April 20, 2007
AIDSWATCH RETURNS!
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Congresspeople, get ready. |
Over 200 AIDS advocates from around the country will converge in Washington, D.C., on Monday, April 23, for AIDSWatch: three packed days of trainings and meetings with members of the U.S. House and Senate. The advocates’ mission? Demand Congressional support for vital legislation that will improve access to housing and health care for people with HIV.
Now in its 14th year, AIDSWatch is the nation’s largest annual AIDS advocacy event—and organizers have high expectations this time out. Constituent visits could have a greater impact than in previous years because the Congress is Democrat-controlled, says Joe Carleo, executive director of Boston’s AIDS Housing Corporation and coordinator of AIDSWatch’s Massachusetts contingent since 1994: “This is the first time since AIDSWatch began that has happened. It’s an exciting time and makes it all the more important for legislators to hear from people who are accessing the programs we are pulling for,” Carleo says.
“AIDSWatch is amazing,” says Tom McCoy, 52, a Philadelphia resident who has been positive for 24 years and will attend his third AIDSWatch next week. “When you meet a senator or representative, you can see the empathy because you’re speaking from the heart and telling them your personal story. I’m not just some lobbyist. It’s a wonderful way to get across how important funding and attention to the disease really is.”
According to Sean Dwyer, director of health care access for the National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA), the focus of this year’s Hill visits will be the Early Treatment of HIV Act and appropriations for Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS. Advocates will also educate Congresspeople about the effects of new Ryan White rules and their hopes for future Ryan White reforms.
AIDSWatch is spearheaded by NAPWA and sponsored by numerous AIDS organizations like Housing Works, Campaign to End AIDS, NASTAD, CAEAR Coalition, SF AIDS Foundation, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, POZ magazine and others.
Inspiring itinerary
On Monday, April 23, AIDSWatch kicks off with an all-day training conducted by speakers from leading AIDS service organizations. They’ll address the current political landscape, HIV and healthcare access, and key legislation, and they’ll give how-to lessons on speaking with Congressional staff. Monday also features targeted trainings on specific issues, including housing, medical marijuana, youth and HIV, microbicides, and AIDS in the South. Housing Works’ director of national advocacy and organizing for Christine Campbell will lead a housing-advocacy training session with Carleo and his NAHC colleague Nancy Bernstine. “AIDSWatch is a unique opportunity for people with HIV who need housing to make legislators pay attention to the issue,” Campbell says.
Monday ends with an informal reception, sponsored by Housing Works and other organizations, where attendees can stop by an informational table for the Campaign to End AIDS.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, people living with HIV/AIDS and their advocates will come face-to-face with Congressional leaders. At press time, appointments were scheduled with representatives from almost half of all states with more appointments being made each day.
AIDSWatch is just a few days away, but it’s not too late to get involved. You can still register online or when you arrive in Washington. Can’t attend all three days? Come for Tuesday and Wednesday for office visits. For more information, visit http://www.napwa.org/AIDSWatch/.