WASHINGTON, DC — On the eve of World AIDS Day 2015, the National LGBTQ Task Force is urging everyone to “decisively act” to help end stigma and advance health care access for people living with HIV/AIDS — and to “seize the opportunity” to create an AIDS-free world. This year’s theme is Think Positive, Rethink HIV.
“World AIDS Day is an opportunity to focus on strengthening support for people living with HIV and AIDS — and to take action to deliver a world free from AIDS. The National LGBTQ Task Force believes that we can be most effective by fighting for policies that will improve the lives of people who are the most vulnerable and whose voices are often ignored.” said Rea Carey, executive director, National LGBTQ Task Force. “For example, we need better access to sterile syringes for people who inject drugs and transgender people who use street hormones. We need better access to HIV and AIDS-related care for people in prisons, jails, and immigrant detention centers who are particularly at risk for transmission. We need better law enforcement practices, as many people engaged in sex work have stopped carrying condoms out of fear of prosecution, and as a result are engaging in behaviors that put them at increased risk of transmission. As this year’s theme suggests, we all need to think positive and rethink HIV and in doing so decisively act to create a world where people living with HIV and AIDS do not face stigma and have full access to all the care they need. We are so close to achieving an AIDS-free world. We must seize the opportunity together and we can make it happen. The time to act is now,”
