AS A MATTER OF EQUALITY

(Guest Blog from Laura Phillips.  Thanks Laura!)

Yesterday, January 11, was notable for several reasons. In 1055, Theodora was crowned Empress of the Byzantine Empire. On this date in 1878, milk was first delivered in bottles. In 1979, East Pakistan renamed itself Bangladesh. And on 1/11/11, major health care reform became law in the United States of America.

Rather than bore you with some of the more mundane and technical changes that this historic legislation caused, I am going to talk about the really cool stuff.  Though it quietly went into effect yesterday, a new rule covering hospital visitation rights expanded equality in a big way.  All hospitals that receive Medicare or Medicaid funding are now required to comply with rules that allow a patient “to receive the visitor’s whom he or she designates–regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity“.

More specifically, all hospitals that get funding from either program (and it is exceedingly rare for a facility to not participate in at least the Medicare program) must:

1. Inform each patient of his or her visitation rights.

2. Inform each patient of the right, if consent is given by the patient, to receive the visitors whom he or she designates, including, but not limited to a spouse, a domestic partner (including a same sex domestic partner) another family member, or a friend, and his or her right to withdraw or deny such consent at anytime.

3. Not restrict, limit or otherwise deny visitation privileges on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability.
For more information on these and other changes, please see the links below.

President Obama’s Presidential Memorandum instructing  the Department of Health and Human Services

Lambda Legal: New Visitation Regulations

Metro Weekly article

2B Mag article

In fewer words, more people are going to be treated the same.  How appropriate for 1/11/11, a palindrome day….the same backwards as forward .  So know your rights, hold hospitals accountable, and be equal!

The opinions expressed by our Contributors and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the NWA Center for Equality, its Members, or any employee thereof. The NWA Center for Equality is not responsible for the accuracy of any of the information supplied by the Contributors.

Karen Quimby, Regional Field Director with HRC, sent the Center a holiday card.  All of you deserve to see it….it was you who helped to educate your fellow Arkansans about issues of LGBTQ equality that HRC focuses on nationally.  HRC partnered with us and helped with training and phonebanks, as well as paying for a full-page newspaper ad featuring our logo during the Clint McCance debacle.  Picture and text of note below.  (Anyone else glad we repealed DADT so we can stop seeing those green shirts everywhere?)

Raymond & Board,
We did it!  DADT repealed!  Thank you for all you do to help advance our equality.  I look forward to working with you in 2011.  Happy Holidays, Karen Quimby

The opinions expressed by our Contributors and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the NWA Center for Equality, its Members, or any employee thereof. The NWA Center for Equality is not responsible for the accuracy of any of the information supplied by the Contributors.

PARTY TONIGHT to celebrate repeal!  7pm Grub’s/Dickson St. in Fayetteville

Dear Friends,

Today the Senate voted 63-33 to invoke cloture on the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell repeal thus allowing for the final vote to go forward where the repeal was passed 65-31.  Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell has been in effect for 17 years. Lesbian, gay, and bisexual service members have been serving since before the founding of our nation and continue to do so despite the challenges presented by DADT. The NWA Center for Equality is pleased that Congress has responded to the needs of our military by following the request and recommendation of its leaders by voting to repeal this law which mandates discrimination by our nation’s largest employer.  Arkansas Senators Lincoln and Pryor voted with the majority to repeal in both votes today.

While we are overjoyed by the repeal of Congress’s mandate of discrimination, we caution all service members and their families that the ban on open service is still in effect.  Full implementation of repeal depends on certification from the President and the Pentagon.  Service members must continue to serve in silence until the repeal is final.

The NWA Center for Equality hopes for full implementation of the repeal as soon as possible and will continue to strive for the equal rights of ALL our nation’s people in and out of uniform.  Special thanks to the Human Rights Campaign who sent Field Staff and precious resources to Arkansas to educate citizens and sway our Senators.

Raymond Sweet
Board of Directors, President

The opinions expressed by our Contributors and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the NWA Center for Equality, its Members, or any employee thereof. The NWA Center for Equality is not responsible for the accuracy of any of the information supplied by the Contributors.

Today’s blog comes from Center member Laura Phillips.  Laura is a nurse at the University of Arkansas Pat Walker Health Center, an active leader in the LGBTQ movement, and mother to one of our youngest advocates, Will Phillips.  Her post follows our World AIDS Day activities and the launch of NWA  HOPE.

