Pete Subkoviak, policy coordinator for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. AFC Photo-Ed Negron

Born a girl, Pete Subkoviak began telling his parents he was a boy at age 3.

“In general, I would say I was a really happy kid except for the whole wrong body thing,” Subkoviak quipped in a recent interview.

At 17, he finally found the word to describe himself. He wasn’t gay or lesbian. He was transgender.

Now, at age 30, Subkoviak’s life has come full circle. He entered the field of HIV/AIDS work as a young man interested in politics and helping the marginalized and downtrodden — not because he’s transgender. But the more he learned about transgender people, particularly transgender women, being disproportionately affected by HIV, the more motivated he was to do something about it.

By Eva Westley

In Chicago, as elsewhere in the country, more people depend on HIV-related care, case management, housing, food vouchers and mental health services than ever before.

But how do you track all of that? How do you measure the success of an integrated system of care and supportive services for thousands of people?

Linda Coon is the project director of the Families' and Children's AIDS Network (FCAN). She traveled with a group of HIV advocates to Springfield last week. Below are her thoughts on the experience.

By Linda Coon

"If the choice is her medication or our housing, we will be homeless."

That was an actual quote from an HIV-negative man who was speaking on behalf of his HIV-positive wife last week in Springfield. He was one of a diverse group of advocates who comprised the Families' and Children's AIDS Network (FCAN) action team. The group's mission was to speak with legislators, tell their stories and urge lawmakers to oppose cuts in HIV funding and Medicaid.

I have advocated in Springfield on legislation for more than 30 years. Often, I walk away frustrated or unsure of the real impact. But last week's visit was truly inspiring. Amazingly, we were able to see 16 legislators, eight of whom sit on the House or Senate Appropriations Committees.