World AIDS Day comes and goes each year without much fanfare. Several events take place around San Diego, a few national cable stations air informative programming about the AIDS pandemic, and newspapers and magazines, much like the Gay & Lesbian Times, feature articles fattened by grim statistics and, of course, the few hopeful tidbits thrown in at the end to leave us feeling optimistic and content.

But World AIDS Day should leave no one feeling content. Instead of an annual day of reflection, World AIDS Day should be a call to action; a kick in the ass for every government that has promised increased funding, more anti-viral medications and education to those most at risk.

Additionally, World AIDS Day is a call for individuals. The Gay & Lesbian Times hits newsstands on World AIDS Day, so chances are you’re reading this after the fact. Ask yourself, what did you do for World AIDS Day this year?

Not long ago, you couldn’t walk into a gay bar or club without being bombarded by condoms and HIV prevention information; you’d practically get a rubber as a garnish in your cocktail. Today, there’s scarcely a condom to be found – and some bars even show bareback porn videos. What kind of message are we sending to our community?

HIV infection rates are rising again. The new generation of men entering the gay community receives a watered down version of the original safe-sex message. Without the scare caused by the early AIDS experience, and now with new breakthroughs in HIV treatments, the message, “HIV isn’t so bad” has managed to trump years of progress in condom education.

Not only have HIV rates been rising among gay men in their 20s, but men who’ve stayed negative for years are now turning up positive. Most dramatic, however, is the disproportionate increases of HIV among gay men in communities of color and African-American women. Throw in funding cuts across the board and a growing crystal meth epidemic then ask yourself again what you did for World AIDS Day.

To add to the list of challenges, the old messages for HIV prevention and safe sex are failing. Pushing safe-sex and condom use has been effective in the past, but it does not resonate with the entire community. If we know that many men are not using condoms, shouldn’t we give this audience an alternative safe-sex message in addition to pounding the condom drum? As a community, we need to turn prevention education on its head and find new ways to connect with at-risk communities.

While the Western world exhales a (premature) sigh of relief, millions in Africa, Asia and South America struggle to manage the devastating effects of HIV and AIDS in their communities. Despite the existence of life-saving drugs, thousands of people in less developed countries die each day due to improper medical care, limited access to medication and lack of progressive prevention-education messages.

Initial steps have been made to grant economically disadvantaged nations the right to manufacture, buy and import cheaper generic HIV/AIDS drugs, and one day all nations may have the tools they need to rescue their populations. But “one day,” unfortunately, won’t come soon enough for the thousands that die today.

It’s easy to throw up your hands when faced with an adversary as menacing as AIDS, but there are things you can do. Don’t let World AIDS Day pass you by without participating in some way. But if you missed the boat this year, don’t worry – it doesn’t have to be World AIDS Day to take a stand.

This World AIDS Day and throughout the year: wear a red ribbon; attend a World AIDS Day event; volunteer for an HIV organization; write letters to politicians and representatives about funding and realistic prevention-education messages; talk to your family, friends and sex partners about HIV/AIDS and safer sex; research HIV/AIDS statistics in your local area; give dollars to HIV/AIDS organizations; and, most importantly, treat people living with HIV and AIDS with respect, understanding and dignity.