Petrelis Files

No PWAs Speaking at SF's 25th AIDS Commemoration

File this as an "only in San Francisco" kind of AIDS story.

The following message was posted today on a Yahoo group, Thrive!, for people with AIDS in San Francisco and it's shocking to see not one publicly identified person with AIDS is listed as a participant in next week's commemoration. With thousands of people with AIDS living here, and many long-term survivors among us, I'd expect the politicians and bureaucrats would be able to locate at least one, perhaps even two or three, PWAs to be among the honored speakers. That is, if pols like Pelosi and Newsom could put aside their enormous egos for once.

But no, the organizers seem more concerned with promoting politicians, as if any of the pols on the agenda ever have a hard time finding a platform.Please note that four pols are going to speak! Really, one would be plenty. Give the platform to people with the disease and let PWAs give voice to our concerns. Guess the stage isn't large enough to share with PWAs.

Why the organizers go out of their way to cite long-term survivors in this announcement, but didn't bother to find an actual living long-term AIDS survivor, says a lot about the (mis) treatment of PWAs in San Francisco, the country's AIDS model city.

Mark my words: This is a prime example of how PWAs will be treated, and excluded from events marking the 25th anniversary since the CDC first reported on the disease, and is a shameful mark on San Francisco and its leaders.

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LOOKING BACK, MOVING FORWARD
SAN FRANCISCO REMEMBERS

Twenty-five years ago this week, the first cases of what would become known as AIDS were reported. Please join us as San Francisco remembers that key milestone announcement by honoring long-time survivors whose courage and resolve have helped define compassion, determination and hope for us all. We also honor the unwavering spirit of volunteerism. San Francisco's response to HIV/AIDS has always depended on the generosity of spirit that the women, men and youth of this great City have continually provided to those in need.

Please Join:

Mayor Gavin Newsom and Representative Nancy Pelosi, Supervisor Tom Ammiano & Supervisor Bevan Dufty

and invited guests:

Bishop Yvette Flunder, Jimmy Loyce [Director of SF DPH's AIDS Office], San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus

Thursday June 1, 2006
10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

The Herbst Theater
401 Van Ness Avenue

For further information please contact:
Rachelle McManus, 415-554-6986
Steven Tierney, 415-487-3034