Contents:

Cimarron Names Executive Director

MLK Day Parade

Sexual Identity and Spirituality Conference

Musician explores GLBT Chorus for OKC

OCU Law Students Receive CAF Grant

Cimarron Alliance Foundation Awarded Capacity Building Grant

New Pride Banner Design Selected

Focus on Community Organizations
Oklahoma Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus

Community Leader Focus:  William B. Rogers

Equality Ride Activities

Community Leader Focus
Rev. Loyce Newton Edwards, President PFLAG OKC

Cimarron Alliance joins the Oklahoma City Community Foundation

AIDS at 25: A Reflection from Dr. Gene Voskuhl

Cimarron Names Executive Director

Cimarron Alliance Foundation announced February 25 that it had named long-time gay activist Rob Howard to be its first Executive Director.  Cimarron Alliance Foundation is Oklahoma’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) advocacy organization.

“This is an important step for Cimarron Alliance Foundation, and for the Oklahoma LGBT community,” said Richard Ogden, the group’s chair.  “Cimarron has a large number of programs that have been staffed with volunteers.  These include events such as the LGBT Leadership Summit, the Stop Hate in the Hallways conference in 2007 to work on the problems of school bullying, and the 2005 Oklahoma Holocaust Remembrance Exhibition.  It is important that we have a director to ensure these programs are well organized and presented, to give us the opportunity to have more, and more effective, programming, and to ensure our volunteers have the resources available to them to succeed.”

“Rob Howard is a respected and tireless leader in the LGBT community, and will do a great job for Cimarron, for our community, and for the larger Oklahoma community,” Ogden continued.

Howard is a native of Oklahoma City.  He graduated from Harding High School, and attended Oklahoma City University before moving to the University of Minnesota to complete his college degree in management.  After graduation he attended the UM Graduate School, and received his commission in the US Air Force.  He served six years in the Air Force, and six more years in the AF Reserve, emerging from his service as a Major.  He worked for Northwest Airlines for 27 years, the last 10 as a director in various departments, before retiring in 2001.

In Minnesota, he was a founder of Spirit of the Lakes United Church of Christ, a predominantly LGBT congregation, and the Northwest Airlines lesbian and gay employee association, ANGLE.  Howard returned to Oklahoma City in 2002 where he has served as the Treasurer of Cimarron Alliance Foundation, as well as one of the founders of DBAMetro, the LGBT business association; the President of Central Oklahoma Prime Timers; President of PFLAG-OKC; and Treasurer of OKC Pride.  In 2005 he served as the chair for the Oklahoma Holocaust Remembrance Exhibition.

“I am both excited and humbled that Cimarron Alliance Foundation has chosen me as its Executive Director”, said Howard.  He continued, “Excited, because it marks a milestone for the Oklahoma lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.  Enlisting staff is an important step for any advocacy organization.  It allows us to move our efforts forward in a more organized and comprehensive way.  Cimarron's primary focus is to achieve a ‘Fair and Just Oklahoma.’  We do that through education, community building, and advocacy for human rights.  Although our main efforts are both to and for the LGBT community, we partner with other groups in the broader community to advance the cause of human rights.  This is because you cannot advance the rights of one group without advancing the rights of all.  There can be no nobler cause.

"Our focus in 2008 will be on building the LGBT community through education efforts and a leadership summit, and a full frontal assault on school bullying and hate crimes.  The concept that it is okay for a child to be bullied in school for any reason, or that an adult can be assaulted, demeaned, or murdered for any reason, is offensive to me and to Cimarron.

"I am humbled because having your friends, and your community, choose you for a leadership position is a sacred trust.  I commit myself to advancing LGBT rights, and human rights, in Oklahoma City and in our great state.  I will work with all my energy to achieve a Fair and Just Oklahoma."

Rob Howard shares his life with his two partners, Art and Dub, and their four cats.

