Wisdom of Whores - A Message from the Mafia

I rushed over to the library once Dr. Elizabeth Pisani had finished her talk.  

The first of the Distinguished Speakers Series (of HIV Edmonton's Legacy Project), Dr. Pisani is a vibrant and charismatic person who obviously knows what she talks about (being both an epidemologist and past journalist).  In Public Health Prostitution: The Mismatch Between Evidence & Policy in HIV, she told us about belonging to the AIDS Mafia - those involved in the business of AIDS - how she had collected data and found a way in the early days to spin it so that people would care. 

Unfortunately, she and others almost did it too well: In the attempt to de-stigmatise HIV and AIDS, people are being told anyone could be infected.  Policymakers took the "anyone can be affected" message and focus dollars in politically correct areas (e.g. proverty, women, children) rather than targeting the (politically unpopular) areas that really needed it most (e.g. sex workers, gay men, intravenous drug users).  There is so much money in they system now, but there aren't the results to show for it. 

On top of that, the face of AIDS has changed.  She's happy the quality of life of those HIV-positive have greatly improved, but the flipside is that without seeing how sick people are, young people are referring to it as a manageable state or chronic disease, and not being as careful in prevention and testing. 

She further challenged other common conceptions: AIDS and proverty, AIDS and gender inequality...

By the end of question period, many people seemed riled up to lobby for some real action.  I wish I felt that way, instead, I felt angry and powerless.  How could I make a difference in something so big?  I guess I'll just have to start with reading her book, Wisdom of Whores (once I manage to properly pronounce it and put it on library holds).  As heart-breaking as it sounded, I do look forward to reading it. 

Well Wrapped and Buddies

"I am always willing to go to jail for a friend." ~ Simony

AIDS Walk For Life volunteer party was not hard to find.  A large rainbow flag, visible from the bus, pinpointed Woody's Pub, and later, signs in Buddy's Night Club led me upstairs. 

The space was larger than expected (from what I could see on the outside), but it felt crowded with two pool tables, a bar, and plenty of small tables surrounded by chairs.  The volunteer party had taken camp near the small dance floor / karaoke area. 

Pizza and cookies kept us fueled through some rowdy speeches, door prize draws, and then later, karaoke.  Maybe everyone else knew each other, but no one seemed shy at all.  People went up to sing Margaritaville, You Oughta Know, and These Boots are Made for Walking - I hooted and clapped along.  Before being pulled up to sing, I bundled up and headed out. 

It had been fun, but it was nice to be outside walking with a little quiet (despite the slush). I was even happier when Steph called.  We caught up, she gave updated me on some friends I haven't been good keeping in touch with (Margaret, Malcolm, Anne), and gave me some good advice:

1. Have fun.  Don't worry.  (Remember: You have a passport.)
2. Don't bother with 10 lbs of potatoes. 

Happy birthday, Rem!

AWFL 2009

... A bad acronym for something good. 

Beth had asked me if it was political.  The AIDS Walk for Life?  No, it was a happy romp with people walking and talking, drag queens on stage, and a big celebration at the end.  It's a fun event.  Some things though, did change this year - The entire set had been moved out to Churchill Square.  Also, the volunteer coordinator didn't know what to do with me.  She ended up putting me here, there, and everywhere... which may have been fun, but turned out be a bit disappointing, I wasn't near much of the action, I didn't get to walk (as I did every year before), and she wasn't interested in my photos.

I arrived early-ish morning and began decorating the float (a new item).  I climb underneath to secure the "throne" and potted plants with twine.  I hit my head more than once. 

Later, I'm at the registration desk.  Another woman and I have been assigned to hand out materials, but specifically for people who had reached high pledge status.  Both she and I immediately forgot the special title for these people... so, we improvised.  As these high achieving fundraisers came to the desk, we blew on noisemakers, gave them a crown, announced we had another "Mile High Club" member. 

The MHC members far and few between, so this woman and I get to talking.  She's a recent graduate from the Public Health program from the University.  She was interested in working with people on AIDS prevention.  She is candid and relaxed, and I feel no discomfort in talking to her about sex and condoms.  She recommends I read "Wisdom of Whores", a book written by a woman who had gone into the field and interviewed sex workers in Asia, in attempts to stop the spread of HIV. 

Registration ends as people head out from Churchill Square to do the 5K walk.  I stay behind, answer questions, and collect last minute pledges.  The sun starts shining, people come arrive back from the walk and I hand out buttons.  Everyone enjoys drinks and pizza and the free samples from the sponsors (including the homeless). 

All in all it would have been a fairly mundane volunteer experience - I wasn't feeling terribly inspired (possibly because I'm feeling the oncomings of a cold), and I wasn't sure if they really needed me - But while cleaning up, a man came up to us, and yelled at us that people got what deserved and his son was going to die and he deserved it.  Then he stormed away. 

I thought about Beth's question, and was reminded of Adam... there is still a lot more work to do. 

99+ Red Balloons

When the last bag of kettle corn was put away, and the last of the red balloons had found homes - HIV Edmonton's AIDS Walk for Life 2008 - was officially over. I think we did pretty well.

The morning started off way too early (in my mind) with volunteers showing up to prepare balloons and set up / train to register walkers. I was snapping pictures as soon as I got there, and our security people (right) were also ready for action.

(Left: In the Green room - Ingredients for fabulousness).

People came to register (Ali was among them), and the main

program started. Yoko (right) performed two numbers, followed by singing trio Bella Rouge. After some more introductions and speeches, the Walk began.

What a showing! Definitely more impressive than our test walk a couple of days ago: Five people, one dog, and a sign - all jokingly nodding and waving at cars and pedestrians, lightly chanting "All babies want to get borned", and "Yes, this is the AIDS Walk. Whooo!"

We made it to the Legistlature and there was minor confusion. Where were the other photographers? Misty (volunteer coordinator) confirmed: One had shown up without a camera(!) and Dave didn't know he was the official main photographer! We figured things out though, and made our way back. On this leg Adam came out of Audrey's Books to greet us.

At the finish line, pins were handed out and people were encouraged to eat and chat. More photos here.

It felt like hours later when we finally got things packed up. But really, wasn't that long. And when we were done, the sun had broken through the clouds.

Joe met me in front of City Hall. I could only imagine what it must have looked like - there was barely a handful group of people there (a UN demonstration with the Raging Grannies), and the only evidence of something unusual were the balloons tied to my backpack - nothing like our huge Walk.

Anyway, we went for the last minutes of the library booksale and he found some videos. On the way to his house to watch one of them, The Young Poisioner's Handbook, I heard strange noises. I ran down the sidewalk to reach a clearing where orange and yellow leaves no longer blocked the sky: Geese flying south in the V-formation. Another reminder that winter was coming, but still, it was a good day.