IN THIS ISSUE April-June 2012 President Obama backs gay marriage HIV Resource Truvada pill can help avoid HIV Yanira Arias Bethsy Morales-Reid , Director of the National Hispanic Hepatitis Awareness Day, at the steps of the City Hall in New York city. Fighting Hepatitis Featured Program: National Hispanic Hepatitis Awareness Day 2012 Juntos On May 15, 2012, The Latino Com- “As many as 75 percent of people ral hepatitis testing, while educat- Construyendo mission on AIDS and community living with chronic viral hepatitis ing those impacted, and promoting partners coordinated awareness don’t know they are infected. We critical services that are available and educational events promot- must multiply our efforts to bring to confront this terrible disease,” ing National Hispanic Hepatitis awareness to our communities, so said Dr. Elena Rios, President of Awareness Day. With this year’s that more people will test for Hep- the National Hispanic Medical As- theme “Let’s Talk about Hepatitis/ atitis, and then access life saving sociation. Hablemos sobre la Hepatitis” cit- care and treatment for this condi- ies and states throughout the nation tion, if needed.” stated Guillermo “I strongly believe that by work- organized events to make visible Chacon, President of the Latino ing together, in partnership, we can the tremendous impact of Hepati- Commission on AIDS. produce an effective response to tis on Latino communities and the this silent epidemic” stated Bethsy urgent need to develop awareness, “The first ever National Hispanic Morales-Reid, Director of National promote testing for viral Hepatitis Hepatitis Awareness Day mobi- Hispanic Hepatitis Awareness Day. and address the stigma, invisibility lized communities to raise aware- For more information, please visit Featured Event: and discrimination associated with ness about this serious disease by www.hispanichepatitisday.org. Texas HIV/AIDS Hepatitis. taking action! Many promoted vi- ANA OROZCO Training Institute A CRUSADER FOR THE COMMISSION Dayana Mendoza, Miss Universe 2008 and Celebrity Apprentice 2012 con- testant has been a long-time supporter of the Latino Commission on AIDS. Through her participation in the most recent season of Celebrity Appren- tice she won $30,000 for the Commission. It is because of her commitment “Dímelo” is a quartely publication of to the mission and vision of the Latino Commission that she was awarded the Latino Commission on AIDS, a non- the Ilka Award at this year’s Cielo Latino, which honors outspoken and profit membership organization dedi- supportive celebrities who give their voice and time to HIV/AIDS causes. cated to fighting the spread of HIV/AIDS in the Latino/Hispanic community. www.latinoaids.org Yanira Arias Yanira well as viral Hepatitis and efforts to reduce stigma and discrimina- Struggle tion. We ask that our supporters and partners, like you, renew your commitment so that together we & hope can develop innovative initiatives to respond to all these challenges. “El VIH No Tiene Fronteras” (HIV Has No Borders) was the theme of this year’s Cielo Latino. GUILLERMO CHACON This theme recognizes the upcom- ing International AIDS Confer- ence taking place in the United States on July 20-27. The Latino Dear Friends of the Commission, Commission on AIDS will use On behalf of the Board and staff our presence at this conference as of the Latino Commission on a call for solidarity, commitment, AIDS, we would like to extend and action in raising awareness our gratitude to all who supported around the devastating impact of AIDS on the lives of Latinos in the President Barack Obama announcing his support for same-sex marriage in a us at Cielo Latino 2012 on May United States, Puerto Rico, Latin 18th. The last few months have televised interview nationwide. been marked by historic health America and the Caribbean. We care debates around the Supreme believe that by coming together, Court’s decision on President we are sending a strong message Obama’s Affordable Care Act of hope that we are both capable which is scheduled for the end of and committed to overcoming President of June. We need to keep in our any challenge in achieving our minds the difficult social changes dream of healthy communities driven by the fragile economy free of stigma and discrimination. Obama backs throughout the United States and its Territories. We must use this Thank you to our supports of our momentum to address urgent mission and vision. Because of public health challenges faced each of you, the Commission has gay marriage by our communities and continue been able to provide leadership to mobilize support in address- development, prevention efforts, President Obama revealed that he couples will ultimately have a far- ing the HIV/AIDS epidemic, as health promotion, capacity build- supports same-sex marriage, be- reaching effect in improving the ing, relevant research, community coming the first U.S. president to health and lives of all Americans. mobilization and launch the first take that position. The