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June 7, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com
White House Meeting on Black Men & HIV Discusses New Outreach Approaches By Jarrett Terrill
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n Wednesday, June 2, the Office of National AIDS Policy (ONAP) convened a meeting at the White House on Black Men and HIV. The meeting included black men living with HIV, experts on HIV/AIDS, Federal, State, and local policymakers, community-based service providers, representatives from foundations, and leaders from across the black community’s civil rights and faith organizations.
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Robert Van Damme ‘Not Wanted for Murder’ Source Denies Rumor; Arrest Devolves into He-Said, She-Said Spat By Penn Bullock
said. “My right hand hit behind me and the edge of my fingertips hit the corner of her source close to Robert Kovarik— mouth. I did not mean to hit her.” Kovarik alaka “Robert van Damme,” the im- leged that his wife, after his arrest on a charge prisoned gay-sex icon—is deny- of domestic violence, forced him out of his ing rumors that the world-famous porn star production company, froze his credit card, is wanted for murder in his native Czech and revoked support for his immigration staRepublic. But the source, who asked not tus—paving the way for possible deportation. “There is no exto be named, acknowlcuse for ever hitting edged that Kovarik may someone, much less be sought in that couna woman,” Kovarik try for questioning in a said. “However now I theft case. feel that I am the vicOn May 25, SFGN retim of a terrible plot to ported that Kovarik had steal my money and been arrested in Orange company.” County, California, for His wife, Mimi Lealleged domestic viotuska, retaliated with lence and contempt of her own statement to court. SFGN further VinceLambert.com, revealed that Immigrain which she sharply tion and Customs Encontradicted her husforcement (ICE) had band’s account. She adplaced a federal deRobert Kovarik mitted that Kovarik, tainer on Kovarik, in effect preventing him from posting bond. on the night in question, had come home The story generated a flurry of comments with a broken nose—which, she added, had on SFGN’s site, including several written left no visible wound. But she told a differin Czechoslovakian. Rumors swirled about ent story of how the fight unfolded. She alwhether Kovarik was wanted in the Czech leged her husband had become bothered, Republic on grave criminal charges—ru- and then irate, over her daughters exchangmors that an ICE spokeswoman declined to ing text messages in the house. According to his wife, Kovarik stormed into the comment on. As the reports of the arrest spread to daughters’ room; after he smashed their Queerty and other gay sites, Kovarik re- cellphones against a wall, Letuska said she leased a detailed statement alleging he was begged Kovarik to leave. “I never struck the victim of a plot by his wife, Mimi Letus- him. I was afraid of him. He is a 6-foot-1 ka, to steal his money, expel him from the bodybuilder,” she said—alleging further country, and arrogate his porn production that he had shown no immediate remorse, that he had been violent throughout their company, RVD Films. In a statement published on VincentLam- four-year marriage, and that he had violated bert.com, Kovarik admitted that a yelling a restraining order following the fight. Letuska denied any conspiracy to take match had broken out with his wife after his late-night return from a hockey game over his porn production company. “… in which he had suffered a broken nose. As There is no RVD Films anymore,” she said. the fight escalated, Kovarik said that his wife “Obviously, RVD Films was Robert Van picked up a lamp and hit him in the nose. Damme. He was the personality, the celeb“The intense pain was immediate and I re- rity. I only handled all administrative duacted by trying to get her away from me,” he ties. Robert ruined his own business.”
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WIKIMEDIA
Gregorio Millett
The purpose of the meeting was to raise awareness about the domestic HIV epidemic among Black men, discuss government and community responses to the epidemic, and promote a conversation among diverse elements of the Black community. The meeting is part of a series of discussions that have been hosted by ONAP over the past year. Past meetings have focused on HIV among women, youth, and other topics. “As a scientist who has spent the last 10 years addressing this topic while at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, I believe that this type of dialogue is essential to improving our country’s response to HIV/AIDS,” says Gregorio Millett, the Senior Policy Advisor for ONAP, “This conversation needs to continue, but more importantly, it needs to be followed by collective action to end the national tragedy such that future generations of Black men do not face HIV infection as a rite of passage. Various outreach approaches were discussed at the meeting including an “Act Against AIDS” communication campaign by the Centers For Disease Control and a “Greater Than AIDS” campaign by the Black AIDS Institute. It is not known whether or not LGBT concerns or topics of sexual orientation were addressed at the meeting but representatives from the CDC, Dept. of Health & Human Services, The Bureau of Prisons, and select members of the “faith-based” community were present. Also in attendance were Jonathan Capehart of the Washington Post, Kali Lindsay of Harlem United, Rev. Edwin Sanders of the Metropolitan Interdenominational Church and Marcus Murray of Project Brotherhood.