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Churches in the District of Columbia
are combating AIDS by educating parishioners and working within the faith
community, according to the Rev. Frank Tucker, a member of the National Black
Leadership on AIDS and senior pastor of the First Baptist Church in Northwest.
“More and more churches are
addressing the AIDS epidemic,” Tucker said. “Some churches are testing their
members while others are handing out materials on the disease. Pastors are now
even speaking about it in their pulpits.”
The District’s epidemic received
international attention in March 2009 with the announcement that 3 percent of
Washington residents had HIV or AIDS. As a result, the city's health department
has expanded its HIV testing to include schools and job sites, aired public
service announcements on condoms, and encourages testing.
Tucker said he has seen an increase
in the number of churches sponsoring health fairs to test members for HIV as
well as other diseases.
Tucker also commented on rising HIV
infection rates among seniors. “Seniors are having continuous sexual
activity," he said. “We are urging more seniors to use protection when
they have sex.”
According to Tucker, “Some [churches]
have certain theological positions that are not supportive of people who have
the disease.” However, “We all have agreed that we have to do something to
fight this disease even though our techniques may vary.”
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
