July 13, 2010
The NorthEast Two-Spirit Society applauds the release of the NHAS and the following quote:

Another challenge for policy makers is how to appropriately respond to HIV in communities that represent a small share of the U.S. population… In addition, when the size of the population is taken into account, American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) have ranked third behind Blacks and Latinos in rates of HIV/AIDS diagnoses. Although we must focus our national efforts in those communities with the highest numbers of new infections, targeted surveillance efforts must continue to be supported in localities with concentrations of AAPI and Native American communities.

- Page 13 of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy

The NorthEast Two-Spirit looks forward to working towards the day that HIV/AIDS no longer takes undue toll on our community. “Now that we have a plan, we have to turn our attention to the implementation of it and to ensure resources are there to support it. A plan without recourses is like a promise without any follow through.” Harlan Pruden, co-founder and council member of NorthEast Two-Spirit Society.

The National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS) was released on Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at a White House reception. The vision for a national strategy is a concise plan for moving the country forward. Predicated on building on what is currently being done, it will identify a small number of high payoff action steps that need to be taken to achieve each of the President’s goals. The strategy will provide a roadmap for policymakers and the general public. It is anticipated that the strategy will clearly describe the areas that require the most immediate change, the specific action steps that must be taken by the Federal Government and a variety of stakeholders, and specific targets for measuring our progress toward achieving the President’s goals.

• Download the National HIV/AIDS Strategy [PDF]
• Download the National HIV/AIDS Strategy Implementation Plan [PDF]

Dec. 4, 2009
Starting in the summer of 2009, the Office National AIDS Policy (ONAP) began engaging the community on the development of a National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS). ONAP traveled the country listening to Americans recount their experiences with HIV and their strategic recommendations for achieving the President’s goals. There are three primary goals for the NHAS:

• Reducing HIV incidence
• Increasing access to care and optimizing health outcomes
• Reducing HIV-related health disparities

More than 4,200 people attended the 14 HIV/AIDS community discussions held in the following communities, where ONAP listened to their recommendations for the strategy.

Cissy Elm, the Director of the American Indian Community House’s HIV/AIDS program and NE2SS’ Harlan Pruden, testified at the town hall held on Dec. 4, 2009 in New York City. Here is a video of Cissy and Harlan taken after their testified. Read their full testimonies. [PDF].

Register online now by simply downloading the NE2SS 2010 Two-Spirit Gathering Registration Form, filling out the required fields, and emailing it to gathering@ne2ss.org.