MLK Day Parade

Cimarron was both a sponsor of, and a participant in, the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade on January 21.  A small marching contingent, as well as a car (it was a cold day and we needed the opportunity to get warm) joined other gay groups including OKC Pride, Cathedral of Hope UCC, and Oklahoma Gay and Lesbian Caucus (OGLPC) in what is Oklahoma City’s largest parade.  Participants discussed next year having a float in the parade honoring Bayard Rustin.  Bayard Rustin was a close associate of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and openly gay.  He was the organizer of the 1963 March on Washington, where Dr. King delivered his “I Have A Dream” speech.  Learn More About Bayard Rustin

If you are interested in helping with a float honoring Bayard Rustin in the 2009 MLK parade, send an email to Rev. Dr. Scott Jones, pastor of Cathedral of Hope UCC, or to Rob Howard, ED of Cimarron Alliance Foundation.

Sexual Identity and Spirituality Conference

Friday. March 7th (7:00 p.m.) and Saturday, March 8th (9:00 - 3:00 p.m.) at University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, OK in theLiberal Arts Building

Central Oklahoma faith communities and organizations,  proclaiming that homosexuality is neither sickness nor sin, are announcing a two-day "Sexual Identity & Spirituality Conference," to be held March 7 and 8, on the campus of the University of Central Oklahoma, in Edmond, OK.

The keynote lecture will be given by Dr. Deborah Appler, professor of Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) at Moravian College, in Bethlehem, PA. 

On Saturday, there will be workshops and lectures by a host of presenters with opportunities to reflect on a wide range of topics including scripture, various spiritual and interfaith perspectives on sexuality, and relationship issues for families and couples.

Registration is $15, and some scholarship money is available by application (on registration form).  Childcare will be provided if requested before March 1st. 

The public is invited to hear Dr. Appler preach on Sunday morning, March 9th, at 10:45 am, at Church of the Open Arms, 3131 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Oklahoma City.  Appler's sermon will conclude the weekend's events.  To Download a Schedule of the Conference

Musician explores GLBT Chorus for OKC

OKC has been without a GLBT community chorus for at least 6 years now.  Roger Barton thinks it's time we had a GLBT chorus again.  Roger was a member of the OKC Metro Men's Chorus for several seasons until he moved out of state.   When he moved back he was disappointed to discover that it had been disbanded.  Roger sang with Canterbury Choral Society for several seasons, and now directs a church choir; and “while those have been fulfilling musically, they're just not the same as being part of a GLBT chorus”, he said.  The music is different, the energy is different, the audiences are VERY different (to say the least), and the camaraderie is a lot closer.  After all, we do call ourselves "family" for a reason.

This new chorus would be starting out from scratch.  A lot of things will be needed, over time, in order to ensure its growth and success. These will include setting dues and putting a business plan in order, getting established as a non-profit corporation in Oklahoma (including a Board of Directors and a set of bylaws), finding a permanent location, choosing a director, finding an accompanist, etc. etc. etc.  However, these things can be addressed as we go, and shouldn't keep us from starting out, holding rehearsals, and building up our membership.  Perhaps we could even be ready with an inaugural performance during Pride Week this coming summer.

I am planning a "meet-and-greet" event from 1 pm until 4 pm on Saturday, March 15, and I hope you will come if you are at all interested in starting up a new choir in and for OKC's GLBT community (and our friends)!  The address is 5417 NW 66th Street, which is in Warr Acres just west of Ann Arbor Avenue (between Meridian and Macarthur).  Before then, please give a few minutes of thought to what YOU expect from a GLBT chorus.  Contact:  Roger Barton, phone (405) 773-7828, email rbarton_aia@sbcglobal.net
 

OCU Law Students Receive CAF Grant

By Robin Dorner

Law students, attorneys, politicians, advocates and three local OCU Law Students were among the guests in Chicago September 6-8, 2007 for the Lavender Law Conference. The event took place at the Chicago Hilton and was hosted by the National Lesbian and Gay Law Association (NLGLA). A surprise appearance was made by former U.S. President Bill Clinton as he shook hands and signed a Lavender Law badge.

