POZ: For World AIDS Day 2025, the Federal Government Stayed Quiet, but the HIV Community Made Some Noise

For the first time since 1988, the U.S. government did not observe World AIDS Day this year. Noted each December 1, the day of observance is intended to honor the millions of people lost to the disease, acknowledge progress made in the fight against HIV and AIDS and raise awareness among the general public that the epidemic persists. In November, under the direction of President Trump, the State Department instructed employees and grantees to “refrain from publicly promoting World AIDS Day through any communication channels, media engagements, speeches or other public-facing messaging,” according to an email obtained by the New York Times.

Undeterred, the HIV community marked the day with messages of protest against the newly announced Trump policy, along with more traditional remembrances, like candlelight vigils, the unveiling of new AIDS memorials and more, all of it documented and shared via posts on social media, like those below. Fittingly, the World AIDS Day theme this year was "Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response."