THE GUARDIAN – For the first time since 1988, the US government will no longer commemorate World Aids Day, according to reports.
The state department has directed its employees and grant recipients not to use US government funds to mark the event – which falls annually on 1 December – and not to promote the day publicly.
The news was first reported by the journalist Emily Bass and confirmed in an email viewed by the New York Times.
Employees and grantees could still “tout the work” on Aids being done through various programs “to counter this dangerous disease and other infectious diseases around the world”, the email reportedly said. They may also attend events related to the commemoration.
But they should “refrain from publicly promoting World Aids Day through any communication channels, including social media, media engagements, speeches or other public-facing messaging”.
The email also reportedly said the government’s policy is “to refrain from messaging on any commemorative days, including World AIDS Day”, even though Donald Trump has issued proclamations for dozens of other observances, including Anti-Communism Week and National Energy Dominance Month …
IS AIDS A DISEASE OF HOMOSEXUALS?
“If you are a man who has sex with men, you might have a higher risk of getting HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.” – WEBMD
“About 1 in 2 black men who have sex with men (MSM) and 1 in 4 Latino MSM in the United States will be diagnosed with HIV during their lifetime … ” – U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
“In the general population, anal cancer is a rare disease. Among men who have sex with men (MSM), the incidence of anal cancer is significantly more prevalent and increasing annually.” – National LGBT Cancer Network