Workshops included “Strategies to Tackle Bullying,” “GLBT Estate Planning”, “Speaking OUT Against Domestic Violence” and “In the Crosshairs: The Military Family”; the list of speakers included the Director of Law & Policy for the Service Members Legal Defense Network,  Sharra E. Greer, Cook County State’s Attorneys’ Office representative, Vernita Gray and Cook County Circuit Court Judge Mike McHale.

Attendance at the 2007 conference was made possible in part by a generous grant from the Cimarron Alliance Foundation whose vision is to promote a “Fair and Just Oklahoma”. The Oklahoma City University Lesbian and Gay Law Student Association is an organization on the OCU campus dedicated to making the law school community aware of important GLBT issues, as well as performing community service activities. 

OCU Lesbian and Gay Law Student Association members Jamie Ortiz, David Smith III and Sean Spivey were the three law student recipients of the grant by the Cimarron Alliance Foundation; “We are so very grateful to Cimarron Alliance for providing us with the opportunity to attend the Lavender Law convention.  It was a great opportunity to network with lawyers, judges, law school professors and other law professionals” says Spivey. 

The 2008 Lavender Law Conference will be held September 4-6 at the Hyatt Regency Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA. It will be the 20^th anniversary celebration of the conference. For more information about the conference, visit www.lavenderlaw.org or call (202) 637-6384.

Cimarron Alliance Foundation Awarded Capacity Building Grant
Oklahoma City, OK
08/22/2007

The Oklahoma City Community Foundation (OCCF) has awarded a grant to the Cimarron Alliance Foundation (CAF) to support the hiring of a consultant to create a fundraising and financial development plan. The grant presentation is scheduled 10:00 am this Saturday August 25th, 2007 prior to a financial development board retreat funded by this generous grant. Gayle Farley, OCCF Program Coordinator will present the grant to CAF chair, Richard Ogden, and the CAF Board of Directors.

The Oklahoma City Community Foundation, the metropolitan area’s non-profit public charity, was founded in 1969 to work with individuals to meet the charitable needs of the community through development and administration of permanent endowment funds for non-profit organizations, organizations and other charities. Through its Community Program Grants, the OCCF funds, initiates and leads programs that benefit the community in the area of arts, education, health and human services, beautification and community development.

The Cimarron Alliance Foundation, an Oklahoma non-profit educational foundation, was created in 1997 to support equality toward “A Fair and Just Oklahoma”. Cimarron has  heightened its fundraising efforts to support a series of educational and charitable programs aimed at promoting fairness and impartiality to all people. The CAF Mission: “To support educational efforts that increase personal self-esteem, promote public enlightenment and advanced equality for LGBT Oklahomans”.

NEW PRIDE BANNER DESIGN SELECTED

On March 30, 2007 the Cimarron Alliance Foundation unveiled a new design for LGBT Pride banners that will line Classen Avenue during the month of June.  Through the community banner contest, the foundation received numerous designs from members of the community, and the work submitted by Tay Duran was selected as the new official banner design.  In addition to receiving recognition at 2007 Pride activities, Tay Duran was awarded $500 cash prize from the Cimarron Alliance Foundation.

“I am honored that my design was selected for the new Pride banners,” said Tay Duran, “I appreciate the award from the foundation and its willingness to continue hanging banners to celebrate Pride.”

In order to fund the printing of new banners, the Cimarron Alliance Foundation requests support from the community.  For a cash donation of $125, individuals, businesses and organizations names will be listed on each sponsored banners. Doing so will allow the foundation to debut the new design throughout Oklahoma City, rather than printing smaller quantities each year. When the sponsorship program was announced on April 3rd, two individuals immediately stepped forward to contribute funds for 10 banners each. “We are excited to introduce a new design in 2007 and expect a tremendous response to the banner sponsorship program,” explained Josh Hammers who serves as the LGBT Community Outreach chairperson on the CAF board. “Whether it is a donation for one banner, two banners, or more, every dollar counts as we display our Pride by hanging banners in Oklahoma City.”

