LGBT and HIV/AIDS activist Rodger McFarlane took his own life last Friday at the age of 54. In a note he left behind McFarlane indicated he “was unwilling to allow compounding heart and back problems to become even worse and result in total debilitation.”

In a statement released by McFarlane’s friends and family:

The power of Rodger’s many personal and professional accomplishments cannot be denied. He was on the forefront of responding to the AIDS epidemic that ravaged our country – and specifically the gay community – in the 1980’s. Before HIV even had a name, in 1981, Rodger set up the very first hotline anywhere; he just set it up on his own phone. That was the Rodger we knew. A born strategist and leader, Rodger took three organizations in their infancy and grew each into a powerhouse in its own way, empowered to tackle this national tragedy.

McFarlane appeared recently in the documentary Outrage which exposes closeted politician and their hypocrisy.

McFarlane’s  brand of “in-your-face” activism and his searing wit will sorely be missed.

While many moderate Catholics are disappointed with the Pope’s recent statements that condom use is aggravating the AIDS epidemic in Africa, others have rushed to his defense.

Channel 4 anchor Jon Snow interviews Catholic blogger Joanne Bogle and Dr. Rachel Baggaley of Christian Aid on the Pope’s recent comments. Watch as Bogle becomes increasingly unhinged, finding it necessary to shout “her facts” over everyone else.

To find out more about Bogle, visit her blog auntie joanna writes…

On our side of the pond, Bill Donohue, President of the Catholic League, also defends the Pope’s position.

“If condoms were the answer, then why is it that New York City, which under Mayor Michael Bloomberg has given away tens of millions of free condoms, has an HIV rate three times the national average? Furthermore, the promiscuous distribution of condoms in New York has coincided with a spike in sexually transmitted diseases of all sorts. Isn’t it time we learned that condom worship is irrational?

“Anyone who thinks that condom distribution, education and/or research is going to solve a problem which is mostly a function of behavioral recklessness is positively clueless. Not only that, such persons unwittingly contribute to the problem by diverting attention and resources away from that which works.”

Condom worship? Really? And perhaps you should also divert some attention and resources into ferreting out pedophile priests, Mr. Donohue.

Today on the 20th World AIDS day, over 100 companies pledged to fight HIV/AIDS discrimination and stigma in the workplace.

While there has been progress in the past 20 years, discrimination unfortunately continues. Individuals experience social isolation, ridicule, and are often refused employment or fired from their jobs.

From the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria:

“These CEOs are sending a powerful signal to employees and their families, communities and stakeholders that their companies care and are doing their part to end stigma around HIV/AIDS. CEO leadership through the pledge is also sending a message to the public health community that we’re in this fight together.”

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), discrimination and stigma are among the many reasons why people are reluctant to be tested, disclose their HIV status or take antiretroviral drugs, contributing to the overall expansion of the epidemic.

Among the more notable businesses signing the pledge:

Chevron Corporation
Citigroup
The Coca-Cola Company
Dell
Home Box Office (HBO)
Nike, Inc.
Pfizer

A complete list of businesses can be found here.