Meet Yaa Simpson: Another New Friendly Rectal Microbicide Advocate!

“Stigma is only dispelled by shining a brighter light on it! We have to speak life and light with our words and actions. There is enough doom and gloom to impact everyone - and that is where stigma resides. But letting people know they have options, biomedical techniques for prevention, medications, possible vaccines, gathering more evidence, integrating creative research designs, etc. are all steps in the right direction. We must expect the impossible and believe in miracles!”

Yaa Simpson is an IRMA advocate from Chicago, Illinois. She is an epidemiologist for the Chicago Department of Health and a Community Epidemiologist for TACTS (The Association of Clinical Trial Services). She loves to contribute to ideas and discussion about better research in the community, specifically HIV/STI prevention trials. She is also working towards her doctoral degree and hopes to one day conduct HIV prevention trails in Chicago.

Yaa first learned of IRMA when she was invited to a presentation on microbicides several years ago. Here she was introduced to Jim Pickett and his work with IRMA. She remembers Jim saying, “We all have opinions, like we all have booties!” She now is an active member on the listserv and enjoys IRMA’s blog and educational teleconferences.

She believes rectal microbicides are an important tool to add to the prevention technology toolbox, and acknowledges that we must develop technologies to prevent HIV spreading through any avenue, including rectally.

Her advice for IRMA is to continue to be involved with people who want to see change! “Talk to those who don’t want to hear about it and strategize with those who are looking for answers. Be diligent and be patient. And if you ever feel discouraged or overwhelmed by the stigma associated with standing up for rectal microbicides, remember what Mark Twain once said: 'Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.'”

Read more bios from Friendly Rectal Microbicide Advocates.



[If an item is not written by an IRMA member, it should not be construed that IRMA has taken a position on the article's content, whether in support or in opposition.]

AIDS Health Foundation (AHF) Questions Truvada's Use as PrEP

via Business Wire News Releases, by AIDS Healthcare Foundation

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) unveiled a new print ad today that lays out data on the use of Gilead's blockbuster HIV treatment drug Truvada as a pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) or HIV prevention pill raising questions about the wisdom of pursuing approval by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for this new use of the drug. The information detailed in the "Gilead's Truvada as Prevention - Just the Facts" ad illuminates the reasons why it is premature for the U.S. Food & Drug Administration to consider approval of Truvada as PrEP. In the ad, AHF also calls on Gilead "to make certain that their drug when used for prevention does no harm to the individual or the overall public health."

The ad is scheduled to begin running this week in eight publications aimed at an LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) audience: Bay Area Reporter in San Francisco, California; GA Voice in Atlanta, Georgia: Gay City News in New York, New York; South Florida Gay News in Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; Washington Blade in Washington, D.C.; and Windy City Times in Chicago, Illinois. It will begin running next week in the following publications: Frontiers Magazine in Los Angeles, California and Out Front in Denver, Colorado.

The push for FDA approval of PrEP has increased since November 2010 when the results of the iPrEx study were released. The study of 2,499 high-risk men who have sex with men (MSM) found that the once-daily pill could decrease the likelihood of HIV infection by 42%. Since then many have raised concerns about the consequences of widespread use of PrEP and its possible affect on behavior. Letters signed by 618 doctors and advocates have been sent to the FDA and to drug-maker Gilead Sciences urging a halt to pursuit of FDA approval for use of Gilead's blockbuster AIDS treatment drug Truvada as PrEP. In the letter sent by doctors--spearheaded by AHF--the doctors expressed concern that widespread use of PrEP, based on the available data, will unwittingly lead to more risky behavior, and more HIV infections. Lack of real-world data has also been cited as a concern.

Read the rest.


[If an item is not written by an IRMA member, it should not be construed that IRMA has taken a position on the article's content, whether in support or in opposition.]

Chicago Dept Public Health: HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Medication: New Hope for Prevention Poses Important Questions

Analysis and guidance from the Chicago Department of Public Health

New research shows that anti-retroviral drugs, long used to treat people infected with HIV/AIDS, can also prevent at-risk individuals from being infected with the virus in the first place. The most recent trial results in the Pre-exposure Prophy-laxis Initiative (iPrEx) represent a major breakthrough for HIV prevention, which has relied heavily on strategies to change behavior. HIV infects as many as 2.7 million people each year throughout the world.

According to the study published in the New England Journal of Medicine on No-vember 23, 2010, high-risk populations who received a daily dose of Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) on average reduced their incidence of HIV infection by 43%.

The issues discussed here will be the source of much debate as the federal government determines how to best craft HIV prevention policy in light of the new developments.


