WHEREAS, according to estimates from the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS, there are now more than 38 million people throughout the world living with HIV; of these, 1.8 million are children; 1.7 million new infections occurred among adults and children in 2019 alone; and

WHEREAS, in Utah, HIV incidence has not seen a significant decrease in new HIV infections when other metropolitan areas have; and

WHEREAS, in Utah, the rate of new HIV diagnoses with stage 3 infections has not decreased in the last five years; and

WHEREAS, up to 85 percent of people living with HIV in Utah reside along the WasatchFront; and

WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found that HIV related stigma has a significant negative impact on people living with HIV, increases new infections, and delays people seeking testing for HIV; and

WHEREAS, stigma, shame and fear make people less likely to discuss their sexual health with doctors and often leads to delays in seeking testing or treatment for sexually transmitted infections and HIV, which can have serious long-term health consequences; and

WHEREAS, despite rigorous testing of all donated blood, the Food and Drug Administration have yet to rescind its recommendation that blood donation centers turn away members of the LGBTQ community, especially gay men
and transgender people, increasing stigma; and

WHEREAS, the elimination of stigma in Utah will lead to better physical and mental health outcomes for people living with HIV, increased HIV disclosure, increased HIV testing and decreased HIV infections; and

WHEREAS, World AIDS Day was established in 1988 and is observed each year on December 1 to provide an opportunity for individuals and communities to take action and help educate for HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care; and

WHEREAS, Salt Lake City has joined other cities around the world in an effort to increase awareness, reduce stigma, provide education about HIV/AIDS and demonstrate compassion for those affected by HIV.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, The Salt Lake City Council and Mayor of Salt Lake City hereby recognize December 1, 2021 as World AIDS Day in Salt Lake City and encourage all residents to unite together in the fight against HIV/AIDS, reduce the stigma of HIV/AIDS, and support those who are living with or have been affected by HIV/AIDS.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, Salt Lake City urges the Food and Drug Administration to rescind its recommendation that blood donation centers turn away donors in the LGBTQ community based solely on sexual history since according to the CDC all blood for transfusion is tested for evidence of certain infectious disease pathogens such as human immune deficiency virus (HIV).

Adopted this 1st day of December 2021

To view an electronic copy of the signed resolution, click here.