3.  Where are we today:  National  Minnesota  New Tools to End HIV  Marriage Equality and Ending HIV  A Call to Action

4.  An estimated 1.1 million people are living with HIV in the United States.  50,000 people are infected with HIV each year.  Recent data indicates that 1 in 4 (26%) of new HIV infections occur in youth. In 2010, about 12,000 youth, or about 1,000 per month, were infected with HIV.  MSM, particularly young, black MSM, are most severely affected by HIV.  By race, blacks/African Americans face the most severe burden of HIV.

5.  As of December 31, 2011, 7,136* persons are living in Minnesota with HIV/AIDS  3,775 living with HIV infection (non-AIDS)  3,361 living with AIDS

6.  HIV is heavily concentrated in the Metro area.  2011:  35% in Minneapolis  15% in St Paul  37% in Twin Cities Suburbs  14% in Greater Minnesota

7.  HIV by Race:  49% White  22% Black  15% African Born  8% Hispanic  1% American Indian  3% Asian/Pacific Islander  HIV by Gender:  75% Male  25% Female

8.  Gay and Bisexual men continue to be disproportionately impacted by HIV.  Of the 48 adolescent young males newly infected in 2011, nearly all of them reported a male to male sexual encounter or a male to male sexual encounter along with injecting drug use as risk factors.  Of concern is the number of early syphilis cases among males which increased from 106 in 2009 to 246 in 2011  88% were identified as gay and bisexual men  57% were co-infected with HIV

9.  HIV Disproportionally Impacts...  African Americans  22% of new infections in 2011 (only 4% of state’s population)  African Born men  31% increase in HIV from 2010-2011  Women  African Born Women comprise 36% and African American Women comprised 28% of new infections

10.  Test-Treat  Unfettered Access to Care  Treatment as Prevention  Emphasis on reducing barriers to promote adherence  Fighting Stigma and Discrimination  Fully Implement the Affordable Care Act  Continue to align all prevention programs with the goals of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy

11.  Marriage Equality equals Health Care  In combination with existing tools Marriage Equality could make a real difference in Ending HIV!

12.  Studies consistently indicate that:  marriage reduces heavy drinking and overall alcohol consumption.  marriage increases the likelihood of having insurance and reduces the likelihood of becoming uninsured after a job loss or other major life event.  Marriage is associated with shorter average hospital stays, fewer doctor visits, and reduced risk of nursing home admission.

13.  The legalization of same-sex marriage provides a strong social structure for the stabilization of relationships that gays and lesbians have not enjoyed.  Over time as same-sex marriage becomes normative in U.S. culture we will actually see if marriage has long term effects on the decrease of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.

14. I want to challenge all of us to keep our foot on the accelerator for what we believe is possible in our life time…  Reaching a goal of an AIDS-Free Generation  Achieving marriage equality We must work together…  Challenge ourselves to do more  End the stigma, fear and discrimination that puts us all at risk