By Los Angeles County Politics (LACP)
Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Los Angeles County Commission on HIV yesterday joined communities across the globe in honoring World AIDS Day – a day of remembrance, reflection, and renewed commitment to honor the lives lost to the deadly disease and end the HIV epidemic.
“On World AIDS Day, we stand in solidarity with the more than 40 million people around the world who live with HIV/AIDS, and we remember and honor those we have lost,” wrote Newsom in a proclamation recognizing World Aids Day.
The proclamation noted that the earliest identified cases of AIDS emerged in California and New York in 1981, disproportionately impacting gay men. It then took several years, and the deaths of over 12,000 Americans, before former President Ronald Reagan acknowledged AIDS publicly, and the federal government started giving resources to fight the disease.
“This year, with the federal government pointedly not acknowledging World AIDS Day, we face a jarring return to that dangerous silence – and this follows funding freezes that are expected to result in millions of additional cases of AIDS globally,” wrote Newsom.
“California will not be silent. We have long been home to some of the strongest forces of progress and research in this fight, from tireless activists demanding action to scientists and doctors advancing treatment.”
Meanwhile, the County Commission on HIV yesterday honored World AIDS Day announced in a statement it had reached several significant milestones.
“We advanced long-overdue structural reforms, strengthened our standards and policies, expanded community engagement through listening sessions, and continued uplifting the voices of those most impacted. These accomplishments were made possible because of the partnership, collaboration, and dedication of community members, providers, advocates, County partners, and our Commissioners.
“Still, we know our work is far from finished. The challenges ahead – from funding shifts to disparities that continue to harm Black, Latine/s/x, Transgender, same gender loving and sexual minority men, women, youth, older adults, and people experiencing housing instability – require us to stay connected, aligned, and committed to doing this work together.”
The Commission also reaffirmed its three calls to action coming from its 2025 Annual Conference:
- Strengthen authentic relationship-building across the community, Commissioners, partners, and policymakers. We cannot address HIV in silos. Trust, transparency, and shared responsibility are our foundation.
- Develop a universal sexual health marketing campaign that agencies can adapt and use countywide. Our communities deserve messaging that is consistent, culturally responsive, and rooted in empowerment.
- Create a coordinated, all-agency social media campaign to expand awareness of HIV prevention services throughout Los Angeles County. We reach more people when we speak with one clear, unified voice.
