Outsports Discussion Board > HIV+ Athletes traveling to the US

Full Version: HIV+ Athletes traveling to the US

Outsports Discussion Board > Outsports > Gay Sports Movement

gemelk

Jun 27 2005, 04:09 PM

Just wanted to bring up another issue, that thus far (and I'm still wading through them) I don't recall seeing.

Being HIV+ is grounds for denying entry into the U.S. for non-citizens, those who have not secured visas and those who do not already have residency status (green card) here in the U.S.

This effectively means that - however unlikely - if an HIV+ athlete were questioned at Customs, they could be denied entry into the U.S., meaning they could not attend the Gay Games in Chicago.

How do you all feel about that?

Eric

Houston Gator

Jun 27 2005, 07:01 PM

Jesse Helms introduced the bill a while back.

I recently read an article that HIV+ people who are worried about being denied entry into the US have previously shipped their medications over here prior to arrival. However, every package coming into the US is scanned, so customs is catching those people and turning them away.

I understand the desire to stop the spread of HIV, but don't you think education and monogomy (did I say that?) are better ways to handle it? It's an outdated law based on fear. Needs to be repealed.

gemelk

Jun 28 2005, 02:56 PM

Yes, I've heard about pre-shipping meds to the U.S. or planning to buy them here (who has that kind of disposable income - I mean really!).

Sadly, you're right, all packages are scanned and packages with meds, better have a prescription label on each medication.

The policy barring HIV+ persons from coming to the U.S., even to visit is immoral and highly flawed from a medical/scientific point of view.

How many here, even knew that this law existed?

In context to this forum, how does it affect events like the Gay Games Chicago (who has been very supportive but of course, can do nothing to change the law)?

New York had a large group of HIV+ athletes (prior to the law), Sydney had even more!

I'd like to see how people feel about this "exclusion" of HIV+ athletes to the Gay Games. Of course, those of us who are HIV+, need not disclose, but techically, that's a violation of US immigration policy. Should all non-US HIV+ athletes simply go to Montreal or should they run the risk of getting sent back home? Should HIV+ US citizens join in solidarity and not go to Chicago? Should they go as a form of protest?

What do people here feel about this? What can be done and what should be done?

Eric

KevinB

Jun 30 2005, 04:39 PM

Eric;

You are correct in that the present law prevents those who are HIV+ from coming into the USA except under special circumstances. It's an awful law and one that various groups are working to change.

Fortunately, one of the special circumstances under which people can enter the USA though HIV positive is for "designated events." The Gay Games in 1994 were a "designated event" which is why HIV+ athletes were able to attend. GALA Chorus events have received this status, as have USA-based Olympic Games (SLC, for example), and conferences for, among other groups, the Metropolitan Community Churches.

Chicago has been working on our application for Designated Event Status ever since the result of the 2004 USA Presidential Election were known. Our team includes Members of Congress, Immigration Equality (NYC), former members of President Bush' Advisory Council on AIDS, and individuals within the FGG who helped shepherd the process in 1994. We have every confidence that we will also be granted Designated Event Status and there has been recent significantly positive movement on our application.

In the meantime, I think it's important to recognize that the Federation of Gay Games has been a worldwide leader in supporting HIV+ athletes since the early 1980s. Please keep in mind that the Gay Games founder, Dr. Tom Waddell, died of AIDS-related complications on July 11, 1987. The issue has been at the core of the FGG's mission of inclusion, participation and personal best from the very start of the movement. Specifically, the FGG has supported these goals by:

1. Establishing the DES precedent with the 1994 Gay Games in NYC, paving the way for other groups to receive the status.
2. Ongoing advocacy on immigration laws and HIV as they relate to sports.
3. Special rules that allow HIV+ athletes on otherwise banned medical therapies to compete in the Gay Games in ways that preserve their privacy.
4. Working with international sports federations on systems to allow HIV+ athletes to compete at events other than the Gay Games.
5. Worldwide attention to the issue by incorporating the Rainbow Run into officially required protocols for every Gay Games. The Rainbow Run commemorates those lost to HIV and breast cancer.

