|| News ||
Page 1 of 1

Obama, Municipalities Honor AIDS Testing Day


BLOOD TEST BLOOD BAN AIDS HIV X390 (THINKSTOCK) | ADVOCATE.COM

President Barack Obama renewed his call for increased testing in recognition of National HIV Testing Day this Sunday, noting that one in five people with HIV are unaware they carry the virus.

"In recent years, we have made huge advances in HIV research, prevention and care," he said in a statement Friday. "Still, HIV and AIDS remains an epidemic in this country. That is why my Administration is launching in the coming days a comprehensive National HIV/AIDS Strategy focused on reducing new HIV infections, increasing access to care, and reducing HIV-related health disparities."

Obama also called for businesses, faith groups, scientists, academia, and philanthropic organizations to commit to fighting the epidemic.

"And all of us have a responsibility to reduce our risk and know our status, to continue to support those already affected by this disease, and to fight the stigma and discrimination people still face," he added. "So on this National HIV Testing Day, let us all recommit to do our part to help stop the spread of HIV and AIDS."

His message came as the New York state senate passed a bill requiring HIV testing to be offered to everyone age 13-64 in most medical settings, according to the Gay Men's Health Crisis. The senate passed the bill, sponsored by Sen. Thomas Duane, by a 42-10 vote.

"Expanding HIV testing in all settings is a dire need, and it is too critical to wait another year," said Marjorie J. Hill, chief executive officer of GMHC. "Offering an HIV test to adults seeking health care will decrease stigma. By making it an easier process, the number of people getting tested will increase dramatically. Ultimately, the bill will allow more New Yorkers to take charge of their health and access the treatment and care they need."

The assembly version of the bill, sponsored by Richard Gottfried, is also expected to pass.

Meanwhile in Atlanta, Mayor Kasim Reed hosted an HIV testing event Friday at City Hall, where he also underwent a test.

“This is a disease that impacts all of the city,” Reed said at a press conference, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “That is why I am going to participate and be tested as well.”

Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Twitter. Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Facebook. Page 1 of 1
Reader Comments
  • Name: Michael M.
    Date posted: 1/4/2011 11:16:57 AM
    Hometown: Hudson

    Comment:

    Look up the circumcision-HIV news in the Times of Swaziland. You'll see that circumcision doesn't protect anyone but the lucky. Face it: us men are being lied to. We're being forced between a rock and a hard place: rejecting all rationale we've been told and/or being upset at your parents for allowing it to happen. Circumcision was and remains a cosmetic procedure. It is ALWAYS optional. Never let anyone tell you otherwise.

  • Name: Charles
    Date posted: 6/29/2010 11:12:31 AM
    Hometown: Austin, TX

    Comment:

    Instead of the 13 to 64 age demograhic the government might as well expand that to testing should be a standard requirement for medical exams of all those who have had sexual contact with another person and / or have shared intravenous needles; including victims of sexual assault and sexual abuse. Some rising demographic groups appear to be young African-American women and older adults in nursing homes. While the current program covers women, we might be missing the older adults if the cut-off is 64; and younger sexually active children or younger children who have shared needles for reasons other than intravenous drug use. Plenty older adults above the age of 64 are having risky sex and contracting HIV and AIDS. Maybe by expanding the dialogue to sexually active people and intravenous needle sharing we can stop trying to assign this to particular age groups, genders, and races / ethnicities and confusing the public to think this is a "Black, White, and/or GLBT" problem.

  • Name: Daniel
    Date posted: 6/28/2010 1:43:20 PM
    Hometown: Boston

    Comment:

    Eric, Better watch out-if they come after the illiterate you are at the top of the list! (illiterate means you cannot read or spell)

  • Name: eric
    Date posted: 6/27/2010 9:32:15 PM
    Hometown: away from obama

    Comment:

    better test obummer for the aids. i heard rhambo emmanual stuffed a dead fish in him.

  • Name: Joseph4GI
    Date posted: 6/27/2010 3:46:45 AM
    Hometown: Stockton, CA

    Comment:

    It doesn't help that based on late "studies" in Africa, people in this country are being lead to believe that being circumcised makes you immune to HIV. As a result, men forgo condoms, and women agree to having unprotected sex. It needs to be said loud and clear that even if these "studies" were correct and that "circumcision reduces the risk of HIV transmission by 60% in males," it wouldn't in 40% of males. And women are 100% exposed to HIV positive semen. Whether a man is circumcised or if he has an anatomically correct penis, he needs to be sure wear a condom, and women need to refuse to sleep with partners unless they have protected sex. People need to watch who they sleep with, and who they share needles with. Circumcision will not protect you once HIV is in your bloodstream. I think it's a safe bet to say that the majority of the men who got HIV last year were circumcised from birth. Americans would be wise not buy into the circumcision hype. Play it safe. Wear a condom.



Don't Miss
  • Best of Broadway Smash: Why You Will Love It

    Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, two of the producers of NBC’s new critically acclaimed musical series, explain why the backstage drama of creating a musical about Marilyn Monroe has mass appeal and why big stars like Anjelica Huston, Uma Thurman, Bernadette Peters, and Nick Jonas were eager to appear in it.

  • Best of Broadway How Broadway Does a Flea Market

    Find out why actress Kathleen Chalfant calls the annual Flea Market and Grand Auction in Times Square "the most glamorous flea market you've ever seen." It raised half a million dollars to fight HIV/AIDS.

  • Travel Slideshow Flag Gayest Cities in America, 2012

    It's no secret that megalopolises New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles have robust LGBT life — and we've even heard tell of little queer hoods like the Castro and P-Town. This isn't that list.

 
 
Advocate Subscribe Promo Banner 300x50
 
Follow Us Follow Us on FacebookFollow Us on TwitterSubscribe to our RSS feedsDownload our app
Facebook Activity
 
1056 COVER X135 | ADVOCATE.COM
Today's Headlines