Kevin Strong-Holte
News Reporter

“Today, we are experiencing a domestic HIV epidemic that demands our attention and leadership. My administration has invigorated our response to HIV by releasing the first comprehensive National HIV/AIDS Strategy for the United States. Its vision is an America in which new HIV infections are rare, and when they do occur, all persons—regardless of age, gender, race or ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, or socio-economic circumstance will have unfettered access to high-quality, life-extending care.”
These words by President Obama on World AIDS Day, Dec. 1, drew special attention to the global issue of HIV/AIDS.
This year, the Gay-Straight Alliance and Young Democrats of Mesa State worked together to provide information on the continuing epidemic. They were outside the ACB building from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering birth control, pamphlets, coupons for free HIV testing and hot chocolate.
World AIDS Day was conceived by two public information officers working for the Global Programme on AIDS at the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. James W. Bunn and Thomas Netter began what is now the longest-running public health awareness initiative in the history of public health with the primary intent of diffusing the fears and prejudices that surround the disease and showing the public that HIV/AIDS victims are rarely different from them.
An often stigmatized and misunderstood problem, great efforts have been undertaken to spread awareness and truth about this dangerous yet almost invisible disease.
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a slowly incubating infection, able to be transferred from person to person through blood, semen, vaginal fluid, pre-ejaculate, and breast milk. Initially, though inaccurately, thought only to affect those of the gay male population, HIV can be transmitted by any individual who shares bodily fluids with someone else.
“HIV and AIDS is a particularly relevant issue to college students because they tend to be a little more, well, adventurous. We’re just here to help people understand the disease better, and know the risks that they are sometimes taking,” GSA member Ashley Valencia said.
There are many resources for Mesa State students for HIV/AIDS, starting at the Student Health Center. Birth control is available free of charge, as is counseling. The Western Colorado AIDS Project, better known as West CAP, is the premier resource for HIV/AIDS education, prevention, care, and support in Grand Junction. West CAP is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing support and services to those affected by HIV/AIDS, and offers HIV testing free-of-charge to anyone who is interested. They are located on Eighth and Main. Their toll-free number is 1-800-765-8594.

kstrongh@mesastate.edu