Date: Fri, 11 Apr 1997 10:37:24 -0400 (EDT)
From: NBGLLF@aol.com
Subject: Response to AIDS Director Announcement

THE NATIONAL BLACK LESBIAN AND GAY 
LEADERSHIP FORUM

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE			CONTACT:  Monique Meadows
April 10, 1997						                      (202) 483-6786

BLACK LESBIAN AND GAY FORUM COMMENTS ON APPOINTMENT OF AIDS POLICY DIRECTOR

Washington -- The head of the nation's largest black lesbian and gay
organization today responded to President Clinton's decision to appoint
Sandra Thurman as the Director of the Office of National AIDS Policy.

 "We are hopeful that this new appointment signals a new energy at the White
House to confront HIV/AIDS issues," said Keith Boykin, Executive Director of
the National Black Lesbian and Gay Leadership Forum.  "At a time when
African-Americans and Latinos are dying from AIDS at a greater rate than any
other community, we must have leadership that is sensitive and accountable to
our communities." he added.  "We hope and expect that Sandra Thurman will
provide that leadership."

HIV is now the leading cause of death for Black men between the ages of 25
and 44.  And despite the recently reported double-digit decline of the
overall AIDS mortality rate, the Black HIV infection rate continues to soar
and the Black AIDS mortality rate has remained virtually unchanged.  In
addition, new reports indicate the proportion of African-Americans with AIDS
(41%) has surpassed that of whites with AIDS (38%) for the first time. 

"To combat this disease, innovative prevention and education strategies
targeted to the African-American and Latino communities need to be supported
by the Office of National AIDS Policy," said Boykin.  "We hope the Office of
National AIDS Policy will promote these community-based approaches, and we
expect to work with the Administration in achieving that goal."

The National Black Lesbian and Gay Leadership Forum is the only national
organization dedicated to the nation's two and a half million
African-American gays and lesbians.  Established in 1988, the Forum works to
empower black lesbian and gays by developing their leadership skills,
increasing their visibility, and building bridges between various
communities.

###