MEDIA ADVISORY
Contact: Sean Barry, 646.373.3344, sean@vocal-ny.org

LGBT New Yorkers To Protest Mayor Bloomberg’s

HIV/AIDS Policies During His Speech on Marriage
Equality at Cooper Union

Mayor’s Budget Doubles City Cuts to HIV/AIDS Housing &

Nutrition Services To More Than $7 Million;
Opposition to 30% Rent Cap Bill Stalls Vital Legislation in Albany
WHAT: Rally to draw attention to the harmful impact of Mayor Bloomberg’s agenda on
low-income LGBT New Yorkers living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.

WHEN: Thursday, May 26th starting at 12:30pm

WHO: LGBT leaders in the HIV/AIDS community

WHERE: 30 Cooper Square outside Cooper Union

WHY: Mayor Bloomberg’s HIV/AIDS budget and legislative agenda are harmful for
LGBT New Yorkers.

Bloomberg’s Budget: Mayor Bloomberg’s final Executive Budget for FY12 doubled
proposed funding cuts for supportive housing programs and calls for the elimination of a
citywide nutrition and meals program for low-income people living with HIV/AIDS.

Bloomberg’s Agenda in Albany: Mayor Bloomberg insisted former Governor David

Paterson to veto bipartisan legislation to prevent homelessness among low-income
people living with HIV/AIDS that would have ensured those already eligible for rental
assistance pay no more than 30 percent of their disability income towards rent.

HIV/AIDS & the LGBT community: The epidemic remains rooted in inequality,
homophobia and government neglect. About half of all people living with HIV/AIDS in
the United States are gay and bisexual men. In New York City, gay men comprise 43%
of all reported new HIV diagnosis despite making up less than 5% of the population.

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