[If an item is not written by an IRMA member, it should not be construed that IRMA has taken a position on the article's content, whether in support or in opposition.]

Community Forum: iPrEx - What Next? A Chicago discussion on HIV meds as prevention

Next Wednesday, December 15
Center on Halsted, Chicago

Click for a closer look

[If an item is not written by an IRMA member, it should not be construed that IRMA has taken a position on the article's content, whether in support or in opposition.]

Prepping for a prevention trial, and unexpected homophobia

Prepping for a PrEP trial
Critical observations before the study even begins
via Positively Aware, by Keith R. Green

I asked him how he addressed homosexuality during his church prevention work. His response made my head spin.

I recently accepted a position as Project Director for a research study designed to assess the initial acceptability and feasibility of a pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) trial among young men who have sex with men (YMSM) in Chicago.

The concept of PrEP, in a nutshell, involves administering medications used in the treatment of HIV (particularly Viread or Truvada at this point) to “high risk” HIV-negative individuals, in hopes of preventing transmission of the virus. Several PrEP trials are currently underway across the globe, many of which will likely demonstrate the efficacy of both Viread and Truvada as biomedical interventions for the prevention of HIV.

Though young men who have sex with men, particularly those of color, continue to contract HIV at alarming rates, these current trials ironically have very few young men enrolled in them. Therefore, if in fact these studies are able to prove the effectiveness of PrEP, we will know very little about its implementation within the population that could benefit most from this technology. The PrEP study that I am involved with seeks to provide some insight into this.

For this study, we will attempt to recruit 99 YMSM between the ages of 18 and 22, and to follow them for six months.

There are three separate arms in the study. All participants will go through an intensive evidence-based behavioral intervention and then be randomized to one of three groups. One group will receive once-daily Truvada, another group will receive a placebo (or sugar pill), and yet another group will receive nothing. Participants will be regularly monitored for HIV seroconversion, behavioral disinhibition (getting buck wild sexually because they feel that they are protected by PrEP), and any adverse effects (among a host of other things).

Aware of my search to hire research assistants who will largely be responsible for recruiting and retaining participants, a close friend recommended a friend of his for one of the positions. Trusting the judgment of my friend, I followed up on his recommendation and called his friend to arrange an interview.

Read the rest.

Plenaries announced for LGBTI Health Summit

Organizers of the 2009 National LGBTI Health Summit announced that, in collaboration with the Bisexual Health Summit, five lunch time plenaries will serve as features of the Summit. The plenaries include a keynote by Cheryl Dobinson on bisexual health disparities (during the Bisexual Health Summit), a national conversation among gay mayors and LGBT liaisons from around the country, a discussion on the present and future sustainability of LGBTI health movement building, “Count Us In! How and Why To Include LGBTIs in Data Collection” a talk on LGBTI-inclusive research, and “Elder Sexual: HIV and Aging,” a dialogue on the issues of HIV and aging. The plenaries are sponsored by the Adler School of Professional Psychology, Roosevelt University, and Tibotec.

“The plenary topics illustrate many of the pressing issues in LGBTI health,” said Catherine Jefcoat, Director of the Lesbian Community Care Project at Howard Brown Health Center and a co-chair of National LGBTI Health Summit. “These four topics reflect the comprehensive nature of the Summit. We hope to use the plenaries as a catalyst for conversation and vision-setting.”

The Summit begins the morning of Friday, August 14 with a day devoted specifically to Bisexual Health and the needs, opportunities and challenges of the Bisexual Community. Saturday, August 15 kicks off the full LGBTI Health Summit which continues through Tuesday, August 18.

The full topic workshop schedule is posted on the website.


Philadelphia hosted the last National LGBTI Health Summit in 2007. This year’s Summit in Chicago – at the Chicago Hilton and Towers – will be the fourth gathering of its kind. Sponsors include Center on Halsted, Test Positive Aware Network, Chicago Hilton Hotel and Towers, the Chicago Department of Public Health’s Office of LGBT Health, AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Howard Brown Health Center, Adler School of Psychology, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois and Sidetrack among others. Organizers may be contacted through the Summit website www.2009lgbtihealth.org.

Microbicide advocates stress options - Chicago Free Press

via Chicago Free Press, by Amy Wooten

With over 33 million people living with HIV/AIDS across the globe, advocates stress that more prevention options are needed, and a product currently in development—microbicides—could potentially save millions of people from infection.

Microbicides have for years been in development to reduce HIV transmission, and some even aim to prevent other STDs, as well. But since the rectum and vagina are biologically very different, safe and effective microbicides for both areas need to be developed.

