Parallel Paths to Advocacy HIV/AIDS Reproductive Health

Who are we? Name, City, Where You Work What issues are important to you? What is your passion around HIV and reproductive health advocacy? Founded in 1974 To empower individuals in the Mid-South community to make informed choices for and about their reproductive health. Ambulatory Surgical Center Moving from AB only to comprehensive Repro Health

www.MemphisChoices.org Founded in 1974 To empower individuals in the Mid-South community to make informed choices for and about their reproductive health. Ambulatory Surgical Center Moving from AB only to comprehensive Repro Health www.MemphisChoices.org

Parallel Paths Women and men have sexual and reproductive health needs related to HIV testing and prevention. Routine HIV Testing An essential health benefit with no cost sharing* Prevention Counseling Linkages to HIV Care, if Infected Chronic disease management is also an essential health benefit category* Parallel, yet separate paths Needs related to HIV and SRH are linked SRH clients need to understand their risks for HIV PLWHA have SRH needs Integration of HIV and SRH works to fully meet the needs of those we serve *NASTAD. Health Reform Issue Brief: Essential Health Benefits. May 2013. Available at: http://www.nastad.org/docs/HCA- Brief-ACA-EHB-May-2013.pdf

Parallel Paths Women and men living with HIV have sexual and reproductive health needs. Pregnancy Prevention and Planning Fertility Assistance STI Testing and Treatment Prenatal Care Abortion Demographics are very similar in these two populations the only difference is a positive HIV diagnosis International standard of care, models, and successes are around HIV and Reproductive health care integration. Integration of services makes sense but is not happening.

Parallel Paths Project Founded in 2009 Works to integrate HIV and SRH health care and prevention services Trained almost 100 HIV providers in Tennessee Initially supported by the MAC AIDS Fund The Parallel Paths project at Choices can and needs to be replicated nation wide. Choices is creating an on-line toolkit to aid other communities to do this work. Although Parallel Paths project was initially funded by MAC AIDs fund the advocacy emphasis is funded this year by AIDS United. Over the life of the project Choices staff have presented in Memphis, Johnson City, Jackson, and at two statewide HIV Prevention Meetings. Presentations in Memphis have been on topics ranging from the intersection of HIV and interpersonal violence to HIV an menopause. Goals for this year include creation of a work group tasked with advocating at the state level for HIV and reproductive health integration.

Why Advocacy? Sex, sexuality, and reproductive freedom are legislated in ways that impact public health and human rights. HIV Criminalization Sexual Health Education Sex Work Criminalization Social determinants and public policy impact the way services are delivered and access to services. Examples: The way Medicaid is administered, Ryan White not covering contraceptives, requirements for drug testing for food aid, and restrictions on comprehensive sex eduation What can we advocate for + Human Rights, Social Determinates of Health, Public Policy = Better Public Health

Barriers to Change Funding Mechanisms (Federal, State, Local) Networking Opportunities Fewer SRH Focused Organizations Cultural Norms Stigma HIV Stigma (Homophobia, Drug Use, Sex) SRH Stigma (Abortion, Women, Sex) Current Tennessee Legislature

mission To promote sexual health and reproductive freedom in Tennessee by advancing policies and practices which recognize these elements as essential to the overall well-being of our citizens.

Vision We envision a future where all Tennesseans are healthy, have control over their own health-related decisions, and have access to the resources they need to make informed choices about all facets of their health, without stigma or discrimination.  We believe that: Sexual health and reproductive autonomy are core elements of our overall health and well-being. Sexuality is a natural and positive part of our lives, and individual expressions of sexuality between consenting adults should be respected.

Vision Tennesseans should have access to accurate and complete information about sexual and reproductive health based on the best available science. Tennesseans should have access to the full range of safe and legal reproductive health care services. The health-related issues of specific populations may differ by age, gender identification and expression, sexual orientation, race and ethnicity, educational and economic status, personal values, and emotional and physical development, and these differences should be acknowledged, respected and addressed. 

Goals Create a network of organizations that embrace positive and effective approaches to sexual and reproductive health education and clinical services based on the best available science, and that acknowledge the right of individuals to make their own reproductive health decisions.  Increase public awareness that sexual health and reproductive autonomy are core elements of overall health and well-being throughout our lives. Normalize open dialogue about sexual health and reproductive rights between relationship partners, parents and children, healthcare providers and patients, educators and students, citizens and policy makers.

Goals Empower individuals to protect their own sexual and reproductive health while respecting the health and decisions of others. Encourage clinicians and educators to provide services and information based on the best available science. Expand the public’s definition and understanding of the term “reproductive rights” to include the right to reproductive education and healthcare based on the best available science, as well as the right to personal autonomy in all reproductive health and life decisions. Advance public policies that enable and support the goals listed above.

Executive Committee Executive Committee Chair Rebecca Terrell, Executive Director, CHOICES, Memphis Budget and Development Committee Chair Kara Fagan, Executive Director, Women's Fund of Chattanooga, Chattanooga Legislation and Advocacy Committee Co-Chair Hedy Weinberg, Executive Director, ACLU Tennessee, Nashville Legislation and Advocacy Committee Co-Chair Keri Adams, VP External Affairs, Planned Parenthood Middle and East Tennessee, Nashville Governance and Membership Committee Chair Katy Leopard, Community Partnerships Coordinator, CHOICES, Memphis Communications and Public Relations Committee Chair TBD At Large Joan Carr - Director of Community Affairs, Planned Parenthood Greater Memphis Region, Memphis Cherisse Scott - Executive Director, SisterReach, Memphis Brandon Puttbrese - Nashville

Work Groups Birthing Rights * HIV and Reproductive Health Integration ** LGBTQ Sexual Health ** Abortion Rights *** Comprehensive Sexual Health Education Access to Fertility Services * Currently Active ** Spring 2014 *** Summer 2014

Getting involved - Nationally Naina Khanna, Executive Director - Positive Women’s Network Positive Women’s Network – United States of America (PWN-USA) is a national membership body of HIV-positive women, inclusive of transgender and cisgender women, working to achieve HIV policies and programs grounded in gender equity and human rights.

Large Group Brainstorm What would you like to see in Tennessee around HIV reproductive and sexual health advocacy? Where would you like this group to focus its energy this year? Which issues are the most timely? Which issues can we actually capitalize on? What are the resources we can build on?

Break and get lunch

Small Group Brainstorm Pick an area identified before the break. Divide into small groups. Eat lunch and discuss potential actions to be taken around each issue.

debrief Each small group will present their proposed actions to the larger group one at a time. Each action item will be discussed. Ask clarifying questions!

What is next Co-Work Group Chairs Monthly Meetings Rachel Brooks, Friends for Life - Memphis Aaron Campbell, Nashville Cares – Nashville Monthly Meetings Attend Healthy and Free Tennessee Executive Steering Committee Calls/Meetings

THANK YOU!