Today, December 1st is World AIDS Day – a day for people demonstrate how they are committed to ending HIV/AIDS worldwide, support those living with HIV/AIDS and to commemorate those who have passed on. HIV/AIDS turned 30 years old this year and Pennsylvania continues to be one of the most impacted states in the nation (CDC 2009).
The CDC reported this year that the rate of infection among gay and bisexual men in on the rise – especially in young men of color. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has useful factsheets on HIV in disproportionately impacted communities: HIV and African Americans | HIV and Latinos/Hispanics | HIV and Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) (Gay, Bisexual men) | HIV and Transgender People | HIV and Youth
A recent CDC study found that one in five urban gay/bisexual men in America are HIV positive, and only half of those infected are aware of their status. We continue today in the HIV/AIDS crisis – hoping for the resources to have an HIV free generation. Supporting HIV/AIDS awareness, education and support all throughout the year is absolutely critical. Educational and activist events are taking place all throughout Pennsylvania:
Pittsburgh: On Thursday (12/1) a large community vigil will take place in Oakland/Shadyside at 6pm. Please see Pittsburgh (RED)’s page here for more information on the vigil and events throughout the week. PSEC Pittsburgh-West leaders will be present at the vigil in solidarity. For a full list of community events in Pittsburgh for World AIDS Day 2011 – please go to the schedule here.
Millersville: The GSA at Millersville University is taking time to plan actions around the prohibition of men who have sex with men (MSM) to donate blood. If you are interested in an action around blood donation issues please contact PSEC Coordinating Committee Member from MU: Nicole Weerbrouck at nmweerbr@marauder.millersville.edu.
York: The Curve this Thursday evening will be having a guest speaker on HIV/AIDS in Central PA. The Curve is an LGBTQ support group for youth only (14-21) (Facebook Event). Also, Penn State-York is hosting the AIDS Quilt this week.
Nanticoke: The Northeast Regional HIV Planning Coalition is hosting the AIDS Quilt at Luzurne County Community College (1333 South Prospect Street) 12/1-12/3 (Facebook Event).
Philadelphia: This Thursday (12/1) at 5:30pm there will be a community event at the Broad Street Ministry (315 South Broad Street). Over 20 local organizations are collaborating – please go to the event page here for more information. On Saturday evening: the Delaware Valley Legacy Fund is hosting its fifth annual TOY event at the Marketplace Design Center to benefit DVLF and the pediatric HIV/AIDS unit at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (Facebook Event) Also, the William Way Community Center (1315 Spruce Street) currently is displaying a fantastic exhibit about AIDS at 30. PSEC Philadelphia – please encourage your organizations to go!
HIV/AIDS Resources in Pennsylvania
Keystone Health (Chambersburg)
The Northwest PA Rural AIDS Alliance (Clarion, Erie)
AIDS Community Alliance (Harrisburg)
Action AIDS (Philadelphia)
ACT UP – Philadelphia (Philadelphia)
AIDS Fund (Philadelphia)
AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia)
ASIAC – AIDS Services in Aisan Communities (Philadelphia)
The Attic Youth Center (Philadelphia)
GALAEI – The Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative (Philadelphia)
Philadelphia FIGHT (Philadelphia)
Safegaurds (Philadelphia)
AIDS Coalition of Southwestern Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh)
Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force (Pittsburgh)
Shepard Wellness Community (Pittsburgh)
Adagio Health (Western PA)
The Northeastern Regional HIV Planning Coalition (Wilkes-Barre)
General LGBTQ Healthcare Providers
The Mazzoni Center (Philadelphia)
Alder Health Care (Harrisburg)
PERSAD (Pittsburgh)
LGBTQ Community Centers in Pennsylvania
The William Way Community Center (Philadelphia)
The Attic Youth Center (Philadelphia)
The LGBT Community Center Coalition of Central Pennsylvania (Harrisburg)
The Gay and Lesbian Community Center (Pittsburgh)
