The Southern Illinois AIDS Coalition and the Tri-State Alliance co-sponsored the 37th Annual International AIDS Candlelight Vigil online on Sunday, May 17. The service can be viewed online at tinyurl.com/AIDSCandlelight2020 or on the Facebook page of the Tri-State Alliance. Participants volunteered from throughout the Tri-State to make the video.Â
ABOUT THE MEMORIAL: The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial is a time for all of us to remember the many lives lost to AIDS. It is an opportunity to honor those who dedicated their lives to helping people living with and affected by HIV and continue to mobilize our communities in solidarity. People living with HIV started the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial in 1983 and since then there have been thousands of events organized across the world by community-based organizations, from motorbike rallies by women living with HIV to uplifting ceremonies in places of worship and workplaces. Such events have helped raise awareness about HIV and more importantly, have helped break down stigma within our communities.
BEYOND THE MEMORIAL: The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial is much more than just a memorial. It serves as a community mobilization campaign to raise social consciousness about HIV and AIDS. With almost 38 million people living with HIV today, the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial serves as an important intervention for global solidarity, breaking down barriers of stigma and discrimination, and giving hope to new generations.
LOCALLY: To support local efforts, please ‘like’ the Tri-State Alliance or AIDS Holiday Project on Facebook, make an online donation at www.TSAGL.org/donate.html or AIDSHolidayProject.org, or send a check to the Tri-State AIDS Holiday Project, PO Box 2901, Evansville, IN 47728. Supporters can also share the video and use the hashtag #candlelightmemorial2020
