Stonewall, 1981, HB2, and Orlando: Stories of Resilience

The month of June is celebrated as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) pride month. The celebration honors the June 28th, 1969 Stonewall riots in New York, which is regarded by some as the beginning of the modern LGBT movement. The month provides opportunity to recognize and reflect on the progress that our communities have made, and to recommit ourselves to overcoming current challenges we face.

The recent attacks at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando have raised concerns and questions around safety and progress for many LGBT people across the United States. As we individually and collectively process this tragedy, I have found it helpful to reflect on the resiliency and resolve the LGBT community has shown when faced with unbelievable challenges in the past.

June 5th marked the 35th anniversary of the 1981 CDC report identifying what would later become known as HIV. It is currently estimated that around 1.2 million Americans are living with HIV, with around 36,300 of those being North Carolinians impacted by the virus. At the onset of the epidemic, our communities organized, responded and cared for those affected by HIV. This response organically grew out of our own resilience and continues to move the conversation forward around HIV.

Currently, LGBT North Carolinians face the challenge of House Bill 2 (HB2), a piece of legislation severely limiting transgender individuals access to bathrooms, in addition to many other civil rights violations outlined in the bill. National and local organizations, such as Southerners on New Ground (SONG), Equality North Carolina, and American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) have led our communities in the fight against HB2.  

This organizing is important, yet it is the everyday resiliency and ability for LGBT North Carolinians to exist and live full lives within our state, despite the current legislations attempts to impede our ability to do so, which continues to inspire me.

On Saturday, June 25th, NCAAN participated in the local pride celebration in Salisbury, NC. This event was not large or flashy like those in major cities, but rather was homegrown and intimate with local community members celebrating their love and appreciation for one another. Jennifer, a community member from Concord, NC, talked to me about the importance of her local LGBT affirming church congregation. She described feeling lost and isolated before joining her current bible study, and described how this space provides safety and affirmation simply through its existence.

Jennifer’s words are particularly important as our communities continue to work through what happened in Orlando. Her words provide yet another example of the importance of our individual and collective resilience as we continue our fight against the challenges we face.

- Ryan Drab, NCAAN intern

HIV/AIDS Advocacy Day 2016

On June 7th, 2016, the North Carolina AIDS Action Network (“NCAAN”) held its annual HIV/AIDS Advocacy Day at the North Carolina General Assembly in Raleigh. The convening brought together around 50 advocates from across the state to talk with legislators and policymakers about issues related to HIV/AIDS.

The morning kicked off with an orientation and training on how to conduct legislative meetings and concisely communicate information. NCAAN staff outlined key campaigns including providing ADAP insurance premium assistance and the impact of closing the Medicaid gap for people living with HIV/AIDS. Advocates were organized into five regional advocacy groups and were provided with a list of legislators to target for their morning visits.

The groups were organized to highlight the diverse and intersecting communities and constituents impacted by and working on addressing HIV/AIDS in North Carolina. For example, one group consisted of  local community advocates from Alamance County, legal experts from Duke, UNC public health professionals and local and regional organizers.

Advocates met with many legislators throughout the day and shared their perspectives and information about ADAP funds being used to pay for healthcare premiums and providing compressive treatment and care for those living with HIV/AIDS. Building diverse coalitions of stakeholders allowed policymakers to hear a variety of perspectives on an issue and strengthened advocacy efforts through each individual’s expertise in specific areas.  

HIV/AIDS Advocacy Day provides the unique opportunity to bring together a community of advocates who are working together to create change throughout North Carolina. One of the groups had the opportunity to meet with the Democratic Minority Leader, Representative  Larry Hall of Durham, and discussed emerging HIV prevention strategies, such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (“PrEP”), and the potential impact they could have for many North Carolinians. They were able to highlight a number of issues including how increasing patient access to the medication would slow the spread of HIV in North Carolina, as well as affordability and insurance coverage issues.

Speaking directly with Rep. Hall allowed advocates to provide him with relevant information and follow-up on any questions he had. Additionally, building and strengthening the relationships between our grassroots advocates, elected officials and the leadership of NCAAN allows us to continue the important work of addressing HIV/AIDS here in North Carolina.

- Ryan Drab, NCAAN intern

Speaking Up for the HIV Community on Medicaid Reform

Last year, the North Carolina General Assembly passed legislation that began the process of privatizing Medicaid in our state. Under the bill passed, “the state would enter into contracts with three companies that would offer statewide health insurance plans for Medicaid recipients, as well as up to 10 contracts with “provider-led entities” - networks of doctors and hospitals and that would offer regional plans.”

The process of privatization commenced this spring with a listening series hosted by the Department of Health and Human Services to receive input on a draft waiver that’s being submitted to the federal government today. Since a large amount of Medicaid dollars are provided by the feds, they must approve the waiver if North Carolina is to make significant changes to our Medicaid program. Listening sessions were held across the state, and NCAAN had advocates attend a number of the sessions to speak during public comment about the needs of those living with HIV in North Carolina.

HIV doctors and advocates spoke at the first hearing in Raleigh. Dr. Michelle Ogle, an HIV doctor from Vance County spoke about the need for HIV+ patients to be able to access specialty care. At the listening session in Huntersville, Christina Adeleke, NCAAN Communications and Development Coordinator, spoke about the importance of closing the Medicaid coverage gap in our state, and heard the stories of many who would benefit if the state did so. In Greenville, NCAAN advocates Esther Ross and Dr. Paul Cook spoke about how important Medicaid is to many low-income North Carolinians, including those living with HIV.

In addition to the listening sessions, DHHS provided an opportunity for citizens and advocacy groups to submit written comments. NCAAN partnered with the Duke Health Justice Clinic to submit written comments on our concerns related to maintaining and expanding care for those living with HIV on Medicaid. Our comments were written in partnership with a advisory committee of individuals living with HIV, medicaid providers, advocates and staff at AIDS service organizations, and endorsed by over a dozen national, regional, and North Carolina based organizations.

Today, the waiver will be officially submitted to the federal government. When it was presented at the legislature this morning, the staff even noted that one of the major themes they received during public comment was the need to maintain access to HIV specialists.

This waiver submission is just the first step in a long process, and North Carolina’s new Medicaid system is going to built in the months and years ahead. We’ll continue to advocate for the needs of those living with HIV in our state as we implement a new Medicaid system.

-Lee Storrow is the Executive Director of the North Carolina AIDS Action Network.