GAY CITY NEWS: Events slated for World AIDS Day in New York City

Advocates are planning multiple events to commemorate the 35th annual World AIDS Day in New York City, which is observed on Dec. 1. 

World AIDS Day has taken place every year since 1988 to honor people who have been affected by HIV/AIDS. It is also an opportunity to raise awareness about stigma against people living with HIV and to recommit resources to ending the epidemic. 

While new HIV infections have decreased worldwide by 59% since a peak in 1995, according to UNAIDS, 1.3 million people were newly infected in 2022 and 630,000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses last year. Meanwhile, in New York City 1,624 people were diagnosed with HIV in 2022 and there were 1,241 new infections.

Below is a roundup of in-person and virtual events taking place this year to commemorate World AIDS Day. Many take place on Friday, while others are before World AIDS Day. Keep an eye on social media for further updates. 

On Dec. 1, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., the NYC AIDS Memorial in the West Village will read the names of New Yorkers lost to AIDS. The public can sign up to read names at actionnetwork.org. From 4 to 6 p.m., chefs from Queer Soup Night will provide free food for attendees. At 6 p.m., the Memorial will hold the 32nd annual Out of the Darkness World AIDS Day Candlelight Vigil. This year’s theme for the vigil is “Leading With Kindness.” 

“All of us on the organizing committee for this year’s Out of the Darkness events on World AIDS Day are excited and inspired by our theme,” said Brent Nicholson Earle, founder and president of the American Run for the End of AIDS, Inc. “With the world in such turmoil and the continued need for AIDS awareness and prevention so great, no idea could be more timely.”