Davis Highlights National PrEP Day, Advocates for Continued Strides Against HIV/AIDS

CHICAGO — In recognition of the significance of Oct. 10th National PrEP Day and the significance of the advances in the fight against HIV and AIDS, state Rep. Lisa Davis, D-Chicago, issued the following statement:

“I will never forget hearing about and seeing the devastation wrought by the AIDS epidemic during the 80s and 90s. So many people lost their lives to this disease due to a potent combination of novelty and weaponized indifference from the highest levels of our government. I will never forget the stigma of HIV carried as a “gay disease” until Magic Johnson came publicly disclosed his diagnosis, forever shifting the discourse around those seven letters: HIV/AIDS.

Those early moments in the movement to eradicate HIV/AIDS forever touched so many, and we hold them deeply in our hearts. Without them, we would not be able to celebrate so loudly and boldly about the advancements that have since occurred. When Magic Johnson disclosed his diagnosis in 1991, HIV was still seen by many as a death sentence and for good reason. Most people who were diagnosed during that time passed away within the following two years.

Nowadays, advancements such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and other antiretroviral therapies (ART) have dramatically increased life expectancies of those living with the disease in addition to effectively reducing the risk of transmitting HIV/AIDS to your partner to virtually zero. Although there is no cure to HIV or AIDS, that is worth celebrating. I will continue to work with community partners like MISTR, health care providers, and the state and other levels of government to get us to zero new cases of HIV/AIDS.”