Lord Mayor of Bristol to join HIV and sexual health charity for World AIDS Day remembrance event
The Right Honourable Lord Mayor of Bristol, Councillor Peter Main, will join HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust at an event to mark World AIDS Day on 1st December. The event, which takes place at Broadmead Baptist Church from 6pm will see more than 100 people come together to remember people who have lost their lives to HIV, and support the charity’s Stand Up, Stand Out campaign, which aims to banish stigma around HIV this World AIDS Day.
Where:
Broadmead Baptist Church (‘The Church Above the Shops’), Union Street, Bristol, BS1 3HY
When:
Saturday 1st December – 6.00pm to 10pm
Who:
• Right Honourable Lord Mayor of Bristol, Councillor Peter Main
• Representatives from Terrence Higgins Trust in Bristol
• People living with HIV in Bristol
The evening will include time to light candles, remember and reflect, followed by an address from the Lord Mayor, as well as speeches from local HIV specialist, Dr Mark Gompel and people living with HIV. The evening will also feature a short film, a presentation from the charity’s SHARP youth project, and a performance from the Singout Bristol LGBT choir, finishing off with a raffle and refreshments.
There are more people than ever living with HIV in the South West of England, with more than 3,000 people accessing care for HIV in the area in 2011. World AIDS Day is an international event that has been running since 1988 and is dedicated to raising awareness of HIV and AIDS. This year, Terrence Higgins Trust is calling on people in Bristol to get behind it’s Stand Up, Stand Out campaign to mark the annual event.
Steve Jones, Regional Manger for Terrence Higgins Trust in the South West, said: “A third of people with HIV in the UK say they have experienced discrimination because of their condition – this is something that urgently needs to change. By joining our Stand Up, Stand Out campaign this year, the people of Bristol have a chance to help us banish HIV-related stigma for good. There are so many ways to take part, from joining in one of our events, to planning your own activities, to simply making a donation or wearing a red ribbon to show your support.
“The funds we raise this World AIDS Day will help people with HIV access the support and services they need.”
The public are invited to attend Terrence Higgins Trust Bristol’s World AIDS Day event. For more information or to attend on the evening please email bonnie.holt@tht.org.uk or call (0117) 955 1000.