Press Release

December 1, 2004

Egale Canada Marks World Aids Day

This year focuses on women and girls

Ottawa—Egale Canada is marking World AIDS Day, an annual observance now in its 17th year. Canada’s national advocacy group for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-identified people wants to bring greater attention to the silent pandemic of HIV/AIDS.

“The whole world is living with HIV/AIDS,” says Tami Starlight, Egale Board member, transwoman, and person living with HIV/AIDS. “The LGBT communities’ have been innovative in using models based on education, peer support, and prevention. These could be shared with everyone.”

This year’s World AIDS Day is being held under the theme of women, girls, and HIV and AIDS. Globally, women account for about half of the people infected by AIDS. Gender inequality plays a significant role in allowing the AIDS epidemic to continue claiming millions of lives.

“The face of HIV/AIDS is changing,” says Lisa Lachance, Egale Board member. “An increasing number of women are contracting HIV/AIDS. In many parts of the world—and here in Canada—many women remain marginalized, face violence and are unable to negotiate for their sexual and reproductive rights.”

“The discrimination against lesbians and failure by the medical community to understand the disease in women also prevents all women from receiving effective treatment,” adds Lachance.

“Egale believes that the struggle for Human Rights is not an academic exercise,” says Gilles Marchildon, Executive Director of Egale. “Human rights can only fully take expression when they are connected to the health and well-being of everyone.”

For more information:

Tami Starlight, Vancouver Board member, Egale Canada
604-215-9933, tami@egale.ca

Lisa Lachance, National Capital Region Board member
613-230-1043, lisa@egale.ca

Gilles Marchildon, Executive Director
613-230-1043 (w), 613-864-1133 (c), gilles@egale.ca

Egale Canada ©2011

Égale Canada est l'organisme national de défense des droits des personnes LGBT, voué à la promotion de l'égalité, de la diversité, de l'éducation et de la justice.