LGBT Caucus Chair Statement Commemorating Thirty Years of HIV/AIDS
SACRAMENTO, CA – Senator Christine Kehoe, Chair of the California Legislative LGBT Caucus, issued the following statement today to commemorate the 30th anniversary when the first five cases of what is now known as the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) were reported on June 5, 1981 in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR):
“As we observe the 30th Anniversary of the first reported cases of HIV/AIDS in the United States, let us remember those who have been affected by this devastating disease and re-dedicate ourselves to eliminating this terrible epidemic. Over the past 30 years, California has led the nation and the world in making great strides when it comes to HIV prevention, treatment, research and policy. Our fight is not over. Too many people are still getting infected and dying every day. This is unacceptable. Let’s multiply our efforts on behalf of the millions of people with HIV/AIDS, their loved ones, families and friends.”
According to the CDC, an estimated 1.1 million Americans today are living with HIV. Nearly one out of five people with HIV do not know they have it. CDC also estimates that 56,300 Americans are becoming infected with HIV each year. Through 2008, more than 617,000 people with AIDS in the U.S. have died since the epidemic began.
The LGBT Caucus is proud to co-sponsor The California Endowment’s (TCE) exclusive reception and screening of the documentary “WE WERE HERE.”
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Crest Theater, 1013 K St., downtown Sacramento
Reception: 5:30 pm, Screening: 6:30 pm
Panel discussion to follow the screening with Director/Producer, David Weissman, and Daniel Zingale, TCE’s Senior Vice President
This documentary opens a window of understanding for those who no longer have a direct connection to what transpired during the political and social upheavals unleashed by the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the 1980s.
For more information, please contact Constanza Svidler at csvidler@calendow.org or call 213-928-8657.
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