All the Colors, in all the Flags and the Faces of All the Nations, Causes, Countries, Cities, Counties, Corporations, Denominations, Monarchies, Municipalities, Papacys, Religions, Republics, States, Territories can only be found in one place on the Globe...
Advocacy-Education-Support-Outreach-Prevention
-The AESOP Initiative
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Do you know how many HIV/AIDS Related ASO's, CBO's, Agencies, Programs with Outreach to the Various "Target Populations & Communities", Non-Profit & Charitable Organizations there are in Our "Greater Cincinnati" Tri-State Region!? It appeared to me that not many Remembered or Reminded Others of the Significance of "World AIDS Day" Across the Nation and Around the Globe!? There seems to be a Lack of that More Coordinated National Response to the HIV Epidemic in the United States... Now that World AIDS Day and the First TGIF & Weekend of Our National HIV/AIDS Awareness Month has come and gone; I'd like to share with you what I Think, how I Feel and what I See happening as We the People attempt to Follow the National HIV/AIDS Strategy...
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Greetings from the South Bank HIVe!
World AIDS Day has a special place in the history of the AIDS pandemic. Since 1988 1st December has been a day bringing messages of compassion, hope, solidarity and understanding about AIDS to every country in the world, North and South, East and West.
"World AIDS Day @ the World PEACE Bell" as an Event and Location was the Opportunity to Come OUT, Stand UP and Express Your Support for Getting Down to "ZERO" New Infections, Discrimination, Stigma on the Journey to an AIDS Free Generation..."...Since WAD was instituted I've seen it go from a consciousness raising event to an occasion where everyone says "yes, well, it's all terribly sad, but..." "Don't Wait until World Aids Day to do something about aids: do it now." Steve-
He's right, of course, and that's what I've been trying to do, everyday with every breath I take. But as I said, "Somedays, Life in the HIVe's a Bitch!". That's why I still have to believe that World AIDS Day is important. Perhaps for no other reason than it does make Joe Public think about AIDS a little bit more than normal. However, the ultimate goal is to prevent HIV infections from occurring in the first place.
"AIDS is a war against humanity...
this is a war that requires the mobilization
of entire populations." Nelson Mandela
The Biggest Obstacle to an End of AIDS or Cure for HIV in the United States is American Indifference! Beyond the Freedom to Hate & Discriminate that we Pride ourselves on, the Greed of BigPharma for profits and the struggle for Job Security & Funding in the AIDS Bureaucracy which evolved from the early Volunteer/Activist Groups; seems to me that things like the Ryan White Care ACT, ADAP and all the Talk and Notice that HIV/AIDS get have created a BACKLash as Green as Ky Bluegrass from Americans who are suffering and surviving from the other "Chronic Manageable Diseases"!?
While society elevates the status of those receiving treatment for some conditions such as cancer or serious injuries as heroes, those who have acquired HIV are subjected to layers upon layers of stigma with assumptions that these individuals are deserving of punishment for their “assumed behavior that led them to get HIV” and they are often shunned."
While there are many illnesses such as leprosy that have been severely stigmatized in the past, it is generally agreed that HIV/AIDS is (& Remains) the most stigmatized medical condition in the history of mankind.
GUIDELINES/SUGGESTIONS TO HELP LEAD ORGANIZERS PREPARE FOR THE MARCH IN THEIR LOCATION/COUNTRY
2012 Worldwide Human Rights March
(all rights to this event protected & reserved by EHP, LLC 9/24/2011)
AN ESPRESSO HOUSE EVENT...
YOUR MARCH LOCATION & YOUR LEAD ORGANIZER SHOULD BE REGISTERED FIRST (if you haven't returned the registration form emailed to you earlier, take the time and do so now before you proceed...THANKS)
IMPORTANT NOTE TO ALL:THESE GUIDELINES/SUGGESTIONS ARE BY NO MEANS INTENDED TO BE ALL INCLUSIVE OR NECESSARILY THE ONLY WAY TO GO ABOUT PLANNING FOR THE MARCH IN YOUR LOCATION; THEY ARE JUST WHAT THEY ARE...SUGGESTIONS & GUIDELINES! EACH SITE LOCATION & EACH LEAD ORGANIZER ARE DIFFERENT AND BY ALL MEANS EMPLOY WHAT YOU KNOW AND WHAT WORKS BEST FOR YOUR PARTICULAR LOCATION &/OR COUNTRY.
