By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – The virus that causes AIDS is no longer considered a death sentence for people who have the infection.

Bruce Broughton, a Navy Veteran from Bloomington, has lived with HIV for 28 years, and he’s feeling healthy.

Broughton and his husband, Travis, lit a Christmas Tree Friday evening outside the Bloomington Hy-Vee store to mark World AIDS Day.

Broughton considers people who died from AIDS as heroes who made it possible for him to survive.

“I’m not afraid to speak my mind, and let people know that I stand here with HIV,” said Broughton.

“I want to get the word out. It’s not over. Together we will get an end to this,” he added.

AIDS isn’t big news anymore, so Melissa Graven, the communicable disease coordinator for the McLean County Health Department, said people still test positive for H-I-V, so public awareness is important.

“Most of our HIV infections are in men who have sex with men, people of color, the transgender populations, but anybody can be affected by HIV, not just those populations,” said Graven.

“So, it’s real important everybody knows their status, get an HIV test at least once a year.”

Graven went on to say, “People aren’t giving it the thought they used to because we don’t see people dying like they were.”

“When HIV and AIDS came on the scene in the ’80’s, it was major headlines. They were seeing people die. People are living now,” Graven also said.

About 30 people attended Friday night’s tree-lighting ceremony, which preceded a get-together at The Bistro in Downtown Bloomington.

A candlelight vigil is scheduled for 5 p.m. Saturday evening at Uptown Circle in Normal, to be followed by a reception at University Galleries.

The Prairie Pride Coalition, Central Illinois Friends, Positive Health Solutions, and the McLean County Health Department organized the local events.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]