Holmes Norton to target teens with HIV town hall meeting

WASHINGTON (Map, News) - D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton this weekend is hosting the final of a series of town hall meetings geared toward bringing awareness to the District’s disproportionately large problem with HIV and AIDS — this time targeting teenagers.

Previous town hall events drew hundreds and focused on black men and then black women; they also incorporated the clergy into an effort to get more residents tested for the disease.

Norton said she felt it was key to also include young people, who often “pass on misconceptions” about the epidemic if not properly educated.

Rather than preach to them about safe sex, the Saturday event includes them in provocative discussion. Popular radio personalities from WKYS will take part, and there will be a special performance by DeAngelo Redman.

D.C. Public Schools officials also have agreed to count program participation in students’ community service hours.

“We want to reach young people where they are and not where they want to be,” Holmes Norton said Wednesday.

Alex Lawson, who two years ago co-founded advocacy group D.C. Fights Back, said he commends Holmes Norton’s efforts to make the AIDS issue a central part of her agenda.

“One of our big points is that we need public and prominent leadership, and that’s exactly what I see ... (her) doing,” he said. “There’s been some criticism that she hasn’t been in great communication with the HIV/AIDS community [in promoting these town halls]. But that’s maybe only half right; it’s somewhat of a strategy, because she’s reaching out to people that often aren’t involved in this way.”

Holmes Norton told The Examiner she sees much less of a need to reach out to the gay community, which has consistently been more open to discussions about HIV and AIDS.

“That’s one group that’s had its consciousness raised. The rate among gays has gone down tremendously, as the rate among African-Americans and women has gone up,” she said. “... What we found in our other town halls is that the most important way to drive out this disease is to bring it out in open conversation.”

In D.C., one in 20 residents is said to be infected with HIV, and one in 50 is said to have AIDS.

IF YOU GO:

» Where: One Judiciary Square

» When: 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday

dlevitz@dcexaminer.com