Universal says "Hey all of you chatters out there - Welcome to The Backlot Café chat show. It's Tuesday, February 10 and you are chatting live at Real Hollywood - the place you need to be. My name is Jeremy Berg and I'll be your moderator for the evening. We're happy to have James Loyce Jr. lined up to chat with you tonight! James is the CEO of AIDS Project Los Angeles, and he'll be chatting about the 10 Year Commitment to Life benefit that's happening at the Universal Amphitheater this Thursday. They'll be honoring Jim Carrey, Joe Roth and Rosie O'Donnell at this big gala event!!! Before we start chatting with James, I want to take the time to introduce The Backlot Café crew and explain to you how to participate in tonight's moderated chat. Joining me tonight are my partners in crime, Jennifer Koziol, Jeff Pakosta and Steve Leff. Jennifer's my trusty screener, Steve's my handy man, and Jeff is just an all around great guy. Also on hand is our typist Troy Rutter."

Universal says "OK chatters, listen up!!! Here are some instructions on asking questions during tonight's live chat: All you have to do is click on the ? that's featured on the plugin toolbar (just to the left of the scrolling marquee). Or, simply type /ask followed by your question. It will then be submitted and presented to the special guest speaker. It should look exactly like this: /ask What sign are you? And for all of you Excite users out there. Thanks for joining us!!! If you're using Excite's VP chat, ask a question by clicking on the "Something to Say?" button on the lower right corner of the stage."

Universal says "All right folks, let's move onto the big event. Commitment to Life: The Premiere Entertainment Industry Gala and Awards Show. Join us as we celebrate the tenth anniversary of the nation's most celebrated fundraising event. Tonight we're privileged to have AIDS Project Los Angeles Chief Executive Officer James Loyce, Jr. chatting about this monumental event. Appointed to the post of Executive Director of AIDS Project Los Angeles in 1994, James Loyce, Jr. oversees operations of APLA programs and services, which directly reach 50,000 people in the HIV community each year, as well as an additional 1.5 million through its public health campaigns."

Universal says "Commitment to Life pays tribute to well-known figures and entertainment professionals who have made an exceptional commitment or contribution to the fight against HIV/AIDS. With "A Ten Year Commitment to Life," APLA is proud to honor Jim Carrey, Rosie O'Donnell, Joe Roth (Chairman of Walt Disney Studios) and Ron Burkle (Chairman of Ralphs Grocery Company). Rright chatters, let's get to it!! Ladies and gentleman. it's chat time!!! Without any further ado, please welcome James Loyce Jr.!!!"

Universal says "How are you?"

JamesLoyceJr says "Fine! How are you!"

Universal says "I guess its' a busy time for you?"

JamesLoyceJr says "It absolutely is - the last 48 hours before the event includes working with the performers, seating, collecting donations and basically doing everything we thought we've done but hadnt"

Universal says "Just last minute details. . ."

JamesLoyceJr says "Absolutely."

Universal says "Would you say it's the busiest time of the year for you and APLA?"

JamesLoyceJr says "In terms of an event - yes. It is our 2nd largest event next to our walk. We are more actively involved in the production of this event than we are with the walk. There we have an outside producer."

donutgirl asks "How long have you been working with this organization and what is the most rewarding part of your job?"

JamesLoyceJr says "I started working with APLA January 10, 1994. And probably the most rewarding was in the 2 years, when I see people who come in looking close to death and seeing the rebound as a result of the medicines and physical strength and knowing Im a part of making that happen."

Universal says "That's great. As compared to a couple years ago, have the medicines greatly increased the lifespan of people infected with HIV?"

JamesLoyceJr says "Not only have they increased the lifespan - but in LA we have seen a 60reduction in the amount of deaths due to HIV. They are phyisically and emotionally much stronger now."

Universal says "What about a year from now? Do you anticipate more advancements?"

JamesLoyceJr says "As a matter of fact, there are 3 new AIDS drugs in the pipeline. one of the things that will happen, is a reduction in the number of drugs in the course of the day. Right now, if you are taking the "****tail" drug - you are taking 21 -28 pills a day."

