Vehemently opposing California's proposed budget cuts for HIV/AIDS services, 150 determined individuals of 22 agencies and organizations from four counties across the State, has come together in solidarity on July 8 in Old Courthouse Square.

Their unanimous message to the HIV/AIDS prevention providers across the state was: 'Cuts to HIV education, prevention, treatment and medical care are not cost- effective and will cost lives.'

The opposition of the state cuts in HIV/AIDS prevention assumes great significance with the California Department of Public Health Office data revealing that California has one of the highest AIDS infection rates in the US, with over 100,000 Californians living with HIV/AIDS.

However, despite the opposition, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger Tuesday signed a revised $85 billion budget, going ahead with cuts in AIDS prevention and treatment programs, child welfare programs, and health care for the poor - with the aim of addressing the state's $26 billion budget shortfall.

The specific $52 million in state cuts to AIDS prevention and treatment already has HIV advocates pressing the alarm button in areas like the Palm Springs, where HIV/AIDS education is particularly important as it has one of the largest gay populations per capita in the US.

Commenting on the state cuts, David Brinkman, Executive Director of the Desert AIDS Project in Palm Springs, said: "This is the worst-case scenario cut. It's going to cut, possibly eliminate, education."