Today is World AIDS Day. Since last World AIDS Day, there have been some 38,000 new HIV infections in the United States alone. More than 1.1 million people in the US are living with HIV, according to the Centers for Disease Control. (Basic HIV Statistics from CDC)
The death from AIDS of theater artist Michael Friedman last year at the age of 41 was a shocking reminder that, yes, people still die from AIDS — and yes it is still affecting the New York theater community.
Here is Javier Munoz (In The Heights, Hamilton) telling his story, and talking about the power of stigma.
‘Anyone living with HIV has dignity and worth equal to everyone else on this planet.’ — @JMunozActor is sharing his story to let others with HIV know they’re not alone pic.twitter.com/bkiKrtH3ud
— NowThis (@nowthisnews) December 1, 2018
@JMunozActor: Thank you @nowthisnews Absolutely the most intimate I’ve ever discussed living w/ HIV & the pandemic as a whole. It’s #WorldAIDSDay
folks; THE day to listen, learn, & care. To all, like me, living w/ HIV, you matter, I see you, I’ll never stop fighting for us. 
Everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 should get tested for HIV at least once. Some people should be tested more often. And everyone can do something else, too. #SpreadFactsNotFear #WorldAIDSDay pic.twitter.com/SufCoPZOPo
— Gilead Sciences (@GileadSciences) December 1, 2018
“How?” You ask? Stop charging folks 250x the mark-up price of PrEP. A drug that was produced by tax-payer money should not cost $1,600/month. Call out pharma greed this #WorldAIDSDay. https://t.co/mMbonFYZ5y
— ACT UP New York (@actupny) December 1, 2018
#WorldAIDSDay is a chance for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV! We honor those affected by this virus & the work of artists who have used performance and protest to bring attention to this important issue since the very beginning.
Photo credit: Jonathan Slaff pic.twitter.com/TjQJEJIyEk
— La MaMa E.T.C. (@LaMaMaETC) December 1, 2018