Universal says "Wow!"

JamesLoyceJr says "You have to take some with food, some without, some with fatty, some without fatty food - its a very strict program that you must follow - with your doctor. We'll see a reduction in that, but not in the cost of the drugs - that's sort of the downside. You add more drugs that can be paid for out of the assistance program, that shoots the cost up, more people have access and that reduced the number of people who can get those drugs."

ExciteUser asks "(JOTOTTY) :How do you endeavor to enlighten the still prejudiced, about the condition?"

JamesLoyceJr says "The thing that we can do is interviews like THIS one - I don’t know how many hits there will be, but we will enlighten people through this medium. There will be reprters and video folks at the event itself. It gives me an opportunity to send a risk reduction, a safer sez message and a statement that it aint over! sez=sex"

Universal says "I think you guys are doing a great job, and Iwas really happy to book you for tonight Usually we have TV stars, but I think this will really help get the message across"

JamesLoyceJr says "And we are really appreciative for the opportunity, Jeremy."

ExciteUser asks "(luke_d):mike cresswell from the T.H.T TRUST LONDON do you find that big time events bring you in less revenue that direct donations and company donations,"

Universal says "That question came from somone from Excite, which takes our chat stream and participates as well"

JamesLoyceJr says "Well, I guess the question is "whats the cost of fundraising" The cost of this event is 22 to 25 cents, out of every dollar we get 78-75 cents. We try not to go much higher than that. Obviously it's easier if I can go out and make a million dollar ask."

guest362 asks "You are honoring Rosie O'Donnell - can you touch base on what she did to be honored?"

Universal says "How many events do you have a year?"

JamesLoyceJr says "On this side, we have Committment to life - a 3 million dollar plus event, the walk which is a 3 million dollar event. The dancathon is about a million dollars, a fashion event which raised us about 1.1 million dollars and some of the other events are from 35 thousand to 100 thousand dollars. Rosie has been a contributor to AIDS causes and gay and lesbian causes for a number of year. Many celebrities do not at all publicise the fights that they contribute to. They just simply make the contribution because they have financial resources to do so. She has been involved and have made references on her show - she's a big breast cancer contributor as well. it's about public health - and it's about who we can get to get people to buy tickets to the event,"

Universal says "What will Jim Carrey and Rosie be doing at the event?"

JamesLoyceJr says "They will be given an award - Jim will be introudced by Dustin Hoffman. He'll have an opportunity to make remarks about what the award means to him - and what it means for him to be involved in the fight. Rosie will be introduced by Merv Griffin. Because they are entertainers - you never know where they will go when they get the mike!"

Universal says "Do you have other entertainment for the evening?"

JamesLoyceJr says "We have Natalie Cole, Jennifer Holliday will sing for us - we will have the Barnum band, and the New Life Choir will sing "Seasons of Love" from "Rent." We will have a number of videos that cover the 10 years of CTO. We will have Elizabeth Taylor there - she created it. She will talk about what it was like when she created this event - which started small but has grown to be huge!"

Universal says "Can you run over a list of the past recipients of the award?"

JamesLoyceJr says "Madonna, Barbara Streisand, Hillary Clinton, David Geffen, Elizabeth Taylor, Elton John."

TheDiesel asks "Did you like the award winning HBO movie, "And the Band Played On?" How did it affect you and your fight against HIV?"

JamesLoyceJr says "Well, actually I lived in San Francisco at the beginning of the epidemic . I lived the movie's life. I was working in the health department at that time. It was known as GRIDS. I've been involved in the fight against AIDS for 17 years. So it had an affect on me because I was LIVING it."

ExciteUser asks "(Stria):Can you tell us when the first human case of AIDS was indentified."

JamesLoyceJr says "Well, that's interesting. I just read an article in the paper where some researches say it was identified right after WWII in Africa. So who knows? I thought it was in the early 80's - now I read this. I just don't know. That was in the LA Times 3 or 4 days ago."

guest366 asks "I am here in Ireland where the AIDS level is quite low. Do you think that it can be "CONTAINED??""

