"we're all in this together" is a better philosophy than "you're on your own."
I've been thinking about what we want, need, dream of and wish for on Sunday ROCK-the VOTE-tober 7th! H/T to our Lovely Friend and Neighbor, Sandi @ Stony's; REMINDER that this years "Wee Fairy Folk Fest" precedes with fun for all on Saturday the 6th! The DEADLINE to REGISTER To VOTE is Tuesday the 9th and HRC's Annual "NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY" is on Thursday ROCKtober 11th...
This October, in the 31st year of this grotesque calamity, marks the 21st year of my personal Journey through AIDS. More than 20 years and 20 million deaths since the first AIDS diagnosis in 1981, almost 38 million people (range 34.6 – 42.3 million) are living with HIV. AIDS is an extraordinary kind of crisis; it is both an emergency and a long-term development issue. Despite increased funding, political commitment and progress in expanding access to HIV treatment, the AIDS epidemic continues to outpace our response. No segment of humanity has been spared. The epidemic remains extremely dynamic, growing and changing character as the virus exploits new opportunities for transmission. This last year was our worst year ever, with 5 Million New HIV Infections (Prevention failures) and 3 Million Deaths (Treatment failures).
As AIDS Quilt founder Cleve Jones said in 2001; “Our hearts may be filled, but there are only two emotions worth expressing at this perilous time: GRIEF and RAGE. Grief for the millions who have died and are dying. Rage at the indifference, greed, and stupidity that permit this grotesque calamity to continue.”
Indifference, greed and stupidity are also the three major ingredients in the American recipe for what has come to be known as AIDS Complacency. A Cultural phenomena against which every major player in the fight against it has warned us continually for as long as I can remember. Indifference which is rooted in the arrogance that it can’t happen to us, only “the right people”; mainly gays. Greed fueled by the profits, jobs and paychecks from the new industry and bureaucracy it spawned. Stupidity that feeds the intolerance, discrimination, stigmatization and demonization that prevents us from using every means available to prevent future infections as well as diagnose, treat and care for those who already have been...
When Mary Fisher took the stage at the Republican National Convention in 1992, she delivered a 13-minute prime-time speech disclosing her HIV-positive status to millions of people. It was the first time the Republican Party had openly dealt with the issue. She said; "I want to talk this morning about what it takes to create a community, because I believe the idea of an "AIDS community" is mostly a myth. There is no such beast. Some of us have AIDS; some of us enjoy community. But we'd be hard-pressed to give any kind of definition or meaning to the idea of an "AIDS community." And it's too bad this is true. If ever there was a group in need of community, it's the group represented here this morning: people with AIDS and those who care about us. We would be a community full of suffering and stigma, but also a community full of humor and power. We could be an international community, because the virus has made us so; we could be a supportive community if we would make us so. The virus has done a marvelous job of finding those who are Black and White, gay and straight, young and old, male and female, African and American. But we've not yet learned to imitate the virus's ability to enroll everyone in a single community..."
This October, in the 31st year of this grotesque calamity, marks the 21st year of my personal Journey through AIDS. More than 20 years and 20 million deaths since the first AIDS diagnosis in 1981, almost 38 million people (range 34.6 – 42.3 million) are living with HIV. AIDS is an extraordinary kind of crisis; it is both an emergency and a long-term development issue. Despite increased funding, political commitment and progress in expanding access to HIV treatment, the AIDS epidemic continues to outpace our response. No segment of humanity has been spared. The epidemic remains extremely dynamic, growing and changing character as the virus exploits new opportunities for transmission. This last year was our worst year ever, with 5 Million New HIV Infections (Prevention failures) and 3 Million Deaths (Treatment failures).
As AIDS Quilt founder Cleve Jones said in 2001; “Our hearts may be filled, but there are only two emotions worth expressing at this perilous time: GRIEF and RAGE. Grief for the millions who have died and are dying. Rage at the indifference, greed, and stupidity that permit this grotesque calamity to continue.”
Indifference, greed and stupidity are also the three major ingredients in the American recipe for what has come to be known as AIDS Complacency. A Cultural phenomena against which every major player in the fight against it has warned us continually for as long as I can remember. Indifference which is rooted in the arrogance that it can’t happen to us, only “the right people”; mainly gays. Greed fueled by the profits, jobs and paychecks from the new industry and bureaucracy it spawned. Stupidity that feeds the intolerance, discrimination, stigmatization and demonization that prevents us from using every means available to prevent future infections as well as diagnose, treat and care for those who already have been...
