Advent and World AIDS Day

Today, December 1, marks the first Sunday in Advent.  It also is World AIDS day.  Sadly I had forgotten this important day of remembrance and it wasn't until Starbucks offered me a 1/2 price espresso drink that I was reminded.  I'll be headed to our Calendar to add this recurring event so taht next year we can include it in our service.

As most of you know, HIV/AIDS was originally called GRID (Gay Related Immune Deficiency) and later changed to Acquired Immune Deficiency when it was realized, rather early on, that the infection was not limited to gay men.  As horrifying as it was in our first understanding it is even more devastating as it exists today, ravaging communities in the third world and in "developed" countries where repression is still the norm.

"Silence = Death" was the slogan used by early activists to urge those infected to overcome the stigma and speak out to seek diagnosis and treatment.  Today HIV/AIDS is more under control in the gay community because of wider acceptance of gay and lesbian Americans. But Silence still equals death in areas where oppression is still alive.  In many parts of Africa the church is at least a complicit, if not an active, part of in this oppression.  The shunning of the use of condoms has caused the death of countless thousands of men and women. It might be worth remembering, as we listen to the controversy around Russia's anti-gay laws surround the upcoming Winter Olympics, that this state sanctioned gag order on homosexuals and their allies is not without victims.

As we wait for the birth of our Lord this advent, let us also wait for the day that His church will speak up and speak out against homophobia around the world. As Mother Dahn said today, let us crack open those shields and let our light shine.   Silence still equals death.

- Neil Houghton, Advent 1, 2013

Suggested link:  Life Magazine's Photo That Changed the Face of AIDS, behind the scenes