JamesLoyceJr says "Well, it is a preventable disease. So to the extent of that and there is a public health system that is active in its prevention efforts and a at-risk community that responds - yes. If those things are in place. If not, it will spread like wildfire."

squeekie asks "Has the rap community become more involved in aids awareness after the death of rapper EazyE?"

JamesLoyceJr says "Yes. There have been members of the rap community who have done some things. Coolio for example, in that school movie - he did a CD for the movie, and on the CD he has a song that talks about HIV and AIDS. I listen to it every once and then. So, he is a classic example. Janet Jackson who is not a rap artist, her latest single - "Smile Again" it's played on MTV and VH1 - it's all about her losses of people she knew to HIV. Snoop Doggie Dog has made some comments about it - Puff Daddy is someone who is interested in this. Naughty By Nature did some work."

Universal says "So Puff Daddy has brought AIDS awareness to the public"

JamesLoyceJr says "Yes. All those folks have talked about, either in their music or other ways, about protecting yourself and your partner. LL Cool J is another guy."

TheDiesel asks "what other charities have you been involved with?"

JamesLoyceJr says "Ive worked in San Francisco with Drug and Alcohol providers, in the Juvenile Justice system. I've done work around suicide and mental health issues - a variety of different charities. My whole career has been around public health."

Universal says "Were you born and raised in San Francisco?"

JamesLoyceJr says "No, i was born and raised in San Diego, but after grad school i headed north."

Universal says "What do you think of LA life as compared to SF life? Which do you like better?"

JamesLoyceJr says "I like it better in San Francisco - but I LOVE my job! And my job brought me here and keeps me here."

Steve25 asks "Has there been a lot of support from the entertainment industry?"

JamesLoyceJr says "Almost from the very beginning of the disease, the industry has been involved - from actors and technicians who work on movies to directors, studio heads, major stars became involved as they began to be personally affected by this epidemic. As soon as they became personally affected, then we saw many more people become directly involved."

JamesLoyceJr says "They've been there more than any other industry."

ExciteUser asks "(luke_d) :how long did it take your health services to react to the epidemic?"

JamesLoyceJr says "Let me tell you, in San Francisco, we were able to quickly get the county health department - there was an immediate response. The community though felt that that response was insufficient. The need for buddy companion and support for those who are in infected. The need for legal services. Power of Attorney - some of the early things we had to deal with. We simply needed to get information out to the community as a whole - particularly the gay community. We just had to get the information out. In San Francisco there was a pretty much immediate response."

TheDiesel asks "What is the likelyhood of an all out cure for HIV in the new millenium?"

JamesLoyceJr says "Well, I dont know - I can say this at the rate they are creating new medicines - it would seem to me that a cure would not be that far behind. I cant say if it'll be 2002 or 2010 - I dont know."

Universal says "But you're seeing advancements that are exceptional"

JamesLoyceJr says "In the last 2 years, to think that the lifespan from infection to diagnosis to death - 30 days to now 38 months and BEYOND because of the new drugs. We know these new drugs are making a real difference in the life of people with HIV."

guest365 asks "who comes up with the creativity in coming up with ideas for your events- for example, the dance-a-thon?"

JamesLoyceJr says "The Dance-A-Thon was created by an outside production company. They did the dances both here and in SF and in New York."

Universal says "What other events are happening in LA?"

JamesLoyceJr says "For APLA we have a fashion show. We will probably have an event that is sports oriented. It probably will be a pool type event. We have a summer party at Universal every year - that raises about 4 or 500 thousand dollars for that night."

Universal says "Are those just like smaller parties?"

JamesLoyceJr says "Then we do some of those smaller grassroots things. We did the premiere for Bent and that raised about 30,000 dollars."

Universal says "Each year, do you have a monetary goal that you are trying to reach?"

JamesLoyceJr says "Yeah, for example our goial is $20 million. We want to spend about 17.6 million."

