GMHC CAB Leader Fights Expulsion Based on Discrimination, Freedom of Speech and Political Expression

The Gay Men’s Health Crisis, Inc. (GMHC) is the world’s first and leading provider of HIV/AIDS prevention care and advocacy. Its mission is to end the AIDS epidemic and uplift the lives of all affected.

On Wednesday, May 5, 2014, the Vice-Chair of the GMHC Consumer Advisory Board (CAB) was terminated from all services provided by GMHC for his advocacy of all GMHC clients.

There is a growing concern within the GMHC Community that those clients who publicly voice their opinions and advocate regarding issues of clients' concerns are now being marginalized, intimidated, harassed, and unfairly punished for their actions. We recently saw the push-back from the board from any real input by the clients in the recent CEO selection process that ended up with more questions being raised than answers regarding a “New Direction” for the agency.

In the minds of many, the GMHC Consumer Advisory Board (CAB) has been hijacked with the assistance of the CAB Chair and the staff liaison to the CAB. This is not the first time that the staff liaison to the CAB has been accused of discriminatory treatment, when a HIV negative client file complaint that he was being discriminated against based on his negative status.

goo.gl/yAED4x--The issue of a mandatory separate entrance being used by those clients who come for their HIV related services is also discriminatory and only serves to fuel the stigma of HIV/AIDS. (highlight and right click)>>> http://goo.gl/nDEdG2

goo.gl/MVOpFj --The media have also reported on whether funds raised for programs and services at the agency are being spent as intended. The issue of transparency and openness at the agency are other issues brought to the attention of the board by clients in the past. Whatever happen to that “New Direction” that was touted in a press release by the board upon the announcement of a new CEO search? That “New Direction” and a litany of issues raised by the CAB has either been summarily dismissed or totally ignored by the GMHC Board and the senior management team.

We ask that you stand up for what is right in your support for all GMHC clients against discrimination, for freedom of expression and due process at the agency.

The petition will go to the GMHC Co-Chairs of the Board, Roberta Kaplan, Esq. and Michael C. Harwood, Esq, its CEO, Mr. Kelsey Louie, Ms. Lynnette Ford, MSW, MA, Managing Director, Program Services and Evaluation, and a copy to Mr. Eric T. Schneiderman, New York State Attorney General.

We demand:
1. That CAB leader Joseph Sellman be reinstated immediately as GMHC client and member of the GMHC CAB.
2. That the GMHC Staff Liaison to the CAB, David Hind, be disciplined for his unprofessional conduct and harassment of a GMHC client and having submitted a false and misleading statement that was racist in tone against Joseph Sellman.
3. That the issue of a separate and discriminatory entrance being used by GMHC Clients at 446 West 33rd Street, NYC be eliminated immediately.

Respectfully,
The Action Committee for Justice and Transparency at GMHC