COP 24/7 :Turning Up the Volume

 

Art Jackson's Passionate Call-to-Action for HIV Services from North Carolina Harm Reduction on Vimeo.

This forum has been at the forefront of offering our readers the breaking news, break through and break out dialog concerning the health crisis disproportionately impacting same gender loving Black men from 13-24. The statistics have alarming implications which denote that prevention messages and other assorted campaigns to educate or empower this populations have been marginal. Consequently COP 24/7 has decided to keep this genocide front and center while doing what we can to add to the "Call to Action" that is sounded by Mr. Art Jackson, community educator of HIV prevention and care services in Fayetteville, NC. Whom delivered a rousing call-to-action for reform in HIV/HCV testing, funds allocation, care and education at the Southern Harm Reduction and Drug Policy Network conference Thursday, September 6, 2012, in Atlanta, GA.

It is voices such as his that are desperately needed in Arkansas to "turn up the volume" on the facts that individuals can not be defined by disease but rather must be seen as "whole" people with past and present circumstances that affect their decision to seek care. This couldn't be more evident as at least 4,617 individuals are known not to be in a care continuum with no practical plan seemingly being developed to address the issue. Mr. Jackson's words are not only fiery but speak to the need for same gender loving men to ramp up their voices in this ongoing health struggle. It is obvious that Arkansas can't be in the "end game of HIV and AIDS," if we don't have more players in the game itself. For volunteer opportunities, board positions or advocacy training contact the local community based organization of your choice. Its going to take all of us to end HIV and AIDS.

RuPaul Drag Race Watch Party

Well it had to happen, I guess. It seems that a pool of individuals have expressed to MK management that they want to watch RuPaul's Drag Race program. From what I can understand and believe me I don't know why folks want to watch this program, they thought that it would make "good fun" for an evening to get together to watch "Supermodel of the World" RuPaul and his alter ego Rupaul Charles set suspecting contestants in a perpetual motion of drag competitions. I've seen this mash up and for myself, if I've seen once or even twice I"m done with it. Of course, MK's is doing what they can to oblige these ardent fans of the show and that's commendable. Actually this is nothing new just different era. I can remember some of those "Dallas,"  DYNASTY," and many of the breaking MTV videos including Michael Jackson's Thriller, that had folk standing glued to the "big screen" TV in the back room of Discovery. Hell yeah, I was their too.  What can you say, "what's old is new again." What's next Honey Boo Boo nights!  I'm sure that there's no Downtown Abbey in the near future, you know its too "heady" not to mention that you might have to listen, think and imagine a bit. No date has been announced for the start up, but when it goes down, just know that you will hear about it here first!  Got news share it with us at nealix101@comcast.net

Richard Blanco, Gay Latino, Named Inaugural Poet

The Presidential Inaugural Committee announced today that Richard Blanco, a partnered gay man and Cuban immigrant, will deliver an original poem at President Obama's inauguration on January 21.

The Presidential Inaugural Committee today announced Richard Blanco, a Latino gay man and immigrant as the inaugural poet for the president's swearing-in January 21. Blanco will be the youngest-ever inaugural poet, the first Latino, and the first LGBT person to read a poem at the inauguration, according to the committee's announcement.

Blanco, who lives in Maine with his partner, told The New York Times he has long identified with numerous aspects of President Obama's journey to prominence.

 

"Since the beginning of the campaign, I totally related to his life story and the way he speaks of his family, and of course his multicultural background," Blanco, who was born to Cuban parents in Spain, then raised and educated in Miami, told the Times. "There has always been a spiritual connection in that sense. I feel in some ways that when I'm writing about my family, I'm writing about him."

 

Blanco, 44, will compose an original poem to read at the inauguration ceremony January 21, the day after the president takes the oath of office as required by the Constitution. Blanco will be the nation's fifth inaugural poet, reports the Times; others include Robert Frost and Maya Angelou.

Obama's inaugural celebration will also include performances by Beyoncé, who will sing the national anthem; Kelly Clarkson, who will sing "My Country 'Tis of Thee"; and James Taylor, who will perform "America The Beautiful," according to the Associated Press. (sourced:www.advocate.com)