All of us have heard by now that the number of new HIV infections over this past year have gone up.  A recent email from David Knapp from the Minnesota AIDS Project says that the Minnesota Department of Health is reporting 368 new cases of HIV in 2009.  Ninety-five of those cases in 2009 were reported among those aged 15 to 24 years old, compared to only 59 cases in 2008.  Only about 4 percent of Federal funding has gone to prevention and education for HIV/AIDS.  Minnesota’s own budgetary concerns have hit HIV/AIDS programs hard as well.

As we go to our Precinct Caucuses tomorrow to cast our ballots and resolutions, in addition to remembering LGBT equality, let us also remember funding for HIV/AIDS awareness, education and prevention programs.  Plan on making a resolution to restore funding for K-12 regional training sites for HIV programs that includes comprehensive sex education with increased funding for HIV testing facilities and their services. You can find a sample resolution at the DFL website, here.

Also, let’s make sure those who are going for the LGBT vote remember people affected by HIV/AIDS as a part of their candidate platform.  We should encourage our candidates to remember those affected by HIV/AIDS in health care reform as well.

The caucuses are very important and our action on behalf of the LGBT community can help us gain equality.  Remembering HIV/AIDS issues could help save lives.