World AIDS Day, December 1st
 

Top rated AIDS charities from charitywatch.org:

American Social Health Association B+
Bailey House (formerly AIDS Resource Center) B
Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation A–
Foundation for AIDS Research (formerly AMFAR) B+
Gay Men's Health Crisis A–

For those who can give this year...
:rrose:

Groups included on the Top-Rated list generally spend 75% or more of their budgets on programs, spend $25 or less to raise $100 in public support, do not hold excessive assets in reserve, and receive "open-book" status for disclosure of basic financial information and documents.

Thank You Diva.

Thanks to Dive who is always so thoughtful. Her attention to others is admirable!!
Thanks to all who post here.

Thanks Monroe for all the great guidance you gave me in my youth. You took a chance on at 16 by giving me a job on the weekends picking up glasses in the club so I would not feel so alone and get into anymore trouble than I already was into. You influenced me and your Mom nurtured me. I honor you both. Part of me is who I am because of you.

Trixy, you left this earth way too soon, but not without leaving a lasting impression. There are no guys that can wear a big pink upside down triangle necklace like you. Thanks for giving me a skill so that I could make a better living for myself when I was away at college. You were my friend and mentor. I honor you.

Hey Steve! Highschool buddy. You went way to soon. When I see your Mom around town she never forgets me, even though my appearance has changed so much. She always brings up those fake ID's we made in highschool. Oy Vey she was pissed. Einstein a go go and all the dancing we did. On my worst days I feel your prsence. You told me you'd always be there. Thanks for keeping your word!!

Great posts...
Thank you.
:stillheart:

qu
 

as I say every year and write on every signature panel at every AIDS Memorial Quilt display

well boys and girls here we are again

I want all my friends back


remember their names

and.........

my sonny boy.......my child..........I miss you and I want you back..............

My daughter Lora died on World AIDS Day ......many years ago.
She was in the 8th grade, loved to play field hockey, had a wild sense of humor and was born HIV+
Lora was the second child I buried due to this horrendous disease. john was 7 and had died 10 years before she did.



I hate this disease........the stigma it still carries...that people are still dying because of this disease and children are being born infected with it...that I can not even find a red magnetic ribbon for my car...but you can find one of every other color!

I miss my children, i miss the friends i have lost, i am tired of making quilts...
First quilt I ever made was for my oldest daughters birth mother...she died of aids 3 months after my daughter was born... i am rambling....sorry

Dec 1st is coming up so mark your hearts and calenders!!!
 

Hey Folks!!!
Bump!!!

bump bump bump

the fact that its hard to find a red ribbon isnt lost on me... i think that with the new cocktails ppl became complacent... they arent as afraid anymore...
but... its not over... it hasnt gotten better...
the stigma associated with this is as bad as it ever was...
this world... and especially my area... the southern us... needs to be educated so badly...
i havent seen a good scary as hell poster in years... it scares me...

I saw this on ALLGO's Facebook page~the event is in Austin
 

Wednesday, December 1 · 7:00pm - 8:30pm

First English Lutheran Church
3001 Whitis Ave.
Austin, TX

One World AIDS Day, December 1, The Care Communities holds, in collaboration with other HIV/AIDS related organizations, a Service of Remembrance & Hope. It is an opportunity to be together in community with others who are infected or affected by HIV/AIDS.
For more details about the Service, contact Roger Temme, Outreach Director, at roger@thecarecommunities.org or 459-5883.

World AIDS Day in Little Rock
 

bump!!!!
this is awesome!!!!

the sad part is that in all that time they will not be able to name all the ppl that have been lost to this disease...
we need to remember... we can do something about this now... talk to your reps... red or blue... just give it a shot...

An ecumenical service at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, S.F. A service of remembrance and hope. I will be one of the storytellers, after spending nearly 20 of first years of this epidemic as a healthcare provider.

It is extremely important for religious entities to be involved in a non-judgmental, welcoming, and affirming, especially in light of HIV. Especially, in my experience, so many POC with HIV either remain church connected to, or conflicted by some denominations stand on homosexuality. Contrary to the uninformed beliefs of many, not all Christian denominations condemn homosexuality. Like the democrats, I fear that we, progressive Christians, don't make as much noise!

In Oakland, CA, the HIV prevelance continues among African Americans and with new cases, women. The straight to gay ratio is nearly parallel. As in southern hemisphere countries, HIV is not just a disease of homosexuality. Ok. I'm done :lol2: Just a topic near and dear. I lost my brother and favorite nephew to AIDS.

