Dallas, TX USA Fortunately (knock on wood), not at all so far. Reba, 50+
Silver Spring, MD USA I haven't. Jane, 62
West Linn, OR USA Aren't we all? Even if nobody you know has it or has died from it, it has affected our culture in ways that probably will never change. Not only should we all be concerned when people die in huge numbers from disease, but we should especially be concerned when the government tends to ignore or underfund research and treatment. In everyday life, we are cautious to approach people who are bleeding and we make different choices about how we have sex and who we do it with. HIV/AIDS has certainly affected my life even though I am not close with anyone who has it. Eric, 19
Beverly Hills, CA USA I really haven't been affected by the AIDS crisis personally. The closest I came to knowing someone with AIDS was watching the Real World San Francisco with Pedro. Hopefully I will never have to be personally affected by the disease. Katie2, 18
Detroit, MI USA I have not been affected at all. I have always had safe-sex and believe you should never sleep w/ a person until you know that person awhile. Sex is a very intimate thing and shouldn't be shared w/ just anyone. And if you don't know the person well enough to tell them to take an AIDS test first, why are you sleeping with them to where you could potentially get a fatal illness. Stephanie, 25
TX USA I have at least one friend who has AIDS. Other than that, I haven't really been affected. I haven't made any major decisions diffently than I would have if there were no AIDS, that I know of. Karen, 22
Ames, IA USA So far, I am lucky to have not has someone close to me be infected, but I'd be lying if my life hadn't been touched at all. Felicia, 36
Lowell, MA USA Thankfully, I have not lost anyone close to me. I have taken time out of my schedule to volunteer with a local AIDS charity here in town. Nicci, 27
Las Vegas, NV USA I really haven't been affected by the AIDS crisis personally. The closest I came to knowing someone with AIDS was watching the Real World San Francisco with Pedro. Hopefully I will never have to be personally affected by the disease. Katie2, 18
Ann Arbor, MI USA No, I have not lost anyone close to me from the AIDS virus. Janet, 44
E. Brunswick, NJ USA I have worried about several gay people who are dear to me--and in several cases been forced to mourn them. More practically, I have contributed to AID's education funds. Jill, 61
Saylorsburg, PA USA Fortunately not too terribly much. A high school classmate died in the mid-80s from the disease. He didn't live to see his 25th birthday. About 15 years ago, my husband might have been exposed to the virus. We were tested right away -- obviously negative results. Laura, 37
Lowell, MA USA A second cousin of mine lost his long-time companion to AIDS. Otherwise, not directly. Fisch, 46
Preston, CT USA I have been very lucky in that I have never known anyone who has had HIV or AIDS. As a lesbian, however, I am very aware of how it affects the gay community. In addition, I am concerned about the AIDS situation in Africa and Asia, and the fact that Catholic bishops continue to refuse to allow condoms in these areas. But personally, I have never been affected by AIDS.
etoile, 21
Washington, DC USA
My uncle has it.
Talia, 24
Wilton, CT
USA
Im 16 years old, and AIDS has been a part of my everday life since I can remember. I've lost friends, and had to watch others suffer as their loved ones died. Being a lesbian, I have found the friendship of many gay men, all who are equally terrified of the threat AIDS poses to them. It is a serious issue, and one that shouldn't be taken so lightly. I am not concerned with my own contraction of AIDS. I know however that it is possible, and beleive that all people, no matter their orientation, should protect themselves. AIDS is a demon, and there is no way to kill it yet, therefore it can only be warded off to the best of our ablities. Until the researchers and doctors find a way to end this nightmare, keep your wits about you, protect yourself, think twice, and keep donating that precious money.Two good movies that remind me of the reality of AIDS are Philadelphia and Jeffery. I cannot express as much as these movies in the way of living(and dying) with AIDS. In hope, and prayer for....all of us...
Adrianne, 15
FL USA
An acquaintance--not anyone I was particularly close to--killed himself after learning that he was HIV positive. Other than that, I haven't really been affected by it, but I still protect myself and encourage others to do the same.
Johanna, 18
OK USA
well a close family member of mine died from aids a couple of months after i was born and even though i really didnt knoe that person i miss them so much if that is even possible that is how aids affected my life
Alesha, 15
NJ USA
FL USA Unfotuantly...2 years ago I found out my best friend has the HIV virus. It broke my heart when I found out, it still breaks my heart whenever I look at him. Christina
MI USA nO WAY. Derya