"Five long years into the epidemic. We could have given in. But we haven't...and we won't/ The Gay Community deserves congratulations for showing the way in the fight against Aids. Out loving, out living, out lasting. Out loving: Safely. Most men are doing safe sex most of the time - and feeling better about it. New HIV infections among gay men have declined dramatically. Most men most of the time is not good enough though. We must make it all men all of the time. Caringly. Over 500 volunteers have been trained by Community Support Network and Ankali. Over 50,000 hours of care and support. Over $5,000,000 of unpaid labour and saved hospital costs. Out living: Proudly. We could have given in to depression, and withdrawn to invisibility. We chose not to. We are organizing. Proudly with HIV. Many of us with HIV are choosing not to sit back and take life as it comes. Choosing instead to learn as much as we can about this infection, how to monitor and improve our health, how to avoid stress, how to find and share support with others. Organizing Living Well conferences. Organizing Day Centres for People Living with Aids. Organizing Quilt Projects to remember our friends. Out Lasting: From the outset our critics trumpeted our impending collapse. Initially we were uncertain. No other group in the Australian community had suffered so drastically from both a specific disease itself and the stigmatization and phobias it allows to flow forth. But we fought back. Our community is growing both stronger and more diverse. We will out-last this vile virus. And we will out-last those who use it against us. A message of support and congratulations to the gay men of Australia from the Aids Council of NSW."
