Even in the gay community, AIDS is spreading again. A whole generation of young people see AIDS as a curable thing because of the new medications, they haven't seen the death. Many of the 23 teams walking in the event were sponsored by or included young people. Groups from Northwestern Michigan College, Interlochen Arts Academy and local Traverse City high schools turned out to show support for AIDS education. We're not promoting sex, we're promoting safer sex.
Abstinence is still the first choice, safer sex is next.
Ten members of the family came this year from around the state to walk in memory of Ron Simms, their son, brother and uncle who died in July of 1999. Ron, who received the Thomas Judd Award in 1998, was a well-known musician, poet and AIDS educator who spoke in schools around the region about living with AIDS and AIDS prevention. His family wanted to participate this year to thank people in Traverse City for their generosity and caring. We wanted to say thank you. The Grand Traverse Herald.