We Remember and Celebrate
Those we KnewThose we Loved
And Even Those we Didn't Know
Because They Left Before Their Time.
We Remember and Celebrate
With Hope in our Hearts
For a Cure.
Showing posts with label World AIDS Day. Show all posts
Showing posts with label World AIDS Day. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 01, 2010
World AIDS Day
Those we Loved
And Even Those we Didn't Know
Because They Left Before Their Time.
We Remember and Celebrate
With Hope in our Hearts
For a Cure.
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
World AIDS Day
I feel quite fortunate that I have not lost many friends to AIDS. Most of my good fortune likely comes from the fact that I came out later in life, after AIDS prevention efforts were in place, and most of my friends were practicing safer sex.
But some of my older friends are not so fortunate. Some of them have lost many friends to AIDS, and so in solidarity I am observing a moment of silence in their honor, and suggest you do the same.
Since my little seaside area has a higher-than-usual percentage of GLBT residents, there are several World AIDS Day activities going on today:
- HIV+ artists exhibit and reception
- candlelight vigil
- Service of Remembrance and Hope
- Dinner (following Service)
Are you participating in any World AIDS Day activities?
Crush du Jour: Jon Foster
Monday, December 01, 2008
Dec 1st
I've sorta been dreading this day for a while. Dec 1st: World AIDS Day. I've been thinking I should write something about World AIDS Day, but I have conflicting feelings about it.
Just a few miles away in Rehoboth Beach there was a candle light vigil at 6:30 tonight. But Mon is my regular work out from 6:00-7:00 so there was no way I'd make it to the vigil. Part of me was relieved. Another part of me aches.
Honest to God, my heart just breaks when I think of what those with AIDS and those who care for those with AIDS go through. I can't even write about that; its just too horrible.
In the 1980s and early 1990s it was the gay male community that seemed the first and hardest hit by AIDS. The one good thing about my coming out so late in life is that AIDS prevention techniques were known by then. But many gay men weren't as lucky. Lots and lots and lots of them died in those days.
Before AIDS had a name it was referred to as the Gay Flu because early on it was only gay men who appeared to have it. But later straight men and women contracted the virus and became symptomatic, prompting physicians and GLBT organizations to mount the campaign to educate the public that "AIDS is not a gay disease." Later AIDS began to ravage the continent of Africa. Today 2/3 of all people living with AIDS are in Africa.
Yet, gay men were the first to contract and die from the disease, gay men were the first to march publicly for governmental intervention into the epidemic, and gay men were and probably still are the largest contributors to AIDS charities.
If AIDS is not a gay disease, then why are gays the most visible and relentless advocates for AIDS education, prevention, and treatment efforts? Why are gay men still the 'face' of AIDS in North America?
Perhaps we are honoring our lost friends, brothers, and lovers.
Perhaps we have an enormous capacity for compassion.
Perhaps its because we are no strangers to social taboos.
I don't claim to know for sure, but whatever the reason(s), I'm grateful to all those, gay or straight, male or female, who've given of their time, energy, and self to volunteer at food organizations like Project Angel Heart and Food & Friends, to those who've gathered sponsors and participated in AIDSWalk and AIDSRide, and to those who've chosen careers in AIDS research and treatment.
We'll stop when there's a cure.
What others have written today can be found here, here, here, here, here, and here.
In other news, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to The Divine Miss M! Bette Midler turns 63 today, and still looks and sounds FABULOUS!
Man, I'd sure love to see her show in Vegas!
Just a few miles away in Rehoboth Beach there was a candle light vigil at 6:30 tonight. But Mon is my regular work out from 6:00-7:00 so there was no way I'd make it to the vigil. Part of me was relieved. Another part of me aches.Honest to God, my heart just breaks when I think of what those with AIDS and those who care for those with AIDS go through. I can't even write about that; its just too horrible.
In the 1980s and early 1990s it was the gay male community that seemed the first and hardest hit by AIDS. The one good thing about my coming out so late in life is that AIDS prevention techniques were known by then. But many gay men weren't as lucky. Lots and lots and lots of them died in those days.
Before AIDS had a name it was referred to as the Gay Flu because early on it was only gay men who appeared to have it. But later straight men and women contracted the virus and became symptomatic, prompting physicians and GLBT organizations to mount the campaign to educate the public that "AIDS is not a gay disease." Later AIDS began to ravage the continent of Africa. Today 2/3 of all people living with AIDS are in Africa.
Yet, gay men were the first to contract and die from the disease, gay men were the first to march publicly for governmental intervention into the epidemic, and gay men were and probably still are the largest contributors to AIDS charities.
If AIDS is not a gay disease, then why are gays the most visible and relentless advocates for AIDS education, prevention, and treatment efforts? Why are gay men still the 'face' of AIDS in North America?
Perhaps we are honoring our lost friends, brothers, and lovers.
Perhaps we have an enormous capacity for compassion.
Perhaps its because we are no strangers to social taboos.
I don't claim to know for sure, but whatever the reason(s), I'm grateful to all those, gay or straight, male or female, who've given of their time, energy, and self to volunteer at food organizations like Project Angel Heart and Food & Friends, to those who've gathered sponsors and participated in AIDSWalk and AIDSRide, and to those who've chosen careers in AIDS research and treatment.
We'll stop when there's a cure.
What others have written today can be found here, here, here, here, here, and here.
In other news, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to The Divine Miss M! Bette Midler turns 63 today, and still looks and sounds FABULOUS!
Man, I'd sure love to see her show in Vegas! Crush du Jour: Rafael Verga
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