The U.S. government will no longer commemorate December 1 as World AIDS Day, the State Department recently notified its workers. The U.S. has commemorated the international observance annually since 1988, including every year of the current presidents first term.An email to State Department workers notified employees and grant recipients not to publicly promote the day through any communication channels, including social media, media engagements, speeches or other public-facing messaging nor to use U.S. government funds towards any World AIDS Day observances, The New York Times reported. Related U.S. ships groundbreaking HIV drug to Africa, but slashed funding threatens progress The email said employees and grantees could still mention various anti-HIV programs and attend World AIDS Day events. The email also reportedly said that the current U.S. governments policy is to refrain from messaging on any commemorative days, including World AIDS Day. However, the current president has signed proclamations for various awareness days and other commemorative observances. Insights for the LGBTQ+ community Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more. Subscribe to our Newsletter today World AIDS Day is an international day for raising awareness about HIV/AIDS, remembering those who have died from it, and celebrating progress in prevention, treatment, and care. Two World Health Organization (WHO) public information officers started World AIDS Day in 1988 as a way to raise awareness about the global health challenge.The current administration has drastically cut federal funding for HIV prevention worldwide. An estimated 127,073 adult and 13,527 infant deaths have been caused by the effects of HIV/AIDS due to the current presidents cuts in funding for the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a program that has saved an estimated 25 to 26 million lives since its inception in 2003.The State Department usually issues an annual PEPFAR report on World AIDS Day. Its unclear if the department will do so this year.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.