Thought For The Day – Friday 1st December 2023
The 35th World AIDS Day
Princess Diana (pictured below) breaks down stigma, prejudice and discrimination by hugging, and shaking hands with, those suffering from HIV/AIDS.
Today is World AIDS Day. It is the 35th anniversary of this important day, first founded in 1988. The theme in 2023 is: “Let Communities Lead”.
AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) describes a number of life-threatening illnesses that occur when the all-important immune system has been damaged by the HIV virus. There is, at present, no vaccine for HIV/AIDS.
HIV is transmitted through unprotected and unsafe sex (all people must be 16 and above before having sex; this is the age of consent for reasons of emotional, physical and psychological maturity, respect and safety; and there must be full consent and agreement, and never coercion, before and during every sexual act), blood, breast milk or sharing needles (illegal drugs, whether needles are used are not, are always wrong and are illegal for a reason) with a person who is HIV positive. Intentionally and deliberately infecting someone with HIV, when that person knows they have HIV, carries a prison sentence. Regular sexual health testing, and protection, if sexually active, is always very caring, compassionate, responsible, respectful, safe and thoughtful.
However, thanks. once again, to the essential health, medical and scientific and professions, medication, ensures people live a very long and very good life with HIV, as medication is taken to avoid AIDS developing. Under the 2010 UK Equality Act, people with HIV/AIDS have legal, employment and social rights.
The world first became more aware of HIV/AIDS in the 1980s. It was a public health challenge. Leaflets were sent to every home. So many passed away owing to love. Where countries and communities cannot afford health care, they still do. Once again, as with climate change, today the most vulnerable and the poorest around the world are the ones most affected.
32 years ago last week, the lead singer of the band Queen, Freddie Mercury, passed away owing to AIDS. Freddie Mercury told the world he had AIDS 24 hours before his passing. By fearlessly letting the world know what was very private to him, and breaking down stigma, AIDS awareness became a vital part of his legacy. His last music video was: “These Are the Days of Our Lives.” Though the body was frail, the voice as strong as ever. It was one last, memorable performance.
The award-winning film “Philadelphia”, starring Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington, explored prejudice and discrimination to someone suffering from HIV/AIDS. The title song, by Bruce Springsteen, imagines someone suffering the challenge of HIV/AIDS. The song could be applied to many challenges people face.
Compassion and care is always needed in life. In the 1980s and 1990s, Princess Diana (pictured above) broke down stigma, prejudice and discrimination by hugging, and shaking hands with, those suffering from HIV/AIDS.