Prevention
 

This is what is happening in our area.

http://jacksonville.com/news/health-...orld-aids-week

While persuing my degree in Human Services, back in the late 90's, early 00's, I was lucky enough to do one of my practicums at the Interior AIDS Association in Fairbanks, Alaska. I will never forget the brave people I met there that shared their stories with me, and how really isolated we were as an organization due to our location and resources. Looking at their website now, I am glad to see that is changing.
You can check out their website at www.interioraids.org/index.html
~SAB

Mi querido Francés,

No hay ningún día que no pienso de ti. Aveces te siento tan adentro de mi alma que me deja sin aire. No puedo poner en palabras el hollo que tu muerte dejo en mi corazón.

Tu memoria vive en mi, mi carrera y en el entrene de los que siguen con tus costumbres. En este día de recuerdo y cada día antes y después tu memoria vive en mi como lumbre.

Siempre contigo en servicio y amor,

Tu Nieve Caprichuda

Images from World AIDS Day 2010

http://www.boston.com/news/world/gal...?p1=News_links

I want my friends back!
 

from celebrations of yesterday...
 

a wonderful set of pics showing how some of the world showed up...

http://blstb.msn.com/i/9D/158D587980...91F2188E21.jpg

WORLD AIDS DAY!!!
 

Today is a day to remember!!!
My eyes will remain full and my heart will beat heavier!!!

https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/im...74YmiIaSfXAe3g

World AIDS Day 2011: Getting To Zero
 

http://lawrenceville.patch.com/artic...-zero-a279ab2e


On the first of December, World AIDS Day is celebrated. This day is an opportunity for people to unite in the fight against HIV/AIDS, to remember those who have died of the disease and to celebrate accomplishments, such as increased access to treatment and prevention services.

Today, despite advances in HIV treatment and in laws designed to protect those living with HIV; many people do not know the facts about how to protect themselves and others from HIV or about the stigma and discrimination that remain a reality for many people living with HIV. World AIDS Day is an important reminder to individuals and governments that HIV has not gone away – there is still a vital need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education.

The theme for World AIDS Day 2011 is "Getting to Zero." After 30 years of the global fight against HIV/AIDS, this year the focus is on achieving 3 targets: Zero new HIV infections. Zero discrimination. Zero AIDS-related deaths.

Zero New HIV Infections

It is estimated that 33.3 million people have HIV worldwide, with 1.2 million persons who are living with HIV in the United States, according to the Center of Disease Control (CDC) estimates. This number is expected to continue to increase over time, as advances in treatments prolong the lives of those who are infected and more people become infected with HIV each year. Despite increases in the total number of people in the U.S. living with HIV infection in recent years, the annual number of new HIV infections has remained relatively stable. However, new infections continue at far too high of a level, with approximately 50,000 Americans becoming infected with HIV each year. Worldwide, the rate of new infections, or incidence, has decreased. In 33 countries, the incidence has decreased more than 25 percent since 2001, including countries in the hardest hit areas of sub-Saharan Africa.

The CDC estimates that one in five people living with HIV in the U.S. are unaware of their infection. This highlights the importance of reaching all infected individuals with HIV testing and prevention services. HIV can be transmitted in three main ways: sexual transmission; transmission through blood; and mother-to-child transmission. These three routes of transmission work in tandem to affect segments of the population. The number of infections resulting from each route will vary greatly between countries and population groups. HIV counseling and testing are fundamental for HIV prevention, as is access to essential commodities such as condoms or sterile injecting equipment.

Zero Discrimination

According to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon, "Stigma remains the single most important barrier to public action. It is a main reason why too many people are afraid to see a doctor to determine whether they have the disease, or to seek treatment if so. It helps make AIDS the silent killer, because people fear the social disgrace of speaking about it, or taking easily available precautions. Stigma is a chief reason why the AIDS epidemic continues to devastate societies around the world."

Discrimination against those infected with HIV/AIDS includes both the fear of getting the disease and also negative assumptions about people who are infected. AIDS-related stigma has had a profound effect on the epidemic’s course. The World Health Organization cites fear of stigma and discrimination as the main reason why people are reluctant to be tested, to disclose their HIV status or to take antiretroviral drugs.

