It’s December 1 again; World AIDS Day.
I suppose that I should start with the fact that I am fortunate enough to be here to see it.
I just returned from San Francisco, having spent time with men that lived there through the height of the disaster; the weight of it still lingers on their shoulders. I was a late-bloomer in the core of suburbia. I was spared all of that. My friends lost have been few and time has spread out between them.
I don’t think I carry much of it in a way to offer great insight on a special day of the year. My view of it is more about it being that thing that leaves me struggling to remember to take pills every evening…
Although I have a strong belief in the power of individuals, I have little faith in the ability of a group mind. I don’t believe that any of the powers that be care if AIDS is ever stopped. It isn’t a profitable idea. I don’t think the collective heteronormative mind is comfortable enough with sexual behavior to raise their children with the power and information needed to keep the next generation safe from such things, especially when the same bad choices that lead to contracting HIV also lead to making such adults into grandparents, feeding the ignorant mass mind…
On a lighter side, what I do believe in is the ability of our bodies to involve through physical crisis. I believe that our physical beings, combined with our minds, have what is needed to evolve past the crisis. It will be a long time coming, but one day I think we can get to a place where the virus is more a bother than a crisis.
At least I want to think so.
gryphon's hole 