Weekly news from the GLBT world http://www.windycitytimes.com/windycitytimes.html 2013-05-19T14:04:54-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://www.windycitytimes.com/images/publications/wct/2013-05-15/current.jpg text/html 2013-05-15T11:30:24-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Carrie Maxwell, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/AIDS-Legal-Council-marks-25-years-with-benefit/42793.html About 200 people attended AIDS Legal Council of Chicago's ALCC 25th anniversary "A Salute to ALCC" benefit at Kirkland and Ellis LLP on May 9. text/html 2013-05-13T14:35:32-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/National-HIV-Testing-Day-Plague-screening-seminar/42756.html Center on Halsted, Chicago Department of Public Health, the Illinois Department of Public Health and ViiV Healthcare will host an HIV testing seminar, a viewing of the documentary: "How to Survive a Plague," and have free, rapid HIV testing available all day in observance of National HIV Testing Day, on Thursday, June 6 at Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St., Chicago, Ill. text/html 2013-05-09T17:08:16-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Does-HIV-stigma-drive-infection/42738.html "The constant drumbeat of crisis around HIV gets tiresome," says John Peller, vice president of policy, AIDS Foundation of Chicago. Yet infections among gay men are rising. text/html 2013-05-02T19:38:08-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Group-recommends-universal-HIV-testing/42651.html The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force USPSTF issued a landmark recommendation on April 29, strongly supporting routine HIV testing for all individuals ages 15 through 65. Because federal law requires health insurance plans to cover preventative measures highly recommended by USPSTF, most public and private insurance carriers will begin to offer routine HIV testing to beneficiaries as early as next year, without copayments. text/html 2013-05-01T11:10:09-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Bob Roehr http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Another-HIV-vaccine-setback-as-trial-is-stopped/42630.html The HIV vaccine study known as HVTN 505 was shut down April 25 on the recommendation of an independent data and safety monitoring board DSMB. The interim analysis found that that the vaccine did not prevent HIV infection or reduce the viral load of those who became infected. text/html 2013-05-01T05:32:57-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com David Ostrow http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Long-term-HIV-AIDS-study-shows-large-return-on-investment-/42622.html When AIDS first appeared among gay and bisexual men in most U.S. urban centers in 1981-82, the first diagnosed patients were near death from multiple opportunistic infections and a previously rare cancer called Kaposi's sarcoma, and their immune systems were totally nonfunctional due to the lack of any CD4 lymphocytes, the "conductors" of immune response to infection. text/html 2013-04-29T13:30:05-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Bob Roehr http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Another-HIV-vaccine-setback-as-trial-is-stopped-/42550.html The HIV vaccine study known as HVTN 505 was shut down April 25 on the recommendation of an independent data and safety monitoring board DSMB. The interim analysis found that that the vaccine did not prevent HIV infection or reduce the viral load of those who became infected. text/html 2013-04-24T16:42:03-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Carrie Maxwell, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/AIDS-Legal-Council-of-Chicago-marks-25-years-of-service/42527.html To commemorate 25 years of service, the AIDS Legal Council of Chicago ALCC will host a benefit "A Salute to ALCC" at Kirkland and Ellis LLP May 9. text/html 2013-04-24T14:11:26-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Kate Sosin, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Repeal-of-HIV-notification-law-heads-to-state-Senate/42521.html An Illinois bill that would repeal an HIV-notification law is headed for a full Senate vote after the bill passed committee. text/html 2013-04-23T20:34:21-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Latino-immigrants-healthcare-HIV-services-confab-in-Milwaukee/42486.html The Medical College of Wisconsin's MCW Center for AIDS Intervention Research CAIR will present a one-day conference, "Fronteras Y Barreras/Borders and Barriers: Addressing Latino Immigrant Experiences with Health, Healthcare, and HIV in the United States," Monday, May 13 at the Italian Conference Center in Milwaukee, Wisc. text/html 2013-04-19T20:38:28-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Melissa Wasserman http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Paula-Poundstone-at-AFC-gala-comedy-for-the-cause/42462.html AIDS Foundation of Chicago AFC held its annual spring dinner, with award-winning comedian Paula Poundstone headlining the April 18 event. text/html 2013-04-18T23:44:31-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Scientists-activists-react-to-HIV-cure-reports/42451.html Cures are grabbing the headlines these days. So when studies were presented with great fanfare pointing to a 180-degree turnaround in HIV—once considered 100% fatal and all the way to functional cure or remission—it's no surprise that they get a lot of attention. text/html 2013-04-18T21:44:18-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/International-networks-of-gay-men-unite-to-fight-HIV/42450.html From a press release text/html 