Proposed Resolution - 11/16/2021
JOINT RESOLUTION DECLARING
WORLD AIDS DAY IN SALT LAKE CITY
WHEREAS, according to estimates from the Joint United Nations Program on
HIV/AIDS, there are now more than 38 million people throughout the world
living with HIV; of these, 1.8 million are children; 1.7 million new infections
occurred among adults and children in 2019 alone; and
WHEREAS, in Utah, HIV incidence has not seen a significant decrease in new HIV
infections when other metropolitan areas have; and
WHEREAS, in Utah, the rate of new HIV diagnoses with stage 3 infections has not
decreased in the last five years; and
WHEREAS, up to 85 percent of people living with HIV in Utah reside along the Wasatch
Front; and
WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found that HIV-
related stigma has a significant negative impact on people living with HIV,
increases new infections, and delays people seeking testing for HIV; and
WHEREAS, stigma, shame and fear make people less likely to discuss their sexual health
with doctors and often leads to delays in seeking testing or treatment for
sexually transmitted infections and HIV, which can have serious long-term
health consequences; and
WHEREAS, despite rigorous testing of all donated blood, the Food and Drug
Administration have yet to rescind its recommendation that blood donation
centers turn away members of the LGBTQ community, especially gay men
and transgender people, increasing stigma; and
WHEREAS, the elimination of stigma in Utah will lead to better physical and mental
health outcomes for people living with HIV, increased HIV disclosure,
increased HIV testing and decreased HIV infections; and
WHEREAS, World AIDS Day was established in 1988 and is observed each year on
December 1 to provide an opportunity for individuals and communities to
take action and help educate for HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care;
and
WHEREAS, Salt Lake City has joined other cities around the world in an effort to
increase awareness, reduce stigma, provide education about HIV/AIDS and
demonstrate compassion for those affected by HIV.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED
The Salt Lake City Council and Mayor of Salt Lake City hereby recognize
December 1, 2021 as World AIDS Day in Salt Lake City and encourage all
residents to unite together in the fight against HIV/AIDS, reduce the stigma
of HIV/AIDS, and support those who are living with or have been affected
by HIV/AIDS.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED
Salt Lake City urges the Food and Drug Administration to rescind its
recommendation that blood donation centers turn away donors in the
LGBTQ community based solely on sexual history since according to the
CDC all blood for transfusion is tested for evidence of certain infectious
disease pathogens such as human immune deficiency virus (HIV).
Adopted this _____ day of November 2021
__________________________ ______________________
Erin Mendenhall Amy Fowler, Chair
Salt Lake City Mayor Salt Lake City Council Member, District Seven
__________________________ ________________________
Chris Wharton, Vice Chair Victoria Petro-Eschler
Salt Lake City Council Member, District Three Salt Lake City Council Member, District One
______________________________ ____________________________
Dennis Faris Ana Valdemoros
Salt Lake City Council Member, District Two Salt Lake City Council Member, District Four
__________________________ __________________________
Darin Mano Daniel Dugan
Salt Lake City Council Member, District Five Salt Lake City Council Member, District Six