WHEREAS, the CDC estimates that at the end of 2008, an estimated 1,178,350 persons aged 13 and older were
living with HIV infection in the United States. Of those, 20% had undiagnosed HIV infections I;
WHEREAS, young people aged 13–29 accounted for 39% of all new HIV infections in 2009. Among young black men who have sex with men, new HIV infections increased 48% from 2006 through 2009ii ;
WHEREAS, while a cure is yet unknown, no one should suffer or die from a preventable disease; WHEREAS, people living with HIV and AIDS are living longer, healthier lives than ever before;
WHEREAS, unemployment, underemployment and low-wage/no benefit jobs are a detriment to all of our communities – and correlate with survival rates;
WHEREAS, the labor movement and working people of this country know too well the struggles faced by the long-term unemployed seeking to re-enter the workforce, and live productive lives supporting themselves and their families with respect and dignity;
WHEREAS, strong union contracts are a vital protection for LGBT+ people to combat employment discrimination and ensure good jobs with fair pay and benefits;
WHEREAS, the labor movement has a proud history of fighting for quality, affordable health care; for safe and respectful work environments, for the civil and human rights of all people, and recognizing that across the full diversity of our nation, work connects us all;
WHEREAS, the International Labour Organization (ILO) adopted Resolution #200, Recommendation concerning HIV and AIDS and the World of Work, 2010, stating,
“AIDS is a workplace issue because it has a marked impact on workers, their families and dependents, enterprises and national economies. Discrimination and stigmatization against both women and men living with HIV threaten fundamental principles and rights at work, and undermine efforts to provide prevention, treatment, care and support.
“The Recommendation marks a new milestone in the international response to the pandemic, calling for the World of Work to play a significant role in preventing HIV transmission, protecting human rights at work and mitigating the impact of the pandemic at work, on local communities and the national economies”;
WHEREAS, the UNAIDS strategy has three objectives for 2011-2015: “Zero New HIV Infections. Zero Discrimination. Zero AIDS Related Deaths”;
WHEREAS, the new National HIV/AIDS Strategy for the US charts three primary goals:
WHEREAS, in September 2011, the Pride @ Work National Executive Board re-affirmed out commitment to work on HIV/AIDS, including promoting “Know Your Status” efforts;
WHEREAS, Pride @ Work has endorsed the National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC) “Call to Action: Lessen HIV Burden Among Young Gay and Bisexual Men”iii, which includes the following charge:
WHEREAS, the LGBT nonprofits and the labor movement will be even stronger and our work more whole when we have better representation of youth, people of color, people living with HIV/AIDS, LGBT people and particularly transgender individuals in our staff and leadership.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that we call on the members of Pride @ Work and all of the LGBT community and Labor Movement to:
i CDC. HIV Surveillance — United States, 1981–2008. MMWR 2011 60(21); 689-693.
ii http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/youth/
iii http://nmac.org/travel/1346-call-to-action-lessen-hiv-burden-among-young-gay-and-bisexual-men.html