Latin@ Lives and the Next Generation of HIV Prevention

Latin@ Lives and the Next Generation of HIV Prevention: Policies, Politics and Research Wednesday, July 9, 2008 6:30 - 8:30PM LGBT Community Center 208 West 13th Street (btwn 7th/8th aves.), NYC Free ~ Open to the public ~ Refreshments provided Early this year, an unprecedented National Latino/Hispanic AIDS Summit concluded with a commitment to a National AIDS Action Agenda in response to the AIDS emergency. How could this change our approaches to HIV prevention across this diverse group? Do HIV/AIDS prevention efforts in, by or for "the Latino Community" truly encompass the wide spectrum of history, ethnicity, race, class and immigration status of this large and growing sector of the U.S. population? Does a pan-Latino approach further or hamper HIV/AIDS prevention efforts? How do programs and priorities in New York reflect or differ from regional or national needs? And is research in these groups attuned to these dynamics and differences, or does it overly rely on cultural standards from other populations? Speakers Include: Dennis deLeon - Latino Commission on AIDS Camila Gelpi-Acosta - NDRI Johnny Guaylupo - Housing Works Joyce Rivera - St. Ann's Corner of Harm Reduction Moderator: Gina Arias - Housing Works Co-sponsors: Community HIV/AIDS Mobilization Project (CHAMP), Gay Men of African Descent, Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC), Harlem United, Hispanic AIDS Forum, HIV Law Project, Hombres Latinos de Ambiente (HOLA), Housing Works, Latino Commission on AIDS, The LGBT Community Center, New York AIDS Coalition (NYAC), New York City AIDS Housing Network (NYCAHN), Unid@s The National LGBT Latina/o Human Rights Organization For more information, please contact Coco Jervis at coco@champnetwork.org 212-937-7955 x 50.

Unid@s Board of Directors Lays Groundwork for the Birth of a New National Latina/o LGBT Organization

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Sandra Telep 202.487.9171
Gael Guevara 917.459.8779
Pedro Julio Serrano 787.602.5954

Unid@s Board of Directors Lays Groundwork for the Birth of a New National Latina/o LGBT Organization

April 25, 2007 – The Board of Directors of Unid@s, the National Latina/o Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Human Rights Organization held its first meeting in Washington, D.C. this past weekend. At this meeting, made possible by a grant from the Gill Foundation, the board set goals and direction for the coming year.

This meeting comes on the heels of a decision for Unid@s to consolidate with the National Latino/a Coalition for Justice, a national Latina/o organization that focused on marriage equality. As a result of the decision for the groups to consolidate into one, Unid@s emerges as the only organization representing Latina/o LGBT people on a national level – filling a void that has been painfully obvious since LLEGO closed its doors three years ago.

The new executive committee of this board, which was voted in on Saturday, will consist of Gael Gundin Guevara as Trans Chair, Sandra Telep as Female Chair, Pedro Julio Serrano as Male Chair, Lorenzo Herrera y Lozano as Secretary, Cristina Martinez as Treasurer, and Jorge Cestou as Chair of the Resource Development Committee. "The energy at this meeting was phenomenal, inspiring and hopeful. Our time in D.C. was highly productive and we each left optimistic about the future and with a clear blueprint for our next steps," said Pedro Julio Serrano, Male Chair of Unid@s.

The board also set up their committee structure and defined the purview of each committee and its responsibilities and goals. Each committee is chaired by a board member and has met to clarify their objectives and immediate goals. The next step Unid@s would like to take is to invite their membership to join a committee so that any interested member can be a part of building this organization and have a voice in the direction it will take.

"We really want to empower the committees to bring recommendations to the board. Opening the committees to our membership reaffirms our commitment to our grassroots base and allows us get perspectives from our entire constituency, not just those on the board," said Sandra Telep, Female Chair of Unid@s.

As we continue to share our work with our larger community, we are excited to have a national presence during the upcoming PRIDE events thanks to a partnership with the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. With their support, we will distribute thousands of postcards, allowing our community to receive ongoing updates from the Unid@s board, as well as important and relevant information to the Latina/o LGBT community.

Finally, Gael Guevara, Trans Chair of Unid@s, said "we have laid the groundwork for the bright and promising future of Unid@s, the National Latina/o LGBT Human Rights Organization. Indeed the spirit of community and Latin@ culture will be at the forefront of this effort as we fight for justice for all LGBT Latin@s and all people."

Unid@s looks for a logo

Dear Artist or Graphic Designer,

Unid@s the National Latina/o LGBT Human Right Organization is looking for submissions to be considered for their logo. If you would be interested in donating your talent and time to a good cause and to be part of Latina/o LGBT history, please submit a concept for consideration to be used as our logo as we launch this new national organization.

All submissions must be received by Wednesday May 23rd. This logo would be used on all materials from the website to business cards, so a simple design would most likely work best. We are looking for a logo that will represent our many identities, cultures, and commitments. Below is our vision statement for guidance.

Unid@s, the National Latina/o LGBT Human Rights Organization is a Latina/o LGBT organization that is inclusive but not limited to our culture, ethnicity, and spirituality, led by diverse individuals, organizations and collective allies. This organization has a commitment to inclusiveness, visibility, solidarity and engagement of a wide network of local, state and national constituents. We have a commitment to a progressive, multi-issue focus, to a movement sustaining local activism and to fostering membership to create sustainable efforts in our communities.

Each submission should be in jpeg, gif, or pdf format and include a brief description of the concept as well as a short bio. Send all submissions to unidoslgbt@gmail.com.

Thank you!

The Unid@s Media Committee

Note to Artists: The Logo will be chosen on June 6th. If chosen, the artist will be asked to acknowledge that they have donated their services and logo for the use of Unid@s, and have given Unid@s full permission to use the logo with or without credit on our materials (cards, letterhead, website, shirts, etc.) and they do not expect nor will be given financial compensation. Also, that with permission of the designer, Unid@s may ask to change or modify their work to fit within our needs.