HOWEVER, THE TEN MUSTS IN A MARCH (shown below) SHOULD BE FOLLOWED VERY CLOSELY AS WE ARE REPRESENTING THE LGBT SEGMENT OF SOCIETY AND WE MUST BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY, AS WELL AS WE HAVE SPONSORS WHO HAVE GRACIOUSLY CONTRIBUTED TO THIS EVENT AND WE NEED TO RESPECT THEM AND THE FACT WE ARE REPRESENTING THEM AS WELL...
Our goal in organizing these marches is to reach out to as many people as possible with the intention of persuading them to stand with us in our battle of demanding FULL CIVIL RIGHTS for the LGBT, including Marriage Equality. It is important to remember that we are not only fighting the laws with these marches, but are also fighting the stigma and stereotypes that the opposition paints us with. The image we present to the public can and does have an enormous impact on the effectiveness of our marches and in some cases, it could even affect our own personal safety. This includes not only interactions with media, law enforcement or other officials, but with spectators as well.
OVERVIEW OF RIGHT TO MARCH: (each country will have different stated/implied rights)
The First Amendment of the United States Constitution specifically allows peaceful marches and the freedom of assembly as part of a measure to facilitate the redress of grievances. Amendment I: Congress shall make no law abridging the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. The majority of countries worldwide, along with a somewhat non-committal backing of the United Nations, allow for such marches (please check with your individual state department of your own country for more information if desired).
Now originally, the First Amendment applied only to laws enacted by the Congress. However, starting with GITLOW v. New York, 268 US 652 (1925), in a series of cases, the Supreme Court has held that the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment applies the First Amendment to each state, including any local government. The city, county or state CAN MAKE NO LAW, policy or code that can supersede our Federal Right to Assemble and Petition for Redress of Grievances.
PERMITS:
Not all locations necessarily will require a permit to march, so immediately call the municipality of the desired march site inquiring if one is needed. You will need an estimate of how many people are going to show up as well as the route taken and the date and time. You will have to fill out an application ahead of time and possibly pay a small fee.
In researching numerous logs of marches, many organizers of marches have gotten away without getting a permit due to the way they performed the march. If the march is generally conducted on a public sidewalk or designated walk/jog route and you are not blocking traffic and observe all traffic lights and do not block doorways to businesses and stay in flow with the general public pedestrian traffic moving around the city, you will have no problem without a permit.
If a permit is required for a special route or location, be sure to have at least someone at the front, middle, and rear of the march carry a copy of the permit with them. Lead Organizers need to start planning at least two to three months ahead of the march date of 4/21/2012, not only for adequate preparation, but in case a permit is required, even though the process of application and obtaining a permit can generally be accomplished within a matter of days. The earlier you start, the better and more prepared you will be for your location. USA ONLY- In the DC area, you will most likely need a permit as it is more difficult to get by without one, but some have in the past...just call the National Parks Permit Office (202) 245-4715 and they can fax you a permit application; in this area call immediately and proceed, as if your desired route is not available for 4/21/2012, you may have to change your route. The National Parks Permit Office will take care of notifying the District of Colombia Police and other city organizations that require special events notification. It's that simple!
TEN MUSTS IN A MARCH:
1. All actions are nonviolent
2. Stay together
3. Stay behind any cops if they present themselves along your route
4. Don't throw anything
5. Don't communicate with the police at all & comply with their requests immediately
6. Designate crowd leaders to be responsible for keeping the marchers in line
7. Be polite, pleasant, & smile; do not engage in disagreements or shouting matches with spectators or passersby
8. Dress appropriately, be sure to wear clean neat clothing; avoid t-shirts with vulgarities & no drastically revealing clothing - THIS IS NOT A GAY PRIDE PARADE BY ANY MEANS
9. Do not bring alcohol, weapons, or any illegal substances; do not come to the march intoxicated
10. The 2012 Worldwide LGBT Civil Rights Marches are not exercises in civil disobedience, but are exercises of freedom of speech and public marches. We do not wish for any of our supporters to put themselves at risk of being arrested.
