Wednesday is World AIDS Day; Vigil in Dupont Circle
From Berrak Sarikaya
Wednesday is World AIDS Day and the 2010 theme is “Building on Success.” World AIDS Day is celebrated each year on Dec. 1 around the world. It has become one of the most recognized international health days as well as a key opportunity to raise awareness, commemorate those who have passed on, and celebrate victories such as increased access to treatment and prevention services.
Dec. 2 deadline: The D.C. HIV Prevention Community Planning Group (HPCPG), is looking for new members. The HPCPG is an all-volunteer group that works with the D.C. government each year to create a prevention plan to stop the spread of HIV in the District. Download the fact sheet and application.
According to the Whitman-Walter Clinic, there are more than 15,000 people living with AIDS in the Washington metropolitan area and tens of thousands more are estimated to be infected with the HIV virus.
Dec. 1 is World AIDS Day. Whitman-Walker Clinic and the DC Center will hold the annual candlelight vigil in Dupont Circle at 5:30 pm (photo from 2009). (Luis Gomez Photos)
Tuesday: Persistent Voices
Tuesday evening, Nov. 30, you can attend a special night of poetry, reflection, art, fellowship, and remembrance in honor of World AIDS Day and those lost to HIV/AIDS. Persistent Voices, brought to you by Us Helping Us, The DC Center and the Vaccine Research Center, is sponsoring the event at The Thurgood Marshall Building, 1816 12th St. NW. Please RSVP on Facebook.
Wednesday: Vigil and Benefit
On Wednesday Whitman-Walker Clinic will observe World AIDS Day with its annual candlelight vigil at Dupont Circle beginning at 5:30 pm. The vigil will be co-sponsored by the DC Center for the LGBT Community and Whitman-Walker’s mobile HIV testing unit will be available to offer tests.
Following the vigil, there will be a ‘Red Hot Night’ at Urbana at Hotel Palomar to benefit the clinic from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The clinic is a member of the Logan Circle neighborhood, at 14th and S Streets NW.
Free HIV Testing
Free confidential HIV testing will also be available at:
- Elizabeth Taylor Medical Center, 1701 14th St. NW, 9 am to 5 pm.
- Max Robinson Center, 2301 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE, 9 am to 4:30 pm.
More Information
You can also visit AIDS.gov site to join the Facing AIDS initiative. You can find additional information, posters & tools to aid in you raising awareness. If you are on Twitter, you can follow @AIDSgov and share information about how you’re taking action for World AIDS Day (and beyond!) by using the official hashtag, #WAD2010.
