The 19th International AIDS conference reminds me of a Star Trek Convention only more serious. A host of celebrities and politicians have made the scene, from Bill Gates to Elton John, from Laura Bush to Hillary Clinton to Sharon Stone. I watched former President Bill Clinton talking about his foundation’s work with AIDS in third world countries.
The opening ceremony Sunday, July 22, at the Washington Monument was lots of fun and included a great performance by Haitian singer Wycliff Jean and his band, and a stirring speech by the Reverend Al Sharpton. It was hot outside but like a beach party, I took my shirt off and chilled with the audience.
But lots of the speeches have been anything but lighthearted, focused on bureaucratic issues and the need for more money for AIDS drugs. Always more money for AIDS drugs. Of course, when you consider that the pharmaceutical industry does support this conference, it shouldn’t be surprising!
I really enjoyed the “Return to Lisner” forum at George Washington University. The auditorium was almost full. City Council member Jim Graham, former executive director of the Whitman-Walker Clinic which was one of the first medical facilities to treat people with AIDS, gave his reminiscences about the early days of AIDS in Washington DC: the fear, uncertainty, not knowing what causes AIDS, or how it can be spread. Kissing? Mosquitos? Toilet seats? Many gay men were dying horrible deaths, and doctors were powerless to help them.
Other panelists at “Return to Lisner” included the editor of POZ Magazine (for HIV + people), Adam Tanner of Metro Teen AIDS, Jose Zuniga, leader of Physicians in AIDS Care and Dr. Robert Redfield of the University of Maryland Medical Center, one of the early AIDS researchers in the United States. I had the opportunity to talk privately with Dr. Redfield yesterday, and I encouraged him to continue his work with AIDS vaccines as treatment for HIV infection. Dr. Redfield is also looking at other treatment ideas, including modifying cells to block the entry points of HIV via specific receptors on the cell wall.
I also went to the Afro-Caribbean AIDS reception at Us Helping Us (3636 Georgia Avenue NW), a service organization for people with AIDS. It was a great party, lots of good food, a DJ outside on the patio, hundreds of happy and fun people eating, dancing, having a blast! And the Latin Transvestite Fashion Show at the convention center was terrific, hundreds in the audience were entranced by the models and the music and the humorous MC.
Reporting live from the 19th International AIDS Conference at the Walter Washington Convention Center in our nation’s capital, this is Gary J. Minter for Street Sense.
