National Latino AIDS Awareness Day

Tonight in Fort Lauderdale, FL we just celebrated National Latino AIDS Awareness Day in Wilton Manors. It was an awesome night to share with a community of infected and affected individuals often left behind as step-children in the fight to End AIDS and service to those in need. For many that attended, English was a second language. What an amazing experience it was to witness these people having the opportunity to celebrate their culture as a true community, being HIV+ and putting aside all the hatred that exists in this world. They embraced the true beauty that exists in one another realizing what united a community of individuals. It made me wish I had a better grasp on the Spanish language after having taken Spanish classes over 10 years ago! Stigma still delivers a mighty blow to the fight to End AIDS. As AIDS activists; often opinionated, when we attend events, that last thing we expect to do is say nothing and just sit back. Well, tonight I sort of did just that, I bartended for the event and watched and listened. It was humbling to watch as others celebrated the end of their struggle to find a safe environment to trust and disclose to others. Tonight was a joyful celebration for those that attended. But I could not stop thinking of those that still fear to come out of their homes, those that fear to seek care, treatment and support. After 25 years, our work is only beginning! Broward County Commissioner Diana Wasserman-Rubin stood proud tonight with the HIV/AIDS community. Her presence and encouraging statements provided great hope and promise to a county that leads the nation with the highest HIV infection rate per capita. She stood tonight proud to have just been appointed to the Broward County HIV Health Services Planning Council to provide accountability and leadership. Just re-elected to an additional 4 years of service to the residents of Broward County, she vowed to be a voice for those often not heard. It was humbling to stand by her side and watch how the display of The Quilt moved her. The look of pain on her face as the panel was carried like that of a coffin from the auditorium was a clear sign that the Commissioner stands with us in the fight to End AIDS! Commissioner Wasserman-Rubin, thank you for listening to the voice of the HIV/AIDS community and stepping up as a true leader for many that are often underserved! Just this week, our Congressional leaders appropriated money to erect fences along our nation’s borders. This funding was not far off from the amount we now spend on the Ryan White CARE Act to provide care, treatment and support for those living with HIV/AIDS. Any yet reauthorization of the Ryan White CARE Act is one year over-due. Earlier this year, the federal government cut funding for HIV Education and Prevention by 5%. Now, I’m not an economist, but as the number of people living with HIV/AIDS increases and as the rate of infections grow, shouldn’t funding as well to End AIDS? The race for the Governor’s Office here in Florida is getting closer and closer and more difficult to predict. As each candidate makes their attempt to convince voters to vote for them on Tuesday, November 7th, neither candidate has had the courage to speak about HIV/AIDS issues. Neither candidate dares to speak of how effective needle exchange programs can be in fight to end AIDS and Hepatitis C. Both candidates fail to respond to the possible loss of millions of dollars in Ryan White funding. Does either candidate really care that Florida ranks number 3 in the nation with over 100,000 Floridians living with HIV/AIDS? Does either candidate care that South Florida accounts for over 50% of the states HIV/AIDS population. With leaders lacking the courage to speak out and take a courageous stand on HIV/AIDS issues, it’s a wonder that many of us are left with such apathy and complacency. Candidates for public office – can you hear the voices of the people that really need your leadership? If so, speak up, we are listening! Michael Emanuel Rajner National Secretary - Campaign To End AIDS Founding Member - Campaign to End AIDS - FLORIDA Telephone: (305) 677-3506 visit: http://www.aidsvote.org/ and http://www.campaigntoendaids.org/ Mailing Address: P.O. Box 2133 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33303-2133