FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 17, 2003

CONTACT:

Rob Nixon, Communications Manager: rnixon@aidssurvivalproject.org
Allen Thornell, Georgia Equality: 404.872.3600, execdir@georgiaequality.org
Jeff Graham, AIDS Survival Project: 404.874.7926, jgraham@aidssurvivalproject.org

Elton John AIDS Foundation Awards Grants to AIDS Survival Project and Georgia Equality
Challenges Community to Match Donation

AIDS Survival Project and Georgia Equality have been awarded a $10,000 grant each to conduct a series of townhall meetings around the state to address issues surrounding HIV/AIDS as it impacts rural communities. The purpose of the forums is to provide an update on the current status of HIV/AIDS in Georgia, open dialogue between key stakeholders in prevention efforts, and provide input and feedback on strategies aimed at addressing the needs of communities outside the metro-Atlanta area.

In support of this initiative, the Elton John AIDS Foundation has awarded each organization a $10,000 grant and also issued a challenge to the HIV/AIDS community in Georgia to match these funds. "Creating coalitions to address HIV/AIDS issues is one of the best ways to better leverage the energies of both organizations," said Barron Segar, member of the Elton John AIDS Foundation Executive Committee. "The coming together of AIDS Survival Project, one of the most effective ASOs in Georgia, and Georgia Equality, the largest LGBT organization in the state, will ensure that the series of townhalls is a success." Since inception, the Elton John AIDS Foundation has distributed more than $1 million to Atlanta-based AIDS Service Organizations.

"AIDS is clearly a major concern of communities throughout the state of Georgia. It is our goal to provide support and empowerment to local communities so that they can find their own voices in addressing the many issues surrounding HIV," commented AIDS Survival Project Executive Director, Jeff Graham. He added, "We’ve worked closely with Georgia Equality in the past, and hope that this joint project is the beginning of even greater collaboration between our two agencies."

"This grant will help create a dialogue around Georgia about the current state of HIV/AIDS in Georgia and about what can be done to improve conditions," said Allen Thornell, Georgia Equality Executive Director. "The timing of the townhalls will coincide with the legislative session and hopefully raise awareness around the importance of HIV/AIDS issues with members of the General Assembly."

AIDS Survival Project is a non-profit community based organization comprised of people living with HIV, their friends and family. We provide people affected by HIV disease with the information and support needed to make well informed choices about their lives through advocacy, education, peer support and treatment activism. This unique focus insures a passionate and committed response to the diverse and changing needs of people with HIV/AIDS, because their voices are our voices.

Georgia Equality, Inc. is the advocacy voice of Georgia’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender citizens and their allies. Their mission is to secure political, social and legal equality for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in Georgia through education, grassroots organizing and political advocacy. More information can be found at www.georgiaequality.org.