World AIDS Day
World AIDS Day is commemorated around the world on December 1st each year. It has become one of the most recognized international health days and a key opportunity to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, remember those who have died, and celebrate victories - such as increased access to treatment and prevention services.
World AIDS Day provides a unique opportunity for the Saint Louis community to share in a common vision of eliminating new HIV infections with testing and education as well as treatment and comprehensive support services for those affected by HIV/AIDS.
In 2011, twenty local AIDS Service Organizations and related agencies partnered to present "Getting to Zero: Zero Deaths. Zero New Infections. Zero Discrimination." This World AIDS Day program focused on ways to achieve the National HIV/AIDS Strategy released by President Obama in 2010. Many thanks to everyone who helped make this a successful event. For more information or to get involved with planning for December 1, 2012, email Nancy Kelley.
During the 2011 panel discussion portion of "Getting to Zero", numerous questions from the audience were not addressed due to time constraints. Read below for questions and discussion about those questions:
Q: What about the Missouri HIV criminalization law? How do we stop the law, freeze it or get rid of it? This law hurts our prevention, treatment & care efforts!
A: The Saint Louis Effort for AIDS agrees that criminalization laws can have a negative impact on HIV/AIDS prevention, especially testing. California Congresswoman Barbara Lee has introduced national legislation to support the repeal of HIV criminalization on a state by state basis. To support her efforts, get involved with one of the groups that are working on this issue. EFA is an organizational member of the HIV Prevention Justice Alliance (visit them here HIV PJA). Specifically, get involved with HIV PJA's Mass Imprisonment & Criminalization Working Group. Speak up to your elected officials about the impact of criminalization of HIV/AIDS. Prepare yourself with some background and facts and be ready to suggest the change you would like to see in the laws.
Two other national groups to check out:
- The Center for HIV Law and Policy to learn about their Positive Justice Project
- The HIV Project of Lambda Legal which focuses on impact litigation, education and advocacy to combat misconceptions, stigma and bias, and to ensure that people are treated fairly by employers, health care providers and others
Check back here for more questions and answers, or to submit a question. Please keep the "Getting to Zero" conversation going by talking about these issues to friends, family and others in our community.
