The  “Friends” of AIDS Network contend that Karen Dotson has not been contacted in an effort to set up a meeting to discuss our strongly held concerns regarding AIDS Network.

 Here are the facts:

• Ms. Dotson has refused to meet with me:

Bob Bowers, long time supporter of AIDS Network and volunteer spokesperson for the agency for many years was angered by the statement attributed to Ms. Dotson that appeared in the May 23, 2009 Isthhmus wherein she referred to members of ACT UP Wisconsin as embittered dissidents.   Mr. Bowers, being a founding member of ACT UP Wisconsin, was very upset by this statement and courageously stopped by the AIDS Network office and met with Ms. Dotson to address his outrage.   Dan Guinn was also in attendance.   This meeting was held on May 23, 2009.

In the course of this meeting Mr. Bowers asked Ms. Dotson if she would meet with ACT UP Wisconsin or Greg Milward.   Her response was a clearly stated “I will not meet with Greg Milward”.    Bob’s outrage increased at the direct refusal of the Executive Director of AIDS Network to meet with me or ACT UP as a group.    This information was provided directly from Bob Bowers.   Bob has requested that anyone who questions the legitimacy of these statements contact him directly for verification.

• Mediator facilitated meeting request ignored:

A long time ACT Rider and supporter of AIDS Network approached Bob Bowers and Della Haugen with a request to meet.  In the meeting this volunteer expressed sadness over the divide that has developed between AIDS Network and ACT UP Wisconsin members.   She offered a reasonable solution when she suggested that both Ms. Dotson and those involved with ACT UP Wisconsin agree to meet at a third party location with a mutually agreed upon mediator and the stated intent to have an open and honest discussion of the issues.    This volunteer even generously offered to pay the costs of hiring a mediator.

We all readily agreed to this suggestion and were excited at the prospect of finally being able to have a discussion with Ms. Dotson regarding the issues.

The volunteer then set up a meeting with Ms. Dotson wherein she proposed the same scenario.   Ms. Dotson did not agree or disagree to the meeting, but instead said that she would get back to the volunteer in “two weeks”; that she needed time to think about it.      In an email from the volunteer dated June 25th:  I’m really interested in getting ACT Up and AIDS Network to talk. I’m sure Bob told you about my conversation with Karen and I’m going to give her a couple of weeks to consider a mediation option.   It’s been almost two months since Ms. Dotson said she needed time to consider the offer to meet in a constructive and open manner with the assistance of an agreed upon mediator.   No answer has been forthcoming.

The contention that we have not attempted to set up meetings with Ms. Dotson is untrue and is a desperate attempt to disparage my character and that other members of ACT UP Wisconsin.    Sadly, character assassination, stigmatization and demonizing members of the AIDS community who disagree with AIDS Network has become standard operating procedure.