Friday, November 28, 2008

It's been 30 years, it's time to stop the spread of AIDS

Bloggers Unite
In 2005, women represented 26 percent of new AIDS diagnoses, compared to only 11 percent of new AIDS cases reported in 1990. Most women are infected with HIV through heterosexual contact and injection drug use.
Women of color are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. AIDS is now the leading cause of death for Black women ages 25 to 34.
The CDC reports over 56,000 new cases are estimated to have occurred in the United States in 2006.
I personally do not know anyone who has AIDS, but that doesn't mean I won't in my lifetime, or that I just don't know I know someone. While advances are being made everyday in finding an answer to stopping it, the rate worldwide of new infections each year is still over two and a half million.
This is no longer just the "gay virus" and it should concern all of us. It is a human concern. "UNAIDS estimates the number of AIDS case worldwide at 33 million; its previous estimate of 40 million was revised last year because of changes to how it counts cases.
Officials estimate that 2 million people died from AIDS last year, down from approximately 2.2 million in 2005." -AP http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/health/AP-MED-AIDS-Report.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
The sad thing is, condoms do reduce the risk of contracting AIDS through sex and clean needle programs help stop the spread through IV drug use, but most cities fear that passing out clean needles means they condone drug use, or worse yet, feel that handing out free condoms condones promiscuity. Of course, there are those men who refuse to wear one because it isn't "macho". Of course dying of AIDS or living on expensive medication regimes is even LESS MACHO.
Links to find out more:
Learn the Link: Drug abuse and AIDS
Aids.gov
One Condom Challenge to President Elect Barack Obama

Friday, November 21, 2008

What a Month

November has been busy, wild, fun, fabulous and a bit crazy.
I have other venues for politics and this one isn't one of them, so I am just going to say I was very happy Barak H. Obama was elected, saddened that Prop. H8 passed in CA, as well as 102 in Arizona and 2 in Florida. I was angry that the anti gay adoption and foster parent bill passed in Arkansas.
On Friday the 7th I flew back East to Pennsylvania to spend some time with Lorrie. On Saturday we drove to Rehoboth Beach in Delaware and had a wonderful 3 1/2 days there. I am always so happy just to be with My Love. Rehoboth Beach was beautiful, even though the colors of Fall had faded. We enjoyed walking along the beach, eating out, shopping and of course spending all that time just together.
Though Lorrie and I talk every day and write emails, there is nothing like just being with her.
I can't wait to move back there after I receive my degree. I don't know how I will be able to stand seeing her so much, LOL. Long distance relationships can be very hard. I know it is for us, but the truth is, everyday I find that my love for Lorrie only increases, and like the quote below has only burned hotter and brighter with every passing day.
‘Absence diminishes small loves and increases great ones, as the wind blows out the candle and blows up the bonfire.’ (Francois de la Rouchefoucauld).
Baby, you do light my fire!
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