August 2, 2006
Vol. 12. No. 19
In This Issue:
Walk Your Talk: Get Connected to the International AIDS Conference August 13—16
The International AIDS Conference, the world's largest HIV conference, will be held August 13-16 in Toronto. The conference provides an international, open and independent forum for the exchange of ideas, knowledge and research, which will inform HIV organizations and strengthen prevention, treatment and care efforts worldwide. During the course of the conference, stay connected to new studies and information released by visiting www.mnaidsproject.org. There will be a summary of and access to online coverage available on the MAP Web site throughout the conference.
TAKE ACTION: Sign up for the Kaiser Family Foundation’s International AIDS Conference daily email alert providing direct access to the latest coverage.
Minnesota Update: Primary Election Coming Up Fast
The Minnesota primary elections are fast approaching. The primary is a preliminary election in which voters elect candidates who then advance to the general election. This year the primary election is on Tuesday, September 12. Minnesota’s three major political parties will hold primary elections.
Federal Update: Senate Votes Down Comprehensive Sexuality Education Amendment
The U.S. Senate recently voted on an amendment to the Child Custody Protection Act (CCPA, S. 403). The amendment would have funded programs that promote medically accurate, comprehensive sexuality education. Senator Lautenberg (D-NJ) offered the amendment. Unfortunately, the amendment failed by a vote of 48-51. Senator Mark Dayton (DFL-MN) voted in favor of the amendment. Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN) voted against the amendment. MAP supported the amendment.
The Minnesota AIDS Project urges you to call Sen. Dayton and thank him for his support. On the flip side, call Sen. Coleman and let him know that you are disappointed by his vote on this issue.
Call Senator Dayton at: 202-224-3244
Email Senator Dayton
Call Senator Coleman at: 202-224-5641
Email Senator Coleman
The Minnesota AIDS Project supports medically accurate, comprehensive sexuality education that teaches both abstinence and contraception. Comprehensive sexuality education is crucial to stopping HIV.
2006 Election Tip of the Week: What is Absentee Voting and Who is Eligible?
If you are unable to vote on Election Day for the following reasons you are eligible to obtain an absentee ballot:
If you need to vote by absentee ballot you have two options. You can request an absentee ballot application from your City Election Office or you can download the application and vote by mail. Beginning 30 days before Election Day, you can also vote in person by going to your county auditor or city or township clerk’s office. To find instructions on how to vote by absentee ballot, click here.
Science vs. Ideology: Some FDA Scientists Feel Pressured to Change Results of Their Work
The Washington Post recently reported that about one in six FDA scientists who participated in an anonymous survey said they felt pressure to change the results of their work for nonscientific reasons. The survey was mailed to 5,918 FDA scientists and received 997 responses.
Read more on the survey’s findings.
Announcement: Coalition Launches Electoral AIDS Education Campaign
A coalition of global and domestic AIDS organizations launched a nationwide candidate and voter education initiative called AIDSVote.org.
AIDSVote.org is a non-partisan initiative designed to put HIV on the election agenda, educate candidates and voters on AIDS issues, and inform and publicize candidates’ positions on pressing HIV policy issues.
AIDSVote.org is a project of the Campaign to End AIDS (C2EA), a national grassroots-organizing project dedicated to ending AIDS through galvanizing people living with HIV and members of the communities hardest-hit by the epidemic.
The Minnesota AIDS Project is working on voter registration and education for the 2006 elections. Visit the MAP Vote! Web page for more information.
Announcement: Fringe Festival Features Play With HIV-Positive Story Line
Bitter Boy’s
Musical Journey From Negative To Positive
Steven grew up thinking his family was like THE KENNEDYS: the musical.
Kind of like CAMELOT, but with snappier dialogue and a dream ballet. Turns
out, he was right ... in a way. He just never realized that Camelot could
crumble, we can't all be Leslie Ann Warren in CINDERELLA, and perhaps
your dream ballet involves a demon not a prince. Join Steven's funny and
touching journey through Camelot, his parent's divorce, relationships,
the internet, the search for approval, a dream ballet with the devil and
finally his trip to a clinic in the Twin Cities ... and to the ultimate
realization that the people in his life have changed him for good. And,
he can get through anything with an "accept it before it destroys
you" attitude ...even 60 minutes of clever dialogue and show tunes.
Click
here for show times.
Visit the MAP Advocate archive to see what you missed.
For more information about what's of interest to you at the Minnesota State Capitol, visit the Web sites of our allies at OutFront Minnesota and Sex Ed for Life.
MAP Advocate is published by the Minnesota AIDS Project every two weeks while the Minnesota Legislature is in session, and monthly during the rest of the year. It isavailable through the MAP web site mnaidsproject.org and through email list service. If you wish to order the MAP Advocate, visit our Join the Action Network page, or contact MAP Public Policy by phone or email.
MAP Public Policy
Minnesota AIDS Project
1400 Park Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55404
612-341-2060
800-373-2437
public.policy@mnaidsproject.org
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Last Updated:
Friday, March 30, 2007
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