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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (March 15, 2002)
march 15. 2002 ’ ÎTTîTîTïTTTRîlnetvs A P olitical A genda CAP seeks to advocate for the HIV community by throwing its hat into the public policy ring by Timothy Krause • N ew purchase • 100% eq u ity loans • Pre-qualification by p h o n e or fax • R efin an ce/cash ou t • P re-approved loans • R esidential, com m ercial & in v estm en t pro p erty • A p p o in tm en ts at your convenience Office ention the word “advocate” and many gay men will think of the national magazine about queer culture. Thomas Bruner, however, sees an opportunity for Cascade AIDS Project to fulfill its mission by learning new ways to speak out on behalf of peo ple affected by HIV. Changes began at the nonprofit about a year ago when its board created a public policy com mittee chaired by Sam Adams, Mayor Vera Katz’s openly gay chief of staff. It then hired Portland attorney Paul Cosgrove to join Bruner as registered lobbyists. C A P also began to share advocacy resources with Seattle-based Lifelong AIDS Alliance. Building on this momentum, four forums were held last month in Portland and Vancouver, Wash. The first two were “AIDS Advocacy 101" workshops presented in conjunction with Life long. A total of 29 people attended the ses sions, which discussed what advocacy means, why it matters, how the political process works and ways to approach elected officials. The heart of the workshops’ message was how grass- nxits constituents can influence government representatives. “Hearing from organizations representing large numbers of people matters and hearing Portland attorney Paul Cosgrove is helping with from lobbyists matters, but neither is a substitute Cascade A ID S Project’s public policy efforts for hearing from real people living with the issue funding remains C A P’s priority this year. But it every day,” suggests Bruner, C A P executive anticipates significant challenges to federal director. “Those constituents can tell stories appropriations, beginning with an administra that are more compelling, more immediate and tion that, with few exceptions, has flat-funded more local than a lobbyist can— and they can do AIDS programs. Com bined with increased it with more credibility.” defense expenditures and further tax cuts, Next, C A P played hast to a breakfast work Bmner foresees dramatic reductions in domestic session for leaders of area HIV service providers. spending. A total of 16 people participated, representing “W hen you don’t increase something, even county and state health agencies, Partnership by inflation, what you do is cut on a grassroots Project, W om en’s Intercom m unity AIDS level the amount of stuff th at’s actually able to Resource, O ur House of Portland, Project get done,” he explains. “We have a less sympa Quest, For Us Northwest, Outside In and HIV thetic administration, and we can’t count on Day Center. them to be our natural allies.” “The whole purpose was to explore how we, More aggressive agenda items, therefore, are as an HIV provider community, could have a likely to he put on hold. Instead of supporting more powerful voice in public policy,” Bmner notes, adding that this type of big-picture col needle exchanges or defending Oregon’s assisted suicide law, for example, advocates instead must laboration was unknown among organizations often more concerned with day-to-day exis battle simply to maintain existing services. Such is the case in Salem, too, where C A P’s tence. “There was a general consensus that this public policy work will focus on the well-being was important and of interest to other providers, of the Oregon Health Plan. Many in the state’s not just CAP." HIV community rely on the program as their Much of the session was spent clarifying how sole access to expensive medications. nonprofits are permitted to lobby and looking at But Bmner doesn’t think this connection has what other advocacy organizations are doing. O ut of this emerged a tentative list of how col been made clear. “We’re not right there in the middle of it, and we have to be,” he says. laboration might continue. Attendees explored C A P will follow suit at other levels, too, the mechanics of working together, such as who where the organization will work with city and would he willing to lobby, how an information network could be promoted and how issues county governments to ensure HIV programs are “held harmless”— that is, neither reduced nor cut could he prioritized. as local agencies face their own fiscal challenges. "Part of what will ensure success is partnering "We need to work hard to ensure the pro with like-minded organizations. A chorus is much stronger than a solo artist in the legisla grams that impact the issues of HIV and AIDS are preserved and enhanced,” Adams says. “This tive arena," Adams proposes. is a life and safety issue, and we need to make The fourth event was a public policy recep sure that it’s a high priority among political deci tion. A total of 42 people attended the evening sion makers.’ soiree, among them representatives from city and county commissioners’ offices as well as For more infmrmatitm about the CASCADE AIDS state legislators. T he gathering might have PROJECT action alert network, contact Wambui kx>ked like a ctx:ktail party, but Adams and Bmner agree the conversations were an impor Machuaat 503-223-5907, ext. 21 6, or umachuafScascadeauLs. org. tant first step to familiarize politicians with CAP's new initiative. TIMOTHY K rause is a writer and editor m Portland. From W ashington to Salem to Portland, ’in 503 . 297.9900 E venings/W eekend s 503 . 780.1561 Toll Free 1 . 877 . 826.9900 Email colleenw@mtgadvocates.com www.mtgadvocates.com - I'm available when you are! " Colleen Weed JJA mortgage M r i Advocates 9900 S.W. 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