Recommendations of the Editorial team
Madonna commemorates World AIDS Day and condemns Donald Trump’s decision not to recognize the date on December 1st. In an Instagram post on Monday, the Queen of Pop criticized Trump as “ridiculous” and “unthinkable.” because it does not highlight the effects of the disease.
Government bans officials from speaking about World AIDS Day
“Today is World AIDS Day. For four decades, this day has been recognized internationally around the world by people from all walks of life because the lives of millions of people have been touched by the HIV crisis,” Madonna wrote. “People have lost lovers and husbands and wives and girlfriends and boyfriends and mothers and daughters and children to this deadly disease for which there is still no cure.”
“Donald Trump has announced that World AIDS Day should no longer be recognized,” Madonna added. “It is one thing to order federal officials to refrain from celebrating this day, but to ask the general public to pretend it never happened is ridiculous, absurd, unthinkable.”
The United States has observed December 1 as World AIDS Day since 1988, but this year the State Department asked government employees to “refrain from publicly promoting the day” – on social media, speeches and public notices.
Madonna: “I refuse to accept that they died in vain”
Madonna went on to mention her personal closeness to those lost to the disease, including Martin Burgoyne, her roommate and former tour manager, who died of AIDS in 1986. “I bet he never watched his best friend die of AIDS, held his hand, and watched the blood drain from his face as he took his last breath at age 23,” she wrote.
Madonna said she had a “pretty long” list of friends who died from the disease, including Chris Flynn, her first dance teacher, and artist Keith Haring, who died from complications of the disease in 1990.
“I’m sure many of you out there can relate. Let me say it again – there is still no cure for AIDS and people are still dying from it,” Madonna wrote. “I refuse to accept that these people died in vain. And I will continue to honor World AIDS Day, and I hope you will honor it with me.”