President Obama's White House has released a video to mark the 2012 International AIDS Conference. Some activists are carping that the president won't be appearing personally at the conference, and while I understand the motivation for that unhappiness — and indeed strongly believe in the need for activist irritants on important issues — I think it's slightly wrongheaded.
I remember Ronald Reagan's inability to even mention the word "AIDS," ironically at about the time when I probably became HIV-positive myself. We've come a long way since then, but I can't trust a potential Romney Administration to continue the fight with as much dedication as President Obama's.
That, and the fact that Secretary of State Clinton seems to be the administration's point person on LGBT issues (she will address the conference tomorrow, and other State Department personnel will also be involved), makes me less willing to snipe at President Obama.
Here is his video message for the conference.
As someone who's lost so many dear ones to AIDS, and whose own life has been forever marked by health issues following an official diagnosis some 20 years ago, I'm grateful for this video. And moderately hopeful that someday we will see an AIDS-free generation.