By Matt Simonette

GLBT contingent to take part in immigrant rights march
Amigas Latinas, Orgullo En Acción, the Association of Latin Men for Action and the Gay Liberation Network are leading a GLBT contingent for the immigrant rights march in Chicago May 1.

The opening rally for the march begins at 10 a.m. in Union Park, near the corner of Lake Street and Ashland Avenue. The march steps off at noon and heads for Federal Plaza at Adams and Dearborn. The GLBT contingent assembles at 11 a.m. Those wishing to join them should look for their rainbow flags.

The organizations plan to call attention to a number of issues that significantly affect GLBT immigrants, among them reformation of asylum laws, rules prohibiting sponsoring of same-sex spouses for immigration and the ban on HIV-positive travelers entering the U.S.

For more information, visit www.gayliberation.net or call (773) 209-1187.

AFC and TPAN host HIV wellness portal online
The AIDS Foundation of Chicago and Test Positive Aware Network launched an online education portal April 15 on general wellness and other strategies to improve mental and physical health for people living with HIV/AIDS.

Funded by the National Library of Medicine, the multi-media educational program, called PEERSpeak, is especially geared toward people newly diagnosed with HIV.

“Too often HIV/AIDS information is presented online in dry, technical language that fails to resonate with the learner,” said AFC Vice President David Ernesto Munar.

“PEERSpeak offers accurate, up-to-date HIV information through the empathetic voice of others living with HIV/AIDS. This is not a lecture; it’s a conversation between peers,” added Matt Sharp, director of treatment education at TPAN.

PEERSpeak utilizes colorful graphics and character-based audio to guide users through five self-care modules developed primarily by HIV-positive people who are successfully navigating their own HIV diagnosis and treatment.

Users are placed in the role of various HIV/AIDS service providers and follow the fictional “peer” characters through key moments in their treatment—including an initial doctor’s visit, a meeting with a case manager and beginning HIV medications. The modules cover topics such as finding the right doctor, treatment options and tips, healthy living, the importance of social support and mental health issues.

The multi-format presentation also allows individuals with low literacy skills and cognitive disabilities to use the modules for self-education and service referrals. PEERSpeak is designed to help service providers improve their skills for assisting people with HIV/AIDS. AFC also plans to use the “Navigating the System” and “Treating HIV” modules as training tools for case managers.

The modules can be accessed at aidschicago.org/community.