Ignorance Isn't Bliss

Sen. James Forrester, the lead sponsor of the anti-LGBT amendment that will go before North Carolina voters this fall, can't seem to let go of his wrong-headed notions about gay people and HIV.

So it's good to see this interview of Forrester by radio show host Michael Signorile circulating widely today. At least some people are hearing that gay people don't actually die an average of 20 years sooner than heterosexuals because of AIDS, as Sen. Forrester has repeatedly claimed.

And yet, there's a larger issue at the root of all this that's not getting quite as much attention as it deserves: the interconnections between HIV-related stigma, discrimination and homophobia.

You can bet this won't be the last time we hear supporters of the anti-LGBT amendment cite AIDS as part of the problem they're trying to 'solve' through their hurtful campaign.

And you can bet this political rhetoric will bleed over into social spaces like churches and sports leagues, making it more difficult for people living with HIV/AIDS to find supportive environments.

We're developing programs to help push back the wave of HIV-related stigma we're expecting between now and May 2012, when the anti-LGBT amendment will go before voters.

And we'll be working in coalition with Equality North Carolina to ensure a victory that day--not just because the language of the amendment jeopardizes the access that hundreds of people living with HIV/AIDS have to health insurance through domestic partner benefits, but also because these attacks on LGBT people are attacks on the HIV/AIDS community, too.

Right now, we have two great ways for you to help:

If you're in the Triangle region, we're asking you to join us in supporting Equality North Carolina's efforts to defeat the constitutional amendment next Tuesday and/or Wednesday night, when we'll be sending volunteers to help ENC at their office in downtown Raleigh. To volunteer, simply contact sam@equalitync.org -- and let her know that NCAAN sent you!

And wherever you are, please take a moment to sign Equality North Carolina's pledge to vote NO on Amendment One. Just click here and take the pledge.

Please join us -- because ignorance isn't bliss, but winning a fight against HIV-related stigma, discrimination and homophobia really is.

NCAAN Applauds $3M in ADAP Emergency Relief for North Carolina

The North Carolina AIDS Action Network applauds the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for releasing $3M in AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) emergency relief funding for North Carolina -- part of a total package of nearly $44M in federal funding for HIV/AIDS care and medications in our state.

"We're pleased to see the federal government recognizing that there's a great need to address HIV/AIDS in North Carolina and in the rest of the South," said NCAAN Executive Director Lisa Hazirjian.

These new funds will allow North Carolina to begin providing life-saving medications to many people living with HIV/AIDS who have been wait-listed for ADAP.

Currently 356 individuals with incomes between 125+% and 300% of the federal poverty line are on North Carolina's ADAP wait list. North Carolina's ADAP currently serves 5400 people with income at or below 125% of the federal poverty line.

Aaron Lucier, Board President of the Pitt County AIDS Service Organization (PiCASO) noted that "this additional funding comes at at a key time for those struggling with balancing needs like food and shelter with getting their medication in our rural areas, small towns and major cities."

Katherine Foster, President of AIDS Care Services, Inc., in Winston-Salem, welcomed the news as well. "These important funds will go a long way in keeping HIV+ individuals healthy and active so they can be there for their families and communities," Foster said. "When those living with HIV have access to life saving anti-retroviral medications, families will be more stable and productive. This has a positive impact on many people, not just those infected with the disease."

NCAAN will continue to talk with key state officials as they determine how many people these new funds will allow them to take off the wait list.

Please help us to keep everyone who cares about HIV/AIDS up-to-date on the latest policy news by inviting them to subscribe to our newsletter and to follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Check Out our New Website & Facebook Campaign!

Effective advocacy depends upon great communication.

That's why we're thrilled to be launching our brand new website today with a Facebook campaign to raise awareness about the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) waitlist in North Carolina.

We've been working for months on our new website, so please check it out -- you'll find all the details of our One Like, One Ribbon Facebook campaign and much, much more!

Whether we're educating people about important policy issues, publicizing upcoming events, or mobilizing supporters in an advocacy campaign, we need to be able to share information quickly. With our new website and social media tools (and our cool new email system, too) we'll be able to keep you better informed and better engaged in this work.

Take a look and let us know what you think, because today is only the beginning -- we'll be bringing on new communications people in the coming weeks to help us make our these tools even better.

Fair Housing Rights for PLWHA

North Carolina has a shortage of affordable transitional and permanent housing for people living with HIV/AIDS. And HIV-related stigma can make it more difficult for people to find and keep suitable housing - especially if they face discrimination in the housing market.

These issues concern us all in the HIV/AIDS community.

So we want to make sure you know about upcoming FREE workshops being offered by the The North Carolina Fair Housing Project, part of Legal AIDS North Carolina.

Topics include:

* Fair Housing Rights for People with Disabilities;
* Local Government Obligations to Affirmatively Further Fair Housing; and
* Fair Housing: Know Your Rights.

For more information and to register for upcoming sessions in Raleigh and Durham, please click here.

ADAP Watch

As of September 15, 2011 there are:

• 5,861 individuals enrolled in HIV/AIDS drug assistance programs (ADAP & SPAP)
  • 5,384 are enrolled in ADAP
  • 477 are enrolled in SPAP
• 351 individuals on the waiting list

As of September 8, 2011 there were:

• 5,834 individuals enrolled in HIV/AIDS drug assistance programs (ADAP & SPAP)
  • 5,356 are enrolled in ADAP
  • 478 are enrolled in SPAP
• 345 individuals on the waiting list

According to NASTAD’s most recent ADAP Watch, released today, there are 10 states with waiting lists, totaling 8,804 people. That report shows NC as having 350 clients on the waiting list, which was our official count at COB on September 14, 2011. NC accounts for approximately 3.97% of the national ADAP waiting list. NASTAD’s ADAP Watch can be found here.

