myhivpromise: Why does HIV/AIDS matter to me? To answer “Why do I ride?” I must answer the deeper question … “Why does HIV/AIDS matter to me?” I can easily say I joined the fight against the spread and stigma of HIV/AIDS because of where I lived… Baltimore, at the time, was number two in the nation for new HIV infections, only behind our big-sister Washington, DC.  But that’s not all of it. It could have naturally started because when I came into the gay, larger LGBTQ, and the Towson/Baltimore collegiate community and I saw very little awareness… and concern. HIV was not being talked about in my classrooms, by my friends, or by partners.  But that’s not all of it. A good deal of my concern in this fight I attribute to a very close friend, colleague, and hero of mine. She used to be my neighbor, is near my age, positive, healthy, and one my most cherished connections to another soul on this earth that I have.  But this answer needs to go deeper… It’s because when I hear the stories from those that are positive— stories of worry about how and when to tell family, friends, or coworkers of their status, stories of loss, of hope, or challenge… that I identify, am mystified, and can’t help but love those who shared these experiences. Everyone on this earth has a struggle in their lives, but some burdens are only able to be carried when shared— through the love of others we experience life with.  “Ubunutu” is an  isiZulu word I learned in South Africa that can translate to “Because of you, I exist”… This word tears down the walls between you and me and makes us all together. All of us, inextricably, in this together. HIV/AIDS is not your fight alone. It is not my fight alone. It is ours, whether you have been active in it previously or not.  The 2012 AIDS/Lifecycle will be a time of rally, protest, and memorial in which I will join others committed to the fight against HIV/AIDS and will celebrate our collectiveness and power to create the world in which we can all live healthy and dignified lives. so… What is your promise in the fight to end the spread and stigma of HIV/AIDS? (DONATE!) (submit your promise!) (like on facebook!)

myhivpromise:

Why does HIV/AIDS matter to me?

To answer “Why do I ride?” I must answer the deeper question … “Why does HIV/AIDS matter to me?”

I can easily say I joined the fight against the spread and stigma of HIV/AIDS because of where I lived… Baltimore, at the time, was number two in the nation for new HIV infections, only behind our big-sister Washington, DC. 

But that’s not all of it.

It could have naturally started because when I came into the gay, larger LGBTQ, and the Towson/Baltimore collegiate community and I saw very little awareness… and concern. HIV was not being talked about in my classrooms, by my friends, or by partners. 

But that’s not all of it.

A good deal of my concern in this fight I attribute to a very close friend, colleague, and hero of mine. She used to be my neighbor, is near my age, positive, healthy, and one my most cherished connections to another soul on this earth that I have. 

But this answer needs to go deeper…

It’s because when I hear the stories from those that are positive— stories of worry about how and when to tell family, friends, or coworkers of their status, stories of loss, of hope, or challenge… that I identify, am mystified, and can’t help but love those who shared these experiences. Everyone on this earth has a struggle in their lives, but some burdens are only able to be carried when shared— through the love of others we experience life with. 

“Ubunutu” is an  isiZulu word I learned in South Africa that can translate to “Because of you, I exist”… This word tears down the walls between you and me and makes us all together. All of us, inextricably, in this together.

HIV/AIDS is not your fight alone. It is not my fight alone. It is ours, whether you have been active in it previously or not. 

The 2012 AIDS/Lifecycle will be a time of rally, protest, and memorial in which I will join others committed to the fight against HIV/AIDS and will celebrate our collectiveness and power to create the world in which we can all live healthy and dignified lives.

so… What is your promise in the fight to end the spread and stigma of HIV/AIDS?

(DONATE!) (submit your promise!) (like on facebook!)

6 ♥ / 3 months ago / Source: myhivpromise
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