Marking World AIDS Day
(Friday, November 30, 2007)
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the National Stonewall Democrats released the following statement in commemoration of World AIDS Day:
"On December 1, National Stonewall Democrats commemorates World AIDS Day. We take this time to remember the more than 25 million lives lost to AIDS and offer our continued partnership to the nearly 40 million individuals currently living with HIV.
The LGBT community acutely experiences the impact of both HIV and AIDS. It was our community which first offered leadership in the face of vast political apathy. It was our community whose work helped educate and challenge the positions of national politicians. Now, it is our community which must again take up our position of leadership as we experience moments of cultural apathy in fighting HIV/AIDS."
"Leadership is required to limit the spread of HIV and reduce the impact of AIDS. Where this specifies political leadership, National Stonewall Democrats will continue to build support for comprehensive health policy from the Democratic Party and our politicians. However, combating HIV and AIDS also requires our community to offer personal leadership. As we mark World AIDS Day, National Stonewall Democrats recommits our organization and ourselves to reducing the impact of HIV/AIDS within our own community and among our friends and family."
Jon Hoadley, Executive Director
World AIDS Day is a worldwide commemoration which raises awareness of HIV and AIDS while paying tribute to the more than 25 million lives lost to the epidemic. Begun in 1988, the occasion, which is marked on December 1 each year, is coupled with a theme required to combating the disease. In 2007, the theme of "Leadership" was attributed by the World AIDS Campaign as "Stop AIDS: Keep the Promise - Leadership."
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National Stonewall Democrats is the only national organization of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Democrats, with more than 90 local chapters across the nation. NSD is committed to working through the Democratic Party to advance the rights of all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
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