LETTERS

TAKE ACTION

The article written by Council member Annise Parker ["Houston and HIV," August] was refreshing, simply because it was written. It is not often that our city leaders take up the bat to fight for HIV-related issues, particularly funding.

Council member Parker addressed several issues that have been and are still critical to the city's fight against HIV and AIDS. The primary issue throughout the article focused on funding. It is no secret among HIV-prevention providers that funding by the city is embarrassing. The rate of infection in Houston continues to rise while our funding, both federal and local, stays level. Just reading the financial contributions of other cities such as Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles makes many of us wonder, "What do they see that we don't?" How can we realistically win the "war" on HIV if our city leaders only feel it necessary to invest $250,000 to the battle coffers? As Council member Parker stated, the City of Houston does receive funding from the Centers for Disease Control to the tune of $5.4 million dollars. But ask any provider working-it is not enough.

There is another commodity that equals or supersedes funding. That is community involvement. We should continue to expect our city leaders to try to make the right decisions regarding HIV/AIDS. As a community, it is our responsibility to ensure that our representatives understand and ACT on this critical public health crisis. Are we asking our city leaders what is their position on HIV/AIDS funding? Are we holding them accountable for their decisions? I meet people every day, HIV-positive persons, their family members, their friends . . . how many of them call their city council members and make inquiry or demand answers? Council members like Annise Parker and Ada Edwards have made their positions clear. They are in support of increased funding, streamlining the HIV-prevention system, and holding the city and the Health Department accountable for their decisions. What about the rest of us?

Our City Council members need our voices to back them up. By getting involved in the actual planning of HIV-prevention-related programs and activities, your voice can be heard. The City of Houston works collaboratively with the HIV Prevention Community Planning Group. This group develops the plan for reducing HIV infections, and the city is responsible for implementing that plan, but we need more community voices at the table. We need to personally know more about HIV and substance abuse, the incarcerated and recently released, young women's sexual and mental health. By being well informed about these issues, we can actively participate in the decision-making process. We need more proven, unique, and creative programs that focus on changing attitudes, knowledge, behavior, and beliefs.

Council members Parker and Edwards are speaking up and trying to put momentum in their ideas. The speed necessary to propel more money and effort into HIV prevention for the entire city can be well furthered by the support and force of the entire community. I urge everyone to educate themselves about these issues and use their voice. For more information on community planning, please call 713/794-9092.

Dena Gray

Co-Chair, City of Houston HIV Prevention Community Planning Group

and Education and Advocacy Director, People With AIDS Coalition Houston, Inc.

MUSIC TO HIS EARS

I want to thank you for adding Gregg Shapiro ["Shine On," August] as a music columnist to OutSmart. I've long been a fan of his work both as a print journalist for the Windy City Times and also on Windy City Radio (via the Internet). His interviews are intelligent, and he seems to have access to all the interesting artists. Thanks.

JD Doyle

Houston

JD Doyle is producer and host of "Queer Music Heritage," which airs once a month during "Queer Voices" on KPFT-FM. Doyle is also co-producer of "AudioFile," the monthly radio review that is part of "This Way Out," the internationally broadcast radio magazine program.