2013-04-18T20:29:13-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Bill-to-repeal-IL-HIV-notification-law-passes-Senate-committee/42445.html The effort to repeal Illinois's outdated HIV principal reporting law took another step forward Wednesday when the Illinois Senate Public Health Committee voted 7—2 in support of HB 61, which repeals the principal notification sections of Illinois' Sexually Transmissible Disease Control Act. The bill now moves to the full Senate for a vote. text/html 2013-04-11T12:39:24-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Longterm-HIV-AIDS-study-shows-large-return-on-investment/42342.html When AIDS first appeared among gay and bisexual men in most U.S. urban centers in 1981��—'82, the first diagnosed patients were near death from multiple opportunistic infections and a previously rare cancer called Kaposi's sarcoma, and their immune systems were totally nonfunctional due to the lack of any CD4 lymphocytes, the "conductors" of immune response to infection. text/html 2013-04-10T08:43:11-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Roger McCaffrey http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/The-AIDS-transmission-law-A-crime-to-have-sex/42310.html Q. I was tested for the HIV virus and the results were positive. Since then I have had sex with people and have not told them that I had tested positive. Should I tell my future sexual partners that I test positive for HIV? Does it make any difference if we used condoms during sex? Am I guilty of a criminal offense? text/html 2013-04-08T12:08:19-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/AFC-advocates-head-to-Springfield-for-Lobby-Days-/42283.html From an AIDS Foundation of Chicago press release text/html 2013-04-05T17:38:04-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/TPANs-Spring-Giving-Campaign-kicks-off/42268.html Chicago, Illinois, April 5, 2013—On Thursday, April 4th, forty of TPAN's Test Positive Aware Network strongest supporters gathered together at the offices of Seyfarth Shaw LLP to kick off TPAN's Spring Giving Campaign. During the month of April, TPAN is highlighting its history of "being there for one another" and reaching out to the community for support for the programs and services they have provided to the community for more than 25 years. The April 4th event also coincided with the release of TPAN's 2012 annual report. text/html 2013-03-07T14:55:45-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Kate Sosin, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Proud-to-Run-announces-new-beneficiaries-/41853.html Proud to Run PTR, a charitable walk/run event held each pride season, has announced new beneficiaries, after opening up their application process. text/html 2013-03-26T21:07:01-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Ross Forman, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Pet-project-to-help-those-impacted-by-HIV/42126.html Bear Abbott remembers the moment, down to the minute: Dec. 23, 1992, at 7:16 p.m. He was living in Dallas—and that's when he learned he was HIV-positive. text/html 2013-03-26T14:59:27-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/-Survey-Gay-and-bi-men-rank-health-concerns/42108.html In recent years, researchers and providers have expressed concern about a phenomenon known as 'HIV prevention fatigue.' "The fear is that gay men are tired of hearing about how to prevent HIV, and because of new treatment options, HIV isn't seen as a big deal anymore," says Dr. Christian Grov, Associate Professor at Brooklyn College and a researcher at Hunter College's Center for HIV Educational Studies and Training CHEST. text/html 2013-03-21T16:31:00-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Congress-strips-45-million-from-emergency-AIDS-funding/42073.html Washington, DC — Congress approved a spending bill today that would fund the government through the remainder of fiscal year 2013 and avert a government shutdown when the current continuing resolution expires on March 27th. While much of the funding allocated through September 30th is based on 2012 levels, today's six month continuing resolution fails to continue the $35 million in emergency relief funds for AIDS Drug Assistance Programs ADAP announced by President Obama on World AIDS Day 2011. The failure to include these funds could result in nearly 8,000 individuals living with HIV being removed from ADAP roles and losing access to lifesaving medication. text/html 2013-03-21T15:22:47-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Senate-committee-clears-bill-to-lift-ban-on-HIV-organ-donation-/42072.html From a press release text/html 2013-03-19T13:49:42-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Positively-Awares-HIV-drug-guide-now-available/41993.html Chicago, Illinois — March 19, 2013 — Positively Aware magazine's 17th Annual HIV Drug Guide is now available, in print and online. Widely recognized throughout the country as the "must-have" reference tool for HIV service providers and consumers alike, the Positively Aware HIV Drug Guide provides important information to individuals living with HIV as well as their caregivers on how to best manage their treatment. text/html 2013-03-15T13:47:58-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Kate Sosin, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Cicero-officer-facing-HIV-charge-AIDS-advocates-react/41970.html A Cicero Police officer is facing a charge of criminally transmitting HIV, a charge that AIDS advocates say relies on stigmatization and misinformation on HIV. text/html 2013-03-13T11:36:48-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/HBHC-renames-health-practice/41948.html Howard Brown Health Center