Milestones of December 1st: World AIDS Day, Matthew Shepard's Birthday, and 1 Year Anniversary of Same Sex Marriage in Switzerland

"Good things come in threes" is an adage that comes from Medieval Europe, in which, well, good things, good messages, good news, important things, came in sets of threes. Biblically there were three Magi. Then there is also God in three persons, "blessed Trinity." Such is the case with December 1st and the following three milestones:

First, it is World AIDS Day, in which we remember not only those who have died because of HIV/AIDS, but also because of those who continue to live who are HIV positive (HIV poz), as well as the scientific work that provides medicines to prevent further HIV infection, along with the possible cure and vaccine, some day, of being HIV poz at all. Being HIV poz is no longer the proverbial "death sentence" that it once was, and the new medications are proving helpful in stopping the spread of HIV. We celebrate the scientific advances that have been made. The world anxiously looks forward to more miracles with science and medicines in terms of HIV/AIDS.

Second, today is the birthday of Matthew Shepard, who was born in Casper, WY. Though Matthew's life was cut short through the hate-filled acts of those who beat him up, left him alone outside of Laramie, WY, which led to his death on a cold autumn night in 1988, he became, in a good way, the "poster" young man who taught the world what a hate crime towards those of us who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community looks and sounds like. He was 21-years-old. We celebrate his life, as short as it was, and that his memory continues to teach the world a lot about hurt and hate, hope and love.

Third, this is the first anniversary of marriage equality in Switzerland. A year ago, earlier in 2020, the people of Switzerland voted, and Switzerland finally enacted and placed in law marriage equality, in which LGBTQIA+ couples and non-LGBTQIA+ couples, can now be legally wed in Switzerland. Today, we celebrate marriage equality in Switzerland, as well as in other countries that are part of the EU.

With hindsight, good things come in threes. Let us rejoice and celebrate these three milestones this day!


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