Ford Hall Forum offers space for HIV/AIDS dialogue

Evening of community discussion includes expert panel, spurs important conversations.

A Ford Hall Forum Discussion called "AIDS, Social Justice, and the Politics of Transformation," held in Boston's Old South Meeting House (310 Washington St.) on the evening of Sept. 30, offered a jumping-off point for important conversations about the HIV/AIDS epidemic -- including partnerships with social justice organizations, the disproportionate effect of the virus on African-American communities and women, and President Obama's recently unveiled National Strategy on HIV/AIDS. The Discussion was presented in collaboration with Suffolk University, and as part of an ongoing series of the nation's oldest continuously operating free public lecture series.

Moderated by AIDS Action Committee President and CEO Rebecca Haag, the discussion included panelists Dazon Dixon Diallo, Founder and President of SisterLove; Guillermo Chacon, President of the Latino Commission on AIDS; Julie Davids, Co-director of the Community HIV AIDS Mobilization Project (CHAMP); and Kevin Cranston, Director of the Bureau for Infectious Disease at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The significance of holding an important discussion in such a renowned historic landmark was not lost on the audience, members of which craned their necks toward the vaulted ceiling and ornate chandeliers, almost hidden by shoulder-high pews. Rather than being headed by a minister, the centuries-old pulpit was split four ways, allowing each panelist a portion of the 150-person audience's balanced attention.

"It is wonderful that we're talking about HIV and AIDS in such an historic place," Haag offered by way of introduction. "Somehow, however, I don't think the founding fathers had these bright lights in their eyes."

Haag sat next to the panelists, creating the feeling of an open living room discussion rather than a lecture. "We are at a critical juncture," she said. "There are many opportunities ahead, but also many barriers."

The discussion opened with mention of Obama's National AIDS Strategy, announced July 13, that in a groundbreaking move made mention of the gay community by name in a list of populations disproportionately affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Cranston referred to the goals outlined in the strategy as "difficult to achieve," and referred to the rate of infection for men who have sex with men (MSM): one per day.

Davids described her organization's goal for HIV and AIDS. "We have a vision -- let me paraphrase -- which is that HIV in the United States will become rare," she said. "And those who are infected will have unfettered access to high-quality care and treatment regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, et cetera."

However, "we will never get ahead of AIDS in this country if we do not focus on gay men," Davids said, praising the strategy's inclusion of gay-friendly language.

"Your presence is a sign of hope," Chacon told the audience. The New York City-based advocate described the power of healthcare reform for affecting the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and mourned the lack of basic HIV awareness among the country's general public.

Diallo returned the conversation to the national strategy, lamenting its scant reference to women as victims of HIV/AIDS -- especially women of color. Within the HIV/AIDS epidemic, she said, "the human rights dimension is enormous." The Georgia native spoke about the prevalence of the virus below the Mason-Dixon Line, and the importance of partnering with social justice organizations to affect positive change. "Science and research are the backbone" of moving forward, she said, "but community and society are the soul."

The panelists dove bravely into the gaps and cracks in not just national and statewide HIV policy, but the way each person and community approaches the epidemic socially. "There is not just one epidemic," Haag said. Communities are disproportionately affected by the epidemic based on race, gender, socioeconomic status, and sexual orientation, among other factors. Cranston spoke about the importance of preventing perinatal transmission from HIV-positive mothers to their children; Davids touted the success of syringe exchange programs in stemming infection rates among intravenous drug users. Diallo emphasized the "due diligence" owed to women's inclusion in national strategies and plans, and Chacon brought married the discussion with perspectives on immigration reform.

Approximately forty-five minutes after the discussion began, two lines of audience members had formed a twin microphones on either side of the pulpit. A Springfield minister issued an impassioned call for a successful community HIV testing organization having its funding stripped. An AAC employee spoke about the responsibility and commitment of health services organizations in addressing Hepatitis C. A Suffolk University master's student brought up the importance of HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns targeting women. The panelists faced questions about ageism, racism, and sexual violence all within the context of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. It soon became clear that the Forum offered not just an evening of community discussion, but an extended engagement with attendees, as panelists promised individual follow-up conversations with those who posed questions.

Not surprisingly, the Forum ran out of time, and several questions went unanswered -- at least publicly. But there is no doubt that the discussions spurred into debate that night were carried home with each attendee and continued in homes, offices, and around the country.