As many people remember, Oklahoma City Mayor Kirk Humphries ordered that the Cimarron Pride Banners be taken down from the parade route on Classen Boulevard during the weeks leading to LGBT Pride festivities in 2001. Not willing to stand by and let our first amendment rights be denied by our hometown, the Cimarron Alliance Foundation filed a case against the city in federal court. After costly litigation, the court ruled in support of the Cimarron Alliance Foundation and the First Amendment, ordering Oklahoma City to offer its LGBT citizens the constitutional rights to freedom of speech and expression. “We are proud to continue this outstanding tradition in 2007,” stated Hammers.

Focus on Community Organizations

Oklahoma Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus

For around twenty-five years now the Oklahoma Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus (OGLPC) has been representing minority communities in the political arena.  The late Keith Smith was one of the original founders of the organization, though it later was restructured.  Current co-chairs are Paul Thompson and Sally Blevings. 

The group has a statewide mailing list of between 3500 and 4000 individuals. In recent years they’ve been moving to an e-mailing list.

In election season the OGLPC sends surveys to candidates. Those candidates who return the essay are scored up or down, ranging anywhere from a +/-30. The candidates who don’t return the surveys are scored an NR. If there is a public record of votes or statements on the issues, then a candidate could receive an NR+/-. Candidates who don’t return surveys are never given a point score. Individual responses to specific questions are also not reported, only the overall score.

Thompson encourages people to use these scorecards as voter guides when casting a ballot.

On the group’s website at www.oglpc.org you can find their list of issues and candidate scorecards, information about upcoming meetings and events, and a series of “pink papers” that detail the issues important to the caucus. Thompson laughs that if you ever wanted to see the infamous “gay agenda,” it’s in the pink papers. Fourteen issues are listed, including teen suicide, HIV care, housing equality, and job security.

The Caucus is concerned with issues like race and reproductive choice that are not always clearly recognized as LGBT issues. Thompson says that these issues are usually indicators of how a candidate will vote on LGBT issues. Plus the Caucus is concerned with helping other minority communities as well.

The group used to present an annual Phobie Award to the biggest homophobe of the year, until they learned that some lawmakers displayed the award proudly in their offices. Now the group present the Tyson Memorial Award annually at the Pride Festival to someone who has done good things for the community and has served as a role model.

You might also see the Caucus leading voter registration drives at various festivals and public events.

O.G.L.P.C. meets the second Monday of each month at 1236 NW 36th St, Oklahoma City in the Neighborhood Alliance building. A light supper is served at 7:00 pm and the meeting starts at 7:30 pm.

Community Leader Focus:  William B. Rogers

Bill Rogers has been an ardent, passionate advocate for human rights, civil rights, and glbt equality, for all of his adult life.   Bill was the founding President of Cimarron Alliance Foundation, and its guiding light for many years.  As a Board member of Cimarron Alliance Group, he came to believe that human rights and equality for the Oklahoma GLBT community would be achieved only after substantial education of the public on GLBT issues and furthered better by a non-profit educational organization, and thus was the Foundation spun-off from the Pac.

Born in New Mexico, Bill moved to Oklahoma for his last two years of college.  He earned his undergraduate and law degree from OU.  Following graduation from law school he served in the Intelligence branch of the Air Force for two years; and his first year as an attorney he clerked for Judge Alfred P. Murrah, who was then sitting on the 10th Circuit United States Court of  Appeals.

Bill became interested in civil rights during the sit-ins and marches of the 1960’s.   He marched in one of the first Gay Pride Parades in New York, during the heyday of Anita Bryant, and became friends with Bruce Voeller, co-founder and executive director of the National Gay Task Force.  Bill served on the Board of the National Gay Task Force for several years.  He helped organize the first March in Oklahoma, and has spoken at marches in Oklahoma City, Dallas and Houston.

