INTERNATIONAL AIDS CONFERENCE 2012

Stop Waiting!...One of the many performances at the 2012 International AIDS conference!

Upbeat performance at the 2012 International AIDS conference...Turning The Tide Together! 

Naina Khanna from Positive Women's Network, takes to the streets chanting "Women's rights will turn the tide!"

INTERNATIONAL AIDS CONFERENCE 2012

Jamar Rogers, winner of singing competition The Voice and an HIV positive individual himself, opens up for the Global Village 2012 International AIDS Conference in Washington D.C.!

Native American drum group plays "Healing Song" at the 2012 International AIDS Conference!

Activists Protest for AIDS Housing in D.C.

Garden State Equality’s Dialogue Day with Chick-Fil-A

Hi, everyone. Today, Friday, August 3, 2012 is Garden State Equality’s Dialogue Day with Chick-Fil-A. If you live or work in New Jersey, we’d like you to call the operator of your nearest Chick-Fil-A restaurant in New Jersey today, to ask him or her to meet with a local group of Garden State Equality members. We want the operators to see and hear in person how the national owners’ anti-LGBT advocacy hurts real people deeply – families, couples and children who yearn for equality. We ask you to call today even if you personally may not be able to join such a meeting.
Instructions:

 1. Below please find a list of the 22 Chick-Fil-A stores across New Jersey with the store locations, phone numbers and individual operators’ names. Ask for the operator by name. If he or she isn’t there, you can ask to speak to the senior manager on duty.

 2. When you call, say: “I’m a member of Garden State Equality and we want equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. We know the national owners of Chick-Fil-A don’t believe in equality, but we hope you may be fair. We believe in talking and mutual respect. Are you willing to meet a group of us in the next few weeks?”

 3. If the owner says no, express your pain, not anger, as you conclude the conversation quickly and respectfully. Respond: “I’m hurt you won’t meet us. I’ll let others know. I wish you well.” Please do not engage in hostility. We advocate equality in love.

 4. If the owner says maybe, respond: “Then I’m going to call you back on Monday, is that okay?” Then please do call back on Monday.

5. If the owner says yes, respond: “That’s great. Before we set up a day and time, I’m going to talk to others to see their schedules. I’m going to call you back next week, is that okay?”

6. Then please email Chick@GardenStateEquality.org your name and your phone number, the location below of the Chick-Fil-A you called – that’s important so we know which Chick-Fil-A you’re talking about – and the operator’s response, whether yes, no or maybe. If the operator said yes, we will call you and other Garden State Equality members in your area next week so we can coordinate schedules to do the meeting.

We understand that activists in other states are staging “kiss-ins” at Chick-Fil-A stores. We respect everyone who engages in the activism that inspires them. At Garden State Equality, we’re aiming for something beyond one day. We aim to start dialogues wherever we can. We want everyone to see the love and commitment of families with LGBT people – indeed, to see all people as real people. That, we believe, is the basis of winning equality everywhere.

Thank you all so much. Immediately below is the list of the 22 Chick-Fil-A stores in New Jersey with their phone numbers and names of the store operators. If the spirit moves you, please consider making a $13.00 donation today to Garden State Equality – that’s what it would cost a couple to eat a typical Chick-Fil-A meal. A $26.00 donation would represent the cost for a family of four. You can donate online at www.GardenStateEquality.org


 Audubon, (856) 547-0815, operator Charles Bohs
 Cherry Hill, Marlton Pike, (856) 488-9117, operator Dave Curran
 Cherry Hill, Haddonfield Road, (856) 488-1600, operator Dave Curran
Delran, (856) 764-0765, operator Sal Miliziano
Deptford, Clements Bridge Road, (856) 853-0425, operator Doug Clark
Deptford, Deptford Mall, (856) 848-7712, operator Christian McGrory
Eatontown, (732) 542-2243, operator Jeff Bassett Edison, (732) 548-6024, operator Travis Biggs Egg Harbor, (609) 407-4900, operator Amy McCloy
Galloway, the Stockton College Chick-Fil-A is closed for the summer. Please call the next closest store. Hamilton, (609) 581-7601, operator John Velarde
Howell, (732) 730-9033, operator Ted Reim
Marlton, (856) 985-4391, operator Brian Bowman
Mount Laurel, Centerton Road, (856) 439-2696, operators Brian Bowman or Bob Mancini
Mount Laurel, (856) 778-1900, Nixon Drive, operator Bob Mancini
Paramus, (201) 967-9494, operator Ken Walsh
Sewell, (856) 464-2277, operator Jeff Price 
Sicklerville, (856) 262-0002, operator Burley Clark
Turnersville, (856) 228-2111, operator Burley Clark
Vineland, (856) 327-4414, operator Phil Kelley 
Voorhees, (856) 772-2201, operator Zach Johnson
 Woodbridge, (732) 634-8981, operator Jim Strole

NJWAN Goes to the 2012 International AIDS Conference

The New Jersey Women and AIDS Network attended the 19th International AIDS Conference which was held in Washington, DC last week.  After participating in workshops, marches, performances, and networking events, we are eager to share a few of our experiences.

The Global Village

We spent our time in the Global Village section of the conference: the only portion of the conference that was open and free to the public. Here, activists, professionals, youth, and ordinary people from around the world gathered to share knowledge, ideas, and experiences through workshops, performances, art, and networking. Performances included the Female Condom Show, De Colores Trans Fashion Show, and “Safe, Stupid, or What?” and not only entertained the diverse audience, but engaged individuals in unique methods of HIV prevention, discussion, and activism.