When Mary Fisher took the stage at the Republican National Convention in 1992, she delivered a 13-minute prime-time speech disclosing her HIV-positive status to millions of people. It was the first time the Republican Party had openly dealt with the issue. She said; "I want to talk this morning about what it takes to create a community, because I believe the idea of an "AIDS community" is mostly a myth. There is no such beast. Some of us have AIDS; some of us enjoy community. But we'd be hard-pressed to give any kind of definition or meaning to the idea of an "AIDS community." And it's too bad this is true. If ever there was a group in need of community, it's the group represented here this morning: people with AIDS and those who care about us. We would be a community full of suffering and stigma, but also a community full of humor and power. We could be an international community, because the virus has made us so; we could be a supportive community if we would make us so. The virus has done a marvelous job of finding those who are Black and White, gay and straight, young and old, male and female, African and American. But we've not yet learned to imitate the virus's ability to enroll everyone in a single community..."
I was just a year into My Journey; filing for my disability benefits, worrying how I'd get by and fearing that I'd be dead in just a few years and that spoke to me! By then, we knew that it was HIV that progressed to AIDS and treatment could halt that progression and enable people to live a longer and somewhat normal life. Creating that elusive CommUNITY that she spoke of was the guiding purpose that led to the creation of The South Bank HIVe: For the Northern Kentucky HIV CommUNITY living on The South Bank; our "Circle of Friends" and supporters: An Online CommUNITY-Based HIV/aids, Social Service and Survivors Support Network! The Mission of this Collaborative Collective is simply to “Take up the slack” that now exists in tending to the “Quality of Life” issues of the infected/affected who are now living longer, preventing further infections and achieving the Goals of OUR "National HIV/AIDS Strategy".
The purpose for which the HIVe is therefore gathered is the funding, advocacy and provision of The HIV/AIDS: AESOP (Activism/Awareness - EDUCATION - SUPPORT - OUTreach - Prevention/PRIDE/Progress) INITIATIVE via Social MEDIA Tools, Resources & Support services.
On the heels of AIDS 2012, the International HIV/AIDS Conference held in Washington, D.C. this July; We are gathering to Come OUT & Stand Up! To MOVE Our CommUNITY FORWARD and KEEP THE PROMISES!
To paraphrase Phill Wilson's AIDS 2012 address: You see, I am a 3-fer. I am White, I am Gay, I am HIV+ clinically diagnosed with AIDS plus -according to AARP I could check off the senior box 7 years ago as well. But it is not lost on me all the things I am not. I am not a woman, a black man or a transgendered person. I am not an Asian Paci
To paraphrase Phill Wilson's AIDS 2012 address: You see, I am a 3-fer. I am White, I am Gay, I am HIV+ clinically diagnosed with AIDS plus -according to AARP I could check off the senior box 7 years ago as well. But it is not lost on me all the things I am not. I am not a woman, a black man or a transgendered person. I am not an Asian Paci
fic Islander, Latino, Native American, Black or an immigrant. I am not an injecting drug user, sex worker, homeless (although I've experienced that) or the victim of domestic violence. But I know this; I know that we will not stop AIDS in this country unless ALL of those voices are included. ALL of what I am and am not must be a part of the conversation...
EVERYONE Living with and Affected by HIV MUST COME OUT. WE All must come out. Living Openly & PROUDLY with HIV, not only confronts HIV STIGMA, but it also helps build DEMAND for Essential Services. Openly HIV positive people SERVE as living, compelling reminders of the importance of knowing one's HIV status and that also communicates that it is possible to live a full healthy LIFE with HIV and THAT IS IMPORTANT!
"My greatest fear is that WE will squander this OPPORTUNITY..."
http://www.facebook.com/v/
A Brighter Day Comes
EVERYONE Living with and Affected by HIV MUST COME OUT. WE All must come out. Living Openly & PROUDLY with HIV, not only confronts HIV STIGMA, but it also helps build DEMAND for Essential Services. Openly HIV positive people SERVE as living, compelling reminders of the importance of knowing one's HIV status and that also communicates that it is possible to live a full healthy LIFE with HIV and THAT IS IMPORTANT!
"My greatest fear is that WE will squander this OPPORTUNITY..."
http://www.facebook.com/v/
A Brighter Day Comes
Sunday October 7th, 2012
Goebel Park - 6th & Philadephia Streets
Covington, Kentucky
Noon - 6:00 PM
Fun for the whole family - Food - Music
Candidate Stumping - Entertainment - Door Prizes
Current HIV/AIDS Info - Copies of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy - Freebies
For more info or if you'd like to donate, please contact Michael Connett @ 859-261-HIVe1 (4481) or Pam Mullins @ 859-750-2098
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