SisterLove Listening Sessions SisterLove invites members of the community to join us the last week of January to learn about the recent HOPWA changes and discuss issues facing their community. Community suggestions will inform our programs and services for 2020. We will have both an event at Positive Impact and Virtually. Members of the City of Atlanta will also be present to give more in-depth detail about HOPWA changes. People of all ages are welcome, including children. Food will be provided RSVP for the Virtual Session: Here RSVP for Positive Impact Session: Here | |
Thank you to everyone who came to SisterLove's panel at Let's Talk About Sex! As promised, we have compiled a playlist of all of the songs that make you feel empowered! Listen to these great songs during the Holiday Season by clicking here. | |
Medicaid Changes SisterLove submitted a comment advocating against Governor Kemp's waiver plan, explaining that it will not be beneficial for Georgians in need of health care and is harmful for those living with HIV. The plan would impose requirements that recipients of a limited Medicaid expansion be employed or involved in other activities. The plan will provide less coverage than a full Medicaid expansion and plans to focus on the state’s poorest residents, particularly the 408,000 or so adult Georgians who make less than the federal poverty level — about $12,000 a year for an individual — but do not qualify for Medicaid. However, estimates show far less will actually be covered. The plan will extend Medicaid eligibility to those who have jobs, are enrolled in school or are engaged in specific types of community service. This is based on the belief that these waivers will encourage people to engage in job training and education. Each of these waivers however much be approved by the federal government before implemented. Check our website for updates about this plan. | |
June Medical Services v. Gee SisterLove signed onto an amicus brief regarding the Supreme Court Case, June Medical Services v. Gee, which would make it nearly impossible to attain abortion services in Louisiana. An amicus brief provides support and guidance for the court to see how their ruling will effect those within the community targeted by the law. The Louisiana law prevents doctors from providing abortion services unless they have secured admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles. Admitting privileges allow doctors to admit patients to a particular hospital and provide services to their patients in that hospital. But for abortion providers in Louisiana, these privileges are almost impossible to obtain. Hospitals can deny admitting privileges for any reason, and frequently deny privileges to doctors who provide abortions due to ideological opposition, fear of backlash, or the fact that their patients rarely ever need emergency care. SisterLove stands by its belief and commitment to the reproductive justice and freedom of all women and people of reproductive capacity. By signing on this brief, SisterLove is showing our support for those in Louisiana who are fighting for reproductive freedoms. This bill is an unconstitutional assault on reproductive freedom and bodily autonomy. We support our Louisiana partner, Women with a Vision, and all of the other Reproductive Health, Rights, and Justice Coalition partners; the doctors, lawyers, and clergy who testified against this bill; and the brave people who have shared their stories. If you are interested in reading more about this law and the fight at the Supreme Court, read here. | |
Global HER Act SisterLove has endorsed a letter calling on the House Foreign Affairs Committee to markup the Global Health Empowerments, and Rights (HER) Act. In 2017, The Trump administration expanded the global gag rule which stipulates that non U.S. nongovernmental organizations receiving U.S. family planning funding cannot inform the public or educate their government on the need to make safe abortion available, provide legal abortion services, or provide advice on where to get an abortion. The global gag rule undercuts access to HIV/AIDS services, maternal health care, and contraception, contributing to more unintended pregnancies and more unsafe abortions.The Global HER Act would remove dangerous eligibility restrictions on international recipients of U.S. foreign assistance and would ensure that U.S. foreign assistance prioritizes women’s health. Over 115 organizations have signed onto the request urging for the Foreign Affairs Committee to take action to protect foreign nongovernmental organizations and ensure they can engage in advocacy without losing U.S. foreign assistance. There are currently 188 supporters in the House of Representatives on the Act, but action from the Foreign Affairs Committee on the Global HER Act is necessary to permanently repeal the global gag rule and block any future administration from putting this harmful policy in place. | |
Thank You For Your Support! | |
Thank you to everyone who supported our fundraising efforts during the week of World AIDS Day. We especially appreciate everyone who came out to our Pizza for a Purpose Fundraiser at Mellow Mushroom. Every dollar counts aids in our effort to help those living with HIV. If you are interested in donating to SisterLove you can here. | |
