Jim Pickett

AIDS Foundation of Chicago

At the end of 2004, after five years as a Senior Consultant the Chicago Department of Public Health, international AIDS advocate Jim Pickett began his current position as Director of Advocacy at the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. As a leading advocate for new HIV prevention strategies, Jim co-founded the International Rectal Microbicide Advocates in 2005, which has grown into a network of over 800 advocates, scientists, policy makers and funders on six continents. So, he says “rectal” and “anal” a LOT. Jim currently serves as the co-chair of the Chicago Task Force on LGBT Substance Use and Abuse, leads a four-agency collaboration on gay men’s health funded by the Chicago Department of Public Health, and is the principal creator of the gay men’s sexual health and wellness website and blog called LifeLube.org. He ran his 4th marathon in 2007 through the National AIDS Marathon Training Program and was inducted into Chicago’s Lesbian and Gay Hall of Fame in 2005. He has been living with HIV since 1995, and currently only runs when he hears the words “cookies” or “cake.”

Say “We Do” to LGBTI Health

I don’t really care much about gay marriage. The issue that makes my heart race, is gay men’s health–LGBTI health–and I am frustrated so little attention is paid to health advocacy.