Powerful World AIDS Day forum offers hope

As people around the globe come together for the annual World AIDS Day observance this December 1, it brings a time of intense, special reflection for those who work for and support the San Francisco-based National AIDS Memorial. This year marks the 40th year of the AIDS epidemic, the 30th anniversary of the National AIDS Memorial Grove in Golden Gate Park, and with ongoing COVID-19 struggles, the importance of memorials in playing a pivotal role in helping a nation heal.

Rising above all the unfathomable loss, memorials can bring us a sense of hope, remembrance and inspiration, National AIDS Memorial CEO John Cunningham believes.

“A tragedy such as AIDS is a story of discrimination, marginalization and otherism,” he said. “But it’s also the story of the best in humanity, compassion, activism, and love and how much of that lives on and inspires us today.”

Indeed, over the past three decades, volunteers have dedicated more than a half million hours to the Memorial programs, which now includes the AIDS Memorial Quilt, storytelling initiatives, community-based events and educational scholarships.

Unceasing scientific commitment has meant great strides have been made for populations living with HIV and AIDS. Yet still, the messaging and remembrance must continue.

“It’s our responsibility as a memorial to spotlight the epidemic, to keep it in the forefront of our nation’s consciousness, and in the process of doing so, ensure that we will find a cure, and bring an end to this tragedy,” Cunningham said. “The stories of the AIDS crisis must be shared and known by future generations.”

This year’s National AIDS Memorial World AIDS Day observance spans three, free-to-thepublic programs in both virtual and live gatherings. Beginning at 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. PST on December 1, people can visit www.aidsmemorial.org for a series of in-depth conversations with national leaders on health and social justice, offering an emphasis on communities of color.

Speakers include Dr. Anthony Fauci on “Young Leaders Look to the Future,” White House National AIDS Policy Director Harold Phillips on “The State of HIV/AIDS Today,” and notable leaders of faith, activism and change on “The Impact of HIV/AIDS in the Black Community.”

Additional important topics include “How Memorials Help Our Nation Heal and Remember,” with leaders representing the 9/11, AIDS and COVID-19 memorials, plus a panel led by the National Hemophilia Foundation about the crisis emerging with an aging population who survived, and the challenges they face today.

In a special salute, the observance will also honor the awardwinning FX drama series “Pose” with the National AIDS Memorial’s prestigious National Leadership Recognition Award. Pose cocreator and executive producer, Steven Canals, co-executive pro

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TRISH TUNNEY PHOTOGRAPHY The National AIDS Memorial presents its annual World AIDS Day Observance virtually on Dec. 1 beginning at 8:30 a.m. PST featuring a series of conversations with national leaders. Pictured: Bo James Hwang takes the stage after receiving the Pedro Zamora Young Leaders Scholarship Award during World AIDS Day in 2019. Bo, along with other scholarship winners, will be part of the “Young Leaders Look to the Future” panel with Dr. Anthony Fauci at 10 a.m. on Dec. 1.