"We can fight stigma. Enlightened laws and policies are key. But it begins with openness, the courage to speak out. Schools should teach respect and understanding. Religious leaders should preach tolerance. The media should condemn prejudice and use its influence to advance social change, from securing legal protections to ensuring access to health care." Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Zero AIDS Related Deaths

More than 25 million people between 1981 and 2007 have died from the virus worldwide, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history. In the US, nearly 594,500 people with AIDS in the US have died since the epidemic began.

The goal of ‘Zero AIDS Related Deaths’ signifies an increased access to available treatments for all those infected. Currently, only one third of the 15 million people living with HIV worldwide who are in need of life long treatment are receiving it. Universal access to antiretroviral treatments for those living with HIV will not only decrease the number of AIDS related deaths, but will increase the quality of life among those infected and decrease transmission.

World AIDS Day is an opportunity for all of us to learn the facts about HIV. By increasing the understanding of how HIV is transmitted, how it can be prevented, and the reality of living with HIV today-we can use this knowledge to take care of our own health and the health of others.

For more facts about HIV/AIDS and where to get tested, please visit http://www.cdc.gov/hiv.

In memory of David, who died in 1985 and his lover Barry, who died a year later of AIDS. Virtually their entire circle of friends died within those two years. All lived in the Silverlake area of LA.

And for all those I did not know personally.

World AIDS Day
 

I miss you Sir....

Dedicated to Timothy Newman (1965-1994)....you are missed my good friend!

as I say every year and write on every signature panel at every AIDS Memorial Quilt display

well girls and boys.... here we are again

I want all my friends back

and

Joey, my sonny boy.......my child..........I miss you terribly

remember their names

UNBELIEVEABLE!!!
 

a little more info as to why they refused him:

http://www.wisradio.com/rssItem.asp?...temid=29763507

(PHILADELPHIA) -- The Hershey, Pa., boarding school that denied an HIV-positive 13-year-old boy entry said Friday that the school's residential setting and the risk of sexual activity made the teen too much of a "threat."

The AIDS Law Project filed suit on behalf of the unidentified boy Wednesday in Philadelphia District Court, alleging that the Milton Hershey School violated the Americans with Disabilities Act, which includes HIV in its scope.

"This young man is a motivated, intelligent kid who poses no health risk to other students, but is being denied an educational opportunity because of ignorance and fear about HIV and AIDS," said Ronda Goldfein, the boy's lawyer.

Connie McNamara, spokesperson for the Milton Hershey School, told ABC News the school carefully evaluated the situation and the needs of its 1,850 students which span from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade.

"We had to balance his rights and interests with our obligation to provide for the health and safety of other students," she said. "And this meets a direct threat."

McNamara knows well that coughing, hugging, and public restrooms won't cause someone to get HIV.

She said the school was most worried the boy would have sex -- if not now, at some point in his future years at the school, where students in groups of 10-12 live together in on-campus housing.

"Our kids are no different than teenagers anywhere else," she said. "Despite encouraging abstinence, we cannot be 100 percent certain our kids are not engaging in sexual activity."

Even making sure the boy and students were educated on how HIV is transmitted wasn't enough for the school to grant the teen admission.

The idea that anyone could be denied entry based on a disability is astounding, said Arthur Caplan, the Director of the Pennsylvania Center For Bioethics.

"This notion that you can't put him in residential housing at a school because he is a vector of death is a throwback to 1987 when people were worried you couldn't mainstream children in any school," he said. "It sets back what we know to be true about the disease."

Caplan suggested the school use this as a teaching opportunity to educate students about HIV.

Even the school seemed a bit conflicted during the application process. McNamara provided ABC News with a court document the school planned to file before the lawsuit, asking a judge to weigh in and make sure they were within the bounds of the law.

"We looked at the law and our unique program and made the best decision we could," she said. "Our heart goes out to this young man."

The Milton Hershey School was founded in 1909 by the chocolate magnate whose name it bears. The school was originally intended to house white male orphans but now has a diverse student body hailing from all over the United States. Students must come from low income families in order to be considered for admission.

Caplan said the case reminds him of Ryan White, the teenager who became the face of the AIDs virus in the 1980s after being kicked out of school for fear it would spread through everyday contact.

"I think they'll lose the lawsuit," he said. " So they better get ready to figure out how they're going to accept him."

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Remember Those Lost -- Prevent Future Loss
 

http://www.unaids.org/unaids_resourc...2012WAD1.1.jpg


http://www.unaids.org/