World AIDS Day

I woke up at 4AM today. Still recovering from the jet lag from the Paris trip (more on that later I promise). I got up, turned the Mac on and started to get my blog fix. My first stop was Joe.My. God and I had forgotten it was World AIDS Day. But Joe didn't forget.

http://joemygod.blogspot.com/2009/12/membership.html

And I cried. And it would be the first of many times I choked up today as I read story after story about AIDS.

I fled the gay blogs and went to one of my favorite Episcopalian blogs who was remembering the death of Harvey Milk 31 years ago and I watched this:

And there is hope. Hope for the fight against AIDS. Hope for the fight against discrimination, intolerance, and violence. Hope for a better tomorrow.

And today there was a small sliver of that hope shining here in DC when the City Council voted to approve same sex marriage.

And there was a sliver of that hope shining in Clevelan, OH where their City Council voted to approve a transgendered rights bill.

And there was a sliver of that hope in Massachusetts where the Episcopal Bishop authorized the clergy in his diocese to solemnize marriages for same sex couples.

Know Hope!

National HIV Testing Day

I forgot it was yesterday and I wanted to write something about it. I'm going to get tested again at the end of July when I go to have my blood work done for the thyroid surgery.

A reader at Father Jake's pointed out the National Episcopal AIDS Coalition litany:

Gracious God,
You are merciful and loving,
Hear our prayers on behalf of all who suffer with AIDS:
Grant them peace in their hearts,
Wisdom in the choices they make,
And courage to face the days ahead.

For all who live with the disease of AIDS,
Grant them the gift of your love,
Hope for their future,
Friends to comfort and sustain them,
The will to live,
And faith that resurrection is a promise for now
As well as eternal life.

For all who minister to the needs of persons with AIDS,
Grant them compassionate hearts,
Tenderness and patience in their daily tasks,
And dedication to their ministry to all who suffer.

For all whose loved ones are affected by AIDS,
Grant them hope each day,
An awareness that love is forever binding,
The knowledge that Christ shares their suffering.

For all who have died of AIDS,
Grant them rest eternal;
May light perpetual shine upon them,
May we always remember them in our hearts.

Amen.