Wallace will lead Chicago caravan to Mississippi

Wallace (with AIDS Foundation of Chicago's David Munar) of the Stand Against AIDS

This article is one of a series of Update profiles of men and women who will be leading activist caravans as part of the Stand Against AIDS, a multi-arm, multi-week advocacy roadtrip aimed at getting presidential hopefuls Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain to commit to taking meaningful steps toward the creation of a National AIDS Plan within 100 days of taking office. The caravans kick off in mid-September and converge in Oxford, Mississippi on September 23 for four days of action. The first debate between Obama and McCain takes place in Oxford on September 26.

When Richard Wallace, 26, started working as an organizer in Chicago, he noticed how the African-American community was hurt by the AIDS epidemic, other health disparities and a disproportionate number of people in prison. After his godfather was infected with HIV, the struggle became personal.

Wallace is the Mississippi River caravan leader for the Stand Against AIDS, which late next week will tell a fellow former Chicago organizer (and Sen. John McCain) to commit to creating a national AIDS plan in the first 100 days of taking office if elected U.S. president. "I see a million people get testing, but if you don't provide simple services like food, water and shelter, then it's all for nothing," Wallace said.

Wallace's front-line prevention and outreach work allow him to see the big picture when it comes to HIV/AIDS. He works at the Test Positive Aware Network doing counseling and networking for men who have sex with men on the West Side of Chicago, where he struggles to get youth to take prevention seriously. He recounts the story of a kid telling him he wasn't worried about contracting "high five" (HI-V) because if he just took "skittles" (medication) he'd be fine. "The youth at this point just need some clear cut information about HIV," Wallace said. "My goal is to provide that."

Wallace also works at Refuge, providing information to families of newly infected former prisoners. "We educate the families so they know they can sit on the same toilet and provide basic HIV 101," he said.

Despite Wallace's commitment to AIDS advocacy and having graduated from C2EA's Youth Action Institute in 2006, he was initially skeptical when C2EA national organizer Larry Bryant approached him about leading a Stand Against AIDS caravan. "Too often people at the grassroots level are recruited to get locked up or make noise, but in the end, a few people get picked to have their voices heard," Wallace said.

Bryant convinced Wallace this wouldn't be the case, and Wallace is now optimistic. He leads the his "caravan" via Amtrak from Chicago on September 22.

"Day in and day out, I work with people who are at the highest risk for HIV but aren't getting the services they need. People in the heartland and across the country have been devastated by inaction on AIDS over the last eight years, so we're taking the message directly to the candidates that it's well past time to seriously address AIDS in the United States," Wallace said.

East Gulf caravan leader Quintara Lane speaks out

Lane: stigma-fighter extraordinaire

This is the first in a series of Update profiles of men and women who will be leading activist caravans as part of the Stand Against AIDS, a multi-arm, multi-week advocacy roadtrip aimed at getting presidential hopefuls Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain to commit to taking meaningful steps toward the creation of a National AIDS Plan within 100 days of taking office. The caravans kick off in mid-September and converge in Oxford, Mississippi on September 24 for three days of action. The first debate between Obama and McCain takes place in Oxford on September 26.

Although Quintara Lane, 21, has been HIV-positive since birth and taken medications her whole life, only recently has she experienced firsthand the patchwork nature of the U.S. health care system. After she took a job working part-time at University of Miami Hospital, she was cut off of Medicaid. "I'm going through a lot of problems, and I'm able to fight for what I need and what I want. But it shouldn't be a fight," she said. Lane is the East Gulf caravan leader for the Stand Against AIDS.

Lane's Medicaid troubles deepened her commitment to fighting for universal health care and a national plan to end the AIDS epidemic. "That we don't have a plan to end this disease after more than 20 years is uncalled for," Lane said. "We need to bring awareness to the presidential candidates that this is a really serious issue and it needs to be addressed."

Lane was 17 when she first dove into activism. At a 2004 conference in Washington, D.C. for HIV- positive people, Lane went on a lobby visit. At first, other people did the talking. Then something hit her: Her voice mattered as much as anyone else's. Lane told the conference organizers that at the next lobby visit, she wanted to speak. "Before I always thought activism was not my place, or that older people should do it," Lane said. "But I realized I am someone living with AIDS and this is important to me."

Roadtrip!

