World AIDS Day - December 1, 2011 : Chicago World AIDS Day Programming and Activities

2011 World AIDS Day Calendar of Events

World AIDS Day is observed on December 1st of each year. The day is dedicated to the remembrance and increasing awareness of the AIDS pandemic. World AIDS Day events are held across the globe honoring people who live and those who have died with the virus. The President of the United States has made an annual World AIDS Day proclamation since 1995. Governments from across the world have also commemorated the day as well.

It is estimated that there are currently 33.4 million people worldwide living with HIV and more than 25 million people have died from AIDS complications since 1981 (UNAIDS – November 2009). These statistics remind us that HIV has produced one of the most destructive epidemics in recorded medical history. Despite significant scientific advances and improvements in medical care and treatment, the pandemic continues to claim many lives worldwide. In 2008 alone, it is estimated that there were 2.7 million new infections and 2.0 million deaths (UNAIDS – November 2009).

James W. Bunn and Thomas Netter, two public information officers for the Global Programme on AIDS at the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland, conceived World AIDS Day in August 1987. Bunn and Netter received approval for the first observance of World AIDS Day from Dr. Jonathan Mann, Director of the Global Programme on AIDS (now known as UNAIDS). At the World Summit of Ministers of Health in 1988, all the participating nations supported programs for AIDS prevention and the concept of a World AIDS Day. The United Nations General Assembly formally recognized this concept in October 1988. The first World AIDS Day was declared by the World Health Organization to be on December 1, 1988.

The date of December 1st was chosen under the advisement of Bunn, who was a broadcast journalist by training. In 1988, it was suggested that in order to maximize western media coverage during the post-election year in the U.S., media outlets would be weary of their post-election coverage and eager to find a fresh story to cover. Both Bunn and Netter determined that December 1st was long enough after the election and soon enough before the winter holidays to fill the void spot on the media’s calendar.

Since the late 1980s, World AIDS Day has been observed in Chicago. While the specific activities have varied from year to year, there have been a number of long-lasting efforts including: candlelight vigils, World AIDS Day banners displayed on many streets throughout Chicago, faith-based events, youth contests and activities, awards ceremonies, and numerous awareness and fundraising events. To this day, World AIDS Day remains a time when everyone throughout Chicago, including elected and appointed officials, religious leaders, HIV advocates and everyday citizens, come together in solidarity with the world to promote a campaign to bring an end to the AIDS pandemic.

Contact Michael L. Hunter at michael.hunter@cityofchicago.org for additional information.

Resource: City of Chicago website: http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/cdph/supp_info/hiv/division_of_sti_hivaidscommunicationpolicyunit.html
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'Ball' community event on World AIDS Day From a news release

In honor of World AIDS Day and the ongoing fight to promote HIV prevention and treatment among high risk groups, the University of Chicago Medical Center will host a mini-ball with the legends and stars of the underground Chicago ball community.

Gay, transgender and bisexual contestants will compete against one another in the lobby of the School of Social Services Administration Friday, Dec. 2. Participants display their dance skills, costume, and attitude, similar to a runway show. In some events they are judged on the "realness" of their drag, in others on the beauty of their clothing and overall style. Each of the seven walk competition categories has a cash prize for the winner.


"Every category requires the creative integration of the AIDS ribbon, the color red, or latex," said Matt Richards, outreach program manager for pediatric infectious diseases at the University of Chicago Medical Center.


Everyone at the ball will see their peer groups promoting safe sex and healthy behavior.


The group with the best table decoration on the theme "Most Creative Safe Sex Message" will also win $300. "The more over the top, the more likely you are to win," said Keith Green, co-director for the Chicago Black Gay Men's Caucus and a co-sponsor for the event.


While hosting a ball may seem like an unusual move for a hospital, the University of Chicago Medical Center has a long history of creative approaches to addressing health disparities. Green and John Schneider, MD, MPH, associate professor of medicine, came up with idea of hosting the mini-ball as a way to build bridges between the hospital and the GLBTQ community.


Schneider has advocated for new approaches to AIDS prevention. "We're not doing the typical academic thing for World AIDS Day this year"—a panel of researchers talking about global AIDS and free AIDS testing. Unfortunately, there's no evidence that such events have any effect on HIV infection rates, and it is challenging to engage with community in this manner.. "This year, we want to collaborate and fully engage with the community," he said. "And we want to have some fun."


Schneider, an infectious diseases and global health researcher at the University of Chicago, pioneered the use of cell phone data to find the most vulnerable spots for HIV transmission in India. He is now researching how to track and reach at-risk men on the South Side of Chicago through Facebook.


The groups competing in this ball are at the invitation of the Legendary Father Mario Balenciaga, one of the leaders in the Chicago ball culture. DJ GucciRoxx will provide music, and Memphis 007 will emcee.


Richards is part of the Medical Center's Living Positively program, in which HIV+ young people act as advocates to others in their peer group who are at risk. "They help keep young people on their medication, go to the doctor with them, help them disclose their HIV status to their family, and advocate testing and prevention in the community," Richards said. "This is cutting edge behavioral intervention."


The event is free and open to the public. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the walk competition is from 9 p.m. to midnight.

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World AIDS Day at the White House 2010

YouTube Uploaded by whitehouse on Dec 1, 2010

Administration officials and leaders in the AIDS community gather at the White House on World AIDS Day to discuss lessons learned and strategies to fight HIV and AIDS in the United States and around the world.

# THE WHITE HOUSE, Office of the Press Secretary
November 28, 2011, Statement by the Press Secretary on President Obama Commemorating World AIDS Day

On Thursday, December 1, World AIDS Day, President Obama will speak at an event hosted by the ONE Campaign and (RED), joining former President George W. Bush and others who have been so critical in the worldwide fight against AIDS. The event, called "The Beginning of the End of AIDS," will take place at George Washington University on Thursday morning. More details, including media credentialing information, will be released as they become available.

# For more information visit Windy City Media Group "CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender NEWS" at:
http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gaynewsarticles.php

# For more information on World AIDS Day please visit:
World AIDS Day. Org at: http://www.worldaidsday.org/