Tuesday, November 30, 2010

AIDS Is No Laughing Matter

December 1, 2010 marks the 22nd annual World AIDS Day and I wonder when we will finally get to a point where we no longer have to commemorate this day?



This is a day to remember those that have died from AIDS, honor those that are living with AIDS, and be there for those who love or have loved someone affected by this disease. But as I look around, it seems as though HIV and AIDS are more the butt of a joke than anything else. There isn't a day that I look at my Twitter timeline and someone has made an AIDS joke about some celebrity, or anyone who looks or acts a little differently, or who happens to cough a little to loudly. Now don't get me wrong - I am just a guilty as most because God knows I'm more offensive than anyone else I know. But it still makes we wonder...do these people really know about it? Do they have any knowledge about the subject? AIDS is really not a laughing matter.

For those out there that think that it can't happen to you...that you'll never get HIV - THINK AGAIN. I have come across many people who are living with HIV. I know many people personally who are living with HIV and I know of some who lost the battle. But don't think that it's an automatic death sentence. I have some very dear friends who are living very healthy lives that are HIV positive. And let's face it: Some of you have friends too...maybe even lovers, but you may not know it....or they may not know it.

Have you been tested for HIV? Do you use condoms 100% of the time when having sex? Do you know somebody or love somebody who has HIV or AIDS or somebody who is affected by it? This is REAL, people. Millions of people are living with this disease and millions of people are DYING of this disease every year. The only way we can stop it from spreading is by educating ourselves, knowing your status, and protecting ourselves each and every time we have sex. And keep supporting advancements in medicine so that one day, we will have a CURE.



**On a completely different note, Happy Birthday Orlando. :0)

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