NBC Nightly News – Lynnea’s Story

Lynnea Garbutt, the young woman living with HIV who testified against the state budget cuts to HIV programs, was featured in tonight’s NBC Nightly News.

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SCHAC Posts More Info on the L.A. Demonstration on June 5

The Southern California HIV Advocacy Coalition (SCHAC) has posted more information about the June 5th Protest at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. You can find that information here.

Reserve A Seat On The Bus To Sacramento on June 10!

Buses have been secured for individuals in Los Angeles who want to travel to Sacramento on June 10th for the Stop The HIV Cuts rally. To reserve a spot on the bus, please call 213.639.6709 or email saveourlivescaliforniahiv@gmail.com.  Please RSVP before June 6!

For more details, check out the flyer here. We need a really big turnout to convince legislators to reject these devastating cuts. Please sign up today!

New L.A. Protest Announced – Friday, June 5

Los Angeles, we need you to protest the cuts to HIV programs!

There will be a new demonstration in Hollywood on Friday, June 5th. We will be turning out in force on Santa Monica Boulevard, in front of the Hollywood Forever Cemetery at 6000 Santa Monica Boulevard. The site was chosen to illustrate the dire consequences of cutting programs and services that save lives.

The demonstration takes place from 5 to 6 p.m. Demonstrators will converge on Santa Monica Boulevard, between Gordon and Tamarind (where the entrance to the cemetery is located). Please tell all your friends, co-workers, and colleagues. Tell them how important it is to show up in force and demonstrate just how important HIV programs are!

Los Angeles Times Story On Cuts To HIV Programs

Today’s issue of the Los Angeles Times has a story about the May 27th public hearing in Sacramento where hundreds testified against the drastic cuts to state programs. One such individual was Lynnea Garbutt, a young woman living with HIV.

“If these cuts take place, you’re not just cutting money from the program — you’re cutting my life,” she told the panel, her voice shaking and tears falling. “I choose to live. Please don’t make me die. My choice is life.”

To read more, click here: http://bit.ly/2iK4Z8.

State Office of AIDS Discloses Details on HIV Cuts

Michelle Roland, the Chief of California’s Office of AIDS, provided some new information late this afternoon on the Governor’s proposal to cut HIV programs.

As of the publication in the Sacramento Bee this afternoon, this is our understanding of the current budget proposal relative to OA. Please be aware that things can still change. We will do our best to keep you informed.

May Revise Contingency Proposal:                       $24.6 million Education and Prevention +

New Proposal:                                                             $55.5 million other OA programs ($43 million)

+ some ADAP per LAO recommendations ($12.3 million)

Total = 80.1 million reduction

What this boils down to is the elimination of all general funding that California provides to almost all of its HIV programs. California’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) looks like it will receive a $12 million cut– a devastating blow to the 35,000 Californians living with HIV/AIDS.

During a conference call with community advocates on Tuesday afternoon, Michelle Roland said, “Things are evolving very quickly. This will affect anybody who has any prevention, care, or treatment funded by this money. The reality is it will also impact the office’s ability to support various things we do. We are definitely losing staff along with money that goes to support these programs.”

Sacramento Rally Announced – June 10th

We are staging a rally on the steps of the State Capitol on Wednesday, June 10th, to protest Governor’s Schwarzenegger’s cuts to HIV programs. More details as we get them!