World AIDS Day 2009- What To Do?

World AIDS Day is upon us once again. This Tuesday will mark the 23rd year of its observance. For the last ten years I’ve traveled with Gwenn to educate about HIV/AIDS- this is by far the busiest time of the year for us.

So, I’m going out to talk about how HIV has impacted my life and dispel some of the myths about the virus, such as “you can tell by looking at someone that they have HIV”, as well as the importance of safe sex and the effectiveness of proper condom usage. You may be wondering what you can do to observe World AIDS Day this year...

Well, plenty!

The most simple way to be involved is cyberly. Add a red ribbon to your profile image on Facebook or wherever you choose to do your social networking. On Facebook, you can add a ribbon to your profile picture quite effortlessly by going here. Be sure to write a status update explaining why there’s a ribbon on your pic- don’t assume others know that Tuesday is World AIDS Day just because you do! Do what you can to spread the word, because I’m kind of afraid that Tiger Woods is going to get an X-ray on Tuesday, thus erasing all coverage of HIV/AIDS on the news.

Recently I reconnected with Georgia Arnold of MTV’s Staying Alive Foundation. Way back when in 2000, Gwenn and I appeared on MTV’s educational program on World AIDS Day, which you can see here. (Gwenn and I appear at the 16:15 mark.) You can witness our only picnic on the mountain, plus I sing a song and get blood drawn... not sure which is tougher to watch!

Get the song on iTunes on World AIDS Day. Hear a preview of the track below.