Between 1993-1995, 211,909 men and 45,353 women had AIDS in the US. During this same time period, HIV/AIDS became the leading cause of death for Americans aged 25-44. (From the C.D.C.)
Designed by a group of artists looking to raise awareness in 1991, the red ribbon was introduced as the symbol of solidarity with victims of HIV/AIDS.
There were over 100,000 people admitted to NYC treatment programs for heroin from 1991-1998.
According to the Coalition for the Homeless, there were between 22,732 and 24,482 individuals sleeping in homeless shelters each night in NYC.
The "Don't-Ask-Don't-Tell" policy was adopted by the US Military in 1993. The Defense of Marriage Act was passed in 1996, defining marriage as being between a man and a woman.
Today
According to the World Health Organization, 36.9 million people were living with HIV/AIDS in the world, 2.6 million children worldwide were living with HIV/AIDS, and approximately 2 million new people were infected in 2014.
Since the beginning of the epidemic, it is estimated 1.7 million Americans have been infected with HIV/AIDS and 650,000 Americans have died from it.
In 2014, 1.2 million people died from HIV/AIDS worldwide.
The Coalition for the Homeless reports there were 59,929 individuals sleeping in homeless shelters each night in November of 2015 in NYC.
According to the C.D.C., 45 percent of people who used heroin between 2011 and 2013 were also addicted to prescription painkillers.
In 2014, there were more deaths from heroin overdose than homicide in NYC according to the NYPD.
In 2010, "Don't-Ask-Don't-Tell" was repealed by the US Senate.
On June 26th 2015, the Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage is a right nationwide. In his majority opinion, Justice Anthony M. Kennedy wrote "No longer may this liberty be denied."
For Further Reading
HIV.gov
Friends in Deed: www.friendsindeed.org
amfAR: www.amfar.org
The Coalition For The Homeless: www.coalitionforthehomeless.org
The National Institute on Drug Abuse: www.drugabuse.gov
