Letter to the Editor: Honor, Mourn, Mobilize for World AIDS Day

Posted by By Michael Hellman November 28, 2025 3 Min Read
Photo by Tanner Knapp.

Dear Community,

Together, we have rallied to support our trans siblings, our non-binary and gender non-conforming identities, with special recognition to all people of color. Let’s all continue this fight and more.

I am asking you for one more fight. For 40 years, I have suffered, recovered, and thrived living with HIV. December 1st, World AIDS Day, begins a week of memorial, celebration, and contemplation. For the first time in decades of continuing advocacy, I am debilitated with severe sciatic nerve pain, arthritis, and hip joint deterioration. All of which leaves me helpless.

Today, I challenge you to rally around our community living with HIV to advocate on our behalf. Show up. Be present. Make your voices be heard at every World AIDS Day celebration this year, just as we have shown our support for so many others facing adversity in our community. We can’t do this without you. You are the light of our world and the flame in our hearts to carry us forward.  Already, we have lost so much state and federal funding support for research and services. Won’t you please support the HIV community with your presence?

Michael Hellman
HIV Advocate & Author
2025 Kerry Stoner Award Recipient

Letters to the Editor do not necessarily reflect the views of QBurgh LLC.

QBurgh welcomes letters from the community. We will publish as many letters as possible to reflect the views of the LGBTQ Community of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania. We reserve the right to accept or reject any letter for publication for any or no reason and to edit for grammar and accuracy. Anonymous letters will not be published. Send your letters to letters@qburgh.com.