By Miguel Gomez, AIDS.gov Director, reposted from blog.AIDS.gov
Tomorrow, December 1, is World AIDS Day. The Americans with Disabilities Act has supported people living with HIV and AIDS since 1998. At AIDS.gov, World AIDS Day (and every day) is an opportunity for us to put a face to HIV, to end discrimination, stigma and stand up for the people we know, love or care about near and far.
This year was an important one for those of us working to respond to HIV – from the signing of the Affordable Care Act, to the release of the White House National HIV/AIDS Strategy, to the exciting news about PrEP and microbicides.
On World AIDS Day, I want to pause to reflect on the vision laid out in the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, which says: "The United States will become a place where new HIV infections are rare and when they do occur, every person, regardless of age, gender, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or socio-economic circumstance, will have unfettered access to high quality, life-extending care, free from stigma and discrimination."
That's a vision I believe in, and one I will work tirelessly with my colleagues around the country, and the world, to support. That's why I'm Facing AIDS this World AIDS Day. I hope you'll join me. Here's a few things we can all do:
- Share your photos and messages in the Facing AIDS Flickr group. By putting our faces to AIDS, we can help reduce the stigma around HIV and promote HIV testing. It's not too late to add yours!
- Locate HIV testing and other HIV services: Use and share the HIV/AIDS Prevention & Service Providers Locator and add the widget to your website or blog. You can also send a text message with your ZIP code to "KNOWIT" (566948) or visit HIVtest.org.
- Learn about and share the National HIV/AIDS Strategy. Read the Strategy and talk about it with your friends and colleagues – what would it take to make the goals of this Strategy real in your community?
- Read Secretary Sebelius' World AIDS Day message: Available on HHS.gov.
On World AIDS Day, I think of the 37 friends I've lost to AIDS-related illnesses, and the friends who are still with me, living strong with HIV. I'm grateful for all of you who work so tirelessly to respond to HIV, and I'm proud to join you in Facing AIDS for World AIDS Day.
I’m from Fairmont, WV. I began receiving SSI payments in 1992, after my therapist said, “I’ll get you back on your feet.” Today it’s 2011, and I’ve worked some part time jobs in Fairmont & Morgantown, WV in the past years. Although in West Virginia, ever since I can remember, it’s been the practice that a disabled person, no matter how intelligent or educated, stay in school or work with a group cleaning agency in the evening until finished somewhere toward midnight.
The condition is really miserable. AIDS patients do need a lot care. Government should really look after such patients. I am really stressed to see this blog, I do believe these patients need a lot of care. One-sided views of what HIV is and how it affects those around us have also largely contributed to the stigma and discrimination that is now affecting those living with HIV.
Don’t make your arm tired patting yourself on the back.
Bono’s previous bashing of former President Bush and this Administration’s so-called Affordable Care Act (which is daily proving not to be so affordable) notwithstanding, George W. did more for HIV/AIDS, especially in Africa, than any other president and continues to support Congress doing still more to this day.