Activism Words of Wisdom from David Munar, AIDS Foundation of Chicago

by Todd A. Heywood · 2010-06-17 08:30:00 UTC
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I had the opportunity last week to listen to David Munar, vice president of policy for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. Munar was in Brighton, Michigan to talk to AIDS service organization leaders during the formation of a new HIV/AIDS advocacy group called the Michigan Coalition of AIDS Advocates.

The location was an odd choice, considering Brighton is a scant 10 minutes down I-96 from Howell, former home of the Klu Klux Klan. Brighton is also home to Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Brighton), a staunch opponent of all things lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender as well as all things HIV.

Yet there they sat, the leaders of dozens of Michigan's AIDS service organizations, in one room, in the shadow of the KKK and Rep. Rogers.

Munar talked about how to develop successful advocacy campaigns around HIV, and one of his key points was that advocacy groups needed to focus on letting HIV-positive people lead the way.

There are not a lot of out positives in Michigan, sadly. So after the meeting I asked Munar what advice he had for positives and activism.

"It's a very personal decision. They have to calibrate their own safety and needs," said Munar who is himself positive. "Whether you're comfortable or not being out as HIV-positive, you can still provide some important contributions to fight against HIV/AIDS."

Munar said some of the ways those who are not yet ready to publicly acknowledge their HIV status is by working through their local ASO volunteering and raising money.

Photo credit: Todd A. Heywood

Todd A. Heywood is an investigative reporter based in Lansing, Michigan. He works for the American Independent News Network. He is HIV-positive and openly gay.
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