In This Issue

On the anniversary of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, the Office of National AIDS Policy released an update on how the nation is progressing toward its 2020 goals. The good news is that, though much work remains to be done, new HIV diagnoses among Black women and girls have declined. The bad news is that new infections are on the rise among gay and bisexual men and we are making no progress in curbing the epidemic in the South. In this issue ONAP director Amy Lansky offers a video overview of where our nation is and where we are going.

Earlier this summer the Positive Women's Network and Sero Project convened activists and experts in Huntsville, Alabama, for the HIV Is Not a Crime II National Training Academy. Writer April Eugene reports on this effort to prime people to help decriminalize HIV in their local communities.

We report on last month's BTAN LA partnership with Watts Healthcare, Walgreens and several community organizations to host a community wellness day in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles and to link community residents to support and resources. Click through to also learn more about the FDA's outreach effort in search of science-based input, as they consider changing the policy requiring gay and bisexual men to defer blood donations for one year since their last sexual contact.

As the Institute turns its eye toward providing direct service to the residents of South Los Angeles, we are looking for an architect willing to donate their services to help end the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Black America. Know anyone willing to help?

Finally, please continue to keep your eye on our Events listing to find an AIDS 2016 update in a city near you. Next week we will be in Atlanta on August 17th. Go to BlackAIDS.org to register.

Yours in the struggle,

Phill