The rectum is what AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) Director of Advocacy and International Rectal Microbicides Advocates (IRMA) chair Jim Pickett describes as “the perfect storm” for HIV infection. Although women will primarily use vaginal microbicides, safety trials are being conducted to determine if they are safe for anal use. Both men and women will ideally utilize rectal microbicides.

According to AFC policy manager Jessica Terlikowski, Chicago has been a hub for microbicide activism.

“This is the city where microbicide advocacy has been taking place for the last 10 years,” Terlikowski said.

That is why advocates are ecstatic that an upcoming clinical trial of a vaginal microbicide gel will take place in Chicago, as well as other cities. Terlikowski said that the trial would most likely be launched this summer and added that support for microbicide research and development is on the rise.

Read the rest.

You have til March 31 to Submit to the 2009 National LGBTI Health Summit

Beep beep, heyyyy, TWEET TWEET.
Follow the Summit on Twitter!

Join the Summit group on Facebook!

2009 National LGBTI Health Summit, Chicago

Have you sent in your workshop proposal?

The 2009 National LGBTI Health Summit is currently accepting workshop proposals for the upcoming gathering, to be held in Chicago, IL August14-18, 2009. Proposals will be accepted through March 31, 2009. We have received a lot of great submissions already - is yours among them?

www.2009lgbtihealth.org

The 2009 National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex Health Summit and Bi Health Summit will focus on “Health Through the Life Course.”

Individuals and groups are invited to submit workshop proposals that address wellness issues (emotional, physical, spiritual, psychological, environmental, social, and/or sexual health) of LGBTI people.

Applicants are encouraged to address the Summit's theme of"Health Through the Life Course" by focusing on specific age groups within the LGBTI community, specific topics that may impact several age groups, or issues that impact LGBTIs over time. Proposals that seek to bridge generations and populations for the sharing of new and worldly wisdom are welcome.

Creative and traditional formats are accepted. Sessions will last one and a half hours – interested parties should consider collaboratingwith friends and colleagues.

The proposal format and instructions, as well as complete information about the Health Summit is available at www.2009lgbtihealth.org. Interested parties are invited to engage in planning activities already underway on the site.

Beep beep, heyyyy, TWEET TWEET.
Follow the Summit on Twitter!

Join the Summit group on Facebook!

Direct from Nigeria - my name is Olumide Makanjuola

[Olumide is a special guest of IRMA this week]


My name is Olumide Makanjuola and I work with The Independent Project for Equal Rights (TIP) in Lagos Nigeria.

TIP is a non Governmental organization which work to facilitate a non-discriminatory Nigeria society through empowerment education and advocacy over the last 5 years. In 2006 the federal government sponsored a bill banning the same sex marriage and all association of same-sex-loving people in Nigeria. Through the bill did not pass into law, it violates the right to freedom of LGBT life choices and heath. TIP envisions a Nigeria society that respects the right of all it citizens ensuring that everyone can fully attain their fundamental human right for a stronger and healthier nation.

Challenges we face being an LGBT organization in Nigeria:

Over the last few years TIP has faced different challenge from the Nigerian government and the society that may not be directly to the organization but it affects the organization. TIP as an LGBT organization is not acceptable in the community and the Nigeria government does not recognize it as an organization that is approved, which make us have less support from government and the society in terms of moral and physical support that totally make us stand. But with the support of other organizations like Heartland Alliance, American Jewish World Service, to mention a few, we have been able to have our leg standing on the floor, which means that with their support some changes have taken place.

Objectives of TIP are:

Enhance the universal access to sexual heath care of sexual minorities with special focus on HIV and other sexually transmitted infection emphasizing HIV/STI prevention and treatment services.

Build the vocational skills of sexual minorities in the Lagos state, recognizing the economic dependence and poverty are major issue impeding the growth and well being of many young sexual minorities

Meet the social needs of sexual minorities by offering them a safe space for people to be themselves. Advocate and defend the fundamental human right for sexual minorities as well as providing them with legal support for who is persecuted by legal entities.

Current programs

Legal Aid: TIP provides support to ensure legal representation for the individual whose human right has been violated on the grounds of their perceived sexual orientation.

HIV prevention and education campaign: TIP visits cruising spot of sexual minorities for our prevention campaign, and we organize focus group meetings for sexual minorities to discuss health issue relating to their sexual behaviors.

Advocacy for human rights: TIP advocates for the human rights of sexual minority person in Nigeria through a coalition with mainstream local and international human rights organization for policy change.

