Cleveland, Ohio: To raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and the current crisis surrounding ADAP (AIDS Drug Assistance Program) funding, the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland and Arts Collinwood team up to successfully host A.L.L. Fest (ACT for Life and Liberation).

This past Saturday, June 5^th, marked the 29^th year anniversary of the first published report of the unusual medical cases that later became known as AIDS. Twenty nine years ago, an AIDS diagnosis was considered to be a death sentence; however, now, with an advanced understanding of AIDS and HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) we have developed a combination of promising life saving medications that enable HIV+ individuals to live healthier and longer lives. Though, like many medications, AIDS medications are not cheap. In the United States, a program known as ADAP (AIDS Drug Assistance Programs) helps to provide these AIDS medications to hundreds of thousands of low-income individuals. However, with the current economic crisis, ADAP funding is in crisis as well. The result: HIV+ individuals in need of immediate life saving medications are being placed on waiting lists. In some states, others who are already receiving medications are having their medications reduced, a serious concern as the HIV virus can replicate quickly and build resistance to medications as a result of missed doses.

In a continued effort to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, as well as this serious and life threatening crisis in ADAP funding cuts and regulations, the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland teamed up with Arts Collinwood Café and Gallery to host an all day music festival and a call to action for the greater Cleveland community. The event, A.L.L Fest (ACT for Life and Liberation), took place this past Saturday, June 5^th, and featured ten invigorating regional bands and performers, including This Moment In Black History, Kevin “Kaoz” Moore, Muamin Collective, Jose Luna, Delo FI, and the Elijah Vazquez Trio, to name a few. In between performances, participants and passer-byers alike were encouraged to learn more about the ADAP crisis and sign letters to their local congressmen encouraging them to support the need for increased crucial ADAP funding.

Attempting to reach out even to those with other plans for the day and increase awareness about HIV/AIDS, individuals from the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland enthusiastically promoted safer sex by offering free condoms to anybody walking or driving by. Standing on the busy street corner in front of the venue with a giant red stop sign that read “STOP AIDS NOW. No Condom, No Entry” next to a colleague with a hand painted sign that read “FREE CONDOMS,” I was pleasantly surprised by the number of friendly and grateful individuals who pulled over for a handful of condoms (and sometimes more).

Giving out free condoms with a safer sex message in an attempt to prevent the further transmission of HIV is one way of reminding individuals and communities that their lives matter. That being said, we must not forget those who are currently living with HIV/AIDS, and continue to call for increased support and funding for programs like ADAP, demanding that access to health care is a human right. In doing so, and continuing to provide life saving AIDS medications, we will reinforce the message that the health and lives of HIV positive individuals matter just as much as any other.

For more information on ADAP (the AIDS Drug Assistance Programs) visit www.nastad.org/, or www.thebody.com. For a report on the current state of ADAP see the National ADAP Monitoring Project Annual Report, at http://www.nastad.org/Docs/Public/InFocus/201053_2010%20National%20ADAP%20Monitoring%20Project%20Annual%20Report.pdf

Remember, your voice matters! To show your support for the health and lives of all individuals, contact your local congressperson regarding the crucial need for ADAP funding, and tell them how important funding HIV/AIDS programs are to you.