This July

This summer will be the thirtieth time there has been an AIDS Walk San Francisco. Since that first one, similar events have sprung up all across the US and Canada. The goal is the same of course, the see and end to HIV/AIDS and the San Francisco event is dear to me because I lost so many friends there to AIDS. I've walked 24 years and just signed up for my 25th! I know this blog is not about me, and I usually don't get personal, but this fight is important and it IS personal. I hope it will become personal for you too.

There is still stigma to fight. There is still educating that needs to be done. We still need to give assistance to many who live with HIV. Of course the big thing is that we need to find a cure! I urge you to participate, either by donating to support my walk or my registering to walk yourself, or by sharing this information with others. (Or you can do all of those things too)! Click HERE to become one of my sponsors. Any amount helps! You are also welcome to walk with me at the San Francisco event in July.

AIDS was first clinically observed in 1981 in the United States. (Remember when you lost so many friends back in the early 80s)? Things have gotten better since then, but we cannot stop until AIDS is a thing of the past - until nobody is living with HIV and we only find AIDS in our history books. I'll be doing a number of things, particularly this July. I do hope to see many of you with me!

White House ban

With everyone talking about the President and his advisors and cabinet, I was asked why I had not written a single thing on the subject. Had I imposed some sort of White House ban here? Absolutely not. There purpose of this blog has always been a positive and uplifting one. I write here about folks who are doing good things for others and who are changing the world for the better. I write about hometown heroes and offer suggestions about how all of us can give back to society. There theme of this blog would therefore seem to be at odds with the current state of the White House.

We have had Presidents whom I have praised. We have had events at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue that has made me very proud. I am not seeing that spirit there these days, and I prefer to write about positive things instead of moaning about the negative. I know there are some who disagree with this, but perhaps this would be a good time for folks to actually start working together.

Nothing would give me more pleasure than to share stories about a kind and loving US President who is representing all Americans and advocating for social justice and inclusion of every single person from coast to coast. I most certainly will write in this space about such happenings when and if they occur. There is no White House ban, but there is a ban on negativity and if that is all the White House can produce these days, then you won't be hearing much about them here.