Thought For The Day – Monday 1^st December 2025

Today, the 1^st of December, is World H.I.V./ A.I.D.S. Day.  The symbol of today is the red ribbon.  The image above is from the United Nations.

A.I.D.S. (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) describes life-threatening illnesses that occur when the all-important human immune system has been damaged by the H.I.V. virus.

There is, at present, no vaccine for H.I.V./A.I.D.S., though important scientific research is on-going.

H.I.V. can be transmitted through unprotected and unsafe sex if one partner is H.I.V. positive.

Legally and morally, both 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. The on-going presence of consent is vital. Coercion is always wrong.   Further, regular sexual health testing, and protection, if sexually active following the law, is always very caring, compassionate, responsible, respectful, safe, and thoughtful.

H.I.V. can also be transmitted through a person’s blood, breast milk or by sharing needles if a person who is H.I.V. positive.  Illegal drugs, whether needles are used are not, are always wrong and are illegal for a reason.

The brilliant and essential health, medical, and scientific and professions,  medication, ensure people live a very long and very good life with H.I.V., as medication is taken to avoid A.I.D.S. developing.  Whilst, under the 2010 UK Equality Act, people with H.I.V./A.I.D.S. have legal, employment, and social rights.

The world first became more aware of H.I.V./A.I.D.S. in the 1980s. It was a very significant 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, tragically, still do.

Thirty-four years ago last week, the lead singer of the music group “Queen”, Freddie Mercury, passed away owing to A.I.D.S..  Freddie Mercury told the world he had A.I.D.S. 24 hours before his passing. By fearlessly letting the world know what was very private to him,  and breaking down stigma at the time, H.I.V./A.I.D.S. awareness became a vital part of his legacy.

The award-winning  film “Philadelphia”, starring Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington, explored prejudice and discrimination  to someone suffering from H.I.V./A.I.D.S..  The title song, by Bruce Springsteen, imagines someone suffering the challenge of H.I.V./A.I.D.S.

Compassion and care is always needed in life.   Princess Diana broke down stigma, negative prejudice, and negative discrimination by hugging, and shaking hands with, those suffering from H.I.V./ A.I.D.S.  The famous picture below, from 1991,  one of many of Princess Diana’s meetings sufferers with H.I.V./A.I.D.S., was taken by Tim Graham.

Today we think of the H.I.V./ A.I.D.S. community past and present.