Friday, June 25, 2010
Do Ask, Do Tell about HIV on Pride
AIDSCHICAGO.org: A letter from Jim that I wanted to share with all of you.
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Dear Friends --
As a gay man living with HIV, I am feeling really conflicted during this month of LGBT Pride. I know I am supposed to be awash in warm feelings of joy, and that I should have lots of parties and the big parade on my agenda.
But you know what? Not so much.
While I applaud the community’s herculean efforts around marriage equality and “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” – I have noticed lately that one issue in particular gets a collective “I’m so over it.” And that issue is HIV.
Take action on Pride!
Gay men are the only demographic in which HIV infections are rising in the United States (nearly 29,000 new infections in 2006.) Gay men of all colors are impacted – and black and Latino gay men bear the brunt. A five-city study in 2005 showed that almost half of all gay black men were infected – HALF. These numbers rival the very worst HIV epidemics occurring in sub-Saharan Africa. Did you know how bad it was?
During this last week of Pride, we need all gay men and their allies, HIV-positive and negative alike, to “Do Ask, Do Tell” regarding HIV/AIDS in the gay community, and you can start with Governor Pat Quinn. Quinn is carving up the Illinois state budget, and his decisions will have life-or-death implications for gay men living with and at risk for HIV. Let him know that a budget that throws us under the proverbial bus will not be tolerated.
TAKE ACTION!
And, please, continue to take action. We can’t stand up for our rights if we are too sick to stand. We can’t get married if we’re already at the “death do us part” business. HIV/AIDS is the issue of every single gay man, and our fabulous voices are needed to reinvigorate the fight.
Happy Pride.
Jim Pickett
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Friends --
As a gay man living with HIV, I am feeling really conflicted during this month of LGBT Pride. I know I am supposed to be awash in warm feelings of joy, and that I should have lots of parties and the big parade on my agenda.
But you know what? Not so much.
While I applaud the community’s herculean efforts around marriage equality and “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” – I have noticed lately that one issue in particular gets a collective “I’m so over it.” And that issue is HIV.
Take action on Pride!
Gay men are the only demographic in which HIV infections are rising in the United States (nearly 29,000 new infections in 2006.) Gay men of all colors are impacted – and black and Latino gay men bear the brunt. A five-city study in 2005 showed that almost half of all gay black men were infected – HALF. These numbers rival the very worst HIV epidemics occurring in sub-Saharan Africa. Did you know how bad it was?
During this last week of Pride, we need all gay men and their allies, HIV-positive and negative alike, to “Do Ask, Do Tell” regarding HIV/AIDS in the gay community, and you can start with Governor Pat Quinn. Quinn is carving up the Illinois state budget, and his decisions will have life-or-death implications for gay men living with and at risk for HIV. Let him know that a budget that throws us under the proverbial bus will not be tolerated.
TAKE ACTION!
And, please, continue to take action. We can’t stand up for our rights if we are too sick to stand. We can’t get married if we’re already at the “death do us part” business. HIV/AIDS is the issue of every single gay man, and our fabulous voices are needed to reinvigorate the fight.
Happy Pride.
Jim Pickett
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