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I grew up in the 80′s hearing about AIDS and HIV. All the stories involved gay men, donated blood, shared needles and tattoos. Since I was around 12 at the time, I figured none of these things applied to me or anyone I knew then, so HIV/AIDS was just one more scary thing on the news.

When I got to high school, I started to look at this epidemic in a different light. I remember hearing that one in four people our age would be HIV positive by the time we were 30. Sitting in the halls of my high school, I would watch my friends walk by and wonder who would be the one. Who would be facing AIDS? In the early 90s an HIV diagnosis was still a death sentence. Around that time, two of my very good friends came out to me and I was scared for them. I worried about their safety, of course, but also the threat of HIV.

Then came nursing school in the later 90s. New information was out showing that HIV/AIDS cases were becoming more and more common in heterosexual patients, in people who were like me. The first person I ever met who had AIDS was a girl who was 4 years older than I was at the time. She was 24. I dont remember her name, but I do remember that she was married, a photographer, wanted to have children, liked playing poker in her hospital room and was a difficult patient for a nursing student to have. She didnt fit what I had been taught about AIDS patients. She wasn’t emaciated, she didnt have Kaposi’s sarcoma, she wasn’t weak. This woman, this girl who could have been a friend from college, just had a nasty case of pneumonia. I still had to glove and gown when I went in her room for her protection. I took care of her as part of my clinical rotation for 4 days. We talked, she tried to teach me how to play poker, showed me pictures of her wedding. I learned about her treatments, the meds she was on and their terrible side effects (diarrhea, nausea). I got to know her husband. She wasn’t sure how she was exposed to HIV and her husband, who got tested every three months, consistently had negative test results.

On Thursday afternoon of the week I spent with her, she spiked a fever which was normal for someone with pneumonia. We did the normal nursey things, tylenol, blood cultures, etc. Friday I came in and…she was gone.

This married woman, this girl who was my age who I had spent a week getting to know, learning from, had died. This was the 15th time she had pneumonia in an 18 month period. Her body, her lungs couldn’t take it, couldn’t fight the infection anymore. She was tired. After 5 years of being HIV-positive, she died.

I went home and cried. This wasnt the first patient that I had cared for that died. But it was the first one my age, who was so similar to me. She could have BEEN me. My idiot boyfriend at the time made the mistake of speaking his thoughts that “she got what she deserved for being either a lesbian or a whore” and then couldn’t quite figure out when I got a bit pissed off at him.

This was the first time that HIV/AIDS came  close to me. Later I would take care of kids who had been born to HIV-positive moms, whose parents had died from AIDS, who were facing an uncertain future.

Today I know people who are HIV-positive. They are my friends, part of my extended family. It’s a far cry from those early days. But it’s still there. And it scares me that there are so many people who don’t get tested. I get tested and I have been in a monogamous relationship for 12 years. It could be you,just like my patient could have been me.

It’s not over. But everyday, every research break through, gets us one step closer. This isn’t a Gay disease. It’s all of us. Be aware, be safe, get tested.

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The opinions expressed by our Contributors and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the NWA Center for Equality, its Members, or any employee thereof. The NWA Center for Equality is not responsible for the accuracy of any of the information supplied by the Contributors.

For Judge Piazza’s decision calling Act 1 unconstitutional (it is still up for appeal to the Arkansas Supreme Court, but it’s a start)

For Eureka Springs….because it’s awesome to have a close getaway for Diversity Weekends and because their city council passed health insurance benefits for domestic partners this month!

For the volunteers who help our mission happen.  Programs like advocacy, youth, HIV/AIDS, kickball, book club, and All OUT June rely on the hard work of dedication of our members.

For movement’s determination to overturn DADT:

For Fayetteville Mayor Lioneld Jordan, who stood up to hate and continued with his proclamations during All OUT June and NWA Pride’s parade.  ”Today we break down the stone walls of discrimination that are barriers to our ability to secure a fully- cohesive community.”

For a roof over our heads…..the Center’s “roof” at 179 N. Church Ave in Fayetteville.  It is a small space, but we are mighty Center!

For all the donors and members whose contributions support that space and the support and advocacy programs that is our mission.

For a renewed and more visible effort to protect the lives of our youth from bullying and suicide.  The It Gets Better Project videos have been viewed by millions and started a wave of speaking of people speaking out to and for our youth.  Here is Fort Worth City Councilman Joel Burns with his own story and message to our youth:

What are you thankful for today?  Share in the comments!

