Day Two of the international AIDS conference (AIDS2012) roared through its first full day on Monday, and there are sights to behold.
I spent some time in the exhibit hall critiquing the fashions (and the issues) of various attendees with fashion maven Jack Mackenroth, started a YouTube rivalry with inspirational singer Jamar Rogers (“The Voice,” right), and learned about HIV and aging from an expert with the Terrence Higgins Trust.
And, with all the talk at the conference about the devastating effects of HIV stigma, I found validation of my own HIV status in the unlikeliest of places: the Gallery Place subway station.
Coming up: the amazing Global Village and a march on Washington by advocates from around the world!
Meanwhile, my friends, please be well.
Mark
Mark,
You’re doing a wonderful job of being a correspondent. Thanks so much and keep up the good work!!!
Scott
Nice job, Mark, and we are loving these reports but here’s the bad new – the opening of this one sucks. The Canada booth which you praise was actually funded by PHAC, the HIV/AIDS funding arm of the Federal Government of Canada at the expense of funding to groups like the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network, an advocacy group actively fighting criminalization, whose funding PHAC has recently slashed. The same booth was shut down by activists with AIDS Action Now! this past Monday, declaring it a “harm reduction-free zone|, given our government’s rejection of harm reduction strategies oi all kinds. And the booth was NOT put together by Canada and community-based groups. It’s purely PR – the government of Canda banging its drum while numerous community groups have given the government a failing report card in its funding of and response to HIV/AIDS.
Having said all this, I wouldn’t expect you to know the intricacies of Canadian AIDS politics – so we’ll forgive you this time. Come up to Canada and we’ll show you a good time – without politics getting in the way.
thanks for your tours of the conference Mark. It is very helpful for people like me who simply do not have the stamina (finances, time off work, etc,) right now. I feel included & in the loop.
HI MARK…. I’M HAVING A HARD TIME ACCESSING YOUR VIDEO REPORTS AND PIX….Oops — all caps…What am I doning wrong…Love your work.
jt
Yes, Mark, need to boost the number of hit for your CDC campaign PSA! Maybe Anita Mann on Ru Paul’s Drag U?