This morning I sit with a heart of gratitude and deep reflection about what this World AIDS Day acknowledgment means to me.
I have been courageously fighting this battle of living with an HIV diagnosis for 26 years. The years have brought me many ups and downs, but I acknowledge and recognize that the Creator has preserved me for such a time as this, and the years have mainly been up! I have been chosen to live my life as a living witness of what living courageously and mindfully is all about! I am honored to be used to bring awareness, education, and inspiration… to whosoever will attend their ear to hear the message! I give thanks to all of those who have asked, inquired and loved me throughout the years! I also give thanks to all those who have rejected me out of their own fears and ignorance, for it’s actually not me you’ve rejected, but the God in me! You have given me the courage to continue to fight against the ignorance and missed education around HIV/AIDS. I wish to acknowledge and give thanks to all those who have gone before me, paving the way for me to live, and I want to live a life that ensures your struggles and lives have not been in vain….we continue to fight this fight, to make sure the next generations can live an AIDS-Free life! To all my brothers and sisters, allies and unenlightened ones, open up your hearts to hear the truth about HIV/AIDS. I wish to also invite those who have not yet disclosed their status; may today be your coming out day! Somebody’s life may depend on you sharing your story….

Today I desire that you all Live Well, Love Well, Speak Well and Teach Well!

Be in joy, for we are changing the world, one life and speaking event at a time!

The Issue of Blood Outreach’s November Educational Forum

“HIV and Criminalization in Colorado”

Presented by Rashida Richardson, Staff Attorney

The Center for HIV Law & Policy

Wednesday, November 14^th, 2012

5:30pm – 8:00pm

*5:30pm-Hor d’ oeuvres

*6pm-8pm-Presentation and Panel Discussion (Magalie Lerman, Aleesa Brauer, Janiece Masterson, & Chanel Sanchez)

Auraria Campus Tivoli Turnhalle

1201 Fifth St.

Denver, CO 80204

On the Auraria Campus off of Auraria Parkway and Speer

Sponsored by:

-Gilead Sciences

-CHIP (Children’s Hospital Immunodeficiency Program)

-OWH (Office of Women’s Health)

-GLBTSS at Auraria Campus

-IWSS at Metro College

-The Greater Denver Interfaith Initiative

-The Denver HIV Resources Planning Council

Are We Really That Different from Cicely Bolden?

By Kat Griffith

Cicely Bolden was a young woman who was stabbed to death by her boyfriend because of her HIV status. After school, her young children found her at home, murdered. Media coverage states that the boyfriend killed her (brutally, I might add) when she disclosed her HIV-positive status after they had sex.

Here is what I find interesting:

First, for many media outlets, the narrative’s tone is shaped by interviews with Cicely’s partner, Larry Dunn, the man who stabbed her to death. In one article, Dunn states, “She killed me, so I killed her.” This narrative exacerbates stigma and is thus far not challenged in most media coverage.

Second, our natural inclination is to blame the victim. It is troubling to me that society does this, but even more troubling that we, as the HIV-positive community, do this.  Some automatically say, “Well, she did have unprotected sex” as if we actually know that to be true.  And even if it were true, it does not make the case that this young woman, in some way, deserved to be murdered, which is the implication.

I will go ahead and take the unpopular, but needed step to state that there are many – too many – HIV-positive women whose lives are endangered. Studies have shown that HIV-positive women experience a greater degree of violence upon disclosure than men.  And yet, many HIV-specific programs, policies, decision-makers, and communities tend to generalize experiences of all people living with HIV and operate on an assumption that people have the same ability to negotiate safer sex or even have conversations around sex at all. Many women experience forced sex on a regular basis. One out of four women in the U.S. experience violence with an intimate partner at some point in their lives.

A clinical trial known as HPTN 052 revealed that if a person living with HIV is on treatment and has an undetectable viral load, there is less than a 4% chance of HIV transmission. This is groundbreaking information. It shows that if given comprehensive and accurate information on all treatment options and if ready to go on treatment, achieving an undetectable viral load is another way to improve one’s health as well as to protect one’s partner. It throws a twist in the disclosure debate. Is someone’s life worth a 4% risk?  I already know the argument: any risk requires disclosure. However, this argument fails if you risk your safety by disclosing. Violence is a reality for many women.

