So yesterday I had the privilege of representing Gear at the
first Get Tested Coachella Valley Campaign’s annual community update. The news
was thrilling! In our Valley in which HIV prevalence is over twice the national
average and less than half of residents have ever gotten tested, the number of
tests administered and positive results uncovered have vastly increased. But
more importantly, 88% of those newly-diagnosed were linked to care. In the
state of California overall, the linked-to-care average is only 52%. And in our
nation, it’s only 66%. Our Valley’s achievement is outstanding.
We haven’t talked a lot about it, but John and I have been
part of the coalition to launch Get Tested Coachella Valley since before it
even had a name. And we opened our
community testing site before the campaign even started. It’s because we’re deeply
committed to the testing-as-prevention model of HIV reduction. And because we’re
also committed to giving voice to the people who are rarely included in
mainstream discussion: the kinskters, the joyfully sexy, the ployamorous, the addicted,
the sex workers, the sex tourists and more.
To its credit, Get Tested Coachella Valley has involved us
at every step along the way. It has been
truly remarkable to be included in a coalition with the likes of Senators Barbara
Boxer and Diane Feinstein, Representative Raul Ruiz and Assemblyman Manuel Perez,
and to be at the table with our local mayors, public health agencies, hospitals,
media, businesses and amazing non-profits, large and small. And I must admit,
it’s always a kick to introduce myself and our company amidst all those other folks.
I am ever mindful, however, that we are not at that table because
of us, but because of you. By gearing up and showing up everywhere throughout
the year, you tell our community that kinky people are among them and that we
are important. And by supporting our store in the good and bad times, you tell
people that Gear is an institution that matters to you. We don’t take that
lightly. It was great to celebrate a little at the update yesterday. But it’s
even greater to be able to serve you.
Ken Blochowski
Marketing Director
Gear Leather & Fetish
