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Speaking Monday at the 19th
International AIDS Conference in Washington, singer Elton John called for more
love for those affected by HIV. “I have just been to the AIDS quilt, and I have
seen so much love for the dead,” John said of the panels of the AIDS Memorial
Quilt on view in the capital. “What we need is more love for the living.”
John praised the US initiative that
has helped millions of people in developing nations access HIV treatment, but
he noted that more than 1.1 million Americans have the virus.
“Do you want to end the epidemic in
America? Then show some compassion for those who can’t afford treatment. Show
compassion for those with HIV in Washington, D.C., most of whom are poor and
black,” John said. “Americans have shown so much love for those living with HIV
in the developing world. If Americans wanted to show compassion for those
living with HIV here at home, then it could do so in a heartbeat.”
“Millions of people around the world
feel ashamed because of who they are. They feel subhuman, worthless, like they
don’t matter at all,” John said. “We have to replace the stigma with
compassion.”
Phill Wilson, founder of the Black
AIDS Institute, agreed that some risky behavior seen among young people results
from their feeling unloved and hopeless. “When you have young men who have been
denied love their entire life, they will give anything to be loved, including
their lives,” he said.
Noting that young people who feel
accepted and respected are more likely to form healthy relationships, Wilson
said families can help stop the AIDS epidemic simply by supporting their
children.
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!