What am I most frustrated about? On one HIV-specific community forum site, I am the only member who is talking about this. It makes me sad. Are we really that disconnected? Do we really think we are so different from Cicely Bolden?

She Didn’t Deserve To Die

By Precious Jackson

I’m saddened to hear about Cicely Bolden’s murder at the hand of her intimate partner when this did not need to happen. Bolden was a woman living with HIV, with two young children, who disclosed her status to her partner after they had sex. Maybe she didn’t feel comfortable enough to disclose her status earlier. Maybe she felt she would be stigmatized, judged, and/or looked upon as “damaged goods,” something I have heard many women living with HIV say they about themselves. Maybe Cicely and her partner had protected sex, which can significantly reduce HIV transmission. Maybe Cicely was on treatment with an undetectable viral load and knew that she was protecting her partner by taking care of herself. Maybe Cicely had bad experiences disclosing her status in the past and was still stigmatized.

I commend her for having the courage to disclose her status anyway because she didn’t have to. It is sad that thirty-one years into the HIV epidemic, stigma is the main contributing factor as to why people living with HIV are not comfortable in disclosing their status. A community’s lack of education and awareness about HIV and providers and health care systems that continue to stigmatize people living with HIV can cause HIV-positive people to live in fear and isolation.

This is why HIV prevention, care, and treatment education is so important. Understanding how HIV is transmitted and acquired could have prevented this murder and could help to prevent similar acts of violence in the future.  If Mr. Dunn was educated about HIV he wouldn’t have made the comment, “She killed me, so I killed her.”  There is no excuse for ignorance. Get educated about HIV. It can save your life!

Greetings Beloved!

I am writing you all from the safe confines of my home in Denver, CO.  It’s taken me a few weeks to try to get into my own Colorado rhythm again, after being away and so busy for those 2 weeks in August.

A little about the journey….I arrived safely and had the opportunity to share a home-cooked meal and time with a dear friend of mine, who lives in DC.
I had a good night’s rest and I was off to the races very early the next morning!
I found my way around the DC Metro very well and was able to get to the DC Convention Center with no mishaps.
The DC Convention Center has got to be the largest indoor forum I have ever been in in my life!!  It takes up at least 10 city blocks and the only way to get from one building to the next, is by walking.  All who were gathered in DC for the International AIDS Conference, got their exercise in for 2 weeks, trust me!
The main session hall alone was the size of 3 football fields we were told, holding 7000 people! YIKES!

The 1st 5 days I spent as a volunteer for the conference.  The first 3 days we gathered to assemble 30,000 delegate bags.  Most of this work was on our feet, so needless to say, with the chronic problems I have with the nerve damage in my legs, this was not fun!
I had to find jobs that were conducive to me sitting and or being in one place.
Imagine this scene…I walk into the area where we gathered to begin the assembling, and I see mountains and mountains of boxes, filled with literature for the bags!  Overwhelming, to say the least…!
The atmosphere was fairly jovial as people introduced themselves to one another and immediately began to converse and share stories as to what brought them to the IAC in DC.  The 1st day alone, I met volunteers from 12 different countries
I was a bit overwhelmed by the enormity of it all but soon into the assembling of name badges, a dear friend of mine walked in and that really helped me to settle down quite a bit!
One of the lessons I learned while away that in this world of HIV advocacy, it truly is a small circle.  Literally within the 1st 4 days, I saw soooo many people I knew from across the U.S.  It truly felt like a GINORMOUS Family Reunion!

After the 3rd day, my duties switched and I became a badge-checker for 2 days.  Again, I had the opportunity to meet and greet people from all over the world; name a country and they were there (yup even conservative and restrictive Middle Eastern and African countries had representatives there)!!
My legs began to bother me again as I was standing on my feet for hours at a time, but a friend recommended I buy some pressure hosiery that would help the blood to circulate in my legs, and so that helped immensely!
So I’m gonna name-drop a little here….I did have the opportunity to see Bill Gates, who came through one of the gates I was working, as well as the Mayor of DC.  Bill was surrounded by body guards, but the Mayor was very kind and polite coming in.

