Today is WORLD AIDS DAY
A few facts:
- 2/3 of grade 7 and 1/2 of grade 9 students in Canada think there is
a cure for AIDS. There isn't.
- 45% of adults infected globally are under the age of 25.
- For the 2009 update on the pandemic go to:
http://www.unaids.org/en/KnowledgeCentre/HIVData/EpiUpdate/EpiUpdArchive/2009/default.asp
"The theme of this year?s World AIDS Day is Universal Access and Human
Rights. For me, that means doing everything we can to support
countries to reach their universal access goals for HIV prevention,
treatment, care and support - all the while protecting and promoting
human rights."
- UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé, 2009 World AIDS Day message
WHY SHOULD I CARE AND WHAT CAN I DO?
Locally, PARN, Your Community AIDS Resource Network is your best source for information about HIV/AIDS, efforts to combat its spread and support those impact by it. For more information and to help PARN please go to their website www.parn.ca or call 749-9110. On their website click on the "Donate Now" button to make a secure online donation to help this incredible organization.
For a fun way to support PARN and United Way come out to the Drag Bingo event on Wednesday December 2nd 9pm at the Sapphire Room, 9:00pm - 192 Hunter Street.
For the global picture I suggest you check out The Stephen Lewis Foundation. For more info on this organization and the thoughtful and effective ways they are making a difference in the global fight agains HIV/AIDS go to their website at: http://stephenlewisfoundation.org . They also have a secure donation button and if you have spare aeroplan miles that you are not using you can donate those and today they will be matched by aeroplan!
Tonight, watch Stephen Lewis give a special World AIDS Day update on "The Hour" and find out how you can bid on George Stroumboulopoulos's signed jersey! Visit www.cbc.ca/thehour/ for details.
LGBT RIGHTS AND HIV/AIDS
Laws that criminalize groups and behaviours threaten to jeopardize universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.
For more on this go to:
http://www.unaids.org/en/KnowledgeCentre/Resources/PressCentre/PressReleases/2009/20091201_PS_human_rights.asp .
For less diplomatic and more direct comment on how this issue is
playing out with Anti-gay legislation in Uganda see Stephen Lewis'
article here:
http://stephenlewisfoundation.org/news_item.cfm?news=3208
Cheers and seasons greetings from RSO
Rick Lambert
RSO Chair
www.rainbowservice.org