AIDS DAY is today, and I can't find any mention of it

[+ Lucky]

Having lived in San Francisco I lived for years through the horror of the AIDS epidemic. Nowadays it seems that no one wants to remember either the disease or those lost to it. Shameful of gay men.

[TonyDown]

I've noticed a few posts on Facebook and Queerty.

 

25 must-read books that humanize the HIV/AIDS experience - Queerty

WWW.QUEERTY.COM

---

This list of books includes nonfiction, memoir, fiction, anthologies, and poetry with stories that underscore the humanity of people...

 

 

 

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

Similarly, we'll see few mentions of the infamous attack on Pearl Harbor come December 7.  I guess few people mark their calendars to remember past tragedies, especially World War II is over and AIDS is no longer a death sentence.  But we should have days to remember, lest we all forget.  For example, make it a point to spend Memorial Day placing flowers and flags on the graves of veterans, rather than frivolously using the extra vacation day for a BBQ.

Edited December 2, 2024 by Vegas_Millennial

[mike carey]

I was aware that it was today (well, yesterday) and had silently noted its approach here a few days back.

[+ Lucky]

1 hour ago, mike carey said:

I was aware that it was today (well, yesterday) and had silently noted its approach here a few days back.

It''s still today here. Interesting that it did not make the list of upcoming events.

Edited December 2, 2024 by Lucky

[+ Lucky]

4 hours ago, Vegas_Millennial said:

Similarly, we'll see few mentions of the infamous attack on Pearl Harbor come December 7.  I guess few people mark their calendars to remember past tragedies, especially World War II is over and AIDS is no longer a death sentence.

Are you serious? How many of us were involved in WW2?  Yet gay men in the 80's and 90's were universally affected by the epidemic even if they remained negative. Their friends got sick, their friends died...in LARGE numbers. Equating it to a long ago event, meritorious as it was, does not equal the affect that AIDS had on the gay community and how it should-must- be remembered.

[+ Lucky]

AIDS-related deaths have been reduced by 69% since the peak in 2004 and by 51% since 2010. In 2023, around 630 000 [500 000–820 000] people died from AIDS-related illnesses worldwide, compared to 2.1 million [1.6 million–2.7 million] people in 2004 and 1.3 million [1 million–1.7 million] people in 2010.

 

Global HIV & AIDS statistics — Fact sheet - UNAIDS

UNAIDS

https://www.unaids.org › resources › fact-sheet

 

 

 

 

[mike carey]

I agree with both @Lucky and @Vegas_Millennial that it is interesting what is and isn't commemorated, or commented on in the forum, and with @Lucky that all events are not equal nor do they all merit the same sort of prominence in here. Without prejudice to the two events that they have raised, some events deserve comment and some memorialisation because they affected members of the forum directly, some for wider societal resonance and others for their historical significance. I know I mention remembering the fifth of November most years in here.

International AIDS Day is one occasion that is worthy of commentary and a thread in here (in my opinion). I agree that it is perhaps curious that it wasn't one of the events in the calendar, but someone has to post those events, and national holidays (even if mainly US ones - I wrote 'only' then remembered 5 May had been one) are a start. Historical events, including those within living memory for some of us, fade from the collective consciousness even when they shook the world and changed history for a while, like Pearl Harbour or Hiroshima, or shocked many at the time but had little lasting effect, like the martyrdom of Óscar Romero in his own cathedral (with its resonance with Thomas Becket in Canterbury). We have 'Today in History' as an appropriate place to remember many of these. Some of you may have noticed I posted the Economist obituary of Celeste Caeiro there to note that her action was the catalyst in making the red carnation the symbol of the Portuguese revolution of 1974.

As things stand, anyone can post items there, but other than those staff have posted I can only recall members posting event notices for sales at establishments and personal parties. If anyone wants to create an event for something that is relevant to the community - it is a community calendar - go ahead, or if in doubt, go to the Ask A Moderator forum to check whether the event is suitable for inclusion.

 

[56harrisond]

Emotional Bidens commemorate World AIDS Day at the White House - ABC News

ABCNEWS.GO.COM

---

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden held an emotional commemoration for World AIDS Day at the White House on...

 

[+ ApexNomad]

@Lucky I want you to know that you’re not alone in feeling this sadness and frustration. Living through the AIDS epidemic was a time of unimaginable horror and heartbreak, and it’s sad to see how those memories fade from collective consciousness, especially when the passage of time dulls the urgency for those not directly impacted. But for those of us who lived through it, the weight of those experiences remains with us, and it’s important we continue to remember.

@mike carey Your words beautifully capture the importance of keeping these memories alive and honoring the collective and personal experiences of those affected. I feel the sadness and weight of this history alongside you and others here, and I appreciate your thoughtful effort to highlight this. It’s vital that we continue to speak about and share what we lived through, so that it’s not forgotten, and that those we lost are always remembered.

Remembering isn’t just about looking back—it’s also about honoring the courage and resilience of those who came before us, ensuring their legacy continues to inspire and educate future generations. Spaces like this, along with organized efforts within our community, offer a chance for us to share, reflect, and support each other in keeping these memories alive.

[marylander1940]

7 hours ago, Vegas_Millennial said:

Similarly, we'll see few mentions of the infamous attack on Pearl Harbor come December 7.  I guess few people mark their calendars to remember past tragedies, especially World War II is over and AIDS is no longer a death sentence.

HIV-AIDS is still affecting humanity, it's no longer as deadly as it was before if diagnosed on time and taken the right medicines and it's also preventable but it's still among us

[marylander1940]

9 hours ago, Lucky said:

Having lived in San Francisco I lived for years through the horror of the AIDS epidemic. Nowadays it seems that no one wants to remember either the disease or those lost to it. Shameful of gay men.

 

8 hours ago, TonyDown said:

I've noticed a few posts on Facebook and Queerty.

 

25 must-read books that humanize the HIV/AIDS experience - Queerty

WWW.QUEERTY.COM

---

This list of books includes nonfiction, memoir, fiction, anthologies, and poetry with stories that underscore the humanity of people...

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Last Song (Elton John song) - Wikipedia

EN.WIKIPEDIA.ORG

 

Edited December 2, 2024 by marylander1940

[+ Lucky]

1 hour ago, 56harrisond said:

Emotional Bidens commemorate World AIDS Day at the White House - ABC News

ABCNEWS.GO.COM

---

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden held an emotional commemoration for World AIDS Day at the White House on...

 

It was inspiring. Thank you, Joe.

[soloyo215]

Since 1996 I put a candle on my window on December 1st to commemorate World AIDS Day. It's been a few years since I gave up expecting institutions to care for it, including HIV/AIDS organizations. Out of wanting a break from my Engineering career in the 90s, I took a part-time job doing HIV prevention education and outreach, and next thing I knew, years later I ended up with a full career in the field. Did plenty of work and activism, became a trainer for prevention education educators and outreach workers, did a lot of great work that made me feel human (unlike computer-aidded design). Though I don't think I was that successful with educating gay men, I do feel Iike I made a difference in other communities (minority women, currently and formerly incarcerated, active drug users). I have good stories to tell from my HIV/AIDS prevention career days.

I commemorate World AIDS Day to remember those that I and others lost to AIDS. They will not be forgotten, at least not by me.

Edited December 2, 2024 by soloyo215

[Bokomaru]

For those who are kinky on this forum, please know that recon.com has admirably promoted World AIDS Day visibility and solicited donations for charities for nearly 20 years. 

https://www.recon.com/en/wad

[CuriousByNature]

I think it's important to remember that while HIV/AIDS may no longer be a 'death sentence' for the majority of people in the developed world, it remains a significant killer in parts of the world where access to testing and medication is less accessible.  They effect beyond our borders remains serious for this truly global issue.

[+ Charlie]

It has been more than forty years since the first AIDS death among my friends (the cause didn't even have a name yet in the early 1980s), and I couldn't begin to name all those whom I eventually lost, including my best friend since my teens, and my first adult partner whom I lived with in my early 20s. In the heart of the epidemic in the mid-to-late 80s, I volunteered on an urban AIDS Information Hotline, and ended up running it. And, frankly, I burned out. In the early 90s, I escaped to live for a year in a foreign town where I didn't have to deal with it or people who knew what it was. But when I returned home, it was still there, and I was still dealing with friends who were dying or discovering new medication that enabled them to survive with it. By the turn of the century, it had ceased to be at the front of gay men's minds, though I still lost friends in the early 2000s from its long-term effects, and I know old people who are still living with it. They don't talk about it often.

I think it is easier to commemorate a tragedy that happened on a commonly known date, like December 7 or 9/11, than a trauma that started on an unknown date and never ended on a known date, but just trailed off to be followed mostly by professionals. To be honest, I hadn't even noticed World AIDS Day or its commemoration this past weekend. AIDS was a major "event" in my life and worthy of notice by others, but I understand those who lived through it or whose gay ancestors lived through it, but don't want to be reminded of it, even if they should.

 

[+ augustus]

16 hours ago, marylander1940 said:

HIV-AIDS is still affecting humanity, it's no longer as deadly as it was before if diagnosed on time and taken the right medicines and it's also preventable but it's still among us

True, but it is still no joke.  There are horrendous side effects to those anti-viral drugs.  

[marylander1940]

3 hours ago, augustus said:

True, but it is still no joke.  There are horrendous side effects to those anti-viral drugs.  

I couldn't agree with you more! 

[+ DrownedBoy]

4 hours ago, augustus said:

True, but it is still no joke.  There are horrendous side effects to those anti-viral drugs.  

Yes. I didn't come out until the 90s, but even then, I recall older mentors suffering many "bad days" due to the drug cocktails they were taking. Some didn't make it. Or being around men who had zero white blood cells in their arteries. Or the unusual changes to their bodies, which they were embarrassed of.

And like it was mentioned - HIV is only really controllable in First World Counties. Go to Africa and you'll see lots of dying people. The treatment ain't cheap.

I can see why people want to forget. Society turned its back on the gay community and allowed too many people to die. And it's disgusting that young gay kids on Truvada know nothing of what happened. Even though it could very easily could happen again, with the right virus mutations.

[+ azdr0710]

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Native

 

Edited December 3, 2024 by azdr0710

[Luv2play]

5 hours ago, augustus said:

True, but it is still no joke.  There are horrendous side effects to those anti-viral drugs.  

That’s a gross exaggeration. The drugs used now to treat HIV have been refined and advanced such that negative side effects have been greatly reduced, if not eliminated. Many on ART experience no side effects at all. This is quite different from what was the case in the early days of a drug treatment of HIV.

[Luv2play]

44 minutes ago, DrownedBoy said:

Yes. I didn't come out until the 90s, but even then, I recall older mentors suffering many "bad days" due to the drug cocktails they were taking. Some didn't make it. Or being around men who had zero white blood cells in their arteries. Or the unusual changes to their bodies, which they were embarrassed of.

And like it was mentioned - HIV is only really controllable in First World Counties. Go to Africa and you'll see lots of dying people. The treatment ain't cheap.

I can see why people want to forget. Society turned its back on the gay community and allowed too many people to die. And it's disgusting that young gay kids on Truvada know nothing of what happened. Even though it could very easily could happen again, with the right virus mutations.

The treatment in the third world is inexpensive, thanks in part to what President George  W Bush initiated in financial help to poor countries suffering from the AIDs epidemic. 

[+ augustus]

1 hour ago, Luv2play said:

That’s a gross exaggeration. The drugs used now to treat HIV have been refined and advanced such that negative side effects have been greatly reduced, if not eliminated. Many on ART experience no side effects at all. This is quite different from what was the case in the early days of a drug treatment of HIV.

Long term effects of antivirals include kidney disease, liver disease and heart disease.  Since you have to take them for years, side effects will happen.  "Many on ART experience no side effects at all"....you say.  Well, those many have just started taking them.  This is a big reason why HIV continues to spread....people think there's a "cure".   These meds are ALL TOXIC especially after a decade or two. 

Edited December 3, 2024 by augustus

[Luv2play]

1 hour ago, augustus said:

Long term effects of antivirals include kidney disease, liver disease and heart disease.  Since you have to take them for years, side effects will happen.  "Many on ART experience no side effects at all"....you say.  Well, those many have just started taking them.  This is a big reason why HIV continues to spread....people think there's a "cure".   These meds are ALL TOXIC especially after a decade or two. 

You are sadly misinformed. I’ll leave it at that.