February 9, 2007
GEORGIA ON HIS MIND
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POCC's English is heading south |
Gary English announced his resignation last month as Executive Director at People of Color in Crisis (POCC), a vital Brooklyn-based ASO that provides its clients with an array of prevention and supportive HIV services. English will step down on March 31, to be succeeded by Director of Services Michael Roberson as interim ED.
English is destined for Atlanta, where he hopes to find a better quality of life—and less chill in the air. That city's gain is our loss. Among English's accomplishments at POCC was the tripling of both its budget and staff in eight years. English was also instrumental in the creation of Pride in the City, the largest Black Gay Pride even in the nation. It draws over 25,000 participants.
English says New York City's local black agencies are integral to the fight against HIV here and stresses the need to keep them up and running. He also underscores the need for continued support around coming out (as both gay and/or HIV positive) and culturally and sexually sensitive programs for black gay men.
"Tomorrow POCC is burying a 27-year-old black gay male who died of AIDS," English says. "It's a shame this black man had to die and the government isn't doing anything about it."
English is himself HIV-negative—and, at 46, proud of it. "It's a testimony that you can lead a normal life without seroconverting," he says.
Once in Atlanta, English intends to stay in the activist mix by helping to bring back that city's defunct LGBT center, which has been mired in racial tension. "He's a smart, committed advocate who is going to make a difference wherever he is," Michael Kink, Housing Works Legislative Counsel says. "We look forward to seeing him in AIDS and LGBT advocacy down the line."