Those poor Africans

The following is a video from PEPFAR. (The Presidents Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief)



I agree we should end the stigma and discrimination surrounding HIV/AIDS...but video's like the one seen on the PEPFAR website don't tell the full truth about elminating HIV/AIDS. It makes the issue as a "oh those poor African's" Who comes up with the discourse of the issue. The virus is more then just a "poor African" issue. People here in our own country are still being affected in great numbers. Although the highest rising group of new infections in the USA is between MSM's there is still a great number of hetero infections. We need to change the face of the epidemic, because it affects us all.

We Can End AIDS Mobilization

I hit the ground running yesterday as I awoke from my bed, after two hours of sleep, and dragged worn and tired carcass towards the shower then out the door. I was running late and where I live I have to walk a few blocks to the nearest train station if there is no bus en route. Being that it was just a bit after 3 am I knew I had to hit the pavement. The thing about MTA service around that time of the night is it's hit or miss, hit if you reach your station and the train is minutes away or miss and you just missed the train and you'll have to wait 20 to 30 minutes for the next arriving train that time frame is exasperated by trying to make a connecting train. As I made my way through the transit system to my destination of  LGBT center in the west village I kept thinking about why I was going to join up with others in Washington DC to march through a foreign city to a uncertain faith...in my mind it was all because of faith.

Faith in our numbers en mass we can accomplish a movement to push law makers to see the cost; symbolically; of how much it could to supply generic drugs;



 to see that taxation with out representation as in the case with DC natives is wrong;



 to see that Wall Street shouldn't be the ones in charge of policies;



to see we as a now global community will not stand idle as war is raged upon women, sex workers, the LGBTQ community.

As I arrived in Washington I was let off my bus at the convention center. I didn't know what was going on in the halls of the convention center where the International AIDS 2012 speeches where given, who was there, the ideas bantered being about from ear to mouth but I knew what was going on in the streets.






Feet were marching, butts were sitting in the street, at times ringing bells, because yes WE NEED MORE COW BELL.  

Getting my photo taken was great, who wouldn't want to show off something great to put up on your facebook wall or that your in the local or national paper but it's more than my own superficial vanity in posturing and nourishing my psyche it's about showing support for myself, friends, family. Its about doing something anything to ease the pain of those dealing with so much. We are greater than this crisis. The end of multiple groups marches throughout the city of DC ended up at the gates of the White House and tied red ribbons to the gates along with times that symbolically are tied to the ends of the epidemic: money, drugs, condoms, policies.   

International AIDS Conference 2012

Next week in Washington, DC will be the International Aids Conference, July 22-27. Throughout the week there will be events sharing information regarding new scientific research, committees on sharing harm reduction. The WE CAN END AIDS campaign will be doing a march on July 24th. If you didn't know I was recently a part of a lead up action sponsored by Housing Works.

We hoisted a banner on public space in front of the capitol building,

The protest went for sometime before any authorities made any indication of physical action. I feel that this action was a good start to get out in-front of the conference and get people to pay attention to some of the issues that need to be addressed in relation to HIV/AIDS and civil rights. A list of demands are being put forth by WE CAN END AIDS,

So remember if your in the DMV area, come to the March.

World AIDS Day Collection by Distinguished Cravat

 Earlier today designer Kate Ross unveiled her current collection of Cravat's in honor of world AIDS Day. This line is more than a fashion statement it's a conscious statement to rally those in opposition to ignorance, to rally those in favor for education, to rally those to care about one another. This line is heart on the sleeve, the one tear shed to help in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
"At this time I would like to announce that Ms. Lolisa Gibson, HIV/AIDS educator, will receive 50% of the proceeds from the W.A.D. Collection, to help her continue to travel the world and educate people from all walks of life about HIV/AIDS. 

At "CRAVAT," it is our commitment to expand the boundaries of fashion, art & philanthropy. As we use the runway as our platform we will teach, impact & elevate the minds of future generations, and this starts with the our Winter 2010 Collection properly entitled W.A.D., (World AIDS Day), Winter 2010-11." - Kate Ross, Distinguished Cravat

CHARITY

$69.99

"CHARITY" Giving to HIV/AIDS 365, EVERY DAY IS W.A.D."
FABRICS: DENIM
*Traditional Brick Denim

 

EDUCATION

$69.99

"END DISCRIMINATION WITH EDUCATION"
FABRICS: Denim
*Traditional Brick Denim - Front
*Traditional Black Denim -Back

 

UNITE we STAND

$75.00

"UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL," UNITE AND VOLUNTE
ER TO FIGHT FOR THE RIGHTS OF THOSE LIVINGS WITH HIV/AIDS."
"END DISCRIMINATION WITH EDUCATION"
FABRICS: Wool
*Plaid Wool: Suiting Wool: Red, Black & Grey - Front
-Attachment: SIGNATURE: Blk ROSE
*Black Smoke Wool: Suiting: Black & Grey

HARMONY

$79.99

"ONE WORLD INCLUDES ALL"
FABRICS: Cotton & Plaid Wool
*Cotton: Gingham: Red/White
*Plaid Wool: Suiting Wool: Red, Black & Grey
"ONE WORLD INCLUDES ALL"



For more information on Cravat's in the line and purchase information check out: