Leaders from thirty-five LGBT and
HIV/AIDS groups on Tuesday signed on to a letter pledging their
commitment to continue the fight against HIV, the virus that causes
AIDS.
The
letter reads in part: “Over the last 30 years, the [LGBT]
community has seen great strides in the movement for full equality.
Much of this success is the result of a concerted movement, which was
galvanized in response to the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s. … In the
decades since our movement has seen incredible victories. …
Unfortunately, our community hasn't maintained the same momentum in
our fight against HIV. … Each day, more than 80 gay and bisexual
men become infected with HIV in the United States. … Despite these
alarming statistics, which have galvanized our community in the past,
the HIV epidemic has seemed to fall by the way side. Many in our
community have simply stopped talking about the issue. This must
change.”
The letter was released as the annual
Gay Pride season kicks off. A video featuring some of the leaders
pledging their support was also released. (The video is embedded on
this page. Visit
our video library for more videos.)
“We are at an important crossroad in
our fight against HIV,” National Minority AIDS Council Executive
Director Paul Kawata said in a statement. “The evidence behind
treatment as prevention, and expansions in health care coverage that
will accompany implementation of the Affordable Care Act, have
provided a unique opportunity to end this epidemic, which has ravaged
our community for more than three decades. But this will not happen
without the full engagement of those most impacted by the disease,
and no community has been more heavily affected than the LGBT
community.”