bidders for making the night lively and joyous. A&PI Wellness Center would also like to thank Encore Karaoke and their staff for hosting the event. If you missed the fun please check out our You Tube page as videos of singers will be posted in the near future. |
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Transcontinental travel is costly. Help offset the cost of our public policy and advocacy work by making a donation of frequent flyer airline reward tickets. Your tax-deductible donation of reward tickets will help change the conversation in Washington, DC, adding a valuable voice to fight for the resources our community needs. To donate your airline reward miles, please contact Sara Kunitake, 415-292-3420 ext 373. |
 Giving just got easier! If your workplace partners with United Way, you can donate to us by setting up a deduction from your payroll each pay period. Over time your support will lead to a substantial contribution to Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center, helping sustain our work to better the health of A&PI and LGBT communities. See your human resources department to find out if your company participates! |