Geographically

 

HIV/AIDS does not know what local, state or international boundaries are. Because of this, we are committed to engaging in our work without the traditional restrictions such boundaries.  It is for this reason that we feel it is important to be a part of education and advocacy in our own backyard as well as thousands of miles away, and as many places in between as possible.  While we know there is only so much we can do, we know that with a truly global vision – one that sees how the world is really interconnected – and with the experiences of looking at HIV from the inside-out as well as the outside-in, we can engage people and do so much more.

 

Demographically

 

While it has been needed for accountability purposes, The “Demographic”-driven model of both service and education have created new sets of problems and thwarted effective prevention.  When people do not fit in the demographic box, they “don’t count” or “don’t qualify”.  Often, to not fit in the box means one is “too healthy” or not needy-enough and sadly, the inability to intervene has resulted in the person becoming sicker or needier.  It is for these reasons that we are committed to offer our services and engage people in partnerships without regard to the demographics.  The exception, of course, is our scholarship – it is limited to people who have been disabled by AIDS, and has the clear vision of promoting health.   

 

Socially  

 

Since the emergence of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, the fault lines in our society have continually impeded progress towards ending the pandemic.  These divisions continue to this day, and over the years resentment and anger have fueled a feeling of permanence to them.  These divisions have been labeled “liberal/conservative”, “evangelical/homosexual”, “black/white”, and most recently “local/global”, and have greatly influenced the politics and funding of service and prevention, to the detriment of all of us.  As with so many things, these are false divisions that the leaders of them do not want the rest of us to transcend for fear of upsetting the institutional status quo.  We know that there is a better way; we are experiencing it and helping to create and nurture it both locally and internationally.  Once we see that we really agree on much more than we might initially think, the walls start crumbling and true action emerges.