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Stefanie Clark shares her story and advocate journey towards becoming a Renaissance Woman [VIDEO]

June 14, 2022

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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Kim Hunt’s Innovative Approach to Storytelling Creates Lasting Systemic Change in Illinois and Beyond

June 3, 2022

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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Governor Pritzker signs Medicaid Omnibus legislation that increases access and equity in Illinois’ health care system

May 27, 2022

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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Meet our new Senior Manager of GTZ-IL, Christian Castro!

May 17, 2022

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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Governor Pritzker signs legislative bill supporting LGBTQ+ older adults on National Honor Our LGBTQ+ Elders Day

May 16, 2022

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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My client experiences with the Medicaid Redetermination process pre and post COVID-19

May 12, 2022

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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How living with HIV impacts my dating, intimacy, and joy

May 5, 2022

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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Addressing the Roe v. Wade U.S. Supreme Court Decision Leak

May 3, 2022

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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Kennedy Bradley shares a Thank You Letter to the GTZ-IL community

April 13, 2022

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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IL General Assembly Leads Efforts to End the HIV Epidemic by Passing Landmark Legislation and $10 Million HIV Funding Increase

April 11, 2022

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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