December 1, 2011
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World AIDS Day
Today, Thursday December 1 is World AIDS day. It is exactly what you think it is; a day to raise awareness of AIDS. Recently I’ve read some mixed news about AIDS and HIV. For starters, there are more people living with HIV now then ever before. At first though, this might sound bad, but it also means that more people are living longer with HIV because of the research that is being done and the drugs that have come out in recent years. The other news was that one out of five Americans with HIV do not they have it. Quite honestly, there is flat out no excuse for not knowing.
In Africa, AIDS and HIV is a pretty significant problem. It is made worse because people are not educated not only on AIDS or STDs but also on how to protect themselves from STDs. Here in America, we have known about AIDS for decades and know exactly how to prevent it; be safe and more importantly be smart. Look, I can be as promiscuous as anybody but I take the vital steps that are needed to be as safe as possible. Oh, and I get tested on a yearly basis. Being smart, safe, and knowing your status is the only way we can beat this thing. As great as sex is, it is simply not worth dying for or even worse yet, spreading the disease to others.
A lot of people still believe AIDS is a gay disease. And while that might be true to an extent, gays are no longer the biggest group of people infected with the disease. Blacks in America and blacks worldwide are affected more by AIDS than any other group. To get this under control, we need to focus on raising awareness in the black community worldwide. And then take the necessary steps to prevent the spread.
Every year I take part in an AIDS fundraiser the first Thursday in December through the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. I have written about it before, it is called the World of Chocolate, which for chocolate maniacs like myself is like a chocolate heaven. Here is a link:
https://afc.aidschicago.org/netcommunity/page.aspx?pid=1390
Should be a great time, I will have to tell you all about it afterwards. In the meantime, be smart and safe.
Comments (3)
AIDS was a huge issue for some time and then got shoved away by other news. I often think people don’t care as much anymore and are less careful about protection. I still remember a drunk one night stand years ago where we were getting naked and I asked whether he had condoms (we were at his place and I didn’t have any with me) and he was like “Oh, I thought you were on the pill.” I told him that even if I were on the pill I’d still not have sex without a condom with a guy I didn’t know very well. (Actually, I knew his reputation, which was even more reason to use a condom.) Anyway, he had one and I stayed but in retrospect of course I should have left right away. But as I said, alcohol was involved… So yes: Stay safe!
I’m so glad to hear you are safe. Can you convince my sister she needs to be too?
My first husband was a fuck, and he brought home a couple different STDs to me (bastard) and once he was out out out of the picture, I got tested… it was the most nerve wracking thing EVER… But… it is a good thing. and people STILL not having safe sex is equally as stupid (possibly MORE stupid) as picking up a cigarette for the first time… with all the information we have, all the knowledge, all the medicine…. to do either is just simply irresponsible. Makes no sense.