World AIDS Day is a day to memorialize those we have lost to HIV/AIDS and recommit to our goals to ending the epidemic.
It all started in 1990, when four members of the legendary AIDS activist group ACT UP - Keith Cylar, Charles King, Eric Sawyer, and Virginia Shubert - decided to dedicate themselves to serving one of New York City's most neglected population: the tens of thousands of homeless people living with HIV and AIDS. The activists called their new group Housing Works because they believed that stable housing was the key to helping HIV-positive people live healthy and fulfilling lives and to prevent the further spread of the virus.
This year, we bring back a version of the Reading of the Names, a powerful exhibit to honor those we have lost to HIV/AIDS in New York. Various volunteers will read from a list of names for four hours at the AIDS Memorial Park. There will also be an opportunity to memorialize your own loved ones in an interactive art exhibit at the park.
We will kickoff the day with a press conference, calling on Governor Hochul to take action on ending the epidemic in New York State through the equitable access of housing for all New Yorkers with HIV, and increased access to and usage of housing vouchers.
Please join us for the following events on World AIDS Day:
- Date: Thursday, December 1, 2022
- Kick-off Press Conference: 1PM
- Reading of the Names/ Interactive Art Exhibit: 2-6PM