CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2023 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
Don’t miss our latest news! Sign up today for our free newsletter.
Scroll To Top
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
Saying that seeking and accepting Centers for Disease Control and Prevention HIV prevention funds would constitute an endorsement of policies it believes are counterproductive, the Vermont Committee for AIDS Resources, Education, and Services has decided not to apply for almost $100,000 in federal funds. The agency, the state's largest AIDS organization, was particularly concerned about new surveys that its leaders fear would make it easier to identify people seeking services. "In essence, a lot of the mandates revolved around what we perceived as a threat to anonymity for people receiving prevention services," says Peter Jacobsen, Vermont CARES prevention director. The survey policy requires clients to answer questions about sex- and drug-related behaviors before accessing services and to provide "unique identifiers" so they can be tracked through a federal database. Staffers worried this would further alienate people who are already reluctant, due to the fear of discrimination, to access services. In addition, Vermont CARES staffers objected to being pressured to use HIV-prevention strategies that have been proven to work in urban areas instead of programs they know will work in rural settings. They also found fault with two new messages the government expects federally funded programs to deliver: Abstinence from sex is the best prevention, and condoms are not 100% effective. Jacobsen calls this "sort of a mixed message for the people we work with." Both Jacobsen and executive director Kendall Farrell are confident Vermont CARES can raise enough money to make up for the funds not requested from the CDC. Vermont CARES provides HIV services in 10 of the state's 14 counties and targets all at-risk population groups. Other AIDS agencies in Vermont, including the AIDS Project of Southern Vermont, did apply for the CDC money. (AP)
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Lauren Boebert Caught Fondling Date’s Genitals During Family-Friendly Musical: Video
September 15 2023 11:20 PM
Don’t miss our latest news! Sign up today for our free newsletter.
Watch Now: Advocate Channel
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Latest Stories
Jann Wenner's Legacy: Janis Joplin Lamented Rolling Stone Story Days Before Death
September 19 2023 9:56 PM
Watch Matt Bomer and Jonathan Bailey Get Steamy in 'Fellow Travelers' Clip
September 19 2023 8:03 PM
Sarah McBride Leads Delaware Congressional Poll and Would Be First Trans U.S. Representative
September 19 2023 6:52 PM
Missouri Republican Vows to Burn 'Woke Pornographic Books' If Elected Governor
September 19 2023 5:00 PM
Incel Influencer Sneako’s Young Fans Yell ‘All Gays Should Die’ in Viral Video
September 19 2023 4:05 PM
Marjorie Taylor Greene Shares Fake Video of Pride Flag Tussle as If It's Real
September 19 2023 11:00 AM
Lauren Boebert Apparently Disinvited From Right-Wing Youth Conference Over Theater Scandal
September 18 2023 5:33 PM