Introductions

Today was the final day of the Catalyst Forum and I am truly sad to see it end. It was soo amazing to see how many people from all over the US come together on HIV but yet see how it effect each of us differently in our regional areas and how we fight for basic human rights such as housing and even prescription drugs. I was intimidated at first because I have never stepped foot inside any HIV conference or forum in my life and I didnt even know what to expect. But then I ran into Kathy from Philadelphia, Joy from NC and realized that there were other young activists out there just like me fighting and advocating for human rights whether it's incarceration HIV, housing and HIV, or ADAP.

In addition to gaining exceptional knowledge of what services, drugs, and supportive services are available to my community in which I advocate. I have also made very valuable connections to strengthen ties in the DC and Baltimore, MD in which I wouldn't have been able to do otherwise.

Calvin Gerald - http://calvinreality.blogspot.com

BJ Cavnor interviews Lionel Smith at the HIV Research Catalyst Forum

BJ Cavnor interviews Michael Mitchell at the HIV Research Catalyst Forum

Fred Schaich interviews Phil Wilson at the HIV Research Catalyst Forum

With inspirational talks tonight were finally off to an exciting conference full of gifted folks...Dinner was grand tonight.. Great to meet new people ..shout outs to all ....from the US and Oh Canada.. Each time I get into a CAB from now on I shall be reminded of this forum...

Tonights opening plenary session was so uplifting and fear inspiring. I loved the heartfelt stories of the trails and tribulations of getting oneself involved in the fight of saving ones life and helping others to gain the needed knowledge to remember that the fight is not over yet!!!!

I was looking at the scholarship Break down and I want to say that I am from NJ and only 2 applicants received a scholarship so I want to say a deep felt thank you to Tracy Swan for reading my application and accepting me to attend.......  read more »

I am finally here for the the Catalyst Forum and I am very excited to be here although I missed the dinner and the registration. I am very anxious to see where everyone is in research and advocacy. I am also looking forward to working with everyone from different communities and walks of life to see how HIV/AIDS advocacy, planning, and research is impacting their communities as well as their lives.

It's very interesting to me that I live in Washington, DC but yet there is little to no funding or the idea of funding HIV/AIDS prevention or grassroots efforts is almost laughed at but you see other communities who are not highly impacted making such a difference. I believe this is a start to a great journey with everyone who is here this week for such an amazing and life changing forum.  read more »

I am sitting in my room with this amazing view of the harbor and cannot believe i am here.  Welcome to Baltimore everyone!!! i look forward to hearing what you all have to say and learning tons from each and every one of you.

thom

Hey Everyone!

My name is Durryle and I am extremely excited about what this conference represents! For me, this conference really marks the beginning of my journey into the vast and extensive field of HIV Research. As a person who received bare bones prevention information and little to no information as to how the HIV virus actually effects the body-- this gathering of activists, health educators, medical providers, and researchers will provide me with a more holistic view of HIV.

I am particularly interested in hearing whether or not there are new ways of thinking and talking about the HIV virus. If discourse reflects worldviews, than how is our talking and thinking informing the type of research and treatment strategies people are embarking on? From my perspective, the search and destroy method has not yielded the results that we would have hoped. So theoretically, are there other strategies that might prove more fruitful moving forward than those that have traditionally relied upon search and destroy methods? I am not sure, but I am hopeful that some of my questions will be answered at the HIV Research Catalyst Forum.

Durryle

Good morning everyone I am so excited about returning to Baltimore, MD. I was wondering has anyone ever been to a HIV related conference and what did you enjoy about it? and gain from the experince? and if so tell me about it? look for pics and more posts to come?

Hello, my name is Javier Rios and I work in Albuquerque, New Mexico coordinating the MPowerment Project for New Mexico AIDS Services. I have been working for NMAS for almost 5 years with MPower Albuquerque. I am very excited to be attending the HIV Research Catalyst Forum in Baltimore. I am a gay native New Mexican and very proud to represent my communities, having the opportunity to share and collaborate with others from across the United States.

For my first blog I would like to write about homophobia and how I believe it is one of the greatest barriers to HIV prevention in the United States. From my experience working with young gay, bi, and transgender men in my community, prevention messages are not being delivered to or being received by the people most at risk. In New Mexico MSM, men who have sex with men, make up the largest percentage of HIV cases. They are the highest risk group in New Mexico like other parts of the United States and have the least access to appropriate prevention messages. I believe that homophobia, gay stigma, and HIV/AIDS stigma has caused a double speak where MSM risk for HIV is acknowledged, money is provided to target MSM and yet the messages are censored.  read more »

Hola desde Miami!!!

What is happening my little HIV Catalyst Forum readers? Well let me start off by saying that I totally procrastinated for this trip. I had to do last minute shopping today and the damage I made wasn’t good. My bags are overstuffed and like any true traveler, I probably won’t even use half the outfits I’m taking to Baltimore.

At any rate… let’s get to the introduction. My name is Jesse Sanchez, I am 22, and I live in Miami, Florida. I found out I was HIV+ a day after my 19^th birthday. I mean it wasn’t the cutest “present” I’ve received, but hey, when life gives you aids make lemonade (oh I can so sense the hissing). At the time of my diagnosis I was working as a writer for the local Fox News affiliate here in Miami. In fear that I would be scrutinized or judged by co-workers I resigned.  read more »

So my name is Johnathan Shaw and I live in Augusta, GA.  I have been positive since December of 2008.  As a way for me to cope with Living with HIV I started to video blog about 3 months after my diagnosis.  I am so excited to be able to attend the forum and even more excited to be able to blog about the experience.  I think it will benefit me to be at the forum and to learn what other members of the community are going threw as well as what each of us are doing in an activist role.  Below is my Pre Forum Video that I posted on my Youtube Page and now on here so I hope you guys enjoy.

Here are the links to my facebook and my twitter for those of you who are interested. =)  read more »