November 26, 2004 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE 11

Policy brief series will educate officials on HIV

by Nathan Schaefer

Cleveland-The AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland has launched a series of policy briefs designed to educate city, county, state, and federal officials about key aspects of HIV and AIDS.

The first in the series, on AIDS drug assistance programs, or ADAPs, was released in October, and the second, on abstinence-untilmarriage sex education funding, was released in November.

The third, on global AIDS, is timed for release on World AIDS Day. The briefs are distributed to nearly 800 policymakers, including state legislators, Ohio mayors and city councils, county commissioners throughout the state, federal representatives, and nu-

merous other elected and appointed public officials.

The series is intended to ensure that current and future policymakers are better educated about the range of needs and issues associated with AIDS. Planned 2005 topics include the Ryan White CARE Act, housing for people with HIV, AIDS discrimination, Ohio's HIV felonious assault law, and others. A new policy brief will be issued every three to six weeks.

Each brief is a one-page, two-sided circular with essential information on one side and a personal story on the other. The policy brief on ADAPS documents the effectiveness of publicly-supported HIV/AIDS medication initiatives while.pointing out that in 19 states, there are now waiting lists for the assistance.

The reverse side recounts the story of a person with HIV who, with assistance from Ohio's ADAP program, was able to recover from illness and return to work.

The policy brief on abstinence-until-marriage reviews the over $7 million annually spent on such programs in Ohio. It notes that not only are the programs inherently biased against LGBT youth, but have yet to demonstrate effectiveness for heterosexual youth even after numerous evaluations. The motivation for such programs, the brief concludes, seems to be ideology rather than science.

"Too often we have reacted to policy challenges, and given the political climate after the 2004 elections, we need to take a proactive approach as well," said David Posteraro, AIDS Taskforce board president. "The policy brief

series aims to get information into the hands of policymakers before they make critical decisions, while focusing on better-educated policy bodies such as the state legislature rather than just a handful of key individuals who understand our issues and concerns."

The policy briefs have been well received. A number of elected officials have already expressed appreciation for the information, and the AIDS Taskforce receives regular requests to be included on the mailing list.

To get on the mailing list for the HIV/ AIDS policy briefs, send an e-mail to Taskforce executive director Earl Pike at epike@atfgc.org.

Nathan Schaefer is a policy intern with the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland.

City, AIDS Taskforce partner with bars for education

by Mikell Nagy

Cleveland-In cities across the country, bars serve as a central focal point for the social life of members of the LGBT community. The bars have been an important ally in the fight against AIDS as well, working with the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland to display social marketing materials, handing out free condoms and educational materials, and even hosting the occasional fundraiser.

In spite of ongoing efforts across the country, HIV infection rates among gay men are on the rise. An emerging syphilis epidemic in Ohio speaks to the urgent need for a renewed emphasis on prevention in the gay community, and a need for fresh and creative ideas. Bar owners are some of the most visible leaders in the LGBT community in Cleveland, and as such, their role is of central importance in the fight against HIV.

In an effort to bring new life to ongoing prevention efforts, and to expand this collaboration and support between the AIDS

Taskforce and the gay bars in Cleveland, an ad-hoc coalition was convened for the first time in September 2004. This new initiative seeks to unify the gay and lesbian community around HIV and sexually-transmitted infection prevention, and to ensure that the community receives consistent prevention messages across venues.

Attending the September meeting were representatives from four bars: Longevity, Muggs, Man's World, and the Leather Stallion.

Also participating was Bill Tiedemann, the director of the HIV/AIDS unit at the City of Cleveland health department, and Mikell Nagy, ManHealth coordinator at the AIDS Taskforce. This initial discussion focused on what has been done in the past with the bars around HIV prevention, and what should happen in the future. Follow-up meetings were held with bar owners who were unable to attend, to keep them in the loop and encourage future participation.

The second meeting was scheduled for the

night before the election. Greg Witback, the manager of Bounce, hosted the meeting and provided the group with refreshments.

In the near future, the first task for the group will be to collaborate on the development and launching of a new social marketing campaign aimed at educating the community about rising rates of syphilis in Cleveland.

Look for signs of this new partnership soon: venue-based messaging, condoms and lube, and other exciting features. And if you'd like to help or just want to contribute ideascontact Mikell Nagy at 216-621-0766.

Mikell Nagy is the ManHealth coordinator for the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland.

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~~Andre Norton

World AIDS Day 2004

Candlelight Vigil and Remembrance Ceremonies

Discussion with Artists from Chapungu: Stories In

Stone, featured exhibition at Franklin Park Conservatory

HIV awareness offerings from local community

partners

December 1, 2004

Franklin Park Conservatory

1777 East Broad Street

Doors open at 5pm

.

Candlelight Vigil to commence at 7pm Free to the public

For more information or to volunteer, call 614.299.2437 ext. 130 or visit www.catf.net

Community Partners:

OHIO STATE

Franklin Park

CONSERVATORY

stonewal'

UNIVERSITY

MEDICAL

CENTER

PROJECT OPEN HAND Columbus

BUS

CE

aids

walk

ceral cho

COLUMBUS HEALTH DEPARTMENT

Pater Noster

House

Delaware

County

A.I.D.S. Task Force

aactg

Adult AIDS

ESCAPE

Clinical Trials Group