Events to Mark World AIDS Day in New York City
NYC AIDS MEMORIAL
The New York City AIDS Memorial is leading a free public observance of World AIDS Day with two days of programming. The 33rd annual Out of the Darkness candlelight vigil and march will be held on December 1 at 6 p.m. at the New York City AIDS Memorial, located at 76 Greenwich Ave. in Manhattan at the corner of West 12th St. The vigil will last for about 30 minutes before attendees will make their way to St. John’s Lutheran Church at 81 Christopher Street for an event with speakers and performers.
Out of the Darkness Candlelight Vigil and March
The recent national election has shown the great divisions in our country, said Brent Nicholson Earle, the founder and president of American Run for the End of AIDS, Inc. (AREA), which founded the Out of the Darkness event. This year’s theme of ‘Building Community’ for our Out of the Darkness events is so urgent and relevant and necessary. Please join us on December 1 as we light our candles in solidarity, in remembrance, in activism and in hope.
NYC AIDS Memorial Events
The programming continues on December 2 at 10 a.m. when the NYC AIDS Memorial hosts a third annual event dedicated to reading the names of New Yorkers lost to AIDS. That event is being held in conjunction with Housing Works, a non-profit organization serving New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS and experiencing homelessness.
The NYC AIDS Memorial is also teaming up with Queer Soup Night, a volunteer-led group working to provide queer communities with soup. Four New York City-based LGBTQ chefs will lead a World AIDS Day soup event on December 2 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the NYC AIDS Memorial.
Whitney Museum Event
As part of a program called Day With(out) Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art is working with Visual AIDS to present Red Reminds Me DWA 24, a screening of videos covering the emotional spectrum of living with HIV today. The premiere will feature a post-screening discussion featuring four artists: Milko Delgado, Imani Harrington, David Oscar Harvey, and Vasilios Papapitsios.
World AIDS Day Marathon
The Richard M. Brodsky Foundation, which is raising funds to support the foundation’s work in Kenya, is hosting a World AIDS Day Marathon on the Rockaway Boardwalk with options for a half marathon, 10k, and 5k. The event begins at the Rockaway Beach Playground at 7215 Beach Front Rd. in Far Rockaway. Learn more at worldaidsmarathon.com.
NYC Health Department Event
The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is hosting a World AIDS Day event on December 4 from 9:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Dr. S. Stevan Dweck Cultural Center at Brooklyn Public Library’s Central Library at 10 Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn. The theme for the citywide event is "We Are Stronger Together: Ending the Epidemic by Fighting Stigma, Building Community, and Empowering the Next Generation."
Conclusion
World AIDS Day is an important opportunity to bring awareness to HIV/AIDS, acknowledge those living with HIV/AIDS, and pay tribute to the lives lost over the years. These events in New York City are a testament to the community’s commitment to fighting the epidemic and building a brighter future for all.
FAQs
Q: What is World AIDS Day?
A: World AIDS Day is an annual international day dedicated to raising awareness of HIV/AIDS, honoring those who have died from the disease, and supporting those living with it.
Q: What are some of the events taking place in New York City to mark World AIDS Day?
A: There are several events taking place in New York City, including the Out of the Darkness candlelight vigil and march, a reading of the names of New Yorkers lost to AIDS, a soup event, a screening of videos about living with HIV, and a citywide event hosted by the NYC Health Department.
Q: How can I get involved in World AIDS Day events in New York City?
A: You can get involved by attending one of the events listed above, volunteering with organizations such as Housing Works or Queer Soup Night, or donating to organizations working to combat HIV/AIDS.