PLANNING & ORGANIZING YOUR MARCH:
1. Check & arrange for PERMIT, if needed (see above)
2. Plan your march route wisely; pick a popular & highly visible route (most permit applications require the route on application)
3. Recruit a highly visible LGBT or LGBT friendly individual to LEAD the march
4. Help deliver our message of Full Civil Rights for the LGBT, including Marriage Equality with signs, banners, & the use of a megaphone (best to only have one megaphone as if many, the messages are not clear to the listeners/spectators along the route & usually it best for the march leader to carry the megaphone)
5. Promote your local march...(do it early & all the way up to & including the day of the march)
a. put up flyers in your area everywhere (especially LGBT & LGBT friendly establishments)
b. contact all media in your area (radio & TV stations, local talk shows, local newspapers & publications, etc.; contact them early & give them plenty of lead time) and formally invite them to the march and let them know you are available for both pre- and post-interviews
c. utilize all online social media avenues
d. use press releases to update your area on the upcoming march
e. USE THE RESOURCES OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR ASSISTANCE
6. Don't just trust the media to take pictures of the event, be sure you have a couple marchers take plenty of pictures of the march and the crowd that day
7. Each marcher should carry with them copies of flyers detailing what we want (demands for full Civil Rights for the LGBT, including Marriage Equality; if there are other specific demands for your own individual city/state/province/area/country where your march is held, as long as they relate to equality for the LGBT, please use this event to include those as well) to hand out to those spectators along the route or anyone else who may ask for information
8. Get people to the march; not just participants in the march, but spectators as well (promoting the march, #5 above, will help in getting both there)
9. Utilize the Steps to Get Active & Participate in the "more info" section of the event page
@ https://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=217923068269572
10. HAVE A BLAST
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Attended the 1st OCCUPY Northern Kentucky event today... Gave them the April date for their Calendars.
Joe Knudson: That is AWESOME Michael, thanks!
Michael Connett: I'm promoting this as a WorldWide Human Rights March being organized & led by the LGBT Community...
Joe Knudson: That will work as well buddy! Actually, that is a great way to put it and I love the idea!
Michael Connett: in ALLIANCE with the HIV Community. It's really all about The Force and The Dark Side struggling to change minds and win the hearts of the masses stuck in the middle. Listen to the President's remarks when he Presented the National HIV/AIDS Strategy in July 2010, and then listen to both of Hilary's recent speeches from Geneva - Human Rights & Freedom Online.
Hi Joe! Unfortunately, it looks as if "World AIDS Day @ the World PEACE Bell" has fizzled... We were blind-sided by the "Non-Profit" Cincy ASO with the ODPH contract to administer Federal Funding & Programs who landed a World Premiere showing of "We Were Here" and scheduled it also at 6pm and in Covington... As someone who's been in the fight Long-Term I've shared it reluctantly; but Truth be told, Non-Profit Agencies can only use their "UnRestricted" funds to service Out-of-State clients. According to our National HIV/AIDS Strategy; Ryan White Care Act & Federal $$ are disbursed to the States to be administered only for the Benefit of State Residents... The majority of UnRestricted funds raised by events such as the "AIDS Walk" go to pay for things like Staff, Office Space, etc that Federal $$ can't be used for; leaving little to no $$ for providing Advocacy, Education & Support programs and services for the unfunded, untested, untreated, uneducated majority of the populus in the Greater Cincinnati/Tri-State area! Anyway, just wondering if you have everything you need from me for the March!? Let me know... Michael
PRELIMINARY PRESS RELEASE
There is currently scheduled a Worldwide LGBT Civil Rights March in 2012 that is already gathering sponsors and supporters by the thousands, as well as initial LEAD ORGANIZERS from around the world. The march will be held worldwide at various locations at the same time, as well as an online news media event that will keep everyone posted on the events at all locations. This event has been created by the fastest growing LGBT Equality group around, with members from around the world:
LET'S REACH 1 MILLION PEOPLE CAMPAIGN...It's a start! LGBT EQUALITY @
Our international committee, publicist, and legal counsel on retainer have been working several months in the preliminary preparations for this Historic Worldwide LGBT Event and we have recently selected LEAD ORGANIZERS for a few of the locations worldwide with many area locations still open at the moment. We are working a Coalition with the various Occupy Movements with the LGBT in the LEAD on this one and are getting favorable responses, as well as favorable responses from all LGBT Occupy & Equality Affiliates, LGBT Organizations and most other LGBT Groups from around the world!
This is an event that everyone needs to put aside all differences and come together as one unified LGBT Community, along with our straight allies, as this event will definitely drive home the point WORLDWIDE that the LGBT are poised to DEMAND and ACQUIRE our FULL CIVIL RIGHTS that all other sectors of society enjoy, as well as LIVE WITHIN THE SAME LAWS and GUARANTEES enjoyed by all other citizens, including MARRIAGE EQUALITY. Egos have no place in this event.
All PARTICIPANTS/LEAD ORGANIZERS will be recognized and included, along with all major events of the march and coverage thereof, in a Published Book with all rights already secured and will be made available FREE (for a limited time) to all schools requesting a copy for inclusion in their school library. Current sponsor commitments must be adhered to, which includes, but not limited to, the Registration of all participating organizations with the intent to participate in this Historic Event, along with the LEAD ORGANIZER for that area, on the following event page (instructions for registration included in the "More Info" section on the event page).
