President Obama signed the Ryan White Care Extension today and announced that Monday he will put the finishing touches on the lifting the travel and immigration ban that has been in effect for 22 years for people living with HIV/AIDS.
It is times like these that I see our country making the strides to be a better community. To treat each other with respect, compassion and dignity.
I remember several years ago I was able to attend the CEDPA workshop in Washington DC with 22 other incredible women from around the world who are working steadfastly and committed to the cries of people living with HIV but most especially women. There were a couple of women who were unable to attend because of this ban. It shouldn’t be that way, I am frightened to travel to Iran or Afghanistan understandably, people should not be afraid to travel to the United States, land of the free and home of the brave!!!!! We cannot continue to not understand why stigma remains if we are ourselves are placing it there.
This is one huge step I believe in taking away the stigma and giving back the dignity and care of all people not just those with HIV. This is about being a human being who deserves to live a life of freedom and the ability to be who they want to be and get the care and treatment we all deserve.