The opinions expressed by our Contributors and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the NWA Center for Equality, its Members, or any employee thereof. The NWA Center for Equality is not responsible for the accuracy of any of the information supplied by the Contributors.

The NWA Center for Equality is ready to announce an exciting development in our programming.  On December 1st we are launching NWA HOPE, which stands for NWA HIV/AIDS Outreach and Prevention Education.  We have heard over and over again that free, confidential HIV testing is a need in NWA, so we worked on getting our space approved for testing and getting testers trained.

Want to get tested?  We are accepting appointments (no walk-ins) from 9am to 6pm on December 1st (World AIDS Day). We will be using the OraQuick Advance testing system that is an oral swab with a turn around of between 20-40 minutes.  Check out the poster below for other details about our evening candle light vigil and effort to collect funds for more test kits, as well as basic necessities and non-perishable foods for people living with HIV/AIDS.  Email Arlis for testing appointments, opportunities to help with volunteering or funding, or to donate goods to the program (ayoung@nwacenterforequality.org).

Below the poster is our press release for the new program.  Thank you to Arlis and all the volunteers who have been trained to test, as well as all our volunteers and donors who bought a carnation at our Equality Ball to help jump start the funding of this program!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Raymond Sweet
Tel:  479-445-7553
Email: rsweet@nwacenterforequality.org

New free and confidential HIV testing available

NWA Center for Equality launches HIV testing and prevention effort on World AIDS Day

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark (November 23, 2010) – The NWA Center for Equality is excited to announce the launch of their new HIV/AIDS program designed to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS on December 1^st, World AIDS Day.  The new program, NWA HIV/AIDS Outreach and Prevention Education (NWA HOPE), will provide free HIV testing in Fayetteville by appointment from 9am until 6pm on December 1^st and have a candle light vigil at 6:30pm at Rogue Pizza at 402 West Dickson Street in Fayetteville, AR.

“A program like this has been a long term goal of our Center and is the culmination of the continued passion of so many of our members.  Free, confidential testing in a supportive atmosphere is a need in the NWA area” said Raymond Sweet, president of the NWA Center for Equality.  According to Sweet, NWA HOPE will continue to offer free HIV testing by appointment on Mondays, and HIV/AIDS prevention education to the NWA community as the program matures.  Starting in March 2011 HIV/AIDS instructors will be available to speak throughout the NWA region.

Program Coordinator Arlis Young reiterated that HIV/AIDS is still an important health issue in both the gay and straight population. “HIV/AIDS is a real thing in Arkansas, and new diagnosed infections are pretty equally split among gay and straight populations nationwide.  New cases of diagnosed HIV in 2008 were 261 in Arkansas.  Knowing your status is an important part of prevention bringing that number down. “

World AIDS Day, observed December 1 each year, is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection.  The NWA Center for Equality invites the community to participate through testing and by attending the vigil.  Currently NWA HOPE is funded solely by donations to the Center and community support is crucial.  Donations of money to fund the program and basic necessities or non-perishable foods for distribution to local people living with HIV/AIDS are being accepted either at the vigil or at the Center.  For appointments for testing or giving supplies, or for more questions contact Arlis Young at ayoung@nwacenterforequality.org.

The NWA Center for Equality is a grassroots support and advocacy movement to achieve equality for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community in NWA.

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The opinions expressed by our Contributors and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the NWA Center for Equality, its Members, or any employee thereof. The NWA Center for Equality is not responsible for the accuracy of any of the information supplied by the Contributors.

Last night, November 20th, the LGBTQ and allied community of Northwest Arkansas recognized  the 12th annual Transgender Day of Remembrance with an event at the NWA Center for Equality.  Thank you to the 20 people who attended the vigil and potluck to memorialize the 30 people (at minimum) who had been murdered in the past year due to their gender identify or presentation. The Center looks to a day when every person can be free to be themselves without fear of harassment or discrimination…and certainly without fear of violence or death.

Bringing awareness to the mistreatment that is occurring is one way we can awaken people to the injustice in the world. By being aware and educated  people will open their hearts to all of humanity without judgement.  Center President Raymond Sweet put it  like this: “To me love and honesty should always reign supreme.”  Transgender Day of Remembrance has been recognized globally for the past 11 years.  We hope next year the list of those murdered due to gender expression and identity is much shorter.

