Today Is World AIDS Day, Trump Proclamation Omits LGBT Mention

World AIDS Day is observed on December 1st of every year since 1988. It is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection, and mourning those who have died of the disease. Government and health officials, non-governmental organizations and individuals around the world observe the day, often with education on AIDS prevention and control.

World AIDS Day is one of the eight official global public health campaigns marked by the World Health Organization (WHO). 

As of 2017, AIDS has killed between 28.9 million and 41.5 million people worldwide, and an estimated 36.7 million people are living with HIV, making it one of the most important global public health issues in recorded history. Thanks to recent improved access to antiretroviral treatment in many regions of the world, the death rate from AIDS epidemic has decreased since its peak in 2005 (1 million in 2016, compared to 1.9 million in 2005).

Since 1995, the President of the United States has made an official proclamation on World AIDS Day. This year's presidential proclamation made news by its glaring omission.

The Hill reports:

President [Donald] Trump failed to mention the LGBT community in his World AIDS day proclamation, drawing criticism from several prominent civil rights organizations.

"Today, on World AIDS Day, we honor those who have lost their lives to AIDS, we celebrate the remarkable progress we have made in combatting this disease, and we reaffirm our ongoing commitment to end AIDS as a public health threat," Trump said in his official statement marking the day of remembrance.

Unlike previous administrations' proclamations on World AIDS day that explicitly mentioned LGBT groups and communities that are disproportionately affected by the disease, Trump's statement made no mention of the groups. 

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