Here is a portion of correspondence sent to many of the local Occupy Movement Affiliates (for your use if desired):
The LGBT people desire your assistance. While there are thousands of LGBT individuals who support and are there for the OCCUPY MOVEMENTS in many, many locations, the majority of our direct issues are not talked about in the media or elsewhere as LGBT issues are not being singled out due to the main economic policies being advocated at the OCCUPY MOVEMENTS helping all, including the LGBT. The LGBT will be having our own 2012 Worldwide LGBT Civil Rights March everywhere around the world at the same time and we really desire and welcome your assistance and participation in these marches. We are extending an open invitation to all OCCUPY ACTIVISTS to participate in these marches around the world and while the lead in these marches will be the LGBT, we welcome your involvement and coalition to benefit your issues as well.
We have already sent letters and emails out to some of the more well known LGBT Activists and others in numerous areas worldwide to garner their support and the response has been phenomenal!
We have had a few question the March being held on April 21, 2012, the day before Earth Day on April 22, 2012. This was carefully planned and selected with the following statement made by our publicist:
How appropriate is the 2012 WORLDWIDE LGBT Civil Rights MARCH to be on April 21, 2012, the day before EARTH DAY on April 22, 2012; DIFFERENT DAYS, but the VERY SAME WEEKEND. It is EXTREMELY appropriate.
2012 is the 42nd Anniversary of EARTH DAY and 2012 is also the 42nd Anniversary of the very First GAY PRIDE PARADE taking place in New York City with more than 2,000 LGBT marching (which just happened to be the 1 year anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising)!
EARTH DAY 2012 promotes environmental awareness and will focus on BUILDING THE ENVIRONMENTAL MOVEMENT & ENGAGING NEW ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISTS AROUND THE GLOBE!
The 2012 WORLDWIDE HUMAN -LGBT & HIV Civil Rights- MARCH will focus on the RENEWED LGBT MOVEMENT & ENGAGING LGBT CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVISTS AROUND THE GLOBE!
There is NO BETTER TIME to have the 2012 WORLDWIDE LGBT Civil Rights MARCH and the timing of it on the same weekend (but different days) of EARTH DAY 2012 is NOT ONLY EXTREMELY APPROPRIATE, but will show the WORLD the importance of PROTECTING BOTH THE EARTH and its INHABITANTS EQUALLY, as well as show the WORLD the importance of PROTECTING the UNALIENABLE BIRTH RIGHT of every being living together on PLANET EARTH!
There is NO BETTER TIME to have the 2012 WORLDWIDE LGBT Civil Rights MARCH and the timing of it on the same weekend (but different days) of EARTH DAY 2012 is NOT ONLY EXTREMELY APPROPRIATE, but will show the WORLD the importance of PROTECTING BOTH THE EARTH and its INHABITANTS EQUALLY, as well as show the WORLD the importance of PROTECTING the UNALIENABLE BIRTH RIGHT of every being living together on PLANET EARTH!
Committee Chairman of the 2012 WORLDWIDE LGBT Civil Rights March - Joe (J.C.) Knudson
-Creator of the group, LET'S REACH 1 MILLION PEOPLE CAMPAIGN...It's a start! LGBT EQUALITY*
-Gay Rights Advocate/Activist
-Campaign Coordinator for LGBT Events and Petitions for the advancement of Gay Rights
-Author of best selling book, Living the Difference: an enlightening story revealed for people of all ages straight or gay
-Honored Member of Stanford Who's Who
-Member of MoveOn.org Political Activism
-Proud supporter of SAGE
-Proud supporter of the ACLU
-Proud supporter of the HRC
-Creator of the sub-group, LGBT Political Action**, a forum for LGBT & LGBT Friendly politicians and public figures from around the world
-Proud member and supporter of The American Equality Bill (AEB) Project - SO+GI Civil Rights Now!
-Proud endorser and supporter of GetEQUAL
-Proud member and supporter of National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
-Proud member and supporter of Connecting Rainbows (a borderless, democratic collective of LGBT activists and allies, with no hierarchy and a mission to create a mass movement demanding full civil rights for LGBT people everywhere) *Recently publicized group that was issued a challenge from a US Congressman **A sub-group of LET'S REACH 1 MILLION PEOPLE CAMPAIGN...It's a start! LGBT EQUALITY
ADDITIONAL PRESS RELEASES WILL BE FORTHCOMING DETAILING LEAD ORGANIZERS, WORLDWIDE LOCATIONS, PLANNING AFFILIATES, ETC.
(photo courtesy of dreamstime.com)
(all rights to this event protected & reserved by EHP, LLC 9/24/2011)
AN ESPRESSO HOUSE EVENT...
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