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New AIDS Agencies Help Relieve
Georgia's Share of the Epidemic
Guest Editorial
Atlanta Needs to Mind Its
Own Business
i
Twenty years since Stonewall, Atlanta still slumbers. While other cities
have witnessed major changes in the social, political and economic roles within
their lesbian and gay communities, while gays and lesbians by the thousands
have taken to the streets AND TO THE VOTING BOOTHS, while brave and
articulate leaders have come forth to challenge age-old prejudices and to soothe
the soul of a long-neglected culture - brave and beautiful Atlanta sleeps on.
When AID Atlanta first opened its doors in
1984, no one here could imagine a time when
the omnibus agency wouldn't be able to handle
Georgia's share of the AIDS crisis. We were
still comparing AIDS with Legionaire's Disease
back then.
The Atlanta community was unique in
thinking that the AIDS epidemic could be
effectively dealt with by one agency. Other
major cities around the country had several
specialized programs meant to address the
myriad ways AIDS affects lives as well as
health. But we poured all of our energy into one
- for better or for worse.
The sheer numbers of people infected with
HIV and diagnosed with AIDS has grown so
exponentially that the AID Atlanta staff has
now become overwhelmed by day-to-day crisis
management. The addition of more AIDS
agencies to the Atlanta community along with a
concerted effort on the part of AID Atlanta
management to put long range planning
features into place is a hopeful sign.
We are now blessed to have an Atlanta
chapter of the National Association of People
With AIDS (NAPWA) and Project Open Hand,
as well as Childkind, Outreach, Inc. and
Jerusalem House, to assist us all however we
are confronted by AIDS.
These five organizations were formed to fill
in the gaps, not to overlap or com pete with AID
Atlanta. They perform an amazing list of
essential tasks in assisting PWAs.
• NAPWA, which is operated by people with
AIDS (PWAs), serves as the political leader,
and also offers social and emotional support to
PWAs as well as education to the mainstream
and gay/lesbian communities.
• Project Open Hand makes sure that PWAs
receive 2 hot meals daily by preparing and
delivering nutritious food to any PWA who is
unable to shop or prepare meals for themselves.
• Childkind is devoted to serving the needs of
the most defenseless PWAs - the infants and
children. Childkind currently places its clients
with specially trained foster parents, and will
open a home for the children this spring.
• Outreach, Inc. works with minority
communities and IV drug abusers to try and
stem the "second wave" of AIDS cases by
educating people unaware of the extreme
danger to which they are often repeatedly
exposed.
• Jerusalem House is one of the most
ambitious PWA assistance projects among this
group. Although nothing has beat finalized,
organizers are looking to purchase one highrise
or several single family houses for homeless
PWAs.
In our excitement around these wonderful
services and agencies, we can't stop giving to
and supporting AID Atlanta. We must
remember that even though the media hysteria
around AIDS has quieted, the need hasn't It
has grown.
These five groups, along with AID Atlanta,
will shape the future of Atlanta - not just the
AIDS future - but the city's future. Now that
the staff and management of AID Atlanta are
freed up from the tasks being performed by
tliesc and other groups, they can get on with the
business of providing social service care to the
PWAs. And if we all pitch in with our hearts,
our time and our money maybe we can help
alleviate some of the crisis associated with the
word AIDS.
But there are stirrings. Atlanta's
hibernation is not deep, nor has it been
without its moments of vigilance. Atlanta's
gays and lesbians have viewed with sleep-
filled eyes the bold activities of its own
heroes and heroines who try to rouse their
sisters and brothers to action.
Like the lie-abed child who dreads rising
to an uncertain day of school, or the
lethargic uninspired worker who drags to
her morning ablutions prepared to lace
another day of the 'same old thing,' perhaps
Atlanta needs a sure thing, a challenge, an
opportunity to participate in something eye
opening and invigorating.
Such an opportunity exists in the plethora
of organizations which have sprung up in
Atlanta over the past few years. From
groups formed to offer social and athletic
outlets to the sports-minded, to spiritual and
religious-oriented organizations, Atlantans
are invited to stretch and to get their blood
circulating. Opportunities are also available
for exercising political leanings.
A prime opportunity to rid us of our
sluggishness and those last vestiges of
slumber rests perhaps in an organization
which provides a forum and a focus for all
of Atlanta's lesbian and gay community -
the Atlanta Business & Professional Guild.
Despite our political, religious or idealogical
differences, the Guild has the potential to
bring together our community as an
acknowledged economic force - fostering
professional and personal enrichment -
while teaching us to support and rely upon
each other.
The Guild exists to promote community
cohesiveness, an inseparability which
translates to economic clout and, in turn,
becomes a tenacious political force. This
force brings about much-needed change and
increased personal, professional and
community freedom.
This change can be brought about
without politicizing the Guild. Supporters
need not worry about unwanted exposure or
prodding. Those among us adverse to
marching, or unable to take a public or vocal
role in our march to freedom, still have the
chance to take part in Atlanta's wakening.
Whether actively participating as ducs-
paying members of the Guild or simply
remembering to look to our community first
for professional services or repairs to our
homes, we can make a difference and help
in our own way to fully awaken the greater
community to our presence and our
contributions.
The Guild emphasizes and promotes
community networking. This is done
through monthly meetings, trade fairs,
The Guild exists to promote
community cohesiveness,
an inseparability which
translates to economic clout
and, in turn, becomes a
tenacious political force.
special events, cooperation with other
groups, the publication of an annual
directory, a bi-monthly newsletter and,
perhaps most significantly, through a
growing referral service.
But the Guild cannot be effective
without the participation of the community.
Our commitment to the community requires
an in-kind response. The Guild's programs
will not succeed unless they are used. And
these programs cannot continue without
active member involvement in the day-to
day operations of the Guild.
So, wake up, Atlanta! Come share
morning coffee with us. Attend a Guild
meeting or call us for a referral. Offer your
services to your community through our
directory or our referral service. Support
our expansion and our ability to promote the
professional and personal growth of our
community by becoming a dues-paying
member of the Guild. Join a committee. A
2500-plus member organization could send
a powerful message to those around us.
Rub your eyes, stretch out your limbs, fill
your lungs with morning air and face a new
day with vigor, full participation and pride.
The Atlanta Business & Professional Guild
has been serving lesbian and gay Atlanta
for nearly ten years. For membership or
referral information, call the Guild Office
at (404) 662-4202 or write to AB&PG,
P.O. Box 52785, Atlanta, GA 30355
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