A candlelight vigil at the Brighton AIDS Memorial in New Steine Gardens is the centrepiece of a number of events marking World AIDS Day in the city this year.
All are welcome to come along to the remembrance event of those we have lost to HIV/AIDS in Brighton & Hove at 6pm on Sunday 1 December at the memorial in Kemp Town.
The event includes a reading of the names and a celebration of the tenth anniversary of the Brighton AIDS Memorial. Space will be available for anyone seeking quiet moments of reflection.
Lunch Positive will be offering hot drinks and volunteers will be on hand to answer any questions about the evening’s events, and take any additional names of those we have lost to be read at the vigil.
The events are organised by the Brighton & Hove World AIDS Day Community Partnership.
Marking World Aids Day at Brighton & Hove Libraries
Jubilee Library is hosting a ‘Living Positively’ event throughout the day on Sunday.
The day includes the launch of an art-based exploration of people living with HIV in five cities around the world between 11am and 5pm, the ‘Living Library’ event where people living with HIV tell their stories from 12 noon until 4pm, and film screenings at 1.30pm.
The library is also running the Brighton & Hove AIDS Memorial Exhibition until Sunday 15 December.
It includes an exhibition about the making of ‘Tay’, the Brighton & Hove AIDS Memorial, including a mini replica, and a video montage featuring its designer and sculptor Romany Mark Bruce.
The Brighton & Hove ‘Hankie Quilt’ is on display until 15 December in the main windows of Jubilee Library.
The Hankie Quilt was created by the cities LGBTQ communities and allies in the 1990s in response to the AIDS crisis in Sussex and to remember people lost to HIV.
Each hankie-sized panel bears the name of an individual who died and was created by their partners, family, friends or colleagues and added to the quilt.
There’s also a display of HIV/AIDS-themed books, as well as information about local HIV organisations.
For more information about any of the library events, including the films being shown, please contact Jubilee Library on 01273 290800.
World AIDS Day Community Lunch
Lunch Positive will be serving a buffet World AIDS Day Community buffet lunch from 1pm until 3pm in the main hall of Dorset Gardens Methodist Church, Brighton, BN2 1RL.
This is an open invite lunch welcoming the community, friends and supporters to share friendly social and reflective time together on World AIDS Day.
The building is fully accessible. Please drop in anytime from 12.30pm.
There is no charge for the lunch, although donations are welcome. The gathering is put together by Lunch Positive volunteers.
World AIDS Day Service of Remembrance and Hope
Sussex HIV Chaplaincy and The Village MCC are inviting everyone to join them in a service of remembrance for those who have died and solidarity for those living with HIV/AIDS.
The service takes place at 4pm in the Dorset Gardens Methodist Church and offers an opportunity for prayer and reflection, in a welcoming and supportive atmosphere, for those with some faith or none. All welcome.
Show your support
Councillor Amanda Grimshaw, the council’s lead member for equalities, said: “World AIDS Day is an opportunity for us to come together in the fight against HIV, show support for people living with HIV, and commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness.
“It’s important because it reminds us all that HIV has not gone away. There are more than 100,000 people living with HIV in the UK and still a vital need to increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education.
“I’d like to thank everyone involved in the Brighton & Hove World AIDS Day Community Partnership for putting on these events, and all those who work hard to provide vital support services in the city.
“Please do come along to join us and show your support.”
