Friday 11/20/2009
POSITIVE SPIN by Barry Freiman
Welcome to Positive Spin, the blog devoted to the Chicago HIV/AIDS community's needs. Soon to be a featured column on chicagopride.com. By Barry Freiman.
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	Friday 11/20/2009
Poz Event Returning to Spin Nightclub in 2010
Now that the poz event at Hydrate has resumed (generally the 2nd Friday of the month but I recommend checking with TPAN, the bar, or looking on Positive Spin), the next question is "When is the Poz Night at Spin Nightclub Going to Resume?" That's a good question Junior and the answer is tentatively Friday January 29 2010. First off a huge thank you to Spin Nightclub for committing to the event and providing a safe space for all pozzies and neggies to get together. Second, I'd like to extend a personal invitation to anyone in recovery who doesn't drink alcohol. The goal is to make this a fun event for everyone poz or neg, drinker or not. This blog is going to play a part in the evolution of the event at Spin Nightclub from a simple bar night (it will still be that, don't worry, think of it as that plus more) to a community gathering place. Just this week, I snared an uber-cool emcee for the event and a lot more will be announced very soon by TPAN, Chicago Pride, Positive Spin: The Blog, and others. Stay tuned for more in early December. Catch the Spin.
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	Thursday 11/19/2009
Chicago AIDS Quilt Songbook
Tuesday December 1 at 6:30 PM, the Center on Halsted is holding the Chicago AIDS Quilt Songbook. This is part of the Center's commemoration of World AIDS Day on December 1. Proceeds go to Center on Halsted. The only question I have is whether the proceeds will go directly to the Center's HIV/AIDS services or to the Center generally. I certainly hope it's the former -- that'd be most appropriate. For more information, check out the Center's website.
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	Thursday 11/19/2009
TPAN HIV TEAM Training Spots Still Available!
From November 30 - December 2, Test Positive Aware Network is offering their "T.E.A.M." (Treatment Education Advocacy Management) training. It's an intensive 8 hours a day course for 3 consecutive days. Training usually books up well in advance but a few spots remain as this session is following the Thanksgiving Weekend. TPAN offers participants a $30.00 incentive (in the form of a Jewel gift card), and a 3 day CTA pass. TEAM training is invaluable if you have any interest in volunteer work, advocacy, activism, or simply more information about HIV/AIDS. If you want more information, or to RSVP, call Billy at TPAN (773) 989-9400, extension 232 or email him at b.minshall@tpan.com There's one final incentive to taking the November 30-December 2 course -- I'll be taking it too. Now that's some kind of incentive ...
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	Tuesday 11/17/2009
High Viral Load May Equal Increased Heart Risk
POZ.com is reporting that people with higher HIV levels are more likely to have a cluster of symptoms—called metabolic syndrome—associated with cardiovascular disease than people with lower viral loads. This study result was reported in the December issue of the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes. Another reason to not lose sight of regular readings of your viral load.
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	Tuesday 11/17/2009
Deadline to Give Obama Ideas on HIV Policy
The White House has extended the deadline for online testimony for National HIV/AIDS Strategy to Monday, November 23rd. The Office of National AIDS Policy has an online form you can use to type out your testimony and/or submit documents to support your stance. The online testimony period started on October 2, 2009 and will close NEXT MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23. So please submit your comments now. And feel free to send us a copy. Contact us if there's anything we can do to help get your submission in, or to share other ideas for furthering HIV Prevention Justice!
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	Monday 11/16/2009
Aren't HIV+ People Part of Everyone?
It's being reported right here on Chicagopride.com that a radio personality is urging "everyone" to get tested regularly for HIV: Dr. Rachael Ross, the nationally recognized relationship expert and sexologist, is urging everyone to get tested for HIV/AIDS as part of the global effort to stem the spread of the illness, reaching epidemic proportions. "This is no joke," said Ross, a family physician and relationship expert who advises teens, young adults and couples on health issues and safe sex. "We've got to fight the spread, and one of the ways is getting tested, practicing safe sex and taking care of ourselves and loved ones." Read the entire article here. One comment: Aren't we pozzies part of this world? If you're already pozitive you don't need an HIV test. So "everyone" doesn't need an HIV test. There is an implicit slam on the already poz there - when we talk about "everyone", I like to think I'm part of "everyone" too.
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	Wednesday 11/11/2009
Annie Lennox Honored for HIV/AIDS Activism
Songstress Annie Lennox received the 2009 "Woman of Peace" award today at a summit of Nobel Peace Laureates in Berlin for her work raising awareness of HIV/AIDS. Sorry Annie, but that's one more "I Love You" - and you deserve it. Thanks!
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	Tuesday 11/10/2009
H1N1 Vaccine Impact on Pozzies Being Tested
Canadian researchers are going to study H1N1 vaccine safety and dosage needs in people living with HIV. The study is going to examine how those with HIV/AIDS respond to an H1N1 vaccine that includes an adjuvant, an additive that boosts the response to the vaccine. The trial will include 150 HIV-positive volunteers: 75 who'll get one dose of the vaccine; and 75 who'll get an initial dose followed by a booster shot 21 days later. The study is one of the first in the world to look at this issue, though U.S. researchers have launched a trial to look at how best to use the H1N1 vaccine (without the adjuvant booster) in pozzies.
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	Sunday 11/8/2009
AmEx May Have Fired Exec for Being HIV+
People often ask me why I choose to be so out with my HIV+ status. I always explain that it's because I'm in a unique position. I practiced law for 10 years so I understand my legal rights and am not afraid to defend them should need be. But I have nothing to lose by being out in my HIV status. My friends and family all know. My daughter's known for almost as long as I've been positive and she's my biggest supporter and evidence of my hypothesis that hate is a learned trait because love and acceptance truly are a child's natural responses. But I recognize not everyone is as lucky as I am to be able to be proudly out -- as proud as those living with diabetes or cancer or ingrown toenails. The pride comes from being a public face when there are too many who can't be. Take this report today from the New York Post: An American Express executive was fired for being HIV-positive, he claims. Brett Knight, 41, had worked for American Express since 1990. Although he was HIV-positive throughout his employment, Knight said he didn't have a problem at the Financial District office until he started working with a new supervisor, Michael Slover, last summer. When Knight took a sick leave due to complications from his condition, doctors reported his HIV status and sexual orientation on a Family Medical Leave Act application. Although Knight was approved for a two-month sick leave, Slover discovered his employee's sexual orientation and HIV status. That's when things got ugly, Knight said. Slover allegedly refused to shake Knight's hand or touch any papers or objects Knight had handled, wouldn't enter Knight's cubicle, and would talk to his employee only from "a safe distance," Knight claims in a lawsuit he filed Wednesday against American Express in Manhattan Supreme Court. "It's been the most horrific experience of my life," Knight said. In July, Knight lost his job, which the company blamed on the need to reduce its work force; Knight, who is still out of work, declared the move "a pretext" for his alleged unlawful termination. American Express declined to comment. Hey AmEx, I've got a comment -- LAME! It's almost 2010 and stupidity still has no class barriers. Good thing I carry Visa.
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