HBHC has announced that its Triad Health Practice will be renamed Aris Health, effective March 25. The facility will be moving to 3245 N. Halsted St. Aris Health will provide pediatric and family medicine in addition to adult medical care, according to a press release. text/html 2013-03-13T08:44:05-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Ross Forman, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Military-members-join-Ride-for-AIDS-/41909.html He is a competitive swimmer and has completed numerous long-distance running events, including four marathons, but Le'Mikas Lavender is filled with emotions as he prepares for his first 200-mile bicycle ride: the 10th annual Ride For AIDS Chicago in July. text/html 2013-03-12T19:58:10-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Margo Anderson http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Illinois-and-HIV-confidentiality/41894.html An article published in Social Problems states that Michigan health departments have been secretly collecting names and demographics of individuals who have taken the confidential HIV test and using those names to pursue legal cases. text/html 2013-03-07T23:29:59-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/AIDS-advocates-praise-house-vote-to-repeal-biased-HIV-law/41866.html The effort to repeal Illinois's outdated HIV principal reporting law took a major step forward this afternoon when the Illinois House of Representatives voted 61-55-1 in support of Representative La Shawn Ford's HB 61, which repeals the principal notification sections of Illinois' Sexually Transmissible Disease Control Act. The bill next moves to the Senate. text/html 2013-03-07T14:40:49-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Illinois-Governor-Reduces-State-HIV-Funding-/41852.html SPRINGFIELD — Illinois Governor Pat Quinn released a proposed $35.6 million state budget on March 6 that would reduce state HIV/AIDS funding by $4.27 million, or 16 percent. text/html 2013-03-05T22:44:34-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Jason Carson Wilson http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/App-helps-HIV-patients-control-treatment/41802.html Need more control? There's an app for that. text/html 2013-03-05T21:29:36-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Todd Heywood, American Independent http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/HIV-prevalence-predictions-in-gay-bi-men-staggering/41794.html If current infection trends continue unabated, the federal government estimates that today's 20-year-old men who have sex with men will face a 50 percent infection rate in 30 years—70 percent for Black men who have sex. Those numbers double the highest prevalence estimates during the height of the epidemic in the late '80s and early'90s experts say. text/html 2013-03-04T23:43:25-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Bob Roehr http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/AIDS-confab-opens-with-news-of-HIV-babys-cure/41779.html A flurry of excitement over a claimed "functional cure" for HIV opened the 20th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections CROI here in Atlanta. But questions remain about some of the details of what happened with the young girl, and even if it proves to be true, it is likely to have little immediate or widespread effect in daily care. text/html 2013-03-04T11:22:40-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Todd Heywood, American Independent http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Michigan-Not-so-confidential-HIV-testing/41773.html Since 2003, the Michigan Department of Community Health has been secretly collecting the names, dates of birth, risk categories, and other demographic information of people submitting for confidential HIV testing at grant-funded locations throughout the state and storing them in a massive database, a months-long investigation by The American Independent has discovered. text/html 2013-03-04T11:21:32-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/-amfAR-backed-research-documents-case-of-child-cured-of-HIV/41772.html NEW YORK, March 3, 2013 — Dr. Deborah Persaud of Johns Hopkins University today described the first documented case of a child being cured of HIV. The landmark findings were announced at the 2013 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections in Atlanta, GA. text/html 2013-03-04T10:15:19-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Erica Demarest, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/HIV-infection-rates-up-for-youth-men-who-have-sex-with-men/41770.html While national HIV infection rates remain steady, those among young people and men who have sex with men are on the rise, the Centers for Disease Control CDC said. People of color make up a disproportionate number of the new cases. text/html 2013-03-03T20:25:47-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Todd Heywood, American Independent http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Sequester-could-lead-to-massive-cuts-in-HIV-testing-treatment/41767.html The AIDS Drug Assistance Program is among the many federal programs that will take a hit if $85 billion in across-the-board spending cuts go through March 1, and those cuts could potentially lead to an increase in HIV transmission, the White House said Sunday in a reporton the anticipated state-by-state impacts of the so-called sequester. text/html 2013-03-03T11:52:09-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/-Study-looks-at-effects-of-criminalization-of-HIV-exposure/41762.html The Medical College of Wisconsin's MCW Center for AIDS Intervention Research CAIR has received a one year, $50,000 