Stop the Lies. Stop the Stigma. Stop the Anti-LGBT Amendment

Today, the NC legislature reconvenes to debate House and Senate versions of a bill to amend the state constitution to ban same-sex marriage (which is already illegal in NC) as well as civil unions and domestic partnerships between same-sex couples.

NCAAN staff, interns, and volunteers have fought alongside our coalition partner Equality North Carolina over the past several months to oppose this incredibly hurtful legislation.

We've known from the start that passage of this legislation will lead to a fourteen-month, multi-million dollar media battle full of hurtful lies about gay North Carolinians and harmful lies about HIV/AIDS.

A few nights ago, we got a preview of what's to come if this bill passes, putting the issue on the ballot in 2012.

Speaking at a public forum about why he is lead sponsor of the anti-LGBT amendment, Sen. James Forrester -- who is also a practicing physician -- made this preposterous claim:

"At least 20 years is taken off a homosexual's life if they practice homosexual activity" Forrester said, citing "the increased death rate from AIDS and hepatitis... but that doesn't seem to discourage them from practicing that, um, unhealthy lifestyle.... We need to reach out to them and try to get them to change their lifestyle back to the normal lifestyle."

Heard enough? Because, here's the thing:

If we allow this bill to pass, we're going to keep on hearing this sort of thing over and over and over for the next fourteen months, as those who seek to write discrimination into our state constitution vilify gay people and spread lies about HIV/AIDS.

RIGHT NOW, we have our LAST opportunity to prevent that from happening:

* Right now, please call your state legislators and urge them to oppose the anti-LGBT amendment (you can look them up here);

* Tonight, join a Vigil for Equality at these locations across the state:

Raleigh Vigil for Equality

Bicentennial Plaza, 1 East Edenton Street, Raleigh, NC


Statewide vigils:

Asheville's Vigil for Equality

Vance Monument, downtown Asheville, NC

Charlotte Vigil for Equality


Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 1900 The Plaza Charlotte, NC

Duke and Durham: Love=Love Candlelight Vigil

Duke Chapel, 401 Chapel Drive, Durham, NC


Fayetteville: SANDHILLS ALLIANCE Vigil for Equality

Cross Creek Park, 216 Green Street, Fayetteville, North Carolina

Greensboro Candlelight Vigil for Equality

Guilford County Courthouse Plaza on Greene St (between W. Market St and W. Washington St) FREE parking is available at the Green St. Parking Deck, 211 S Greene St, Greensboro, NC

Greenville Vigil for Equality


Pitt County Court House,
100 W 3rd St. 
Greenville, NC


Wilmington: UNCW PRIDE Vigil for Equality

UNCW Clock Tower, 601 S. College Rd., Wilmington NC

Winston-Salem Vigil for Equality


Grace Court Park, 931 West 4th Street, Winston-Salem, NC


* Tomorrow, join the RALLY AGAINST THE ANTI-LGBT AMENDMENT at noon on Halifax Mall in downtown Raleigh at the state legislative complex.

For more details on the rally, click here.

ADAP Watch

As of September 8, 2011 there are:

• 5,834 individuals enrolled in HIV/AIDS drug assistance programs (ADAP & SPAP)
  • 5,356 are enrolled in ADAP
  • 478 are enrolled in SPAP
• 345 individuals on the waiting list

As of September 1, 2011 there were:

• 5,811 individuals enrolled in HIV/AIDS drug assistance programs (ADAP & SPAP)
  • 5,334 are enrolled in ADAP
  • 477 are enrolled in SPAP
• 340 individuals on the waiting list

According to NASTAD’s most recent ADAP Watch, released today, there are 11 states with waiting lists, totaling 9,066 people. That report shows NC as having 342 clients on the waiting list, which was our official count at COB on September 7, 2011. NC accounts for approximately 3.77% of the national ADAP waiting list. NASTAD’s ADAP Watch can be found here.

Tell Congress NO on Cuts to Medicaid!

Please read and act on this urgent action alert from AIDS United!

Medicaid could be a target for deep cuts when the “super committee” begins meeting this week. The “super committee,” the group of Congressional Members charged with reducing the federal deficit starts meeting this week—we need to exert pressure now!

• Millions of Americans, including persons living with HIV/AIDS, rely on Medicaid for their basic health care needs;
• Devastating cuts will put the health of the most vulnerable populations at risk;
• Members of Congress are paying close attention to public opinion on this issue as many of them will be up for reelection next year

In a matter of seconds, you can make an impact on this critical issue in one of two easy ways!

1. Click the "Take Action Now" text above to send an email to your Senators and Representative, telling them that you are strongly AGAINST cutting Medicaid and that they must protect this vital program.
2. You can also tweet your Senators and Representatives. There will be a default tweet message will be filled in for you.

Learn more about the Super Committee and how their decisions could impact Medicaid

ADAP Watch

As of September 1, 2011 there are:

• 5,811 individuals enrolled in HIV/AIDS drug assistance programs (ADAP & SPAP)
  • 5,334 are enrolled in ADAP
  • 477 are enrolled in SPAP
• 340 individuals on the waiting list

As of August 25, 2011 there were:

• 5,779 individuals enrolled in HIV/AIDS drug assistance programs (ADAP & SPAP)
  • 5,302 are enrolled in ADAP
  • 477 are enrolled in SPAP
• 333 individuals on the waiting list

According to NASTAD’s most recent ADAP Watch, released on August 25, there are 12 states with waiting lists, totaling 9,141 people. That report shows NC as having 332 clients on the waiting list, which was our official count at COB on August 24, 2011. NASTAD’s ADAP Watch can be found here.