Kerry v. Bush on AIDS
By Ramone Gardenhire, in politics
Friday, October 29 2004, 12:39AM
Mark November 2, 2004 on your calendar. It’s an important date for all of America. But for same-gender loving African Americans, it could be a life-changing one.
More than any other issue, HIV/AIDS is of special concern to the same-gender loving African American community. Although African Americans make up only 12% of the overall U.S. population, we account for half of all new HIV cases. As of 2003, nearly one out of every three urban same-gender loving black men is HIV-positive. And even more troubling than that, according to the Centers for Disease Control, 90% of those infected are completely unaware of their HIV-status. We don’t know we have the disease, and as such, we’re not doing enough to stop it from spreading.
In the upcoming presidential election, we will have the chance to weigh in on this, the single most important issue facing our community today. Our votes will determine whether HIV/AIDS becomes a national priority for all Americans or is held hostage to a right-wing ideology for four more years.
And the choice could not be more clear.
While President Bush has weakened America’s fight against AIDS by pushing abstinence-based programs over scientifically proven contraceptive methods of protection, John Kerry has been leading the fight against HIV/AIDS for over a decade. He was an original cosponsor of the 1990 “Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency Act” to improve the quality and availability of care for individuals and families with HIV. John Kerry was a key supporter of the Ryan White Care Act, which significantly improved health care for those with HIV, and in 2003, he stood up against Republican attempts to decrease funding for minority health care, including HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment programs. His hard work on behalf of those in our community with HIV/AIDS has earned him a career rating of 100% from the Human Rights Campaign.
And once we help elect John Kerry as President, he will continue to fight for us.
John Kerry plans to continue waging an all out war against HIV/AIDS. He will increase Funding for the Ryan White CARE Act. He will ensure equal access for those of us living with the diseases with the Housing Opportunities for People With AIDS (HOPWA) program. Plus, John Kerry will protect and improve Medicaid, the largest financer of HIV/AIDS care in the United States. And John Kerry will ensure the highest level of funding for the Minority HIV/AIDS Initiative (MHAI) to combat the disproportionate prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the African American community.
John Kerry also supports the Leadership Campaign on AIDS which will help put African American and gay leaders on the front lines in our community’s battle. And John Kerry will increase AIDS research funding at the National Institutes of Health, CDC, and other agencies, creating incentives for public and private development of AIDS vaccines and microbicides.
We will not ensure equal treatment for those living with HIV and AIDS and we will not stop its spread until we elect a leader with the vision and commitment to help fight for our community and our lives. John Kerry is that leader and we, the same-gender loving community of America, have the power to put him in the White House.
The choice is ours. Save the date. Save one another.
Ramon Gardenhire is deputy director of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Outreach at the Democratic National Committee.
Comments conceal
jaymillionaire
October 29 2004, 4:58AM
I hate to demean this gentleman's article. But I just had to say that he's hot...Keith, keep the fine guest writers coming :)
A little humor to distract us a moment from the election intensity.
Dele
October 29 2004, 8:59AM
Here in London I am amazed at the high level of Black Gay/Bi/others who go to sauna's, parks,toilets & websites are wanting /engage in BAREBACKING.
IN BRITAIN WE HAVE THE NHS SO WE DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT HEALTH CARE & THERE ARE BLACKRUN SERVICES BUT IT CONTINUES.
Http://www.gaydar.co.uk is the biggest Gay website(most popular) in the uk/europe & I believe in the world..............It is a breeding ground for guys who want to bareback.
I am very concerned...........
Butch
October 29 2004, 11:36AM
Perhaps you could have helped John Edwards answer Gwen Ifill's question on HIV/AIDS!!! Sadly, both political parties had sad records on this issue.
As a conservative, I will never understand the abstinence-only stance of many of my ideology comrades. (Even though there is no doubt that abstinence is the only 100% effective way to prevent pregnancy and STDs)
However, I find it interesting that you article focuses mainly on policies to treat the afflicted. It seems to me that, while we cannot as a society neglect those living with this disease - who can live increasingly longer lives, the key to stopping the spread of this awful disease lies in prevention and education. Again, this is an area that both parties, for various political reasons, have awful records.
Troy
October 29 2004, 3:14PM
And on top of all that there's even more:
Letting Zarqawi get away: On Monday The Wall Street Journal confirmed an earlier report that in 2002 the military drew up plans for a strike on the base of the terrorist leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in an area of Iraq not under Saddam's control. But civilian officials vetoed the attack - probably because they thought it might undermine political support for the war against Saddam. So Mr. Zarqawi, like Osama, was given the chance to kill another day.
The situation in Iraq Dick Cheney is telling supporters that Iraq is a "remarkable success story." But the news from Iraq just keeps getting worse. After 49 Iraqi National Guard recruits were killed, execution style, even Ayad Allawi, the Iraqi prime minister - who usually acts as a de facto spokesman for the Bush-Cheney campaign - accused coalition forces of "gross negligence." It's now clear that the insurgency is much larger than U.S. officials initially acknowledged, and that Iraqi security forces have been heavily infiltrated.
