For Immediate Release

Media Contact: Justin Burke - 213.201.1525

EMAIL:jburke@apla.org

AIDS PROJECT LOS ANGELES WARY OF NEW LEADERSHIP AND COMPOSITION OF PRESIDENT BUSH’S COUNCIL ON HIV/AIDS

APPOINTMENTS SEEN AS BEGINNING OF CONSERVATIVE SHIFT IN HIV POLICY

Los Angeles, CA January 24, 2002 - AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA) reacted with concern about the anticipated appointment of former Representative Tom Coburn (R-Oklahoma) as co-chair of the President’s Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA). In November, President Bush appointed Patricia Funderburk Ware, another conservative Republican, as PACHA Executive Director.

“While we applaud President Bush for recognizing the importance of PACHA, the appointment of Coburn, well-known for his conservative beliefs, will send a very negative message about the future direction of HIV/AIDS policy,” said APLA Government Affairs Director and former PACHA Executive Director Daniel Montoya. He added that in addition to two leadership positions being filled by conservatives, there is limited representation of people and communities disproportionately impacted by HIV/AIDS.

“Former Congressman Coburn demonstrated great leadership during the 2000 reauthorization of the Ryan White CARE Act. However, his positions on a range of issues important to people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS including his past support for mandatory testing of pregnant women, his demonstrated homophobia and his abstinence-only sex education are great cause for concern,” said Montoya.

APLA Board of Directors member, John Pérez, is among the nine Clinton era appointees who have been asked to remain a part of the 35-member council. Perez is also one of only 3 Latinos on the Council. Latinos represent nearly 20% of people living with HIV disease in the United States.

“As a Latino living with HIV, I am disappointed by the limited number of HIV positive appointees and inadequate representation of communities disproportionately impacted by the HIV/AIDS epidemic,” said Montoya.

AIDS Project Los Angeles advocates on local, state and national levels for fair and effective HIV and AIDS policy. APLA provides direct services each year to more than 10,000 men, women and children living with HIV and AIDS in Los Angeles County. Services include a food bank, professional dental care, housing assistance, child care, transportation, mental health counseling, case management, home health care and Adult and Child Buddy support. APLA also provides extensive treatment and prevention education.