A list of 30 of our dead from across the globe.

Here are just a few of them:

Ashley Santiago Ocasio
Location: Corozal, Puerto Rico
Cause of Death: Stabbed to death
Date of Death: April 19, 2010
Ashley was 31 years old.
Source:http://www.edgeftlauderdale.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=&sc2=&sc3=&id=104728

Victoria Carmen White
Location Maplewood, New Jersey

Cause of Death shot
Date of Death September 12, 2010
Victoria was 28 years old.
Source:http://www.baristanet.com/2010/09/maplewood-murder-victim-transgender-female/
http://www.news12.com/articleDetail.jsp?articleId=261210&position=1&news_type=news

Stacey Lee aka Stacey Blahnik
Location Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Cause of Death unreported by police
Date of Death October 11, 2010
Stacey was 31 years old
Source:http://m.philly.com/phillycom/db_41090/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=rsn84XoX&src=cat

http://www.philly.com/dailynews/local/20101013_Body_of_transsexual_found_in_Point_Breeze.html

The opinions expressed by our Contributors and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the NWA Center for Equality, its Members, or any employee thereof. The NWA Center for Equality is not responsible for the accuracy of any of the information supplied by the Contributors.

It’s been a few weeks now since Clint McCance resigned his position on the Midland School Board.  His inappropriate comments on youth suicide echoed across the nation and brought much-needed attention to the issue of our LGBTQ youth who need safe and supportive school environments.  As  part of our call for his resignation, the Center partnered with the Center for Artistic Revolution (C.A.R.) and the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) to put full page advertisements in the Jonesboro and Batesville newspapers.

We wanted to share with you some of the work that happens behind the scenes or just out of sight of those of us in NWA.  We continue to build our relationship with C.A.R., the only statewide LGBTQ rights advocacy organization.  Importantly, HRC paid for the advertisements and made sure the voices of the state’s only LGBTQ community center (NWA Center for Equality) and the C.A.R. was included.  Thank you HRC!

Here is the advertisement that ran in newspapers before Clint McCance resigned:

The opinions expressed by our Contributors and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the NWA Center for Equality, its Members, or any employee thereof. The NWA Center for Equality is not responsible for the accuracy of any of the information supplied by the Contributors.

October 27, 2010

Media Contact:
Raymond Sweet, Board President
Phone: 479-445-7553
Email: rsweet@nwacenterforequality.org

The NWA Center for Equality joins a growing number of Arkansans calling for the resignation of Clint McCance of the Midland School District in Independence County.  His recent comments regarding the bullying of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer students and related suicides are unacceptable and are a threat to the wellbeing of students not only in his district but around the state of Arkansas.

In light of recent youth suicides that were influenced by bullying at schools, Mr. McCance’s comments go beyond being merely insensitive.  As an elected official his conduct in forums like Facebook and his cheering on of youth suicide and death from HIV/AIDS are issues of public concern and are dangerous to the students of Arkansas.

The Arkansas Constitution calls for suitable public education for all the people of Arkansas. The State of Arkansas cannot possibly achieve this constitutional mandate while an elected official tasked with managing education in Midland School District is so cavalierly dismissing the lives of their students and seeking to oppress them.

The Arkansas Department of Education Rules Governing the Code of Ethics for Arkansas Educators specifically identifies “engaging in harassing behavior on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, religion or disability” as unethical conduct.  Though a school board member is not an “educator”, state law directs them to obey district policy and to visit classrooms while students are present.  A school board member is not merely an official hiring a superintendent and producing an annual audit; he or she has direct influence, access and responsibility to Arkansas students.

Though the decision to remove Mr. McCance is ultimately up to the voters of Midland School District, we urge his colleagues and community to protect all Arkansas students by calling for his immediate resignation.

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Since 2006 the NWA Center for Equality has been serving and advocating for the lesbian, gay bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) and straight ally population of Northwest Arkansas.  As a nonprofit community center we provide a safe and supportive space for community groups and programs serving the LGBTQ community.  Our support programs include outreach, education, peer-to-peer support groups, HIV/AIDS prevention, and social gatherings.  We advocate for full legal rights and social equality in our local communities and beyond.

The opinions expressed by our Contributors and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the NWA Center for Equality, its Members, or any employee thereof. The NWA Center for Equality is not responsible for the accuracy of any of the information supplied by the Contributors.