World AIDS Day, 2010

Today is the 22^nd anniversary of World AIDS day. The We've come far in the 2_ years since HIV/AIDS first started attacking our community. The rate of new infections is going down, modern medicine has helped prevent mothers from passing the virus to their children during pregnancy;
Yet, we haven't come far enough. The biggest cases of infection still come from (and ravish) the black and Latino community.

Blacks/African Americans accounted for 52% of new HIV diagnoses and 48% of AIDS diagnoses in 2008. Of the total number of people living with HIV in 2007 in the 37 U.S. states and 5 dependent areas, 46% were black/African American; ... 20%Hispanic/Latino...

Among men diagnosed with AIDS in 2008, 52% of black/African American men and 63% of Hispanic/Latino men ...  became infected with HIV through male-to-male sexual contact. Among women diagnosed with AIDS in 2008, 77% of black/African American women, 75% of Hispanic/Latino women and 65% of white women became infected through heterosexual contact. -- Source - Avert

Not to mention the stigma that's still attached to HIV/AIDS and STD's in general. Some are still under the perception that AIDS is a "gay man's" disease. People are embarrassed to be tested, embarrassed to have the conversation with their partners and embarrassed that. I've heard too many times of guys telling their sex partners "We don't need a condom. Don't I look clean baby? Just trust me". We need to take control, save our own lives. Although condoms do not provide 100% protection, they're the smartest option for people that are involved in non-monogamous relationships.

Know YOUR status, and the status of the people that you're sharing your body with. As my mother told me "If you're too embarrassed to ask someone about their STD status, you shouldn't be laying down with them". For free AIDS/STD testing, click here. Stay safe out there.