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December 01, 2003
Meanwhile, back in the Real World
"Do you have time?" is the National AIDS Trust's World AIDS Day 2003 campaign to increase awareness of HIV-related stigma and discrimination. Stigma and discrimination are recognised as major factors fuelling the global HIV epidemic, creating a climate of fear and ignorance and a reluctance to confront rising infection rates.It's a growing problem. UNAIDS has targeted HIV-related stigma and discrimination in a two-year initiative to reduce the harmful effects faced by people living with HIV. Earlier this year, NAT launched an ongoing campaign - "ARE YOU HIV PREJUDICED?" - which aims to combat HIV stigma and discrimination in the UK and beyond.
It only takes a moment to learn the real facts about HIV. Do you have time?
I don't even have to ask if you want to know more.
AlterNet: A World AIDS Day RemembranceNowadays people hardly talk about AIDS deaths. We talk about medication "cocktails," steroids, viral loads, and AIDS fundraisers, as if death is somehow not part of the reality of AIDS and never has been. But numbers don't lie.
I have my own set of AIDS numbers. Some I can rattle off the top of my head: in 1993, I lost 21 people to AIDS. In 1994, another 12 died. In 1995, 14 more. In total, about 150 people I know have died of AIDS. I say "about" because I kept track of the number for many years, but at some point I gave up. Sometime after the 50th memorial service, the 80th trip to the hospital, and the 100th obituary, I stopped counting.
And now, I admit with no small degree of shame, all the deaths sometimes blur together, like a packed rush-hour subway car, or some relentless parade. It's just impossible to keep track of everyone.
Of course you fucking don't.
Posted by Aaron at December 1, 2003 01:13 PM
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