I proudly (and loudly) play my trumpet for DC’s Different Drummers, a fantastic LGBT community band based in Washington, DC .I enjoy making music with my friends and being part of something larger than myself. Last night we played a World AIDS Day concert benefitting three amazing DC based HIV/AIDS organizations. The music and the company moved me to tears.

Washington, DC has the highest rate of AIDS infection in the country with 1 in 20 adults being HIV positive and 1 in 50 living with AIDS. 20% of District residents live in poverty. If these statistics aren’t compelling enough I don’t know what is.

HIV/AIDS intimately touches the lives of all the band members. Several are positive themselves, former members have died of AIDS and everyone has a friend or loved one who is infected or affected by HIV/AIDS.

In his remarks to the audience, the president of DCDD reminded everyone to be safe and get tested for HIV regularly. He said, “get tested for yourself, your loved ones and those that love you.”

"Those that love you."  That comment moved me to tears as I thought about the community that drives so many of our lives.  We owe it to ourselves, our families, friends and band mates to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS.  Last night I was proud to make beautiful music with a compassionate group of people and be part of a larger movement to improve the lives of DC residents and people worldwide who are living with HIV/AIDS.