AIDS Awareness, and Push-Back against Budget Cuts in Connecticut

Hundreds of AIDS activists and lawmakers are rallying in Connecticut's capitol Tuesday for the 15th annual AIDS Awareness Day.

The rally is organized by advocacy group AIDS Connecticut. Staff member Shawn Lang says they're also pushing against AIDS spending cuts.

"We're advocating that our legislators hold the line on that funding," Lang said. "It's critical, because that funds the state's part of prevention, along with some emergency housing funding."

The push comes after Governor Dannel Malloy proposed an $85,000 cut to AIDS services in his preliminary budget. The General Assembly restored the funding, but the budget isn't finalized yet.

Lang also says it's vital to keep the disease in the public conversation.

"We do this to make sure that legislators know that HIV and AIDS is still an issue here in Connecticut," she said.

Lang says AIDS treatments have improved immensely in the fifteen years since AIDS Awareness Day began. But, she says there is still room for improvement. Right now, the group is trying to increase AIDS testing statewide.