Fogetaboutit asks "Do you have a national spokesperson? If not who would you want it to be?"

JamesLoyceJr says "Well, the problem with national spokespeople is that they have to make generic comments. The impact of the epidemic is different around the country. It would be so generic that I dont know if they would be able to capture the heart and soul of the epidemic. Thats why we have never had one person . There are many of them who speak."

StephanieInTexas asks "how many aids patients have benefited from this foundation?"

Universal says "If you're using Excite's VP chat, ask a question by clicking on the "Something to Say?" button on the lower right corner of the stage."

JamesLoyceJr says "We currently have 6,500 people on our case load. That doesnt include another 25,000 people we hit through our community forums where we don't count but we fill rooms giving out information over 15 years, an easy 100,000 or more."

Fogetaboutit asks "Do you look forward to the day when you don't have a job anymore?"

JamesLoyceJr says "Absolutely. We ALL would like to be able - I wish tonight was the last night Id have to leave here. Those of us in the AIDS field who do this work , would like to see the end of the epidemic. There are so many other diseases out there, but right now my focus is on HIV and AIDS. About 220."

Universal says " Where are you located?"

JamesLoyceJr says "We are on Vine St. and Fountain."

Fogetaboutit asks "Are you afraid that APLA is in danger of looking like a glamour charity over time just as Jerry Lweis' event has?"

JamesLoyceJr says "no, I am not afraid of that at all. You need to have these kinds of huge events for a number of reasons. Clearly they generate a lot of revenue at one time. There is still an interest in being in an enviornment where the major stars are and paying money to be there."

StephanieInTexas asks "how long does it take fort he preparations from one event to the next ?"

JamesLoyceJr says "This is a year in the planning. It's a process of finding the stars to honor and those in attendance. Since December of 97 to now, we've been in overdrive. We'll be in HYPERDRIVE until it's done. Then we have to do break down!"

Fogetaboutit asks "Do you work in concert with other nation-wide efforts?"

JamesLoyceJr says "yes. I am a member of the board of director of the AIDS Action Council and the National Association of People With AIDS and also the National Minority AIDS Council - all of which are in Washington D.C. and all that have a national perspective on the epidemic. I have both APLA seats and a personal seat as a result of my work over the last 17 years"

Fogetaboutit asks "How are the monies distributed once they are brought in?"

JamesLoyceJr says "They are put in our general fund and then distributed throughout our service programs. We have a necessities of life program which costs us about a million dollars a year. Its our food bank, a huge warehouse of food. People living with AIDS can come in twice a month and grocery shop at no cost to them. We allocate a portion of funds to that service. It is spread out through the agency."

GillianSpice asks "What are some of the features of the this week's event?"

JamesLoyceJr says "We're going to have Elizabeth Taylor, Sandra Bullock, Dustin Hoffman, Merv Griffin, Natalie Cole, Jennifer Holliday, video clips from the previous 9 CTO events where we show clips of the most exciting moments."

ExciteUser asks "(luke_d):do you now find that you are directing a larger proprtion of your funding to educating hetrosexual people about aids and to providing for their needs"

JamesLoyceJr says "We are expending more of our time on a staff perspective to the heterosexual community - primarilly women With the men, we find a number of men who are having sex with men, but who do not identify as gay or homosexual. But the men don't find out about their infection until their partner gets sick. Particulary we are focusing on the African American and Latina community where the number of cases is on the upswing."

Universal says "So funds are definitely allocated for education"

JamesLoyceJr says "Yes, And still the largest population are gay men. Clearly men who identify as gay, as well as those who do not. Those are still the largest population of infections. We are still in an arena where men are still the most likely to get infected at least in LA."

Universal says "Do you find it discouraging that you still have to spend so much on education? You would think that by now people are well aware of the problems"

JamesLoyceJr says "It's discouraging. The problem is that you have a mass media effort that came out in July of 1996-97 where they start talking about the new drugs and some people think it's a morning after pill And, the thing that we know is that you don't learn the lesson the first time Education and prevention intervention must be done multiple times by the members of the at-risk group. The problem is that group continues to change. There's a new group in there now than 5 years ago. So we'll have to deliver this forever. STD's were prevalnt in some communities before HIV. We continue to have to do education."

