World AIDS Conference 2012 Looking Back

How much fun to run into Scott M in the exhibits area.

It was a huge treat to run into Kim and Cait, my beloved students from Tanzania 2007.  These young women are definitely our future.  I'm so proud to be their "mom away from their mom!"

My goodness, another World AIDS Conference is over.  Though exhausted, somewhat depressed, and overwhelmed by all the information, I am also renewed in many ways.  And, not surprisingly, I find myself thinking about my highlights of the conference  and of course they were with those speakers who highlighted the populations of persons who continue to be most stigmatized.  These included the Ugandan physician who is open about being MSM and HIV-infected, (he may face some severe repercussions simply for speaking openly at the conference) http://globalhealth.kff.org/AIDS2012/July-26/Dynamics-of-the-Epidemic.aspx
On the same podium, in addition, we were on our feet as Cheryl Overs talked about Sex Workers rights.   She was amazing, and then finally Debbie McMillan gave hers and others' stories. She is an incredible Transgendered Woman who tore my heart out. 
Moving backwards:
I was proud that Bart Haynes shared the work of CHAVI, and actually helped the lay people like me to understand his team's work. http://globalhealth.kff.org/AIDS2012/July-25/Turning-the-Tide.aspx
If you watch this whole video, you will see some amazing presentations; Dr. Chewe Luo who totally blew me away as she talked about the importance of changing radically our approach to prevention of HIV from mother to infant.  We cannot afford PMTCT, we must treat women from infection onward.  I was convinced.   Linda Scruggs, rough and tough told us most of us, what we have done wrong.  Oh my, and what we must do.  And finally Geeta Rao Gupta reinforced the necessity of focusing on HIV/AIDS in women and girls, in fact just once and for all focusing on gender rights for women and girls. 
Moving back to Tuesday, check this link out and move to the speech by Dr. Nelly Mugo.  I fell in love with her over the course of the conference.  Her obvious kindness and compassion was reflected in each thing that she said, as well as in her body language and face.  Listen to her words as she struggles to encourage persons living with HIV to start treatment early when they still feel well.  She gave powerful evidence regarding the barriers to care for those are marginalized. Perceived risk... versus actually risk. Please watch her. She was the first person I had ever heard who talked about "seasonal risk"  It made a huge amount of sense. http://globalhealth.kff.org/AIDS2012/July-24/Challenges-and-Solutions.aspx
I believe that this World AIDS Conference will stand out amongst the others.  This won't just happen because the conference returned to the United States for the first time since 1990, but because of the combination of hope for cure, and the highlighting of the people left behind.  These people shared the podium with some of the world's greatest scientists. What a huge change, and they had much to share.  Much to share!

So, pardon the lack of pictures, but take the time to listen to these amazing webcasts.  It is time to turn the tide!