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We need your help to make sure that the new National HIV/AIDS Strategy addresses the needs of young people – all young people – in the United States!

The Obama Administration has announced the creation of the first-ever, long-term National HIV/AIDS Strategy. The battle with HIV and AIDS in the United States has lasted nearly 30 years. A comprehensive national strategy to combat the epidemic is long overdue. Together, we can make sure that this strategy meets the needs of all young people and especially those most disproportionately affected by HIV and AIDS.

Learn more about the need for a National Strategy. http://www.nationalaidsstrategy.org

The White House Office of National AIDS Policy, overseen by Jeffrey Crowley, is sponsoring Community Discussions (town halls)around the country – events where anyone can stand up and speak their mind about battling HIV. It’s YOUR CHANCE to speak directly to the people in charge about the issues that matter to you! Click here to find out when and where the Community Discussions are happening.

How does it work?

Town halls have been getting a bad reputation during the health care debate this summer – but the good news is they aren’t actually so intimidating. HIV/AIDS Community Discussions are just meetings between concerned citizens and the Office of National AIDS Policy staff. Anyone can participate.

During the recent town hall in DC, there were a few opening remarks, and then members of the community lined up behind microphones and had a minute and a half to state what they wanted to see in the strategy.

It’s as simple as that: show up, stand up, and speak up.

So what do I say?

First identify yourself. Examples include:

“My name is _______ and I’m from ______. “

“My name is _______ and I’m from ______. I work/volunteer at ______”

“My name is _______ and I’m from ______. I go to school at _______ and am a part of the peer education program _________.”

Then it’s time for the meat.

We know you have your own concerns about HIV and AIDS in your community, and we encourage you to share your concerns at the town halls. Some other suggestions include:

ENSURE YOUTH ARE INCLUDED: Suggest the creation of a Youth Advisory Board within the Office on National AIDS Policy. This board would ensure that young people are part of the creation, implementation and evaluation of programs targeted at the youth population.
PROVIDE HONEST AND COMPLETE INFORMATION: Urge funding for comprehensive sex education, including HIV prevention education for all young people including for programs targeting youth who are not in school and/or are incarcerated, homeless or in the foster care system. (Learn more about comprehensive sex education here)
DON’T LEAVE HIV POSITIVE YOUTH BEHIND: Increase services and programs for HIV positive youth within the Ryan White funding stream. (Learn more about the issues affecting HIV positive youth here)
STOP THE STIGMA: Create a national stigma reduction campaign. HIV may have been around for almost 30 years, but there is still a lot of stigma and many myths surrounding the disease. Stigma affects young people’s ability to negotiate condom use, seek testing and secure treatment when necessary. (Learn more about issues around HIV here)
FUND PROGRAMS FOR THOSE WHO NEED IT MOST: Increase funding for prevention programs targeting young men – especially young men who have sex with men, a population that has seen a sharp rise in new HIV infections over the last several years.
HELP YOUNG PEOPLE EDUCATE THEIR PEERS: Support the creation of a national peer education program for high school and middle school students. (Learn more about peer education here)

Other ideas include, lifting the federal ban and providing adequate funding for needle exchange; improving the availability of condoms for sexually active youth, and targeting prevention efforts to those most affected by the disease.

The Obama Administration wants to hear from all of us – and it’s our diversity of ideas and experiences that makes young people such a powerful force in this discussion.

Ready to speak out?

Community Discussions are going to be held in 12 cities over the next few months. The dates and locations that have been released include:

Minneapolis, MN October 2 6-8pm, Zuhrah Shrine Event Center

Albuquerque, NM October 9 6:30-8:30pm, National Hispanic Cultural Center; Bank of America Film Theatre

Houston, TX October 10 1-3pm, Texas Southern University; Granville M. Sawyer Auditorium

San Francisco, CA October 16 6-8pm, Mission Bay Conference Center at UCSF; Robertson Auditorium

Los Angeles, CA October 18 4:30-6:30pm, Hollywood High School

Columbia, SC October 26 6-8pm, Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center

Oakland, CA November 1 2-4pm, Berkeley High School

Puerto Rico Not yet announced

US Virgin Islands November 9 Administration and Conference Center / Meeting Room: ACC 142-1B & 146-1A, No. 2 John Brewer’s Bay

Jackson, MS November 16 University of Mississippi Medical Center Conference Center (UMMC)

Fort Lauderdale, FL November 20 Dillard High School

**NEW Date:Cleveland, Ohio**: December 3, 6-9 pm: First United Methodist at 3000 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44115. Please RSVP to the Ohio AIDS Coalition (OAC) as soon as possible, but no later than December 1st at 800-226-5554 or info@ohioaidscoalition.org. Space is limited to 175 people.

NYC December 4

RSVP for a community discussion near you at this website

*Specific locations and times will be included once we have that information.

Now share your story

Once your Community Discussion is over, support other activists by letting us know how it went! What was the experience like? Was there any response to your statement? What did others have to say about the issue? Post a blog on www.amplifyyourvoice.org and/or write a letter to your local paper. Update Twitter about what you're hearing and seeing using #HIVTownHall.

It’s incredibly important that young people are represented in the creation of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy. Thank you in advance for the great work you are doing in your community and bringing the needs of young people to the forefront of a National HIV/AIDS Strategy!

If you have any questions about getting involved in a Community Discussion, email Sarah at sarah@advocatesforyouth.org.

Can’t make it to a Community Discussion?

If you are unable to attend a Community Discussion, you can still make your voice heard by blogging and writing letters to your local paper. Or if you were not able to attend in person you can still email your suggestions. Everyone can play a part in fighting the epidemic!

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