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Certified Service Partners

Black Churches Worldwide Speak Out
Against the Stigma of AIDS

Each year on December 1, the global community recognizes World AIDS Day. World AIDS Day emerged from the World Summit of Ministers of Health on Programmes for AIDS Prevention as a call to open the lines of communication, exchange information across borders and forge a spirit of tolerance throughout the world. It is the one day each year that coordinates international efforts against AIDS.

This year, World AIDS Day will focus on Stigma and Discrimination. You may ask, "What is stigma?"

Stigma is defined as a mark of shame or discredit. From the time that AIDS was first identified, stigma was attached to it-there was misunderstanding, fear and denial. No one wants to be connected with anything that they consider shameful or anyone whom they fear may discredit them. Over the past 20 years, religious communities worldwide have wrongly created a social climate that associates people living with and affected by AIDS as sinners, shameful and punished by the wrath of God.

The impact of this negative belief in the world has created a foundation of fear, silence and denial in all corners of our global village. A foundation of dissociation and persecution has been built within the sanctuaries, homes, communities and hearts of people everywhere regarding AIDS. One of the most important roles of faith communities today, is to dismantle the stigma of AIDS in the world. Thus, The Balm In Gilead is asking people everywhere on World AIDS Day to join congregations throughout the African Diaspora to speak out against stigma.

The Balm In Gilead will provide historical sermons on video, books and other printed materials that express the collective compassion of the church community throughout the African Diaspora as they address the issue of HIV/AIDS. Church leaders are encouraged to utilize materials from The Balm In Gilead to support their Sunday worship experience and to educate their congregations and communities about the impact of AIDS on Black communities worldwide.

The Balm In Gilead applauds churches that have refused to use stigma as a means of ignoring HIV/AIDS and excusing away the responsibility we must take for our brothers and sisters. The stigma of AIDS forces people to be silent; but today there are many churches that speak out loudly and clearly against this kind of treatment. The stigma of AIDS causes people to categorize others; but there are churches working to bring together people from all walks, emphasizing compassion and unconditional love. The stigma of AIDS drives people into a world of misunderstanding and ignorance, however many churches have taken a leadership role in the fight against AIDS.

The Balm In Gilead has provided the encouragement and support for churches to take on this devastating pandemic in our communities. The mission of The Balm In Gilead is to build the capacity of faith communities to provide AIDS education and support networks of all people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. Over the past fourteen years, The Balm In Gilead's pioneering achievements have enabled thousands of churches to become leaders in preventing HIV by providing comprehensive educational programs and offering compassionate support to encourage those infected to seek and maintain treatment

One important element of The Balm In Gilead's work is to banish the stigma of AIDS from the hearts and minds of members of our faith communities. The Balm In Gilead encourages church leaders and members to listen and reach out because that leads to understanding and compassion. The Balm In Gilead enables churches to teach the community and support its needs--this leads to love. And love is the characteristic on which every Christian thought and action should be built.

Continue the fight against AIDS by participating in the 14th Annual Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS, March 2-8, 2003. For more information, call toll-free 1-888-225-6243 or send us an email info@balmingilead.org.