CHALLENGE FOR LATINOS IN CONFRONTING HIV/AIDS:

OPEN YOUR EYES: HIV HAS NO BORDERS

We must join as a Latino family regardless of country of origin into a united voice for awareness and confronting the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS. We must demand access to care regardless of immigration status. We must not settle for waiting lists or exclusion for access to life saving medical care. We must talk frankly to each other and to our families about sexuality, drug use and the fears and stigma we all associate with HIV/AIDS. We must OPEN THE EYES of elected and appointed leadership, foundations, religious leaders, celebrities, governmental agencies, media and civic leaders so they will truly be our partners in addressing this health crisis. We must speak out in our churches, community groups, neighborhoods, legislatures, city councils, community forums and everywhere else that presents a platform on the hard issues of sexuality and drug use and the related concerns of immigration and access to meaningful prevention and health care.

October 15 is the one day we set aside to renew our commitment to ending the spread of HIV and ensuring quality of life to those with HIV regardless of their Spanish speaking country of origin or immigration status. We do so whether we are Latino, African American, Asian, White or Native American.

	Join us and register now to add your name to the supporters of National Latino AIDS Awareness Day and its quest to conquer this disease.
	Support the Latino Commission   Your contribution helps us get the message to Latinos across the United States.
Click here to get poster GOING LOCAL There are NLAAD events in all regions of the United States.  Find out what's happening in your area. NEW YORK  If you are in the New York area, please join us on October 15th at Hostos Community College in the Bronx. Also, don't forget to call your US Congressperson to ask them to sign on to the Congressional "Dear Colleague" letter recognizing NLAAD.  If you would like a copy of this letter, click here. And don't forget to watch out for special NLAAD public service announcements which are scheduled throughout the day on October 15th on NBC/Telemundo. The most important thing you can do is forward this email to as many people as possible, and help to build unity and awareness in our community . . .