There is a two-story red ribbon hanging in front of The White House to mark World AIDS Day. I hope it serves as a reminder to everyone that despite life-saving progress in treatement, this deadly disease is still with us.

I came of age, as did many of my friends, in the age of AIDS and it was terrifying and really shaped how you felt about yourself, about sex and about being gay. So many people dying, so many young and beautiful people gone far too soon. I have a friend who lost a dozen friends and the pain from that will never really go away.

Here is a list of names from AIDSWatch of many of those lives who have been lost including such famous people as Rock Hudson, Arthur Ashe, Amanda Blake, Anthony Perkins, Ryan White, and Liberace.

So when you see young gay men today being reckless, it is just maddening and quite tragic. If you are negative, stay negative! If you don’t know your status, find out. It’s better to know. And if you are positive, take care of your health and of those you come in contact with.

World AIDS Day is an international event to remember the 47 million people worldwide, the 1.7 million in America and the 2000+ in Iowa who have AIDS or who have died from from AIDS.

Here are some stories I have found interesting and informative:

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