I was a part of a Media Delegation with SisterLove, Inc, from Atlanta, GA.  There were 12 of us altogether, and 6 of those women were from South Africa.  It was so great being able to meet, connect and bond with them and have very engaging discussions about the things happening in the US, SA, and what the commonalities and differences are.  It was an incredible experience, and I intend to stay connected to as many of these women as possible!
One of the things we were asked to do by the Executive Director of the organization was to focus on a particular track that we wanted to follow and I chose BioMedical Interventions and its effect on women living with HIV.  That was very wise advice, because there were hundreds and hundreds of events, sessions, workshops and such, that occurred every day, and if one wasn’t particularly focused, one would have been paralyzed in fear because it all was so very overwhelming!!!
One of the other exciting ventures I took upon myself was to capture as much of the conference with pictures.  I have posted many of the albums on facebook, but if anyone wants to see them, I can certainly treat you to a private viewing, as well as send you some.

I did take time off to play!  The 2nd Tuesday I was there, I engaged in the “Women Making Waves” March, that ended at the White House.  There were 5 arms of this march addressing 5 social justice issues.  We all started in different directions of DC, and converged at the park across from the White House.  It was pretty exciting to say the least, by being able to shut traffic down in the heart of Washington and I served as a Marshall for the people marching with us.
I also hung out with a dear friend of mine on Wednesday, and we went to the Washington Mall to view the AIDS quilt.  It was the 1st time in 26 years that the entire quilt was displayed and it was very moving!!
We also visited the new MLKing Memorial, that is quite astounding as well!  The temperatures were miserable hot, but we persevered and enjoyed one another’s company, especially since we only see one another every 2 years or so…
I had lunch with one of my dear mentors and it was so wonderful having her speak life and encouragement into the lives of the many women she has mentored and loved on for the last few years!
Many of us from the SisterLove delegation had an amazing African dinner together on the last official night of the conference!  It was a great time of relaxing and celebrating our wonderful achievements and the food was beyond delicious!
I had an opportunity to spend Saturday, Sunday and Monday, in Virginia, with a dear friend of mine.  She was so very kind and asked me what I wanted to do while I was there for that very brief time.  I told her to rest and to get to the ocean.  So, that Saturday, she drove me to the ocean, where I was able to dip my feet in the water, exhale and give thanks to an Amazing God for the great and marvelous things I was privileged to experience!!

On Wednesday, Sept. 12th, 2012, I co-presented with another organization about the issues that affect women in particular, that we gleaned from the conference.  Thanks to all of you who showed up and participated in the educational forum.

Thanks so very much for the incredible love extended on my behalf!  It truly was a life-changing experience I may never have an opportunity to repeat!

Go Well in God and God Richly Bless Each and Every One of You!
May you receive a thousandfold everything that you poured out for me!
Love and Blessings,
Penny DeNoble

ATTENTION:

Keep tuned to the Internet & TV July 22-27 for news and information from this historic and monumental conference which will be intensively covered by the media.
The International AIDS Conference, being held in Washington D.C., for the first time in 22 years, is the premier gathering for those working in the field of HIV, as well as policymakers, persons living with HIV and other individuals committed to ending the pandemic. It will bring together leading scientists, public health experts, policy-makers and the HIV-affected community to translate recent momentous scientific advances into action that will address means to end the epidemic, within the current context
of significant global economic challenges.
The AIDS 2012 program will present new scientific knowledge and offer many opportunities for structured
dialogue on the major issues facing the global response to HIV. A variety of session types—from abstract-driven
presentations to symposia, bridging and plenary sessions—will meet the needs of various participants. Other
related activities, including the Global Village, satellite meetings, exhibitions and affiliated independent events, will contribute to an exceptional opportunity for professional development and networking.

