Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi Joins the Fight Against HIV/AIDS Stigma in A&PI Communities

SAN FRANCISCO, May 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi appeals to Asian & Pacific Islanders (A&PI) to help end HIV stigma in their communities in the most recent Public Service Announcement (PSA) launched today by The Banyan Tree Project, a groundbreaking national HIV anti-stigma campaign. Speaker Pelosi joins an array of prominent public officials, community leaders and celebrities who, over the last four years, have joined the fight against stigma, shame and discrimination towards individuals living with, or at risk for HIV/AIDS in A&PI communities in the United States and instead foster acceptance and compassion. She states, "Across the country, annual AIDS rates are increasing faster among Asian American and Pacific Islander communities than in other racial or ethnic communities." The Speaker continues to explain, "Stigma, discrimination, silence and shame exacerbate the HIV epidemic, creating barriers to testing and care services." She calls on community members to, "break this silence and talk about HIV with our children, grandchildren, and extended family." To watch the PSA go to: www.banyantreeproject.org.

The PSA launch is intended to coincide with the Fourth National A&PI HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, commemorated on May 19, 2008. The Awareness Day originates from The Banyan Tree Project, an anti-stigma program of A&PI Wellness Center funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. The Project's goal is to stop the cycle of discrimination and silence surrounding HIV by eliminating barriers that delay or prevent access to HIV prevention and care services through informing, teaching and setting a positive example.

Speaker Pelosi's PSA is the fifth PSA released this year. Previous PSAs have featured three major A&PI stars: Joan Chen, Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom, and James Kyson Lee. These PSAs highlight three points: the alarming increase of HIV infections in U.S. A&PI communities; the importance of showing compassion to those living with HIV; and the need for A&PIs to get tested for HIV. They are available at: http://banyantreeproject.org/ .

For more information on A&PI Wellness Center, go to http://www.apiwellness.orgor/ call 415-292-3400. For information about National A&PI HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, go to www.banyantreeproject.org or call 1-866-5BANYAN.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center

CONTACT: Dr. Bhupendra Sheoran of Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness
Center, +1-415-292-3420 ext 365, sheoran@apiwellness.org

Web Site: http://www.apiwellness.org/
http://www.banyantreeproject.org/

2008-05-21 17:36:11 0368274 PRNEWSWIRE