One of AFC’s missions is to continue to amplify the voices of LGBTQ older adults and their experiences navigating advocacy work, healthcare, social stigma, or living with HIV. Stefanie Clark is a lesbian and transgender woman who has spent the past six years advocating for culturally competent care training for all medical professionals throughout Illinois, from clinic receptionists,...
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I am excited to introduce my colleague Kim L. Hunt to you – Kim has led AIDS Foundation Chicago’s Pride Action Tank (PAT) as Executive Director since its inception seven years ago and also serves as Senior Director on AFC’s Policy & Advocacy team. I want to share with you how Kim’s innovative approach to storytelling – focused on individual joy and...
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By Indigo Quashie
Mission Possible: Lobby Days, 2008
CHICAGO — Today, on May 27, 2022, Governor JB Pritzker signed HB4343: Medicaid Omnibus . This law contains two of AIDS Foundation Chicago’s (AFC) 2022 state legislative priorities , encouraging Medicaid enrollment by making the current practice of Medicaid continuous eligibility for Illinoisans with...
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By Livvie Avrick
Introducing Christian Castro, our new Senior Manager of GTZ-IL! Christian comes from a dynamic background of community mobilizing and human rights activism. His most recent work involved coordinating and managing the RADAR project, a NIH-funded study that is the largest longitudinal cohort of YMSM, young transgender women and nonbinary people...
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By Indigo Quashie
Photo taken at Silent No More: Shining a Light on Aging with HIV
CHICAGO — Today, on National Honor Our LGBTQ+ Elders Day, Governor JB Pritzker signed SB3490: Disrupting Disparities for LGBTQ+ Older Adults and Older Adults Living With HIV. The new law creates the Illinois Commission on LGBTQ+ Aging; establishes an LGBTQ+ Older Adult Advocate...
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By Kayla Dillard
Kayla Dillard, Care Coordination Specialist
My experience in assisting clients with completing redeterminations in Illinois’ Medicaid program has been rather mixed. Active Medicaid coverage is extremely critical for my clients to remain in medical care with their providers, including dentists and mental health therapists. My clients have appreciated...
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By James Cotromanes
LGBTQ+ Sexual Roles vs. Social Perception
The perception of HIV and the stigma of this chronic condition connects to the misconception of the sexual role of one who is gay or bisexual. In heterosexual relations, a woman is much revered for her beauty and femininity, and the man for his handsomeness and masculinity.
Regarding HIV transmission, there...
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By Omar Martínez González, Senior Manager, Policy & Advocacy
Photo credited to Gayatri Malhotra
AFC is deeply disturbed by last night's revelation of the U.S. Supreme Court's draft decision to upend Roe v. Wade, the 49-year-old precedent that protects a woman's right to choose when to start a family. This decision will disproportionately...
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By Kennedy Bradley
Hello, GTZ-IL Community!
After nearly 2 years, I have made the decision to resign from my position at AIDS Foundation Chicago (AFC) as Getting to Zero Illinois’ (GTZ-IL) Community Outreach and Education Specialist. My last day is April 18, but before I start my new career journey, I wanted to spend a moment to express my gratitude for this community...
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By Timothy S. Jackson
Concluding a flurry of activity, the 2022 Spring Session of the 102nd Illinois General Assembly was gaveled to adjournment just before sunrise on Saturday, April 9, 2022. Despite an abbreviated session due to primary elections just around the corner, legislators approved a $46 billion Fiscal Year 2023 budget that includes investments in public safety and mental...
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