States to be painted red for World AIDS Day

WITH World AIDS Day approaching on Sunday, a range of events will be held across Melbourne and Living Positive Victoria executive officer Brent Allan has said they were all “particularly significant”.

“At Living Positive Victoria we’re extremely glad that in all of the public events a HIV-positive person will be speaking,” he said.

“It just brings back to reality that it’s about positive people.”

The major event is on Saturday at Federation Square, with the Victorian AIDS Council and Living Positive Victoria teaming up with Youth Empowerment Against HIV/AIDS to paint the town red from 3pm.

That evening, there will be a fundraising night for VAC at the GH Hotel in St Kilda, and Sunday morning St Paul’s Cathedral will hold a special World AIDS Day ecumenical service at 10.30am, with everyone in the community encouraged to come along.

Later that day at 3pm, the annual memorial service will be held at the Positive Living Centre, with quilts from The Quilt Project on display and a keynote speech from former federal health minister Neal Blewett.

To round out the major events, a fundraiser for ENUF is on at Sircuit in Fitzroy from 7pm on Sunday, and throughout the day JOY 94.9 is broadcasting a 24-hour radio and web streaming event with World AIDS Day Worldwide.

For more information visit the VAC and LPV websites.

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NSW will turn red to show its support for World AIDS Day with iconic sites like Sydney’s Town Hall, Byron Bay Lighthouse and Coffs Harbour’s Big Banana all set to glow a shade of crimson to raise awareness on HIV/AIDS.

The day will be officially launched during a morning tea hosted by Positive Life NSW at Circular Quay’s Custom House on Sunday, the date of World AIDS Day.

A freezemob, to be held on the Friday prior at 1pm at Sydney’s Martin Place, will also aim to promote HIV awareness.

The annual Red Ribbon Appeal raising money for ACON will also see volunteers on the streets selling ribbons, wristbands and pins on November 29 and December 1, while a special ACON fundraiser of cabaret Show Queen, starring Trevor Ashley, will also take place at Ginger’s at Darlinghurst on Sunday night.

Other events to coincide with WAD include a free pop-up rapid HIV testing centre at Taylor Square, and on the Friday night Oxford St’s The Gay Bar will host the Red Velvet Ball while Stonewall Hotel hosts its Red Party.

“Thanks to recent advances in HIV treatments and testing technologies, we now have the ability to virtually eliminate HIV transmission in NSW by the end of the decade,” acting ACON chief executive Nicole O’Brien said.

“By purchasing and wearing a red ribbon, you’ll be demonstrating your support for efforts to end the HIV epidemic.”

On Wednesday, media identity and 2013 Australian of the Year Ita Buttrose was given honorary life membership of the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation during a function at the Oxford Hotel in honour of her decades-long campaigning on HIV issues.

SELECTED WORLD AIDS DAY EVENTS IN NSW:

Ending HIV Red Ribbon Appeal – November 29 & December 1. Various locations and online. http://www.endinghiv.org.au

a[TEST] Free Pop Up Rapid HIV Testing – November 27-December 1. Taylor Square, Darlinghurst.

World AIDS Day Freezemob – November 29, from 1pm. Martin Place.

Tranny Trivia – November 27, from 7.30pm. Kinselas, Darlinghurst.

Acceptance Mass – November 29, from 8pm. St Joseph’s Church, Newtown. Gay Catholic group Acceptance will lead a mass remembering loved ones lost to HIV/AIDS

The Red Party – November 29, from 9pm. Stonewall Hotel, Darlinghurst. Tickets: $5 donation to Red Ribbon Appeal at door.

Red Velvet Ball – November 29, from 9pm. The Gay Bar, Darlinghurst.

Lip Smacking – November 30, from 10pm. Midnight Shift, Darlinghurst. Downstairs of the Shift will be turned into a kissing booth with all proceeds going to the Red Ribbon Appeal.

Under the Mirrorball –  December 1, from 10pm. Arq, Darlinghurst. Tickets: $10 donation to Red Ribbon Appeal at door.

Red Ribbon Show Queen – December 1, from 8pm. Ginger’s, Oxford Hotel, Darlinghurst. Tickets: $30-$50. http://www.acon.org.au/showqueen

Kaleidoscope Social Dance – December 7. Parramatta Golf Club. http://www.kaleidoscopesocialdance.com/