WORLD AIDS DAY
About the Events
Each year in December, we acknowledge those lost to and impacted by HIV/AIDS and champion the ongoing fight against the epidemic. To commemorate World AIDS Day, the New York City AIDS Memorial hosted its annual, free, and public observance featuring two days of programming in collaboration with organizations dedicated to bringing communities together in the fight to end AIDS.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 6PM
33rd Annual Out of the Darkness Candlelight Vigil
The New York City AIDS Memorial is honored to host the 33rd Annual Out of the Darkness World AIDS Day Candlelight Vigil and Gathering beginning at 6 PM.
At the close of the vigil around 6:30 PM, attendees are invited to continue to St. John’s Lutheran Church at 81 Christopher Street for further programming with additional speakers and performers. Organized by activists Brent Nicholson Earle, Jeff Bosacki, Robert Gonzalez, and Barbara Martinez, Out of the Darkness was founded by the American Run for the End of AIDS (AREA) with co-sponsors Charner Transformative Communication, International AIDS Prevention Initiative (IAPI), Keith Haring Foundation, NYC AIDS Memorial, and St. John’s Lutheran Church
MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 10AM—6PM
Reading of Names of New Yorkers Lost to AIDS
Presented in partnership with Housing Works
Join the New York City AIDS Memorial and Housing Works, a New York City-based non-profit fighting the twin crises of AIDS and homelessness, starting at 10 AM on Monday, December 2, for an eight-hour-long presentation during which multiple speakers simultaneously read the names of New Yorkers lost to the epidemic under the New York City AIDS Memorial’s canopy. Additionally, there will be a press conference taking place at 11 AM.
This annual event offers an overwhelming and powerful representation of the vast number of lives unnecessarily lost to the epidemic. Previously staged for many years at City Hall, this year will once again renew this important and healing tradition to value the lives lost to HIV/AIDS. You can sign up to read names using the button below.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 6:30 PM & MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 6 PM
The Red Ribbon Revue
We will host a moving musical performance by The Red Ribbon Revue to close each World AIDS Day event.
Brian Mummert and Sam Bolen started The Red Ribbon Revue in 2019 as a way for HIV-positive artists to celebrate the legacy of artists lost to AIDS and the lives of those still with us. Brian is a classical singer, conductor, and founder of ChamberQUEER and The New Consort. Sam is an actor, writer, and co-creator of the award-winning musical MIDNIGHT AT THE NEVER GET. RRR has honored World AIDS Day with concerts at Abrons Art Center, Le Poisson Rouge, and soon, with gratitude, at the New York City AIDS Memorial.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 11AM—1PM
Queer Soup Night
During our World AIDS Day events on December 2, the New York City AIDS Memorial is thrilled to announce that we will partner for a third year with Queer Soup Night, a volunteer-run organization founded to strengthen local queer communities across the country to serve an incredible selection of Michelin-starred and James Beard Award-nominated chef-created, hot, and delicious soups for World AIDS Day event attendees.
Four leading LGBTQ+ New York City-based chefs—Liz Alpern (Queer Soup Night), Phoebe Tran (Bé Bếp), Surbhi Sahni (TAGMO), and Eric See (Ursula) —will create soups. QSN will help us build community by sharing space and food and contributing to something bigger than ourselves. This event is open to all and free of charge, though donations—supporting the New York City AIDS Memorial—are encouraged. More information and chef bios coming soon!
Location
All events will be held at the New York City AIDS Memorial, rain or shine.
Thanks
Community programming at the New York City AIDS Memorial is made possible, in part, by the Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation. Special thanks to Housing Works for their advocacy and support, and to Brent Nicholson Earle, Jeff Bosacki, Robert Gonzalez, Barbara Martinez, Liz Alpern, Nikki Jax & the House of Jax, and Brian Mummert and Sam Bolen.