MHC STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT'S STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS

February 3, 2006
Noel Alicea, 212-367-1216

GMHC STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT'S STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS

The President in his speech said, "second guessing is not a strategy," but neither is the rhetoric that was reflected in the President's remarks about HIV and AIDS. While the President acknowledged that "more than a million Americans live with HIV, and half of all AIDS cases occur among African-Americans," his actual policies do not address the fact that one in three young gay and bisexual African-Americans now are living with HIV.

With regard to the Ryan White CARE Act, it is very encouraging that the President again called for its reauthorization and the addition of "new funding" to the states. However, the White House proposals call for a "shifting of funds" not additional monies. There is a very substantive difference in these two scenarios: new funding would both assist the growing needs of states that are experiencing an increased incidence of HIV cases and the continuous needs of states with high HIV and AIDS
infection rates; shifting funds would take monies from areas already devastated by HIV and AIDS and putting it somewhere else, thus jeopardizing thousands of lives.

Lastly to advocate working "closely with African-American churches and faith-based groups, to deliver rapid HIV tests to millions, and end the stigma of AIDS" is an astonishing leap of faith. It is well documented that the shame and stigma of AIDS is propelled by many churches and faith-based groups in African American communities, especially when it involves men who have sex with men, which remains the largest group of
individuals newly diagnosed with HIV.

Gay Men's Health Crisis urges Congress to defy the President's rhetoric and support HIV prevention methods that have proven to be successful and are scientifically based. This is our best hope to meet the President's goal to "come closer to the day when there are no new infections in America."

GMHC is a not-for-profit, volunteer-supported and community-based organization committed to national leadership in the fight against AIDS. GMHC provides services and programs to over 15,000 men, women and families that are living with or affected by HIV/AIDS in New York City.

For more information, please visit www.gmhc.org.