NC AIDS Action Network supports non-discrimination

We've written on our blog in the past about the intersection of (gay) marriage, HIV stigma, and LGBTQ rights. I'm reminded of how our issues intersect today as the Charlotte City Council prepares to debate and vote on proposed fully-inclusive non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ citizens. As the largest city in North Carolina, Charlotte sets a tone for the rest of the state, and we're hopeful that these ordinances will pass tonight. Mecklenburg County has the highest rate of HIV in the state, and we know residents struggling with an HIV diagnosis may also be struggling with their own understanding of their gender identity or sexual orientation. 

Our movement owes a note of thanks and appreciation to the many organizations who've been leaders on this issue, including our coalition partners Equality NC, MeckPAC, the Human Rights Campaign, and ACLU of NC. If you are a Charlotte resident and support the ordinance, you can attend the city council meeting tonight at 6:30 PM at 600 East Fourth Street. Wear blue in support of non-discrimination, and show up early if you want a seat. We'll be live-tweeting tonight's meeting. Earlier today I wrote the City Council the e-mail below asking them for their support of tonight's ordinance. Let's hope they do the right thing tonight. 

Dear Mayor Roberts and the Charlotte City Council, 

I know you've received a lot of messages about the non-discrimination ordinance you are voting on this evening, so I'll keep my comments brief. Our organization wrote you last year requesting that you pass the ordinances proposed at that time. On behalf of our statewide membership, including over 2,000 residents of Charlotte, I'm making that same request today.

Approximately half of all people living with HIV and AIDS in North Carolina are gay, bisexual, or transgender, and HIV stigma and homophobia are closely linked. They reinforce each other, and prevent individuals from being their true selves and accessing healthcare, employment, and basic accommodations. Not everyone in our communities has legal protection against discrimination, and you can take one small step to change that tonight. 

Please be in touch if I can answer any questions or provide information before your vote this evening. 

All the best, 

Lee Storrow 

Executive Director 

North Carolina AIDS Action Network

It's time to end disparities- National Black HIV/AIDS Day in North Carolina

Elected officials, faith leaders, and community advocates gathered at the North Carolina State Capitol on February 7th at 5 PM for I Am My Brother/Sister’s Keeper, a vigil for Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Speakers spoke about the importance of addressing the HIV disparities in the African-American community and the need to close the Medicaid coverage gap in North Carolina. “We need to make the African-American community more aware about HIV,” said Reverend Earl Johnson of Saint Martin Baptist Church. “Rates are increasing, and we must educate the community about HIV treatment and prevention.”

Former Wake County Superior Court Judge Abraham Jones delivered prepared remarks on behalf of State Representative Rosa Gill, stating “If North Carolina would close the Medicaid coverage gap, hundreds of HIV+ North Carolinians would have access to full health insurance. Closing the Medicaid coverage gap would provide health insurance to over half a million North Carolinians. A study done by the Cone Health Foundation and Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust found that closing the gap would generate millions of dollars in tax revenue, and would have created 29,000 jobs in our state in 2015, including over 3,000 here in Wake County.”

The event was sponsored by the Alliance of AIDS Services - Carolina, Crape Myrtle Festival, LGBT Center of Raleigh, Martin Street Baptist Church, North Carolina AIDS Action Network, North Carolina Justice Center, North Carolina NAACP, Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, and Triangle Empowerment Center, Inc.

_____________________________________________

BACKGROUND:

February 7, 2016 marked the 16th year for National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD), a national HIV testing and treatment community mobilization initiative targeted at Blacks in the United States and the Diaspora. NBHAAD was founded in 1999 as a national response to the growing HIV and AIDS epidemic in African American communities. The national theme this year is “I am my Brother/Sister’s Keeper: Fight HIV/AIDS.”

The HIV and AIDS epidemic is a significant public health challenge in North Carolina. Currently, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services estimates that there are 36,300 people living with HIV in the state. Like the rest of the south, the epidemic is also defined by significant disparities based on race. According to the 2013 (most recent) North Carolina HIV/STD State Epidemiologic Profile-

Among the newly diagnosed adult/adolescent HIV infections, Black/African American males had the highest rate at 92.3 per 100,000 adult/adolescent population, which is nearly nine times higher than that for White/Caucasians (12.0 per 100,000 adult/adolescent population). For females, the highest rate by race/ethnicity was also among Black/African Americans females (24.7 per 100,000) adult/adolescent population.