Tomorrow, on World AIDS Day, let's talk about sex.  80% of new HIV infections are sexually transmitted; let’s stop pretending that sex isn’t happening and start making it safer.

This World AIDS Day—and every day after—we need to talk openly and honestly about how to stop the spread of HIV.  We need to ensure that all women have the ability to make choices about their own sexual and reproductive health.  Both men and women need to have access to the contraceptive supplies they need to protect themselves.  Men, women and couples of all ages must be educated about how HIV is transmitted and how to best protect themselves: reducing the number of sexual partners, using a condom every time they have sex, and being aware of their HIV status.  We need to encourage men to be involved in their own sexual health and that of their partners.  And, HIV positive women need to have access to the tools they need to be sexually healthy and make choices about if and when to have children.

When a deadly disease such as HIV/AIDS is transmitted largely through sex, we can't afford to be shy.  We have let ideology and fear curb a global conversation about the reality of how this epidemic continues to spread, and history will judge us harshly for it.   Let’s stop this deadly trend and make sex safer for men and women around the world.  It’s World AIDS Day; let’s talk about sex.