In the late 1970’s, an Oklahoma State Senator named Mary Helms achieved passage of a bill which savaged and horrified the gay and lesbian community. The bill prevented public school employees from advocating civil rights for gays and lesbians, and from participating in homosexual activities, such as going to gay bars, marching in parades, etc. A challenge to the law was mounted in federal court in Oklahoma City, but not surprisingly, the law was upheld. When that decision was appealed to the 10th Circuit, it was Bill Rogers who argued for the law to be overturned, and who won. As it happened, the loser that day was Bill Graves, who went on to become a State Senator infamous for introducing anti-gay legislation, and is now an Oklahoma County District Judge.

The Board of Education appealed the 10th Circuit decision to the US Supreme Court. Ginny Appuzo with the NGTF, renowned law scholar Lawrence Tribe and co-counsel Kathleen Sullivan, Bill Rogers and Leonard Graff on the briefs, defended the 10th Circuit decision. The Supremes’ decision split 4-4, one justice being out sick. The effect of the tie vote was that the 10th Circuit decision which Bill had won still stands today in the states included in the 10th federal circuit, and the hateful law was defeated.

Bill received the Oklahoma Bar Association Courageous Advocacy Award for his work in the lawsuit, and is also the recipient of the eponymous Bill Rogers Award of Merit by the Oklahoma Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus, and the likewise eponymous Bill Rogers Lifetime Achievement Award by Cimarron Alliance Foundation. He also received the ACLU Oklahoma Human Rights Award in 1996.

Bill also served as General Counsel and President of ACLU Oklahoma, and as Chairman of the Oklahoma City Human Rights Commission, which was later abolished by the Oklahoma City Council to avoid including sexual orientation as a protected class.

In addition to Cimarron Alliance Foundation, Bill has been co-founder of several GLBT organizations. He was the founding president of Oklahomans for Human Rights, and provided help to OHR’s Tulsa chapter, which eventually became TOHR.

In the early 1990’s Bill lent his charismatic presence to the wonderful although short-lived Simply Equal, and a year or so later, he and Terry Gatewood, over lunch, envisioned the organization which would become Cimarron Alliance Group.

CAF’s Motto is “For a Fair and Just Oklahoma”, and when asked if he thinks we will ever achieve this, Bill is a bit pessimistic – it will not be in his lifetime, he thinks, but maybe in the life of some of the younger activists with CAF. He emphasizes however that there has been a tremendous amount of progress in the last thirty years. He remembers the first Gay Pride Week banquet held in a local restaurant in Oklahoma City, with people so apprehensive and tense that some carried a gun to the dinner. Also, when NGTF and he wanted to file the Helms lawsuit, they had a very difficult time finding people willing to be named plaintiffs. When they did, their plaintiff began to perceive that he was being stalked, his car tampered with, people watching him; he told Bill he could not continue without 24 hour-a-day protection. Also, for his participation in the lawsuit, Bill was expelled from his law-firm. He filed suit against them, (they eventually settled) and he is pleased to say that in any case all of the major clients went with him!

When asked what he would like to see CAF take on in the future, he notes first of all that the enemy of the achievement of equal rights in Oklahoma is the so-called Christian Right; thus the need is education for those who do not come from that extreme, largely uneducable position. As a specific measure, he would like to see CAF take on some of the anti-gay laws in the state; for instance the anti-gay in-state adoption law. Also, he would like to see CAF hold a “gay university” during Pride Week or Coming Out Month. He notes a real need for outreach to the glbt Hispanic community, also to the glbt hearing-impaired. The “diversity university” could offer, for free, classes on legal issues, beginning sign language, Spanish, Vietnamese, and English-as-a second-language.

And when asked what it takes to be a leader of an activist organization, Bill has one word, which perfectly describes the attribute he has brought to his fight for justice over the years: Passion. Oklahoma City is a better place thanks to Bill Roger’s passion for justice and human rights.

Community Leader Focus
Rev. Loyce Newton Edwards, President PFLAG OKC

“Justice and Compassion.  That’s what my ministry is all about!”  The Rev. Loyce Newton Edwards is the new President of the Oklahoma City chapter of PFLAG.  And she has a vision for her organization, the LGBT community, and its allies.

