World AIDS Day: Connect

December 1 is World AIDS Day,   an international day of hope, remembrance, and connection. It is a reminder that HIV reaches throughout the world and affects people of all races, ages, religions, economic situations and social privilege. Yet we can all work together to combat stigma and discrimination, and advocate for universal care. This year for World AIDS Day we will be doing just that. We’ll be at the Vancouver Public Library, crossing paths with anyone and everyone. Come on by.

The library’s central branch is a great place to meet people. Two years ago, we hosted a photo exhibit on microbicides called Giving Women Power Over AIDS at the Library, and I suspect that our experience on World AIDS Day will be similar to what happened then. We’ll talk to hundred of people about all kinds of things- housing, poverty, literacy, education, social justice. Oh, we’ll also talk about HIV transmission and safe sex too. It’s just that HIV crosses into all kinds of social and health areas- it’s not just an isolated diagnosis (few health issues ever are).

YouthCO and ASIA will partner with us to provide some facts and thought- provoking material for people to chew over. Working with our community partners like this gives the people visiting our displays a window into the variety of groups affected by HIV, helping to banish the HIV stereotypes that still exist. It’s not just gay men and injection drug users who are affected by HIV.

At Positive Women’s Network we help women living with HIV get the support and advocacy they need. But another large part of what we do is educate people about HIV and women. HIV is an equal opportunity virus, and we aim to give people the information they need to be healthy and informed.

This December 1, take a moment to remember those who have died of AIDS, and the activists who have made great strides in health care, treatment access, and accountability – efforts that have benefited many populations beyond those living with HIV. Take a moment to think about stigma, and how you can address it. And if you’re downtown, drop by and say hi. We’ll be around.

World AIDS Day at the Vancouiver Public LIbrary,

350 West Georgia Street, Vancouver.

10:00-  4:00

- Janet

This was posted on Friday, November 28th, 2008 at 12:08 pm and is filed under Education & Resources, HIV Prevention, Networking, News, Special Events . Feel free to respond, or trackback. Read our comments policy.

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