Splaine: Show support and respect on World AIDS Day, Dec. 1
There is nothing more important than the way we treat each other. Nothing. If we treated one another with respect and equality as human beings, and cheered success and happiness for all, we would avoid wars, eliminate poverty, and enjoy the bounties and gifts of our planet for everyone.
Unfortunately, human nature doesn't allow that, at least not yet. We have found ways to control the lives of others, possess more than our neighbors, take the lands of people of foreign countries, and negatively judge one another rather than accept and celebrate our differences. Thus, racism, discrimination, hatred and killing have been Earth's history for way too long.
The terrorism act of hate at the LGBTQ+ "Club Q" in Colorado Springs this past week and the killing of five people, with 25 others injured, is yet another example of what happens when years of accumulated hate speech and discrimination affects the minds of some people.
The 22-year-old suspect wasn't born with the hate that would lead him to do what he did last weekend. It was the result of what he learned from others as he grew up. The current political climate, and easy-access to social media allowing hateful people to say anything they want to say, which is then passed on with just a couple of simple "clicks," exacerbates violence.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, AIDS got its wedge in our nation because decision-makers in our government ignored the disease since at the beginning it seemed to be only affecting people they did not like. Much has been written about the way government and religious leaders ignored or downplayed warnings by medical and science professionals about a new virus spreading quickly in gay communities. Discrimination played a role. "And The Band Played On," a book written by Randy Shilts, which also became a movie, reported on that government inaction, and the medical community's eventual action, on combating that new deadly threat.
Each year on December 1st, World AIDS Day brings attention to the need to continue the cause of stopping a horrible disease that has killed millions of people. It is also a time to show support for people living with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, and to remember those who died from AIDS-related illnesses.
This year, the theme of World AIDS Day is "Global Solidarity, Shared Responsibility." The United Nations, AIDS-service agencies, governments, and medical professionals continue to unite to join the challenges that HIV and AIDS creates.
The U.S. Government commemorates World AIDS Day by recognizing the millions of people who have died from the illness worldwide. Our government's theme is "Putting Ourselves to the Test: Achieving Equality to End HIV."
Those words echo the Biden-Harris Administration's dedication to ending HIV/AIDS as a health problem, and address inequalities in other nations, as well as communities within our own borders, that have been affected by pandemics of all kinds, including COVID-19. Equality of health care is vital to fight viruses, since low-income people have less access to healthcare or clean living conditions.
In the 1980s and early 1990s, as AIDS paranoia gripped the nation and the world, Portsmouth welcomed an organization dedicated to fighting the disease. AIDS Response Seacoast became part of the City Hall complex to mainstream the cause of education and support those needing help. I was president of the organization at the time, and saw first-hand the unconditional and unified backing of city leaders. That commitment continues.
AIDS Response Seacoast is a non-profit group that has been providing services throughout Rockingham and Strafford counties since 1987. Those services are provided at no cost to persons living with HIV/AIDS. The organization has an excellent website describing its services and mission: "To support and assist men, women, and children living with HIV/AIDS in maintaining a high quality of life; to prevent new HIV infections through education programs; and to play an active role in affecting local, state, and national policies on HIV/AIDS prevention, education, research, and direct care."
For more information and assistance, contact AIDS Response Seacoast – Our Mission
The Numbers: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1,200,000 people in our country are living with HIV; worldwide estimates are that 40 million people have HIV/AIDS.
Next time: For 2023, "Portsmouth Outdoors, Year-Round."
Jim Splaine has served variously since 1969 as Portsmouth assistant mayor, Police Commissioner, and School Board member, as well as N.H. state senator and representative. He can be reached at jimsplaineportsmouth@gmail.com
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Splaine: Show support and respect on World AIDS Day, Dec. 1
