December 1st marks World AIDS Day, a time for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV, and commemorate those who have passed. 

This is an especially important day for GLAAD, which was founded in response to the New York Post’s grossly defamatory coverage of the HIV and AIDS epidemic. Three decades later, GLAAD’s legacy of fighting injustice in the media for the LGBT community has reshaped our culture and created historic levels of acceptance. 

President Obama released the following statement regarding World AIDS Day:

More than three decades ago, the first known cases of HIV/AIDS sparked an epidemic in the United States — ushering in a time defined by how little we knew about it and in which those affected by it faced fear and stigmatization. We have made extraordinary progress in the fight against HIV since that time, but much work remains to be done. On World AIDS Day, we remember those who we have lost to HIV/AIDS, celebrate the triumphs earned through the efforts of scores of advocates and providers, pledge our support for those at risk for or living with HIV, and rededicate our talents and efforts to achieving our goal of an AIDS-free generation.

This year, GLAAD partnered with The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation (ETAF) to renew the attention of Americans, the entertainment industry, and news media on the fight to end HIV and AIDS. The partnership signifies GLAAD recommitment to ending HIV and AIDS. Together with ETAF, GLAAD created a PSA to inspire, inform, and reignite the passion and action needed to beat the HIV and AIDS epidemic once and for all. It includes participation from Meredith Vieira, Whoopi Goldberg, Jonathan Groff, Michael Emerson, Tituss Burgess, and Bebe Neuwirth.

GLAAD also created a media resource guide for journalists reporting on HIV and AIDS to ensure accurate and fair reporting.

To get involved, share GLAAD’s graphic or visit our partners’ sites for more information on how to take a stand each and every day in the fight against HIV and AIDS.

• www.aidsunited.org/
• elizabethtayloraidsfoundation.org/
• www.greaterthan.org/