Save This Beautyful World!!!

World Aids Day is today. Just over 25 years ago, San Francisco was in the throes of understanding the scourge known as Human Immunodeficiency Virus. The outbreak in SF that started in 1983 was one of the epicenters of a cultural bombshell that turned lives upside down from London to Hong Kong, and later around the world.

It is a virus which attacks the body's immune system — the body's defense against diseases. HIV can be passed on through infected bodily fluids, most commonly via sex without a condom or by sharing infected needles, syringes or other injecting drug equipment.
Participating Castro District businesses, restaurants, and bars will donate 10-15% of the day’s sales to 30AIDS to show their support for AIDS and the nonprofits that serve their customers and community. Castro Street will be adorned with red lights, red ribbons, red balloons and memories. The free screening of How to Survive a Plague at the Castro Theater at 6pm is sold out. There will be a candlelight vigil and speakers in Harvey Milk Plaza to follow.

There are now more people than ever living with HIV around the world, up to 34 million people. It's estimated that around a quarter of those are unaware they have the virus. In Africa, it is estimated that one quarter of the population will die of HIV in the next 30 years.
Here are a few more facts about HIV :

• Over 90% of people with HIV were infected through sexual contact
• You can now get tested for HIV using a saliva sample
• HIV is not passed on through spitting, biting or sharing utensils
• Only 1% of babies born to HIV positive mothers have HIV
• You can get the results of an HIV test in just 15-20 minutes
• There is no vaccine and no cure for HIV

Have any of these facts come as a surprise?
This article is dedicated to the memory of my old friend, Russell Alvarez.





December 1 marks World Aids Day. One of the biggest challenges about HIV/Aids for parents is how to explain the disease to children.
While you may not be ready to have the sex talk, you can talk to kids about HIV/AIDS. Remember, that every parent gets nervous about serious conversations with kids. It's okay to be nervous.

Here's a list of things to keep in mind:

1. Being prepared can help. If you're unsure on how to begin talking about it, you can ask your pediatrician for advice on how to start the conversation or ask them to help you explain.

2. You need to keep the conversation age-appropriate. The talk won't be the same for a 5-year-old as it would be for a teenager.

3. Right now, there are children in the world with HIV/AIDS. Children the same age as your own suffering every single day of the disease. It's better for children to be aware of things that affect kids their own age than to live in ignorance of them.

Below are some resources with tips on talking to your children about HIV/AIDS and how to get through the conversation.