Rev. Edwards grew up as an African-American in the 1950’s.  One of her siblings, Toni, was a transgender male-to-female.  Toni experienced hatred and rejection, which was also felt by Rev. Edwards and other members of her family.  It was an early education in LGBT issues.  Toni died in 1999 from complications due to AIDS.  “I believe my life experiences,” said Rev. Edwards, “as well as my desire to love as Jesus loved, motivates me to be apart of a support group for others like me, or for those who might be struggling to find their way...GLBT persons and or their family members & friends.”

Rev. Edwards has been a minister for fifteen years, serving in a variety of churches.  It has not always been an easy experience.  She has learned that many churches are not concerned with issues of social justice. 

“I have always had a deep passion for social justice ministries, but felt frustrated in previous churches where I've served whose focus was not where my passion was.  I don't fault them because I made some uninformed choices to unite with churches/denominations who were not kindred spirits.  However, in the words of Maya Angelou, ‘I wouldn't take nothing for the journey.’”

In January 2006, Rev. Edwards had what she calls a “ministry Epiphany,” realizing that she could create a ministry that included African-Americans and LGBT people.  At the time she was an Associate Pastor in a local Baptist church, but resigned in February 2006 and went through a great deal of soul searching. 

This epiphany came while she was in Atlanta, GA attending the Black Church Summit sponsored by the National Black Justice Coalition.  She served on a three person panel with the Rev. Al Sharpton and the Rev. Dr. Kenneth Samuel (a prominent pastor of a United Church of Christ megachurch) that dealt with ways to confront “homophobia in the Black Church.”

In June 2006 she visited Church of the Open Arms, United Church of Christ, where Rev. Dr. Kathy McCallie is pastor.  According to Rev. Edwards, “Having just come through a very trying desert like experience, (not knowing where God was leading me,) Kathy & COA were my ‘oasis.’”

At that time she began working on a community-wide Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration that would be inclusive of all people, including LGBT people.  According to Rev. Edwards, this would be a fulfillment of Dr. King’s social vision. 

Her dreams will be realized this month when Church of the Open Arms hosts two services on Sunday, January 14^th at 10:45 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. celebrating the life and vision of Martin Luther King, Jr.  The guest speaker will be the Rev. Dr. Randall C. Bailey whose theme will be “Peace and Justice for All: God Has a Dream!”  The event is co-sponsored by the Human Rights Campaign and PFLAG-OKC.

In October, Rev. Edwards became president of PFLAG-OKC after being recruited to join the organization by her friend Conna Wilkinson who was the previous president.  Rev. Edwards felt that PFLAG was a perfect fit with her own life experiences.  

Asked what her goals are for the organization, she responds that they include, “finding ways to attract more people of color, as we're certain that the need for community support is there, but finding creative ways to tap into those communities will be a challenge, one that I embrace!”  Other goals include creating a strategic plan to increase the chapter’s visibility and make it a more dynamic organization.

When asked how her religious calling and her social justice advocacy work intersect, Rev Edwards excitedly responds, “For me they are one and the same!”  She continues, “One of my favorite scriptures serves as my foundation for this ministry and can be found in Micah 6:6-8, where the question is asked, "What does God require of us...?"  Two words literally jump off the page and echo loudly in my ears, Justice and Compassion.  I believe that churches that are not involved in social justice ministries should just call themselves social clubs, as mission and out reach ministry are our reasons for existing!”

Rev. Edwards is excited about her new ministries and work in the LGBT community and the possibilities in the year’s ahead, “I have been a minister for 15 years, but 2006 has been and continues to be the most exciting time for me in ministry because – to use the slogan of the United Church of Christ -- ‘God is still speaking,’” 

Cimarron Alliance joins the Oklahoma City Community Foundation

The Cimarron Alliance Foundation is the first LGBT organization to join the Oklahoma City Community Foundation.  The Oklahoma City Community Foundation works to enrich the community and the lives of its residents by investing in programs that promote physical, social and economic quality of life.  CAF joined OCCF through an Endowment in the spring of 2006 with the help of funds from a Kirkpatrick Family Fund Matching Grant.

