HIV is one of the greatest infectious threats to human health and social stability the world has encountered.
- 15,000 people are infected with HIV each day worldwide
- 3 million people died of AIDS in 2003, including 500,000 children
- 40 million people were living with HIV/AIDS in 2003, including 2.5 million under 15 years of age
- HIV is spreading into areas and countries where, until recently, there was little or no HIV present
- Science has made strides in controlling the symptoms of HIV/AIDS - for those who can afford
- The development of a preventative vaccine is the best hope of controlling the HIV epidemic globally
"Screen 10, 5 will say yes; 3 will show up, vaccinate two. If we're lucky."
- "Pay it backward for the future"
We, as a community, owe a great deal to the Leathermen who came before us. - We can DO something besides give dollars, besides walk - besides wear red ribbons
- Science can only do so much without our assistance; they need us to
- Help find a cure
- Help find better meds
- Learn how to reduce viral load
- Most importantly: Find a way to stop transmission of the virus itself
- How can they develop a vaccine without research participants?
What's a little extra ostracism, really?
- The Leather community is perhaps the most uniquely suited to deal with the potential consequences, however negative they may be.
- Some individuals are deterred by the potential for social ostracism, fueled by fear and ignorance, but what's a little ostracism, really?
- Volunteers may test false positive for an indeterminate number of years
- It will not protect from HIV...
