BC/EFA Annual Report 2005 - Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS

oadway cares/equity fights aids
A few words about AIDS, specifically in 2005 – 2006:
AIDS is not over. People still die, some unable to take the medications, many others uninsured and unable to afford
them, and too many more rejected by their communities. The challenges of AIDS have changed since 1988, but the toll of this
disease has been enormous: More than half a million lives lost here in the U.S.; more than one million American men,
women and children living with HIV/AIDS today; and, an infection rate of 40,000 a year that has remained steady in the
U.S. for over a decade.
This last statement is perhaps difficult to understand. How can this be? Prevention and education efforts have existed for
years; the message is smarter, more frank and thankfully in many communities causes less contention than it did 10 or more
years ago.
But, human nature has not changed. Perfect intentions exist in an imperfect world. Young folks will always feel immortal;
the worst of politics and the self-righteous reinforce a deadly denial. Women suffer the unearned consequences of a partner’s
secret or ignorance. Even with so much information at hand, people do careless things when drunk and high, sad or falling in
love, angry or on a dare – mistakes they come to regret as they recover from the very issues or deep emotional scars that allowed
them to put themselves in danger in the first place.
There is no longer “one face of AIDS.” Today “the faces of AIDS” represent all of us – gay or straight, young or old – all
living with a virus, not punishment for some kind of moral failing for which they deserve neither assistance nor services.
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS has extended its reach and will continue to do so – but always with our arms wrapped around those for whom we first
came together – men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS.
In 2004, Funders Concerned About AIDS (www.fcaaids.org) ranked BC/EFA as the second largest domestic AIDS funder in the country
and #11 of 68 grantmakers in the US reporting HIV-related domestic and international commitments of $300,000 or more annually.
In this day when billions of dollars mark the national deficit and funding for social services is being cut, private funding
has never mattered more. We thank you for the continued generosity and compassion that makes it all possible.
18 years. It’s been one hell of a bake sale. We hope you will be proud of what we accomplished together in just 2005 alone.
With deep appreciation,
Paul Libin
President
Tom Viola
Executive Director
Two cast members from Fiddler on the Roof get a big surprise; a performer from Off-Broadway’s Menopause: the Musical celebrates the show’s fourth year at
The Easter Bonnet Competition. Michael Balderrama from Movin’ Out at Broadway Bares and – one of the original founders of Equity Fights AIDS in 1988
and in 2005 starring in All Shook Up – Alix Korey.
a letter from the president and executive director