Today is World AIDS Day. It’s the first time in almost 40 years that the US government is not recognizing it. The justifying quote from the State Dept, that I heard this morning was that “An awareness day is not a strategy.” My well-considered response to the State Department is “Fuck you. You clearly have no idea of the power of people feeling seen.”
More than 700,000 people in the US — and over 44,000,000 in the world — have died of AIDS-related illness. Thousands of people are still dying every year. Hundreds of thousands of families here have a hole in them. And over 1,000,000 people are living with the disease in the US.
If the government can fund some of the batshit projects and events occurring at the White House this year, it can do whatever is necessary to also honor those lost to and those living with AIDS.
My first job when I moved to DC was at a studio that did a lot of work — before and during my time — with the AIDS community. I remember my boss’ work for the Names Project (organizers of the AIDS Quilt). I worked with AIDS Nutrition Services Alliance. I worked with AIDS National Interfaith Network. I remember coworker’s projects with the National Minority AIDS Council. So many people who made it their life’s work to help the people affected by this. So I think about and honor those people today, as well.
The government failing to recognize these people — it’s own citizens — is terrible.