Bay Area Reporter - May 25, 2001
Virge Parks

This organization was started after one of the founding members visited San Francisco and attended the Pride Parade. Much like its sister organization here and similar activist groups, members of Survive AIDS Kenya are questioning the policies of pharmaceutical companies and their government, educating themselves and their fellow Kenyans, and defining pertinent issues and acting upon them. Like those who years ago founded ACT UP chapters across our continent and in Europe, members of Survive AIDS Kenya are fighting against seemingly insurmountable odds, an epidemic that is devastating their country and community. They are also pressing their government for the right of gay men and lesbians to associate freely, as well as for same-sex partnerships. Homosexuality is banned in Kenya as in most African countries. Gay men and lesbians meet in secret û afraid of being arrested for expressing their sexuality.

There were times in ACT UP history û like that of most grassroots organizations û when the work depended upon donated supplies. Some of our most consistent "donors" were members' employers and various University of California, San Francisco programs. This compulsive AIDS activist confesses to on Tuesday evenings tucking rolls of fax paper discreetly under her jacket on the way from work to ACT UP meetings. Those who could, made long distance phone calls from work. Many of you reading this have done the same, rationalizing that in this buy-it-in-bulk society we live in, the occasional missing ream of paper or personal long distance call are never noticed. ACT UP members had the added rationale of the theft being for a damn good cause. The anonymous donors were no longer needed once the group developed more fundraising savvy and had steady money coming in.

The treatment regimens of several members of Survive AIDS Kenya are being provided by the African AIDS Network. The AIDS Empowerment and Treatment International, a program of the network, also provides support to an association in Nairobi that is helping patients access treatment and care. AIDSETI was started by gay employees of the World Bank who questioned how international organizations and governments have addressed the AIDS epidemic thus far and wanted to do more to directly support those fighting AIDS in African and other resource poor countries.

That support, however, usually doesn't pay for fax paper and phone calls; and Survive AIDS Kenya members rarely have access to some fully stocked supply cabinet from which they can procure "donations." They do not have the well organized and comparatively affluent gay/lesbian, HIV, and medical communities that have so generously supported the work of ACT UP/Golden Gate (now Survive AIDS San Francisco).

Not everyone in Kenya is impoverished and in time, Survive AIDS Kenya will establish a solid network of local and international supporters. They will also most certainly create their own merchandising tools and hone grant-writing skills. But now, they are asking for your support.

Survive AIDS San Francisco has already given the organization $250 in seed money and will match your contributions up to an additional $250. Please send donations and make checks payable to Survive AIDS San Francisco and reference "Kenya." They can be mailed to Survive AIDS, 584 Castro Street, PMB 542, San Francisco, CA 94114.

All donations received will be bank wired to Survive AIDS Kenya and because of a high exchange rate, even the smallest of donations can make a big difference so all are appreciated.

Virge Parks is a former member of ACT UP/Golden Gate. She currently works for the African AIDS Network, which provides HIV medications to approximately 100 patients in six African countries. For more information, go to www.aidseti.org. To donate HIV medications, call (415) 440-3722 or drop them off at MCC-SF, 150 Eureka Street, in San Francisco.

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