HRC Blog

Yesterday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated estimates on the incidence of HIV in the United States for the years 2006-2009. On the positive side, these latest numbers show new infections among men who have sex with men (MSM) remain relatively stable, with just over half of new infections occurring in this population. Increased prevention and outreach efforts are likely responsible for this leveling of infection rates. For each of the four years, white MSM had the largest number of new HIV infections, followed by black MSM, Hispanic/Latino MSM and black women were the next most affected groups.

Thirty years ago this summer doctors released the first published reports of AIDS. Since then, the disease has devastated our community and others across the world. Its affects have been disproportionately felt among people of color, especially young gay and bisexual men in those communities. At times we have felt that not enough is being done to fight this disease, and we know we all have a lot of work to do. Yesterday marked the first anniversary of the launch of the comprehensive National HIV/AIDS Strategy. The Strategy, which HRC recommended in the Blueprint for Positive Change, shows President Obama’s commitment and resolve to fighting HIV/AIDS. The Strategy has three goals: 1) reduce the number of new HIV infections, 2) increase access to care and improve health outcomes for people living with HIV, and 3) reduce HIV-related health disparities. The Administration’s mission is for the United States to become a place where new HIV infections are rare and when they do occur, every person, regardless of age, gender, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or socio-economic circumstance, will have unfettered access to high quality, life-extending care, free from stigma and discrimination. HRC shares that vision for our country.

National HIV Testing Day is an appropriate time to reflect on our efforts to confront the HIV/AIDS epidemic. As recently as 5 years ago, the District had no way to track the spread of the epidemic. We had no way to scientifically measure the effectiveness of our response to the disease, no way to know what changes were needed to improve that response. The recent release of the District’s report on HIV/AIDS is the fourth iteration of this annual epidemiological study. The report gives strong evidence that the District is, at long last, beginning to mount an effective response to the epidemic.

Today, June 27th, is National HIV Testing Day. The theme of this year’s observance, “Take the Test, Take Control”, reminds all of us the importance of taking a very simple test can help control your destiny.

Sunday marked the biggest night of the year for Broadway, as the 65th annual Tony Awards were held in New York. To be sure, the night belonged to “The Book of Mormon,” which took home nine awards, including Best Musical. But another big storyline was about the incredible variety represented by the nominees and winners – among them, “The Normal Heart,” which is the story a group of friends who refused to let doctors, politicians and the press ignore the growing AIDS epidemic of the 1980s.