One on One With Mayor James Naugle at Congressman Hastings' "Reclaiming our Community: Combating HIV/AIDS in our Backyard"

By: Michael Emanuel Rajner secretary@c2ea.org National Secretary - Campaign to End AIDS

FORT LAUDERDALE - At yesterday’s Reclaiming our Community: Combating HIV/AIDS in our Backyard in Fort Lauderdale hosted by Congressman Alcee Hastings, many in the community turned out to share in an amazing event – an event that can only be considered a success. At the town hall forum, many affected and infected with HIV shared stories of their diagnosis, homelessness, barriers to access care and treatment, substance abuse, incarceration and stories of school systems being the conduit of poor and inaccurate sexual education. C2EA Youth Action Institute participants Quintara Lane (Miami/Dade County) and Danielle Bowman (Palm Beach County) shared with Congressman Hastings how some schools are telling student’s that condoms are ineffective in preventing the spread of HIV and STD’s. While they shared their experiences, Congressman Hastings, his staff and health department officials looked on in horror. One extremely compassionate Congressional staffer gasped as her hand pressed hard against her chest. The need for immediate enactment of Senator Frank Lautenberg's and Representative Barbara Lee's Responsible Education About Life (REAL) Act (S.368/HR.2553) was proven yesterday. We need proven science-based prevention education – no more money for Abstinence-only programs! As AIDS activists, we struggle knowing our job is never done. As we continue to peel back the layers and sink our teeth deeper into the issues we know we can never stop. The fight is often a difficult and emotional journey. However, yesterday’s town hall was a clear sign from an awesome and greater power that change is occurring. In the auditorium of the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center we were in the company of amazing political will to end AIDS. In attendance were openly HIV+ Mayor Larry Gierer of Oakland Park and Commissioner Suzanne Boisvenue who serve as champions in the fight. Also in attendance to learn more about the hometown epidemic were Fort Lauderdale’s Mayor James Naugle and Commissioner Christine Teel and Broward County Sheriff Ken Jeene. Earlier this week I invited Mayor Naugle to attend this forum to encourage him to be properly educated on the true faces and issues of HIV/AIDS and the stigmatizing and crippling factors associated with HIV/AIDS. While the Mayor remains at odds with the gay community for contributing to the driving forces that stigmatize marginalized and vulnerable populations, Mayor Naugle and Commissioner Teel listen to the stories of heterosexuals that have been struggling to live happy, healthy and successful lives despite the condemnation of disgraceful religious leaders such as the irreverent O’Neal Dozier of Pompano Beach, FL that use the Bible as a weapon instead of a source of wisdom and empowerment. After the forum, I had the opportunity to speak one on one with Mayor Naugle and share my personal story of living with HIV/AIDS for 12 years. At the same time I stressed the issues raised in the town hall and the need to commit a greater amount of funding for resources to help those less privileged. While in dialogue, the Mayor did seem to understand that we need to work harder to expand work force programs and increase funding for vocational training. While I remain outraged for the homophobic, classist, racist remarks espoused by Mayor Naugle over the years, I must remain hopeful, and as taught in the school of social work, to believe that everyone has potentials and the need to start to work with an individual from the place where they are at. This is clearly a personal struggle to harness the emotionally pain and trust and have the faith that we as leaders in the community can serve as effective facilitators for greater change. Admittedly, I have a long history of being extremely critical of local AIDS service organizations. Yesterday's partnership between organizations such as Shadowood II and Broward House stepping up to the plate and contributed to the success of the event when Broward House availed use of their passenger van to ensure that dozens of persons living with AIDS, battling substance abuse and homelessness were able to meet Congressman Hastings and share their stories. Working with the residents of Shadowood II and Broward House has been the most humbling experience to listen to their stories and witness their success. While non-profits are continually struggling to identify funding for direct client services, we must continue to encourage and teach organizations to commit their resources to empower persons living with HIV/AIDS to participate in opportunities to learn to advocate for their own needs. Many thanks to the community, Congressman Hastings, his staff, Shadowood II, Broward House, the Broward County Health Department, Broward County officials, elected and non-elected that helped prove that change is possible and in our future. With you in the Fight!

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-flbtownhall0729nbjul29,0,6928768.story U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings hosts community forum on HIV/AIDS in Fort Lauderdale Public education, discussion pushed at Lauderdale event By Elizabeth Baier South Florida Sun-Sentinel July 29, 2007

Fort Lauderdale - The unexpected question came from her doctor when she was pregnant with her second child. "

Do you want to get tested for HIV?" recalled Felicia White of the life-changing moment in 1990. "I was scared, but I decided to take that test." The results came back positive. White, a single, black woman, was devastated." But I had to get up. I had to pick myself up and be a mother," she told about 200 people Saturday at a town hall meeting to discuss the fears, misconceptions and stigma of HIV/AIDS, particularly among blacks.

U.S. Rep. Alcee L. Hastings, D-Miramar, hosted the panel discussion on "Reclaiming Our Community: Combating HIV/AIDS in Our Backyard" at the African-American Research Library.

Blacks in South Florida are more than three times as likely as whites and Hispanics to have HIV, according to a 2006 report by the Florida Department of Health.

The Broward County Health Department estimates blacks make up almost 51 percent of the county's 6,877 reported HIV cases as of June 30.

For the last 15 years, HIV/AIDS has been the leading cause of death among blacks ages 25 to 44, according to the Florida Department of Health's Bureau of HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis.

The statistics drove Hastings to organize the community discussion. He encouraged attendees to talk about the disease with their friends and family, and appeal to their local elected officials. "

Unfortunately, this state has become a nesting ground for this disease," Hastings said. "When you feel a measure of desperation in any of this, call one of us."

Those attending the forum included Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle, Oakland Park Mayor Larry Gierer, Sheriff Ken Jenne and representatives from the Broward House and the National Campaign to End AIDS.

Some wore shirts that said: "Don't worry, only men, women and children get AIDS."

Elizabeth Baier can be reached at ebaier@sun-sentinel.com or 954-356-4637.