Start by taking the pledge to end HIV in America; click here to sign.

If you can make it to Washington, DC in the latter part of the month, you can attend the XIX International AIDS Conference on July 22nd – 27th, marking its first occurrence in the US in 22 years.   Elton John will be the keynote speaker on July 23rd.  And there are plenty of related cultural events being presented in the weeks around the conference.  Click here for a list.

One of the best things listed is the Arena Stage‘s presentation of Larry Kramer’s play “The Normal Heart” from June 8th through July 29th. I was lucky enough to catch this on Broadway last year and it is one outstanding piece of activist drama.  If you lived through the early years of the AIDS crisis – the loss of beloved friends and the development of ACT UP!, it will bring back some powerful memories and inspire you to carry on with the fight.  I urge you to attend a performance this month – especially if you have never before experienced this play.