Wow. We've come a long way since the days when we thought AIDS was a gay-man's disease. Well, maybe ... did you hear about Uganda's plan to execute HIV-positive gay men (and how some American conservatives are pulling the strings)?

Anyway. Happy World AIDS Day. Let's celebrate our progress while preparing to continue the battle.

Q-Notes has the low-down on events in Charlotte and HIV and AIDS statistics in our area:

RAIN (Regional AIDS Interfaith Network) will commemorate World AIDS Day 2009 by reading the names of individuals that have died of AIDS in the Charlotte region on Tuesday, December 1, 2009 beginning at 12:00 pm. The event will occur in Polk Park at the corner of Trade and Tryon streets in uptown Charlotte. The public is invited to attend and participate by remembering persons they have known that died of this disease. RAIN will be joined by other local ASOs (AIDS Service Organizations) such as House of Mercy and Rosedale ID Clinic that day.