With the mayoral race heating up, TransAction (a Chicago-based transgender-rights advocacy organization), in partnership with Chicago State University gay-straight alliance H.E.R.0. (Helping to Educate Regarding Orientation), held a mayoral forum entitled "Get Real: Get in Care" Dec. 4 to address the issue of HIV/AIDS prevention.
After TransAction CEO Joy Morris welcomed everyone and thanked the candidates for attending she introduced John Davis, HIV case manager of Haymarket-McDermott Center in the West Loop (where the event was held), who gave an overview of what the center does. Then the moderators Alicia Ozier, CEO of TaskForce Prevention and Community Services, and Mason Harrison, an organizer, fielded questions to the candidates. The candidates who attended included Gery Chico, Danny Davis, Miguel del Valle, William "Dock" Walls III and Patricia Van Pelt Watkins.
The first question dealt with the challenges the city faces regarding HIV/AIDS. In answering, Davis and del Valle laid out their previous experience regarding this issue and how that experience will guide their actions as mayor regarding funding and treatment. Chico said that funding is the key issue but we need to use our resources to detect and treat the disease more efficiently so more people will get help. Walls stressed education about the disease and the need to move past stereotyping about who is affected by HIV/AIDS. He mentioned research techniques specifically in the area of nanotechnology to find new ways to treat patients and possibly find a cure. Watkins talked about the "lack of communication among community leaders" and as mayor she would activate the church leaders to be educators in their communities.
Following the opening remarks there was a moment of silence as a member of the audience lit a candle to commemorate those who had already died of AIDS. Then a student leader from Chicago State University and slam poet who performed on HBO's Def Poetry Jam in 2005, Ra Perre' LaMar Shelton, got up and read his poem about the AIDS epidemic. Then the questions continued.
When the candidates where asked how they would address the increased amounts of undetected HIV/AIDS patients especially among minority communities, Chico said he wants city health clinics to work with non-profit organizations so more people will get tested and treated if necessary. Davis talked about the recent bill that was passed statewide that would funnel scratch-off card lottery money exclusively into HIV funding and his commitment to the issue by getting tested himself at public events. Del Valle said that the city should utilize our world-class advertising agencies to get the word out. Taking action in a direct way is how Walls would address this issue. Young people are the key to get the word out about this disease and Watkins plans on utilizing them to educate people.
Other questions that were asked included addressing the issue of homeless students and job creation for transgendered people. At this time Chico had to leave to attend another event and after answering these two questions Davis had to leave as well. In the area of jobs for transgender people Davis and de Valle talked more about job creation; however, Walls and Watkins both said that treating people equally is the key to increasing the number of transgendered people employed in city jobs. Three people asked questions about funding for organizations that help HIV/AIDS patients. What they all said was they would ensure that these organizations stayed open because they are vital to the communities they serve.
As for what makes them a different candidate for mayor, del Valle said he would bring his experience as a community organizer, educator, state legislature and clerk of the City of Chicago. Walls reminded the attendees that he would have run and has run for mayor regardless if Mayor Richard Daley was running, and he was on Mayor Harold Washington's team to transform city government. Watkins pointed out that she has no political baggage but her experience working in the city provides her with the background to be an effective mayor. They all noted that the one person who has not attended any of the previous forums that they have attended is Rahm Emmanuel.
When they all were asked if they would sign on to a commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the AIDS epidemic that they are planning next year, del Valle said he would, regardless of the outcome of the mayoral race. Walls said yes and added that he would get all groups to come together around this event. Watkins answered with a firm yes. About 40 people attended the event; following the Q&A, the candidates stayed afterwards to chat.