Established in 1969, the Oklahoma City Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works with people to improve our community. They serve donors whose charitable interests include the Oklahoma City area as well as interests outside the metropolitan area. Their mission is to meet the charitable needs of individuals, families, companies and organizations who come to them seeking a way to utilize charitable giving methods that will benefit their community well into the future.

The Oklahoma City Community Foundation administers more than 1,000 charitable funds that vary in size, purpose and origin. The programs, charitable organizations and initiatives that these funds support are as varied as the donors who created them. From education to social services to scholarships to arts to the beautification of public land, the Oklahoma City Community Foundation helps donors realize their charitable goals.

The Endowment is a permanent fund at OCCF that generates an annual income for CAF.  OCCF’s investment and distribution policies take into consideration that these endowments need to provide income to organizations for years to come.  In addition to providing strong financial management, OCCF also works to help CAF and donors build the endowments.

In addition to helping establish our Endowment the Oklahoma City Community Foundation gave the Cimarron Alliance Foundation an $8,000.00 Fund for Oklahoma City grant to help with the Oklahoma Holocaust Remembrance Exhibition in June of 2005 and a $3,000.00 Capacity Building grant in September of 2006 to help with Financial Management and Development.

AIDS at 25: A Reflection from Dr. Gene Voskuhl

A lifetime has passed since AIDS was noticed in previously healthy gay men.  It’s been a quarter century of improvements and disappointments. While many people were infected with HIV from receiving blood transfusions in the 80’s, the blood supply is reliably safe now.  We understand how HIV is spread from unprotected sex and sharing of needles, yet 40,000 new cases occur in the US every year. So what’s happened in 2006, for better and worse?

The first antiretroviral medication was widely available in 1987.  Yet it took four more years to get another.  It took several years to realize that people did better if they took two drugs at once, although only briefly.  Finally fifteen years into the lifetime of AIDS, the triple cocktail was born: three drugs from two classes of medications.  I saw this dramatically when my first patient, Michael, desperately brought me medication names scribbled on a cocktail napkin.  He was wasting away, having lost 50 pounds over the last year after suffering from pneumonia and painful shingles. He dutifully took the medications four times a day. He gained those 50 pounds and a little extra over the following year. People began living in 1996.

So it’s really only been 10 years since we’ve had good treatment for HIV.  Over the last year, the best improvements have come in the reduced numbers of pills required to treat HIV.  Steady improvements have led us to a time when an effective HIV regimen might consist of only a few pills a day.  This year marked the first time an all-in-one pill cocktail was available.  This certainly beats the “old days” when doctors prescribed more than a dozen pills multiple times a day. Although this is ideal for some people, it’s really not a new pill. This involves putting three of the already available medications in one convenient package.  And it’s not for everyone.  People who’ve taken other medications before may not qualify for the simplicity offered. 

Now we have 25 medications available from four classes of antiretroviral medications.  We can target the virus even before it fuses with the vulnerable CD4 cell (or T-cell if you prefer).  Multiple protease inhibitors are now available, so a person with HIV can have options even if the virus has mutated to become resistant to older protease inhibitors. One of these new generation protease inhibitors became available in 2006.  And an entirely new class of antiretrovirals will become available in 2007:  integrase inhibitors.  This new enzyme target will prove effective for most everyone who’s developed resistance to medications, and might even be used for people on their first regimen.  Even more medications are being developed.

Yet an HIV vaccine seems a decade away, the virus can mutate rapidly, and new infections occur at an alarming rate.  With the evolution of the HIV epidemic, we must evolve too.  This year the CDC began recommending all people from the ages of 13-64 get an HIV test during routine medical care.  More people need to get tested, so they can get treatment earlier, and stop spreading the disease.  Don’t wait as long as Michael did. If your doctor doesn’t do an HIV test, get a different doctor. Or find a confidential HIV testing site such as your county health department or an AIDS service organization.  It is irresponsible to knowingly have HIV and infect someone else.  But many people don’t know they have HIV. Be responsible, get tested.  Take a friend. Their life might depend on it.