Heartland Alliance's Global Equality Network program:

Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights established the Global Equality Network to help LGBT organizations working in dangerous environments. The Global Equality Network strengthens the capacity of these organizations to advocate and work for LGBT rights and protections in their regions. Last year HA receive a grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation to train all activists under the Global Equality Network in Chicago for a period of one month on leadership development through which each person will get more knowledge and experience during different placements with other organizations in Chicago that work on HIV/AIDS and LGBTI people.

While here in Chicago, I will be working with different people and organizations to gain more experience on their work and see how we can make use of it back in Nigeria to support MSM and the HIV/AIDS program of TIP and our community work. Part of the thing I hope to gain while in Chicago is the way most organization here are able to stand on their feet, and the way they go about their work and programs in the community.

TIP feels that there is a need for us to have new prevention technologies in Nigeria but also more access to condoms in every possible place that are common for meeting and sex. Because people tend to engage in quick sex at different places - like e.g. clubs and parties, to mention a few - and they often do so without condom or water based lubrican, making them more vulnerable to HIV/AIDS and other sexual diseases. So if we have free condoms and lubricant for people at most meeting points this will reduces the high rate of the HIV/AIDS virus among MSM people.

[Read more on the Global Equality Network and a press conference scheduled for March 17 in Chicago below:

March 17 ---- Global Activists to Speak Out on International LGBT Rights]

Call for Proposals - 2009 LGBTI Health Summit

2009 National LGBTI Health Summit, Chicago
Call for Workshop Proposals


The 2009 National LGBTI Health Summit is currently accepting workshopproposals for the upcoming gathering, to be held in Chicago, IL August14-18, 2009. Proposals will be accepted through March 31, 2009.

www.2009lgbtihealth.org

The 2009 National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex Health Summit and Bi Health Summit will focus on “Health Through the Life Course.”

Individuals and groups are invited to submit workshop proposals that address wellness issues (emotional, physical, spiritual, psychological, environmental, social, and/or sexual health) of LGBTI people. Applicants are encouraged to address the Summit's theme of"Health Through the Life Course" by focusing on specific age groupswithin the LGBTI community, specific topics that may impact several agegroups, or issues that impact LGBTIs over time. Proposals that seek to bridge generations for the sharing of new and worldly wisdom are welcome.

Creative and traditional formats are accepted. Sessions will last oneand a half hours – interested parties should consider collaboratingwith friends and colleagues.

The proposal format and instructions, as well as complete informationabout the Health Summit is available at www.2009lgbtihealth.org.

Interested parties are invited to engage in planning activities alreadyunderway on the site.

Chicago Organizers Launch 2009 National LGBTI Health Summit Website

The Chicago organizers of the 2009 National LGBT Health Summit are excited to announce the launch of their new website – a one-stop-shop for all related organizing and planning activities. The Summit is scheduled for August 14-18, 2009 at the Chicago Hilton and Towers. Visit the Summit’s website here – www.2009lgbtihealth.org.

“We are delighted to welcome LGBTI health communities from across the country and around the world to Chicago this August,” said Summit co-chair Cat Jefcoat, Director of the Lesbian Community Care Project at Howard Brown Health Center (HBHC). “This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in New York City, a significant milestone in the LGBTI rights movement in the Unites States and a great time to focus on improving the health and well being of our diverse communities.”

The 2009 National LGBTI (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Intersex) Health Summit is an event dedicated to preserving and improving the emotional, physical, spiritual, intellectual, psychological, environmental, and social health and wellness of LGBTI people, a population that continues to experience significant health disparities because of its members’ sexual orientations and/or gender identities. The Summit’s theme is “Health Through the Life Course” and individuals of all ages, races, ethnicities, gender identities and professional backgrounds are encouraged to participate. Students are also welcomed!

The Bi Health Summit will be held in conjunction with the LGBTI Health Summit on August 14th, although bisexual health issues will be addressed throughout the five days in workshops and panels.

The Summit’s newly launched website allows for a range of interactive planning activities, including registration, housing, fundraising, and workshop proposal submission. It also includes information on the Bi Health Summit.

“The site offers the opportunity for our communities throughout the country and across two oceans to regularly interact with each other, offer input, and become engaged early and often in every aspect of the planning process,” said Summit co-chair Jim Pickett, Director of Advocacy at the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC). “Users can participate in discussion forums, volunteer, apply for scholarships, develop ideas for programming– including social activities–and ensure the process is open and dynamic.”

Philadelphia hosted the last National LGBTI Health Summit in 2007. This year’s Summit in Chicago will be the fourth gathering of its kind. Local organizational partners currently include Center on Halsted, Test Positive Aware Network, Haymarket Center, the Chicago Department of Public Health’s Office of LGBT Health, AFC and HBHC, among others. Organizers may be contacted through the Summit website www.2009lgbtihealth.org.