PackedHoney asks "What do you think of the internet? Does it play a big part in your promotions? Do you have a web site?"

JamesLoyceJr says "We have a web site - but dont ask me what it is! I think it's apla.org. We do not only descriptions of event, we try to put the latest information about treatment - we have a lot of information there."

Universal says "Everyone should check it out!"

ExciteUser asks "(ETURNAL) :they say a moskeeto bites only once but thats not true so can you catch aid or hiv from bug bites?"

JamesLoyceJr says "We have never found THE mosquito or the monkey that originated the virus. Some say they are the source - but there is no scientific evidence to support that."

ExciteUser asks "(tuvak) :I was told that the medicine used to cure aids is only killing people. Is this true?"

JamesLoyceJr says "No, it is not. The virus kills people - the medications do not. Do some people have a toxic reaction? Yes. about 15-30 percent of people find they are intollerant. 70-85 percent are responding very well. With any medication, there are some who have an adverse"

JamesLoyceJr says "reaction. Some people can't take aspirin."

ExciteUser asks "(tallguy10):Do you find it hard to get certian stars associated with your organization?"

JamesLoyceJr says "Yes. And I won't name any."

ExciteUser asks "(ZeRo_FrEaK) :Why did you want to do this job?"

JamesLoyceJr says "This job interested me because I am a person who believes that if you are going to make real change, you have to do it from a community based position. I was in government and I wanted to be ion the front lines and I wanted to make sure that this organization was part of the continuim and partnered with the rest of the HIV organizations. Those things were high on my list of priorities."

8BallWilly asks "What celebrity do you think has contributed the most to the prevention and teaching about AIDS?"

JamesLoyceJr says "To me, its Elizabeth taylor. She has been here for over 12 years. She is always out there, putting her name out there when nobody else would. The only other close one was Doris Day and her association to Rock. Elizabeth was always out there."

StephanieInTexas asks "how can u not get the from kissing if that is also considered transmission of body fluids?"

JamesLoyceJr says "There has not been, to my knowledge, a infection from kissing - either deep throat kissing, or just pecking each other on the cheek. in order for it to happen, you would have to have blood to blood contact. In a kissing situation that is highly unlikely. It is also unlikely there would be enough of the virus in that kind of activity to create an infectious state."

8BallWilly asks "where do you see yourself in 10 years?"

JamesLoyceJr says "I think that if in fact the medications that are being used and the physician treatment continues in the way it does, we will be reshaping ourselves ever 18 months. There will always be a core of people where the medications dont work, where they dont have access or the virus, which can mutate, has mutated so they will need the critical services that we deliver, and others will be looking at discrimination. They will be looking at the issues such as what kind of environment do I want to live in as a result of being healthy. We will continue to struggle, we just have to reshape ourselves. I hope we dont have to be as big as we are today."

Universal says "I wish you the best of luck."

JamesLoyceJr says "Thank you for having me."

Universal says "That's going to wrap it up for another episode of The Backlot Cafe. Our thanks go out to James Loyce Jr for taking the time to chat with us tonight!"

Universal says "Thanks again chatters. And remember, the best chats can be found only at Real Hollywood!!! Stay tuned for Wendy Raquel Robinson from The Steve Harvey Show - she'll be chatting in about 10 minutes!! Tomorrow night Roy Dupuis from La Femme Nikita will be chatting at 7 PM PST!!! And don't miss our big chat with Dale Gribble from King of the Hill on Friday, February 13 at 6 PM PST!!!"

Universal says "If you're at Excite you can view the full schedule by clicking on the Upcoming Events link on the stage!! This has been a production of Real Hollywood and Universal Studios On-line, Inc.. TM & Copyright Universal Studios On-Line, Inc."

Universal says "Good night everybody!!!!"