By Ramy Eletreby

Upsurge of Crystal Meth Use Among Gay Latinos Reported

Gloria Ruben

On Dec. 1, World AIDS Day, East L.A.'s historic Lincoln Park was the site of a solemn and hopeful, bittersweet and powerful commemoration of Latinos lost to HIV/AIDS, remembered on the Wall Las Memorias. An estimated 1,000 marchers and onlookers endured the chilly night during a somber candlelight procession around the lake and listened to heartfelt speeches from such notables as Mistress of Ceremony and KCBS News Anchor Laura Diaz, state Sen. Gilbert Cedillo, L.A. City Council Member Ed Reyes, and Wall Las Memorias Project founder Richard Zaldivar.

"Do we have the capacity to wage war on AIDS, on health care, on homelessness? No question," said Cedillo. "The question is how do we get the current administration to use that capacity?"

But there is new information that gay Latinos may be losing ground in the war against HIV/AIDS. At a briefing by HIV/AIDS experts at AIDS Project Los Angeles on Nov. 30, Trista Bingham of L.A. County's HIV Epidemiology Program, reported recently analyzed findings from a surveillance study of 1,500 gay men conducted in 2004 and considered the correlation between HIV infection and crystal meth. Of the 507 who consented to be tested, 20 percent were found to be HIV positive. Additionally, 16 percent of the 507 gay men reported using crystal meth in the previous 12 months.

When Bingham looked at race/ethnicity (all ages, over 18) Latinos were the largest group sampled -- 201 of the 507 gay men. Of that group, 20 percent reported using meth in the previous 12 months, compared to 15 percent of whites, 13 percent of Africans Americans, and 4 percent of Asians. APLA's Jorge Del Mazo speculated that the reason for the surge is because gay "Latinos want to fit in with gay culture."

Bingham is concerned that the trend may turn into a new wave of HIV infections. "When I looked at the crystal meth use among the Latinos who received a new HIV diagnosis with our survey, 59 percent reported crystal use, which was about three times higher than Latinos who tested HIV negative or were known HIV positive," Bingham told IN. "It's concerning because, if our findings indicate a more widespread trend for Latino men, there could be new HIV infections associated with crystal."

Overall, however, the African American community is the hardest hit, with black women accounting for 68 percent of new HIV diagnoses between 2001 and 2004, according to the CDC. During the first national conference on AIDS and black women on Dec. 1, the Black AIDS Institute (www.blackaids.org) released Getting Real: Black Women Taking Charge in the Fight Against AIDS, a comprehensive report by Hilary Beard. Congressmember Maxine Waters and actress Gloria Reuben, among other notables, underscored the importance "sisters" must play in stopping HIV disease. "Targeting a specific community works. Prevention works. Our work is making a difference but still we have so much more to do," said Reuben, who portrayed an HIV-positive nurse on NBC's ER. "It is my hope that 18 years from now, we will all congregate in the grand ballroom and celebrate the eradication of this devastating disease."

APLA also released a new campaign targeting gay black men. (www.apla.org/spotlight/black_gay_men/BlackGayMensLivesMatter.pdf).

According to Dr. Douglas Frye, medical director of the county's HIV Epidemiology Program, there are between 50,000-60,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in L.A. County. As of June 2005, 49,728 AIDS cases have been reported since 1981, 58 percent have died. L.A. accounts for 5 percent of the total United States population of people living with AIDS. (www.lapublichealth.org/aids/).

On Tuesday, Dec. 6, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (www.aidshealth.org) launched their toughest and most controversial campaign to date, aimed towards L.A.'s gay males. "HIV -- Not Fabulous" is an in-your-face social marketing and HIV prevention campaign that features graphic images of patients with HIV/AIDS and their horrific symptoms. According to Ramon Leon, regional manager of AHF Prevention Programs, recent advances in medical treatment have resulted in a dangerous misconception that HIV is no longer a big deal since it can be treated. This campaign marks the first time a clear and frank message is being delivered to those who are negative from those who are positive. "HIV is not curable at this time," Leon said. "HIV is expensive if you don't have the insurance. HIV is not fabulous. Stay negative."

