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AIDSVAX To Be Tested In N.O.

According to an article in the Times-Picayune, New Orleans recently became the sixth city to receive a potential AIDS vaccine that has progressed further than any other in the quest for federal approval.

Already on hand is enough serum for 30 volunteers. The local testing, which will be coordinated by Dr. Richard DiCarlo, an infectious-disease specialist at Louisiana State University Medical Center, may eventually enroll as many as 150 people.

The drug, which contains a synthetic version of an HIV protein, is already being tested in Philadelphia, St. Louis, Washington, Denver and West Hollywood, CA. While this artificial virus fragment cannot infect, it is designed to resemble the HIV protein so closely that the immune system is tricked into producing antibodies to battle the real thing before HIV can attack healthy cells.

Over three years, each volunteer test receives seven shots and is tested each time. Two thirds get AIDSVAX; the rest are injected with a placebo, or dummy serum. No one will know who is getting what until the experiment ends, according to VaxGen, Inc., of South San Francisco, its manufacturer.

The test, which gauges effectiveness, is the last before VaxGen submits information about the drug to the Food and Drug Administration, which determines whether the compound can be sold. With post-test analysis, submission to the FDA is likely to be at least four years away.

Other potential vaccines have been introduced but none has advanced to this stage, according to DiCarlo.

"I'm skeptical about the efficacy of the vaccine, but I'm excited about starting a trial. There will be a lot we can learn," he said. "I think everyone is a little bit skeptical, and we're not going to be suggesting that people should feel they're getting an effective vaccine from the trial."

Researchers want to enroll people involved in high-risk sexual behavior who have managed to remain uninfected. Ideal candidates, DiCarlo said, are Gay men who have sex with more than one partner and women with male partners who already carry the virus.

Even though scientists want to sign up these people, DiCarlo said they also want to make them aware, through professional counseling, of the importance of risk-reduction behavior, including the use of condoms and the importance of monogamy.

Even under the best circumstances, AIDSVAX probably will protect no more than 70 percent of the people who receive it, DiCarlo said, because there are simply too many strains of HIV, which has proved to be a wily opponent that can mutate to escape obliteration.

Given this condition, it's unlikely that this form of AIDSVAX will be the final product, "but it will give us a lot of information about whether [a vaccine] would be possible," he said.

For more information, call DiCarlo's office, 504.568.4658 or the NO/AIDS Task Force, 504.945.4000.

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Southern Decadence
At Bourbon Pub & Parade

In anticipation of the biggest weekend ever, the Bourbon Pub and its upstairs disco, the Parade, have announced their weekend lineup for Southern Decadence. There will be over 25 hot porn stars and gogo boys dancing throughout the weekend, in addition to the following lineup:

Thursday: The Big Dick Contest--the official kickoff contest of Southern Decadence weekend. It'll be hosted once again by Scarlet O'Hara Butler, with a panel of celebrity judges headed by Robin Malta, this year's Grand Marshal, and Miss Love, last year's GM. The cash grand prize will be based on length times circumference, with other prizes awarded for prettiest, best groomed, longest, thickest and best dressed. Music for the night will be by circuit diva Lydia Prim.

Friday: The Parade welcomes legendary New York DJ Warren Gluck for his first appearance in New Orleans. At midnight there will be a live stage show with porn superstars Logan Reed and Clay Maverick.

Saturday: Direct from New York, New Orleans native Max Rodriguez will be joining Darren Thomas in DJing for the Parade's Deca-Dance '98.

Sunday: After the street party and parade, the Parade presents the climax of Decadence weekend with guest DJ Rick Mitchell from Miami/South Beach. This will be Rick's first time back in New Orleans since he brought the house down at the Parade during Mardi Gras.

Lighting guru extraordinaire William Brown from San Francisco will be joining the Parade's own Rob Guenther to keep the electric eye wash pulsing.

A limited number of VIP Weekend Passes to both the Pub and the Parade are on sale at Hit Parade, located directly across St. Ann St. Save money and avoid the lines by grabbing one of these passes before they sell out.

For more information, visit the Bourbon Pub and Parade's new Web site at www.bourbonpub.com.

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Deadline Approaches For Vieux Carre MCC
Spiritual Retreat Registration

The Sept. 16 deadline for registering for VCMCC's fourth annual spiritual retreat, scheduled for Oct. 16-18, is quickly approaching. This year's retreat, which will take place at Fontainebleau State park near Mandeville, is entitled "A Call To Community." Rev. Pat Bumgardner, senior pastor of MCC New York, will facilitate workshops throughout the weekend, as she shares her wisdom and experiences in the area. In addition to the workshops, there will be opportunities for worship, fellowship, and relaxation among the park's peaceful surroundings. An entire weekend of activities, food and lodging are offered to everyone for the low price of $37.50. Call the church office at 504.945.5390 for more details.

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Vieux Carre MCC
To Participate In
NO/AIDS Walk

All are welcome to join Vieux Carre MCC at Audubon Park on Sept. 20 as it participates in this year's NO/AIDS Walk. The church's plans include gathering for prayer prior to the walk; walking as a group along the scenic neighborhood route; and re-assembling for the receiving of the Eucharist under the natural setting of the park's shading oak trees. Then the party takes to the road as they caravan to Waveland, MS, for a picnic and pool party at one of the church members home. It's sure to be a spirit-filled day of food, fun and fellowship you won't want to miss.

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Living Room Receives
Additional Ryan White Funding

Approximately two weeks following its first year anniversary, the Living Room received word that it will be the recipient of an additional $21,000 of Ryan White grant money. The money is over and above the original $57,000 which was received earlier this year. part of the money will go to converting the salaries of staff members from part-time to full-time positions. It will also be used for the purchase of appliances and for renting additional facility space as the day center continues to expand. The Living Room, an outreach ministry of Vieux Carre MCC, provides services for HIV+ clients in the New Orleans area in the form of outings, structured activities and meals. For more information about its services, call Ms. Shirley VanDamme at 504.945.1635.

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