Never thought I’d say that about one of the biggest sexual predators and jerks of our time, but he has done something helpful to those at risk of acquiring HIV (or at risk of living with HIV but not knowing it). When Charlie announced a couple of years ago that he’s HIV positive, sales of HIV home testing kits shot up dramatically. There are no stats on whether HIV testing in general also rose, but I’m betting they did.

If you follow my blog - or have read my book, A Rough Season - you know that I’m a strong advocate for testing of everyone, even those who have no reason to suspect they might be positive (like I was). In furtherance of that goal, I’m on the planning committee for World AIDS Day, December 1, 2017. There will be several testing and informational cites around Kern County, where I live, including the Self Help Credit Union Parking Lot, from 10-2, with entertainment, information, and free testing, and Cal State Bakersfield on Tuesday, November 28, from 10-1 (information). Of course, there probably aren’t many people reading this who live in Kern County, so I don’t expect you to show up at either of these events, but look for similar events in your own locale and please urge everyone you know to get tested, whether or not they think they’re at risk. That’s the only way we’ll stop this plague.