BTL Editorial: Ten things you can do to help stop the HIV epidemic …

As many may recall, Matt Foreman, the former executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, made waves in February when he told the Creating Change conference in Detroit that HIV/AIDS was a “gay disease.” Statistics support Foreman’s assertion, with nearly 70 percent of cases in Michigan found in the men who have sex with men category. So with World AIDS Day around the corner, Between The Lines thought it might be pertinent to provide a simple list of things you can do to help stop HIV here in Michigan.

10. Make a commitment today as someone who cares about the LBGT community that HIV/AIDS is your problem, whether your are HIV positive or not. The end of the epidemic begins with everyone effected and affected by the epidemic taking part in the solution.

9. Host a fundraiser for your local AIDS service organization. Those funds will go to vital programs like anonymous and confidential HIV testing, prevention outreach, medication support, medical case work, food assistance for persons with HIV and dozens of other services offered by these vital community organizations. Many of these programs are being downsized or worse, cut, as a result of financial constraints from the economic crisis and shrinking government and private granting agencies.

8. Volunteer at the local AIDS service organization. Take an hour a week and help that organization file, pass out literature, distribute condoms or work in their food bank. While that hour is only an hour to you, AIDS service organizations can only survive with your assistance.

7. Promise to tell one friend or family member a day about HIV/AIDS and its impact in the world, America and right here in Michigan. Pass this list of things to do on to them, so they too can help be part of the solution.

See BTL Editorial: Ten things you can do to help stop the HIV epidemic …
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