grant to study the tensions the criminalization of HIV exposure creates in public health, and the resulting impact on clients. This work was commissioned by the Public Health Law Research Program, a national program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. text/html 2013-03-03T09:05:50-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/-Legal-Toolkit-for-attorneys-on-HIV-related-prosecutions/41758.html The Legal Toolkit was created primarily as a go-to resource for lawyers representing people living with HIV who are facing criminal prosecution based on HIV status. However, other advocates are likely to find the Legal Toolkit useful. text/html 2013-02-28T10:16:27-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Stephen Sonneveld http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Legal-council-head-talks-Obamacare-LGBT-community/41743.html Ann Hilton Fisher, executive director of the AIDS Legal Council of Chicago, examined "Obamacare Implementation in Illinois: What Lawyers Know So Far" at the Feb. 20 Chicago Bar Association LGBT Committee meeting, co-sponsored by the Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago LAGBAC. text/html 2013-02-20T16:30:08-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Paula-Poundstone-to-headline-AFC-Spring-Dinner-April-18/41651.html Renowned comedian Paula Poundstone will grace the stage as the guest of honor at the AIDS Foundation of Chicago's AFC annual Spring Dinner Thursday, April 18 at the Hilton Chicago. text/html 2013-02-06T17:20:03-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/AIDS-United-to-invest-1-million-in-grants-to-HIV-care-/41478.html WASHINGTON, D.C. — February 4, 2013 — Thanks to a $4 million investment by the MAC AIDS Fund and a unique partnership with AIDS United, $1 million in initial grants have been awarded to seven organizations across the U.S. to help define and expand programs that help keep HIV-positive people in care and on treatment. text/html 2013-02-05T19:53:52-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/HBHC-partners-with-groups-for-National-Black-HIV-AIDS-Awareness-Day/41431.html Chicago, Ill. Feb. 5, 2013 — In observance of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013, Howard Brown Health Center HBHC has partnered with the Chicago Black Gay Men's Caucus CBGMC and Black Gay Pride organizers to serve as a testing and primary medical care partner to encourage the African American LGBT community to get tested and know their HIV status. text/html 2013-02-05T18:04:36-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Erica Demarest, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/TPANs-HOTTER-program-serves-African-American-men/41421.html The Test Positive Aware Network TPAN will expand its programming this month with HOTTER, a weekly therapy group that merges substance abuse and mental health treatment. text/html 2013-02-01T17:13:45-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Out-in-the-Park-to-benefit-Chicago-House/41408.html Chicago, Illinois February 1, 2013 - Out in the Park at Six Flags Great America returns in 2013 with a BANG! A private LGBT event featuring unlimited riding of ALL Six Flags Great America's amazing rides X-Flight, Superman, Batman, etc. , live music by an internationally sought after DJ who calls Chicago home, Matthew Harvat, delivering a total party-celebration dance area everyone can enjoy, complete with a laser light show! Plus some surprise celebrity guests and niche entertainment venues, for those who don't like to ride, or just want to take a break and enjoy some live music! text/html 2013-01-30T12:21:48-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/-Effort-to-enforce-HIV-health-threat-law-raises-questions/41384.html ANN ARBOR—Michigan health officials are using HIV surveillance technologies to assist in enforcing a health threat law that makes it illegal for HIV-positive people to have sex without disclosing their status. text/html 2013-01-25T19:34:34-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/HBHC-seeking-members-for-Community-Advisory-Board/41318.html Chicago, Ill. January 24, 2013 - As part of its on-going community engagement efforts, Howard Brown Health Center HBHC is actively seeking community members to support the long-term strategic mission of the organization by becoming members of the recently reconfigured Community Advisory Board CAB. text/html 2013-01-22T21:47:54-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Ross Forman, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Ride-for-AIDS-Chicago-seeks-record-numbers/41245.html Ride For AIDS Chicago RFAC celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2013—with lofty goals for participating riders, crew members and fundraising. text/html 2013-01-22T21:42:53-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Gershwin-show-to-benefit-AIDS-Legal-Council/41244.html On Jan. 27 at 7 p.m., Chicago musician Justin Hayford will host "The Gershwins in Love," an evening of classic Gershwin love songs, at Davenport's, 1383 N. Milwaukee Ave. text/html 2013-01-20T00:17:39-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com David-Elijah Nahmod http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/-Uncle-Poodle-and-the-criminalization-of-HIV/41213.html On January 15, The Wrap and other entertainment media outlets reported that Lee Thompson, better known as Uncle Poodle on The Learning Channel's reality series Honey Boo Boo, had tested positive for HIV, the virus which causes AIDS. Thompson claims to have pressed charges against his former boyfriend for giving him the virus. The ex, who has not been named, is allegedly serving a five-year prison sentence.