In addition to working closely on these issues with the FGG, Chicago Games, Inc., has additional ongoing efforts:

1. The creation of "Team Plus" to allow interested HIV+ athletes to share their Gay Games experience together if they so choose.
2. Scholarship program for HIV+ athletes (with a growing fund).
3. Close cooperation with the AIDS Foundation of Chicago and the Howard Brown Health Center to ensure that HIV + athletes in Chicago have access to medical experts, replacement medicine, and that volunteers are trained to help serve the needs of HIV+ athletes and artists.
4. Translation of Immigration/HIV information into four languages on our websites (English Version here).
5. Specific recruitment of corporate sponsors whose support for us will include medical services, information and prescription fulfillment access. Two global sponsors in this area will be announced shortly.

In sum, the Gay Games has provided a tremendous platform upon which to build visibility around this issue. The Gay Games in Chicago in 2006 will give us yet another chance to focus the world's attention on a law that affects everyone - HIV+ or not - in the world's 3rd most populous country, the USA. Wouldn't it be great if one of the legacies of this Gay Games was further momentum to change a law that is unfair and based upon old stereotypes about disease vectors and transmission?

Kevin Boyer
Gay Games VII

[ June 30, 2005, 04:46 PM: Message edited by: KevinB ]

CharlesK

Jun 30 2005, 06:16 PM

Eric,

Everything Kevin has written is indeed correct and I very much appreciate the effort he has put into discussing the avenues in which participants with HIV/AIDS can enter the United States to experience Gay Games VII.

The most important aspect of the DES waiver which needs to be discussed on this board and which has been twisted in various forms by some gay media as well as those not familiar with the specific law is this: The waiver not only enable participants and attendees of Gay Games living outside of the U.S. to travel to the United States legally, but it also PROHIBITS Inspectors of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service from asking Gay Games participants and attendees any questions about HIV or AIDS at any U.S. port-of-entry.

I serve as the co-chair of the DES waiver subcommittee, together with Dennis Sneyers of Chicago Games, Inc. and I am privileged to be working with an outstanding group of people all committed to obtaining the DES waiver for Gay Games VII and furthering the Federation's principles of Inclusion. Our letter of application has received unprecedented bipartisan support from many levels of government. Beyond that, I think it's better to just let things go through the proper channels and we'll keep you apprised of our progress.

Sincerely,

Charles

Charles King
Federation of Gay Games

chuckvanc

Jul 4 2005, 04:32 PM

Gentlemen:

Thank you for your important work on the DES waiver and access for HIV+ individuals. This is an example of how the Gay Games touches on many more issues than just sport, and how the legacy of a Gay Games is about more than just medals and the bottem line.

KevinB

Jul 5 2005, 04:53 PM

Thanks Chuck! Lots of people have done so much good work for all of us for so long - it's good to acknowledge it from time to time.

[ July 05, 2005, 04:54 PM: Message edited by: KevinB ]

gemelk

Jul 15 2005, 04:32 PM

QUOTE

KevinB:
Eric;

You are correct in that the present law prevents those who are HIV+ from coming into the USA except under special circumstances. It's an awful law and one that various groups are working to change.

Fortunately, one of the special circumstances under which people can enter the USA though HIV positive is for \"designated events.\" The Gay Games in 1994 were a \"designated event\" which is why HIV+ athletes were able to attend. GALA Chorus events have received this status, as have USA-based Olympic Games (SLC, for example), and conferences for, among other groups, the Metropolitan Community Churches.

Chicago has been working on our application for Designated Event Status ever since the result of the 2004 USA Presidential Election were known. Our team includes Members of Congress, Immigration Equality (NYC), former members of President Bush' Advisory Council on AIDS, and individuals within the FGG who helped shepherd the process in 1994. We have every confidence that we will also be granted Designated Event Status and there has been recent significantly positive movement on our application.

In the meantime, I think it's important to recognize that the Federation of Gay Games has been a worldwide leader in supporting HIV+ athletes since the early 1980s. Please keep in mind that the Gay Games founder, Dr. Tom Waddell, died of AIDS-related complications on July 11, 1987. The issue has been at the core of the FGG's mission of inclusion, participation and personal best from the very start of the movement. Specifically, the FGG has supported these goals by:

1. Establishing the DES precedent with the 1994 Gay Games in NYC, paving the way for other groups to receive the status.
2. Ongoing advocacy on immigration laws and HIV as they relate to sports.
3. Special rules that allow HIV+ athletes on otherwise banned medical therapies to compete in the Gay Games in ways that preserve their privacy.
4. Working with international sports federations on systems to allow HIV+ athletes to compete at events other than the Gay Games.
5. Worldwide attention to the issue by incorporating the Rainbow Run into officially required protocols for every Gay Games. The Rainbow Run commemorates those lost to HIV and breast cancer.

