“World AIDS Day is a time for us to reflect on those we have lost, celebrate our survivors, and thank those who have dedicated their lives to finding a cure. New York is a leader in the fight against AIDS; in the 1980s, our HIV/AIDS, LGBT and other allied communities rallied to raise awareness at a time when HIV/AIDS was ignored or unjustly stigmatized. Today, we continue that fight by committing to end HIV/AIDS by 2020.

HIV/AIDS is intrinsically linked to longstanding issues of social injustice, and to effectively combat this disease we must also address its social symptoms: homelessness, poverty, gaps in healthcare access, as well as sexual and racial discrimination. That is why the New York City Council passed legislation prioritizing a 30 percent rent cap for those who are permanently disabled by HIV/AIDS. We are staunch and committed in our ongoing efforts to ensure New York is a global and domestic leader in the fight against HIV/AIDS.”

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