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"It's past time for HIV and AIDS to be relegated to history so that 25
years from now, we can look back at what was and what is no more," said
Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese.
WASHINGTON - Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese made the following statement on the 25th anniversary of the first reported case of AIDS:
"In a heartbeat, a generation of Americans was lost to AIDS," said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. "While the government's reaction was slow, the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community united into a political force that demanded action and, with an enduring commitment, secured it. Today is a day to honor the lives lost, to pay tribute to the many who took action, and to recognize the great challenges that still stand before us in fighting the scourge of HIV and AIDS.
Solmonese continued, "While we've come a long way, HIV/AIDS continues to devastate communities around the world and in the United States, particularly among men who have sex with men and communities of color. We must demand that more resources are devoted to this fight. The President's proposed budget slashes funding for HIV/AIDS research at the NIH by $15 million. The nation's biggest answer to providing care for HIV/AIDS, the Ryan White CARE Act, has been mostly flat-funded for five straight years. The administration and Congressional leadership are allowing ideology to trump science when it comes to prevention strategies, leaving young people dangerously vulnerable without the tools they need to protect themselves.
"Today prevention remains the only cure," added Solmonese. "And our administration is sending unproven abstinence-only programs overseas to do damage on an international scale. Today, let's commit to harnessing our national resources to do what needs to be done. We must adequately fund treatment and care programs, advance science-based prevention strategies, and invest in research. It's past time for HIV and AIDS to be relegated to history so that 25 years from now, we can look back at what was and what is no more."
The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender political organization with members throughout the country. It effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign support and educates the public to ensure that LGBT Americans can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.
WASHINGTON - Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese made the following statement on the 25th anniversary of the first reported case of AIDS:
"In a heartbeat, a generation of Americans was lost to AIDS," said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. "While the government's reaction was slow, the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community united into a political force that demanded action and, with an enduring commitment, secured it. Today is a day to honor the lives lost, to pay tribute to the many who took action, and to recognize the great challenges that still stand before us in fighting the scourge of HIV and AIDS.
Solmonese continued, "While we've come a long way, HIV/AIDS continues to devastate communities around the world and in the United States, particularly among men who have sex with men and communities of color. We must demand that more resources are devoted to this fight. The President's proposed budget slashes funding for HIV/AIDS research at the NIH by $15 million. The nation's biggest answer to providing care for HIV/AIDS, the Ryan White CARE Act, has been mostly flat-funded for five straight years. The administration and Congressional leadership are allowing ideology to trump science when it comes to prevention strategies, leaving young people dangerously vulnerable without the tools they need to protect themselves.
"Today prevention remains the only cure," added Solmonese. "And our administration is sending unproven abstinence-only programs overseas to do damage on an international scale. Today, let's commit to harnessing our national resources to do what needs to be done. We must adequately fund treatment and care programs, advance science-based prevention strategies, and invest in research. It's past time for HIV and AIDS to be relegated to history so that 25 years from now, we can look back at what was and what is no more."
The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender political organization with members throughout the country. It effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign support and educates the public to ensure that LGBT Americans can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.