In addition to working closely on these issues with the FGG, Chicago Games, Inc., has additional ongoing efforts:

1. The creation of \"Team Plus\" to allow interested HIV+ athletes to share their Gay Games experience together if they so choose.
2. Scholarship program for HIV+ athletes (with a growing fund).
3. Close cooperation with the AIDS Foundation of Chicago and the Howard Brown Health Center to ensure that HIV + athletes in Chicago have access to medical experts, replacement medicine, and that volunteers are trained to help serve the needs of HIV+ athletes and artists.
4. Translation of Immigration/HIV information into four languages on our websites (English Version here).
5. Specific recruitment of corporate sponsors whose support for us will include medical services, information and prescription fulfillment access. Two global sponsors in this area will be announced shortly.

In sum, the Gay Games has provided a tremendous platform upon which to build visibility around this issue. The Gay Games in Chicago in 2006 will give us yet another chance to focus the world's attention on a law that affects everyone - HIV+ or not - in the world's 3rd most populous country, the USA. Wouldn't it be great if one of the legacies of this Gay Games was further momentum to change a law that is unfair and based upon old stereotypes about disease vectors and transmission?

Kevin Boyer
Gay Games VII

Okay, I have to take a moment to slap your hand here. My apologies for making it public but I think I'm a trifle justified.

Where was this response when I've been asking about this issue FGG and Gay Games VII via e-mail for the last year plus?

It's a rhetorical question and I understand that the schism and rushing to get the infrastructure for the Games has really been a trial, so no answer is required. This is sort of like a mosquito bite, irritating but not worth spending time on.

Eric

KevinB

Jul 18 2005, 08:37 AM

Eric - I have replied to a variety of emails on this topic in the past, some have been forwarded to others. I think I remember yours - and I'm sure that we've corresponded before, though not recently. I wasn't aware you thought we weren't being complete.

The text above is merely a consolidation of a lot of work and research done on this topic in the past 6 months. Some of the issues are old, some are new movement on older topics, and some are new initiatives. This format was just designed to be a bit more thorough.

Feel free to email me directly if you have any other comments or suggestions about how we can better support those with HIV/AIDS - kevin.boyer@gaygameschicago.org

Kevin Boyer
Gay Games VII

[ July 18, 2005, 09:08 AM: Message edited by: KevinB ]

Travelpat

Jul 22 2005, 03:04 PM

FYI - Some HIV related news for those who are HIV+ and may be planning on coming to Canada for the Outgames. There has been a recent change to the wording of Citizenship and Immigration Canada's temporary visa application form, which means that HIV+ people that are coming to the Outgames from countries that require a short term visitors visa to enter Canada, will no longer be required to declare their HIV status during the application process.

The temporary Visa application form used to ask 'Have you or any member of your family ever been treated for any serious physical or mental disorders or any communicable or chronic diseases?' The form then went on to have the applicant specify any such illnesses, obliging HIV positive applicants to disclose their illness. Even though this did NOT disqualify you from obtaining the visitors Visa for entry into Canada, it was determined after various consultations with interested parties, that the previous question was too broad. The question has been reworded to focus on tuberculosis only. Organizers for next year's International AIDS Conference, here in Toronto, who originally alerted Citizenship and Immigration Canada to the problematic question, are pleased with the decision. They were well aware of how some HIV+ individuals are reluctant to admit their status to authorities and now they will no longer have to do so to obtain their visitor's visa to Canada. Conference organizers are glad to have that potential barrier for HIV+ visitors to Canada removed prior to the AIDS conference. Fortunately this becomes good news for those individuals impacted by this decision who may be planning on coming to Canada for the Outgames as well.

Pat

[ July 22, 2005, 03:37 PM: Message edited by: Travelpat ]

BillK

Jul 26 2005, 07:05 AM

Eric,

if you get a chance to talk to Kevin, you will certainly find that he is thorough, and I can´t help but believe he´s been doing everything in his power to get the message out there.

I had the pleasure of speaking to him and Suzi Arnold one year ago at the Eurogames in Munich. Our Frankfurt gay sports magazine interviewed representatives from both Chicago and Montreal, and the questions surrounding HIV+ athletes travelling to America were posed.

If you check our website at www.fvv.org you will find the complete authorized interview (click onto "Events" and "Gay Games") in which Kevin addressed this subject. I was pleased to read his entry in this forum, because it shows that more work has and is being done along the lines he drew out to us last year.

Bill

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