July 2012 has been designated as National HIV/AIDS Awareness Month.
It is estimated 1.2 million people in the United States (U.S.) are living with HIV infection. One in five (20%) of those people are unaware of their infection. Despite increases in the total number of people in the U.S. living with HIV infection in recent years (due to better testing and treatment options), the annual number of new HIV infections has remained relatively stable. However, new infections continue at far too high of a level, with approximately 50,000 Americans becoming infected with HIV each year.
The need for testing, education, prevention and awareness is still key factors in preventing this very preventable disease, so take the PLEDGE!

Sponsored by: National HIV Awareness Month

The principle of investment says that if you invest or give something you will receive it back many times again.  You will receive it back based on what you invested (e.g., if you invested friendship, you will have many friends) as well as on how much you invest (“He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly”).

The motivation for investment-or giving- is self-interest.  The investor invests because it will benefit him.  This is the only motive Yeshua ever used in Scripture.

As a leader, you are to understand and practice the principle of investment.  In addition, you are to instill the habit of giving into the people in your group.

There are two kinds of people in the world; investors and takers.  The investors (or givers) by their nature practice the principal of investment; the takers are the ones who do not see giving as an investment and so they try to hoard whatever they have.  Ultimately, the investors win because they receive back many times what they invested.  The takers ultimately lose because they lose disposition, friends, health and respect.

Leaders must master the meaning of investment, perceive the right motive of investment, grasp the importance of investment, and follow the ten commandments for investment:

1. Recognize that God is the provider
2. Keep you mind on the things you want and off he things you don’t want as long as these are compatible with the will of God
3. Invest what you want
4. Invest on the front end
5. Be patient
6. Do not be deterred by an occasional crop failure
7. Put your money where you want your heart to be
8. Rejoice
9. Expect results
10. Give God the glory

The principle of investment is summarized in the words of The Messiah: “Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom.  For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you” (Luke 6:38).

The leader must be a communicator.  The ability to communicate effectively through speech and writing is possible the leader’s most valuable asset.  Seven rules of effective communication will help the leader develop that asset.

1. Recognize the importance of effective communication.  The leader is not just concerned with the words he/she says, but with the content his/her listeners perceive and the effect the content usually has as a result of his/her communication.  The leader’s task is to create understanding.  Effective communication overcomes isolation, is a factor in reproduction, tends to safeguard freedom of speech, and presents worthy thoughts worthily.
2. Assess your audience.  The foundation for carrying out all the other rules of effective communication is to assess your audience.  Learn its demographic characteristics.  Assess its attitude toward its environment and important issues, assess the audience’s attitude toward each other.  Assess its attitude toward your subject.  Assess your audience’s attitude toward you.
3. Select the right communication goal.  Having a goal clearly in mind will conserve time, accomplish the task more effectively, and then strengthen your leadership.
4. Break the preoccupation barrier.  Capture the audience’s attention.  Earn the right to be hear.  To break the preoccupation barrier, identify the leading problems the people in the audience are facing, promise a solution to those problems, and then fulfill that promise.
5. Refer to the known, the audience’s experience.  Only by referring to the experience of your audience will you develop credibility.   To do this, you must acquire a repertoire of vivid general experiences common to the average person you lead.
6. Support your assertions.  Abstract ideas in themselves do not capture people’s attention.  Abstract assertions should therefore be supported and brought to life through cumulation, restatement, exposition, comparison, general illustration, specific instance, and testimony.
7. Motivate action by the appeal to desire.  The leader wants action.  He wants to effect change.  The most effective way to do that is by an appeal to the dominant desire of the particular audience.  The leader should appeal to his/her audience’s healthy self-interest, which can be expressed in needs of self-preservation, property, power, reputation, and affection.  No one is a leader who cannot induce others to act, and no once can induce others to act if he does not employ an appeal to basic desires.

Make communication an ongoing study, your life-long passion and discipline.  Through effective communication, you will out-achieve others who may be more intelligent or more personable, but who have not developed their communication abilities.

Adapted from, Lead On, by John Edmund Haggai