June 2005

Board Conversation with the HIV Committee

At the NEAC board meeting in Atlanta in April, Matthew Hartney, chair of the church’s Standing Committee on HIV/AIDS, and Committee member Chris Haley-Walden defined the roles of NEAC and the Committee: NEAC is the action arm of the church; the Committee is the policy arm.

Matt Hartney asked what NEAC would like to see from the Committee. These were among the points that emerged from the discussion:

  • It is important that the church specifically address the stigma of HIV. People are still losing their jobs, families, and faith communities due to HIV infection. How is the church addressing stigma? Stories of discrimination and stigma still abound even in generally progressive dioceses.
  • The church needs help to address and take ownership of ways to avoid perpetuating the stigma surrounding the disease.
  • Future appointments to the Committee should include individuals who are HIV-positive or have AIDS. This recommendation appeared in the original mandate of the Committee, but needs to be revisited with the Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies.
  • The Committee, over the next triennium, should study the issue of stigma within the church.

A resolution on racism from the 2003 conference should be a helpful resource. (Matt Hartney asked that Rev. Trudie Smither research this resolution.)

  • The issue of stigma is an example of why HIV/AIDS is above all a social justice issue; the church is committed to respond to all social injustice.
  • The church must be encouraged to draw up policies of non-discrimination and to follow the CDC “AIDS in the Workplace” guidelines. This was a resolution at General Convention several years ago. All AIDS-related resolutions may be found on the NEAC website.
  • Infection rates in youth are growing disproportionately. The report needs to highlight this alarming fact.
  • Comprehensive education in the types of psychosocial issues that cause people to become infected with HIV need to be addressed at a national level.
  • HIV does not discriminate; it is a health care issue that affects all.
  • It is time to revisit the 1989 resolution about the church’s responsibility to educate all its members, perhaps using the new statistics about the infection rate among youth.
  • It would be good if the Committee can mention the role of NEAC in its report, which is due in September.