A Message from an HIV “Thriver” – The Time to Speak Out is Now — January 29, 2018

Epstein

It is getting hard to get up lately, even as a long-term “thriver ” living with HIV. My head is spinning around from the constant attacks I see directed at me, and people like me. There are so many emotions I am feeling. Uncertainty and anger are the predominant ones. They are present because I am not sure how far our country will be sold down the river.

It is horrifying when we have an administration that doesn’t respect gay, lesbian, Black people or any other minorities. I watch each day as they systematically purge every item that came from the Obama era, regardless of who is hurt, so that they can claim a legislative or political “win”.

I and people like me are engaged in a battle where no weapons are needed. As vulnerable people, people who are sick, stigmatized, minorities — we are already bleeding. It is enough for our opponents to strip away the things we need to survive.

At this time, I know no individual living with HIV/AIDS who will be unaffected by this fight. Due to the many actions being taken by the administration’s policies, this battle keeps gaining momentum. Here are the casualties so far:

• The Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS was disbanded in January, with no promise to reappoint it.
• The failure of Congress to pass viable health care legislation, which will mean that 1.1 million Americans living with HIV/AIDS are at risk of losing their access to proper treatment.
• The establishment of the Conscience and Religious Freedom Division in the Office for Civil Rights of the Department of Health and Human Services, which will enable health care professionals to refuse care to people who are LGBTQ.

Experts say these administrative actions will halt or reverse important gains against the epidemic. With these actions affecting our communities, we must continue to fight in the resistance.

Please join me. Let’s stay strong as we advocate for the health care needed to combat HIV/AIDS. The need has never been more critical to stay vigilant.

The truth is, we are living in a country where medications and treatment for HIV exist, even if access to these things is not always there. As a community, we don’t have to let our progressive measures be lost due to more cuts imposed by the administration.

As a long-term thriver, I don’t care to hear the words “Death Sentence” ever again. I refuse to bury another friend who died needlessly of complications of an illness that we have the tools to manage.

We are equally important citizens in this country. And as gay, lesbian, and all minorities we must stand firm in this battle to end discrimination and exclusion. We must raise our arms and voices to lift one another up. Please join me — raise your own voice and educate those in power of what’s at stake.

We must not sit still and allow this injustice. There is too much at stake.

Photo by Ayo Ogunseinde on Unsplash