Lane's caravan will depart from Ft. Lauderdale. Among the dozens of riders will be two other "Cool Kids"—members of a support group of HIV-positive youth in the Miami area who have grown up together and served as a support network. (Another member, Chakena Conway, has since moved to New York and will be caravaning from there).

Lane's mother died in 1995, and she is the only one of her siblings who is HIV-positive. Cool Kids has served as a second family to Lane, and lately, they have also served as a fierce cohort of activists for C2EA, participating in the Youth Action Institute in 2007 and last summer's swim-in against stigma with Caleb Glover in Silver Hill, Alabama. There, Lane gave a rousing speech thanking the Glovers for standing up to stigma. "We all support each other and pump each other up," Lane said.

In addition to her advocacy work—and planning the countless logistical details of the caravan trip—Lane studies sign language at Miami-Dade community college. "That's a whole different world that also needs a voice," she said.

September is fast approaching and the Stand Against AIDS caravans organizing around the country are revving with excitement. Each journey is sure to filled with new experiences, enduring survivors, and ignited passions with about 500 expected to arrive in Oxford, Mississippi, with a demand - END AIDS NOW!

Along the caravan routes and surrounding the first Presidential Debate in Oxford, The 'Stand' encourages people living with HIV/AIDS, advocates, activists, and loved ones to galvanize a national voice. As we demand our next President develop a plan to end the U.S. HIV/AIDS epidemic, affinity groups are being developed to ensure that our voices are heard. Groups representing African-Americans, Gay Men, Harm Reduction Communities, Latinos, Post Incarcerated, Southern States, Transgender Communities, Women, and Youth will all meet September 25 during the 'Stand' activities near the Oxford City Hall.

The Affinity Groups will challenge top-down decision-making and organizing by creating an inclusive environment for discussion and deliberation among various communities affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The conversations among the groups will focus on four primary questions before convening the 'National Town Hall: Our Messages in a Bottle'. The four questions to ponder:

- How would a National Plan to end AIDS be relevant in your community?

- How is your community represented or underrepresented in HIV/AIDS advocacy?

- How has your community been affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic?

- What can be done to support your further HIV/AIDS activism/advocacy as it relates to the development of a National Plan to end AIDS?

These Affinity Groups will develop communication and relationships among people beyond the 'Stand' and are sure to be instrumental in providing input on local, regional, and national discussion and planning. It is important to join a group that is best suited to you and your interests.

If you would like to organize an Affinity Group, want to know more about the Stand Against AIDS activities in Mississippi, or information on a caravan traveling near your city or town, contact The Campaign To End AIDS at info@campaigntoendaids.org or 1877-END AIDS (263-2437).

Sept. 23rd: Caravans & Marchers arrive in Oxford Mississippi! Press Conference 3:00 pm!

Media Training--Rally--C2EA Family Barbeque

September 25th
Affinity Groups & Town Hall Meeting

September 26th 4:00 pm Demonstration--Mock Funeral at Oxford Town Square

September 18-21, Miami Beach, Florida; The largest AIDS-related gathering in the United States, the 2008 USCA is a phenomenon you cannot afford to miss. Each year, over 3,000 workers from all fronts of the HIV/AIDS epidemic—from case managers and physicians, to public health workers and advocates—come together to build national support networks, exchange the latest information and learn cutting-edge tools to address the challenges of HIV/AIDS.
http://nmac.org/index/2008-usca

September 24-26, Oxford, Mississippi; Caravans will travel different routes across the country to Mississippi to demand a National Plan to end AIDS from our next President. Activities will include:
Stand Against AIDS Rally & Barbeque
"Our Messages in a Bottle: Demand a National Plan to END AIDS!" town hall
Local, National, International media training
Birddogging
and much more!
http://www.aidsvote.org
http://www.nationalaidsstrategy.org

Septmeber 25, Oxford, Mississippi; As we demand our next President develop a national plan to
end the HIV/AIDS epidemic, we must demand our voices be are heard by starting the conversation. The Affinity Groups will include African American, Gay Men, Harm Reduction, Latino, Post Incarcerated, Southern States, Transgender, Women, and Youth. For more information, please contact 1877-END AIDS or info@campaigntoendaids.org.

September 26, Oxford, Mississippi; The University of Mississippi will be the site of the first 2008 Presidential Debate between Senator John McCain (R-AZ) and Senator Barack Obama (D-IL).
http://www.olemiss.edu/debate/