The Rise of the Female Condom

One of the issues of interest during the Global Village was raising awareness about the female condom. During the session “From 'No Way' to 'Yay': Community Engagement in Female Condom Programming,” we listened to panelists talk about interventions around the globe that have successfully encouraged men and women to talk about and try out the female condom as a tool for HIV prevention. We learned about new developments in female condom technology such as the:

·      Cupid Condom by Cupid Ltd - which has recently been approved and is starting to enter the market globally as an effective tool to prevent against pregnancy and STIs, such as HIV.

·        Women’s Condom - which is currently undergoing approval.

After learning about these exciting developments, we are eager to stay up to date and share the research and current events with you.

The Workshops

During an interactive workshop on disclosing HIV status in relationships, NJWAN participated in various activities to start the conversation on how to disclose HIV status to an intimate partner and when it is okay to disclose. Different scenarios of situations were offered and we were to decide whether or not we would disclose. It was a great activity and conversation starter – an activity we would like to include in our programs for HIV positive women.

The March on Washington

Beyond workshops, presentations, networking, and performances, the true show of the sheer power and commitment of HIV/AIDS activists emerged on July 24^th where passionate and energetic individuals from the Global Village – and even motivated conference attendees encouraged by the mobilization – marched “out of the halls and into the streets” to march and to rally in support of the message that: “We Can End AIDS!”

As a whole, the 2012 International AIDS Conference was a very great learning experience. We are thankful for the opportunity to engage with individuals affected by HIV, explore new developments in the field, and gain global perspectives and strategies. Join us as we utilize everything learned to revamp NJWAN’s efforts in reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS among women! 

To view photos from NJWAN's time at the 2012 International AIDS conference, click here!

National Women & Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

A mother... A daughter... A niece... A friend... A sister.... A grandmother... An aunt... somewhere is living with HIV.

National Women and Girls HIV Awareness day is about making people aware of the impact that HIV has had on the women's health community as a whole. The nationwide observance is celebrated in many different ways, but mostly by events that support women infected and affected by HIV, and by getting tested. Just knowing your status can save a life and many others.

On this day we encourage people to take action in the fight against HIV/AIDS. It is coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health" (OWH).

New Jersey has the highest rate of HIV among women across the country, that says to us we need to do more than just talk about it. Women, need to get tested, focus more on protecting themselves and if they are diagnosed with HIV they need treatment.

Check out the InCare Campaign message below, a quality improvement initiative focusing on retaining patients living with HIV in care and preventing them from falling out of care.



North Jersey AIDS Alliance dba NJCRI is hosting I'm Free To Be Me...HIV FREE
An event that allows health care professionals to give presentations, answer questions, and provide free screenings. There will be women and girls living with HIV/AIDS sharing their stories or an expert to talk about the history of HIV/AIDS, including setbacks and progress that has been made.

Date: 3/10/2012
Time: 10:00 am

Location:
NJCRI
393 Central Avenue
2nd and 3rd Floor Conference Rooms
Newark, NJ 07103

Fundraiser in Red Bank NJ Held to Support Marriage Equality

Over the weekend, The Garden State Equality held a free wine and cheese open house in Red Bank, NJ for all their members to show their love and appreciation. The New Jersey Women and Aids Network were one of those privileged to attend the fundraiser at the Hip and Humble Home, for marriage equality. The home furnishing store was gracious enough to donate 25% of all purchases that day to Garden State Equality's campaign to override Governor Christie's veto of the marriage equality bill.

The invitation read: "212 LGBT civil rights laws at the state, county and local levels in New Jersey our founding in 2004--and now we're one of only three states in American history to pass a marriage equality. Those are your achievements, dear members."

The event was a success bringing in a diverse group of individuals to talk about the community, political views, the upcoming election, marriage equality, occupy wall street,economy, LGBT rights, education etc. Among us were lawyers, activists, retired non-profit workers, and business owners, all in one room for a common purpose. Equality.

Check out some pics from the event down below!










We'd like to personally thank the members of Garden State Equality for the invite!

The Republican Plan to Defund Planned Parenthood is Working

Dear Friend,

The Republican plan to defund Planned Parenthood is working -- but if we
take action now we may be able to stop the latest attack on women's right
to health care.

It was just announced that Susan G. Komen for a Cure, America's largest
charity to fight breast cancer, will no longer fund a program that
provides free or low-cost breast cancer screenings for millions of women
who get their health care from Planned Parenthood.1 This is a huge blow.

In abruptly pulling nearly $1,000,000 in funding for breast cancer
screenings, Susan G. Koman foundation cited a sham "investigation" into
Planned Parenthood launched by Republican Rep. Cliff Stearns, one of the
most militant anti-choice members of Congress.2 We have to stand up and
fiercely defend Planned Parenthood -- and show Susan G. Komen and others
who are considering caving to the radical right that we will not let
extremists defund health care for women that includes reproductive
services.

I told the board of Susan G. Komen: Don't throw Planned Parenthood under
the bus! Don't cave to anti-woman extremists and cut off funding for
breast cancer screenings at the largest provider of health care for women.
I hope you will too. You can get more information and sign the petition at
the link below.

http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/komen_2/?r_by=-5026300-yirnsTx&rc=mailto1