The Department of State has put together a Voluntary Visitor project examining HIV/AIDS Awareness & LGBT Human Rights Advocacy in the United States.  This program – which will be funded entirely by the Department of State – will take place July 27 – August 8, immediately following the International AIDS 2012 Conference in Washington, DC (July 22-27).  The program is open to participants from Europe who will already be traveling to Washington, DC for the AIDS Conference. 

In addition to targeting persons attending the AIDS 2012 Conference, this project is particularly geared towards HIV/AIDS experts and advocates who wish to learn more about successfully providing HIV/AIDS-related prevention and services for often-marginalized LGBT populations, as well as learning what can be done to advocate more effectively for the human rights of LGBT individuals.  The program will include meetings in Washington, DC, Baltimore, Little Rock, and Raleigh.  Please see the attached draft program outline for more information.

If you are interested or know of any potential candidates for this project, please contact Ken Kero-Mentz (KeroMentzKA@state.gov) as soon as possible so he can work with our Embassies in Europe to nominate them for participation.  If you are eligible and interested please contact Mr. Kero-Mentz no later than Monday July 2 as that is their deadline.

This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about HIV/AIDS Awareness & LGBT Human Rights Advocacy in the United States so if you are able to take advantage of it, please send an email to the contact above as soon as possible.