Court Upholds Doctors' Right of Refusal to Inseminate Lesbian

In San Diego on Dec. 2, the 4th District Court of Appeals ruled that Drs. Christine Brody and Douglas Fenton had the right to refuse insemination to Guadalupe "Lupita" Benitez, based on her marital status rather than sexual orientation. In 2001, Benitez filed a lawsuit against the North Coast Women's Care Medical Group in Vista claiming Brody and Fenton refused to artificially inseminate her because she was a lesbian. The Appeals Court panel of three justices ruled in favor of the doctors after their defense claimed that Brody and Fenton's religious beliefs would not allow them to inseminate any unmarried woman, regardless of sexual orientation. California law does not prohibit discrimination based on marital status. Lambda Legal, which represented Benitez, intends to appeal the case to the state Supreme Court. "We fear this decision is going to worsen the confusion in the minds of the public about whether you can legally discriminate in the name of religion," said Lambda Legal Defense Attorney Jenny Pizer. "The bottom line is that you should not be able to treat patients in a discriminatory way."

Bathhouses and Sex Clubs Under Scrutiny

On Nov. 30, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) staged a protest in front of L.A. County's Department of Health Services (DHS) in response to a bureaucratic stall in drafting and implementing regulations for L.A. area bathhouses and sex clubs. Four years ago, county officials conducted their landmark "Bathhouse Study" and found an HIV rate of more than 11 percent among MSM who frequent these establishments. Two years ago, the county agreed to improved access to such clubs for HIV and STD testing and prevention service providers."We are angry that it is taking the [DHS] and County Counsel so long to draft and implement what really are pretty basic public health regulations for the county's 11 or so clubs," said AHF Executive Director Michael Weinstein. "Sadly, as the county's four-year delay drags on, infections continue to rise."

Meanwhile in San Diego, the owner and operators of the 2200 Club bathhouse are facing misdemeanor charges for failing to have a bathhouse permit and operating an adult establishment in violation of zoning laws. The arraignment is set for Dec. 29.

Transsexual Dies After Struggle With Sheriff's Deputies

On Nov. 21, a 35-year-old Spring Valley transsexual woman died, four days after a struggle in a San Diego jail. On Nov. 17, Vanessa Facen reportedly broke into her neighbor's home at 5:30 a.m, resulting in several injuries, according to 365.com. When deputies arrived, Facen was naked and covered in blood, telling them she was HIV positive. On the way to the hospital, she reportedly became enraged and kicked out an ambulance window. After being sedated and treated for multiple cuts, she was released but reportedly became upset again and kicked out a patrol car window. While in jail, she ceased breathing during one of several struggles with the deputies and was then rushed back to the hospital where she was placed on life support. "There is nothing to indicate that the use of force caused this death," said Sgt. Rick Empson. The medical examiner's office has not yet determined the cause of death. According to her family, Facen had no history of violence or mental health issues. Lt. Tom Bennett later said that despite having breasts and living her life as a woman, the Sheriff's Department was treating her as a man because she had male genitalia.

Two SoCal Universities Sued by Christian Group

The Alliance Defense Fund, an Arizona-based Christian organization, filed suit in federal court Nov. 30 against San Diego State University and Cal State Long Beach over a California State University policy of not officially recognizing organizations that don't comply with the university's non-discrimination policies. The suit calls into question Gamma Omega fraternity, Alpha Delta Chi sorority, and Every Nation Campus Ministries, three student groups that refuse membership to gays and non-evangelical Christians. According to the Alliance Defense Fund, the universities are violating Christian students' rights to free association by denying the student groups' access to university facilities and funding awarded groups with official recognition. "It's not discrimination. It's selection based on people who share your viewpoints and beliefs," said Jeremy Tedesco, an attorney for the Alliance Defense Fund, to the San Diego Union-Tribune. CSU spokeswoman Colleen Bentley-Adler said the non-discrimination policies are based on state and federal laws. Other campus organizations that are group-oriented, such as all-Black or Jewish organizations, still allow membership from those outside of that particular group.