announce- “We applaud President Obama’s ever Hispanic Hepatitis Aware- ment was called a landmark mo- statement on marriage equality. ness Day, which too place this ment for equality. “It is important There are currently 1,138 benefits, year on May 15th. for me to go ahead and affirm that rights and protections provided on I think same-sex couples should be the basis of marital status in Federal EDITOR IN CHIEF We will continue the struggle to able to get married.” said President law; these rights and protections are Ana Orozco establish culturally relevant ac- Obama. being denied to same sex couples, cess to health care and consis- and that is unacceptable ” stated EDITORIAL BOARD tently pursue our shared vision of The Commission commends Presi- Guillermo Chacón. Guillermo Chacon a world without HIV/AIDS. dent Obama for his support of gay Ana Orozco marriage. By declaring his support The Latino Commission pledges to Miriam Vega United we can/Unidos podemos! of same-sex marriages, the Presi- support any on-going efforts to pro- DESIGN dent demonstrated his leadership mote equality for all. Through mo- Daniel Ravelo Sincerely, and commitment to equal rights for bilization and educational activities, same-sex couples that are funda- we can address homophobia and PHOTOGRAPHY mental to life, liberty, and the pur- discrimination in our communities Lina Cherfas suit of happiness. We must make in- in order to achieve a healthier and Yanira Arias Guillermo Chacón roads to celebrate and affirm same safer country for all. President Latino Commission on AIDS sex relationships, for we know that CONTRIBUTORS recognizing the rights of same-sex ANA OROZCO Natasha Quirch Hector Torres HIV Resource DISCLAIMER: Photos used in this newsletter imply nothing about the Truvada pill can help avoid HIV health status, sexual orientation, or life history of the subjects. In May of this year, an advisory known as Pre-Exposure Prophy- vention strategies will help dra- 24 W 25th Street, 9th Floor panel to the Food and Drug Ad- laxis, or PrEP, would be integrat- matically reduce HIV infection New York, NY 10010 ministration recommended that ed into existing HIV prevention in all of our communities” stated P. (212) 675.3288 Truvada, an antiretroviral medica- tools in order to enhance our pre- Guillermo Chacón, President of f. (212) 675.3466 tion used to treat HIV, should be vention efforts across the country the Latino Commission on AIDS. [email protected] ANA OROZCO www.latinoaids.org used as a new prevention tool for and territories. “We believe that people that are at high risk of be- this new prevention tool, along ing exposed to HIV. This strategy, with condom use and other pre- Featured Program: Juntos Constru yendo Juntos Construyendo (JC) is tak- ing the Latino Commission on AIDS’ mission to new heights. For the last two years, Juntos Construyendo has been work- ing diligently in creating a net- work, currently comprised of 37 different organizations, groups, and programs that serve the La- tino gay and bisexual population throughout the state of New York. JC’s vision is to increase the ca- Member organizations of Juntos Construyendo presenting projects of retention strategy using social media. Yanira Arias pacity of Latino gay and bisexual men-serving organizations, grass- The JC Network is managed Juntos Contruyendo’s Director, In adding this user-generated com- roots LGBT groups, and social through its facebook, twitter, and Bolivar Nieto and the team’s ponent to the network, a forum is groups (“members”) to respond youtube pages, as well as the Jun- newest addition: Hector Torres, set in place for the community to to the HIV needs of Latino gay tos Construyendo website and the understand that in order to help voice their needs and for provid- and bisexual men in the State of face to face meetings held through- the community, we must first hear ers to be made aware of what ex- New York. The goal is to promote out the year. The website allows the community; and listen is ex- actly the community is facing and communication, leadership de- members to download capacity actly what the JC team plans on looking for. Follow JC to see how velopment and capacity enhance- enhancement tools and tutorials, doing. In the upcoming year the they are breaking ground in New ment to respond to the health with a concentration in four key JC team is looking to expand the York State by visiting its website: needs of Latino gay, bisexual components: Infrastructure, Pro- network to individual consumers www.juntosconstruyendo.org. and MSM community (youth and gram Implementation, Evaluation to create a platform where the adults) throught New York State. and Community Mobilization. community’s voice can be heard. HECTOR LUIS TORRES Featured Event: Texas HIV/AIDS Training Institute During February 7-9 and April 23-24, the Commission sent his Capacity Building Assistance team to Texas for one-day train- Lina Cherfas ings in San Antonio, Dallas, Training in Dallas, Texas higlighed the community local needs.