World AIDS Day is celebrated on December 1 each year around the world. It has become one of the most recognised international health days and a key opportunity to raise awareness, commemorate those who have passed on, and celebrate victories such as increased access to treatment and prevention services.

This year's theme is "Getting to Zero." Several events are planned around the globe to focus on the human rights of those affected by HIV/AIDS. The global HIV response is at a pivotal moment, where huge strides
forward are at serious risk and current approaches are reaching their limits. Only one third of the 15 million people living with HIV in need of life long treatment are receiving it. New infections continue to outpace the number of people starting treatment, while the upward trend in resources suffered a serious downturn this year.

“Zero New HIV Infections” and “Zero Discrimination” are equally as likely to spark high impact events from small scale community vigils to nation wide events using the universally recognised shape of zeros and the power of light to get life and death issues the attention they deserve.

Local Events

Dutchess County:

Interactive AIDS Timeline and Panel Discussion

Dutchess Community College
53 Pendell Road
Poughkeepsie, NY 12603

Thursday, November 29, 2012
12:30 - 1:45 pm

Join ARCS and the Dutchess Community College Stonewall GSA Club for a look at the history of the HIV/AIDS epidemic featuring an interactive timeline and a panel discussion with Andrew Rotans, epidemiologist with the Dutchess County Department of Health; Naomi Kabalkin, ARCS' Supervisor of Regional Prevention Initiatives, and other experts. This event is free for all!

Location on campus: Hudson Hall, Room 404

 

"Kiss AIDS Goodbye" at the Poughkeepsie Galleria

2001 South Road
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

Saturday, December 1, 2012
10 am - 6 pm

Join the Catherine Street Community Center, ARCS and MAC Cosmetics in the Poughkeepsie Galleria courtyard, in front of Macy's in between the escalators, on Saturday, December 1st to commemmorate World AIDS Day. Get samples of MAC's VIVA GLAM products, talk to HIV/AIDS educators and volunteers, and pick up a free red ribbon to show your support for the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Kiss AIDS goodbye by leaving your lip-print on our special VIVA GLAM board, or pin a red ribbon in your name or in honor of someone you've lost to AIDS.

Look for the World AIDS Day table outside Macy's (but on the inside of the mall) on December 1st from 10 am to 6 pm.

 

Rockland County

Rockland County AIDS Consortium World AIDS Day

Palisades Mall (in front of H&M)
West Nyack, NY

Friday, November 30, 2012
2:00 - 6:00 pm

Commemmorate World AIDS Day on Friday, November 30th  at the Palisades Mall  in West Nyack ( in front  of the H&M store) from 2pm-6pm. All are welcome.

 

SULLIVAN COUNTY

AIDS Task Force of Sullivan County's World AIDS Day Event

at Hudson River Healthcare
23 Lakewood Ave
Monticello, NY 12701

Monday, December 3, 2012
11:30 am - 1:00 pm

Refreshments, speakers, and a balloon release to commemmorate World AIDS Day. For more information, contact Allyson Wagner at (845) 791-8871 x14.

 

ULSTER COUNTY

"How to Survive a Plague" Screening and Panel Discussion

Rosendale Theater Collective
408 Main St.
Rosendale, NY 12472

Saturday, December 1, 2012
2:00 - 5:00 pm
$7

 

World AIDS Day Community Support and Remembrance

Wall Street
Kingston, NY 12401

10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center
300 Wall St.
Free HIV testing by Planned Parenthood Mid-Hudson Valley. No appointment needed.

3:00 - 4:00 pm
AIDS Memorial Quilt display
Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center
300 Wall St.
View panels from the national AIDS Memorial Quilt and hear from Hudson Valley residents affected by HIV/AIDS; UPWORDS Voices and a living quilt presentation.

4:30 - 6:00 pm
Sharing of the Names
Old Dutch Church
272 Wall St.
Remembering those lost to AIDS. Refreshments generously provided by Angel Food East.

 

Westchester County

Mount Vernon Youth World AIDS Day
First United Methodist Church
Mount Vernon, NY

Afterward, our CHAPS program will be at Center Lane for testing and a presentation on the History of HIV/AIDS and the next steps.