$70 billion more Earlier this week: The Washington Post reported that administration officials were planning to seek an additional $70 billion for Iraq and Afghanistan after the election. Whatever the precise number, it has long been obvious to knowledgeable observers that this was coming, but the news will come as a shock to many people who still don't realize how deep a quagmire Mr. Bush has gotten us into.
All of these stories would be getting more play right now if it weren't for the Al Qaqaa mess, not just this election. Still, one can understand why the right is so upset.
(Keith; Lovin these new faces in journalism, let's hear from some more!)
cmoney
October 29 2004, 6:03PM
I agree with you jaymillionaire!!! This fellow can teach me safe sex any day of the week!! :-)
In all seriousness, none of these candidates is worth a damn when it comes to AIDS in minority communities. We are going to have to fend for ourselves by protecting each other and teaching, with love, not hate, judgment and condemnation, our teens and young adults how to protect themselves. Bush is a disaster and Kerry may be much better, but we owe it to ourselves to save ourselves.
jaymillionaire
October 29 2004, 6:04PM
Keith,
I wanted to share this instant message conversation I had with porn-peddler Ty Lattimore. I just got fed up with him soliciting porn applications in my e-mail.
Ya nigga : enough already
tylattimore2000: ??
tylattimore2000: what are you talking about
Ya nigga : the porn applications, makes my stomach turn on how you are trying to exploit young black gay men
Ya nigga : at this point in time
Ya nigga : don't you have any sort of social concience?
tylattimore2000: why don;t you find something else to do besides jocking me
tylattimore2000: I am not exploiting anyone
tylattimore2000: I am not the first person to shoot porn
tylattimore2000: nor the last
tylattimore2000: actually I am paying the guys much more than they make else where
tylattimore2000: ae you creating any jobs for people
Ya nigga : why don't you find something else to do besides being disgusting, look in the mirror are you happy with what you see?
tylattimore2000: stop hating on me
Ya nigga : lol CREATING JOBS
Ya nigga : LOL
tylattimore2000: I am very happy
Ya nigga : YOUR A PIMP
Ya nigga : LOL
tylattimore2000: you must not be
Ya nigga : CREATING JOBS
Ya nigga : lol
tylattimore2000: well then I plan on being a good pimp
Ya nigga : pimp ya whole race out
Ya nigga : huh
tylattimore2000: Find something else to do
tylattimore2000: and stop bothering me
Ya nigga : you find something else to do as well
tylattimore2000: you must be a fat oubk
tylattimore2000: punk
tylattimore2000: I have alot to do
Ya nigga : no very good looking
tylattimore2000: throw sex parties
Ya nigga : you sure do have a lot to do
tylattimore2000: shut videos
tylattimore2000: escort
tylattimore2000: and make my business succesful
Ya nigga : Your the Pride of our race
tylattimore2000: and I model too
tylattimore2000: I do my best
Ya nigga : lol model
Ya nigga : lol
tylattimore2000: and what magazines are you on
tylattimore2000: Mr. Sexy
Ya nigga : lol magazines
tylattimore2000: yeah i thought so
Ya nigga : lol
tylattimore2000: you just sit back and hate
Ya nigga : I have a real job
tylattimore2000: on what other so
tylattimore2000: do
Ya nigga : and I have an education
tylattimore2000: well good for you
Ya nigga : I don't have to be a porn peddler
tylattimore2000: you don't know anything about me fatboy
tylattimore2000: well I am
tylattimore2000: and I love it
Ya nigga : don't get me wrong, I don't have a problem with porn
tylattimore2000: so does you daddy
Ya nigga : it just erks me to see that stuff at this time when we as black gay men are under attack
Ya nigga : by the way, if you seen me, you would want me (but I don't wanna go there)
Ya nigga : nice to meet you and thank you for the response
DB
October 31 2004, 10:45PM
Ramon, this article is much appreciated. These type facts go unnoticed because of the hype around what's the BIG Issues during an election. People don't take time to see how the president they choose will affect them. Outside the war in Iraq and jobs. While those are important issues, please don't get me wrong on that, I think keeping people healthy and alive to fill those military boots and alleged new jobs is just as important.
Keith, the new dimension you've added with the "guest" artists is a nice touch. Keep up the good work!
God Speed to you both!
Troy
November 1 2004, 8:31AM
I like your moves jaymillionaire, however I have an issue with all of us using screen names and especially names like nigga and so on without any responsibility whatsoever, then the other issue is us using sex partys as a means to make a living; how do we fight this without it being a full scale war. In otherwords taking what we do oh so best and turning it around for the good of the community and ourselves. I will come up with some ideas as primitive as they may be and hope together we can link together and turn the bad into good; we WILL get there!
Rick
November 2 2004, 11:28AM
In this serious times we as a people are standing at the crossroads, all of our energies should be utilized in forcing this administration out of office. This country is suffering and will be suffering for years to come become of the lack of leadership we have been experiencing lately. If you want to continue to line the pockets of the fat cats, stay home, but if you want a real change get out and vote, Bush is as close to the devil as we've seen in this period of our history, stop him VOTE!