Community Corner
West Hollywood Marks World AIDS Day [VIDEO]
Weho events held to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and to remember lives lost to the disease.
West Hollywood commemorated World AIDS Day, a day dedicated to uniting in the fight against HIV/AIDS, in many ways Thursday, including taking time to remember those individuals lost to the disease.
"You have a day where it's on a lot of people's minds. It's nice to know that mostly everyone's consciousness about AIDS is higher on a day like today," said Mark Katz, guest speaker at the city's 11th Annual Paul Starke Warrior Awards, honoring employees and volunteers for their contributions toward combating AIDS. The awards ceremony and breakfast reception were held at the West Hollywood Library.
"The cause is very close to my heart," said Mickie Robbins, recipient of this year's Paul Starke Warrior Award. "I have just been very committed to being a part of the HIV/AIDS community and doing what I can do."
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Robbins recently retired from AIDS Project Los Angeles, where she managed mental health services for nine years. She has been active in the HIV community since 1987.
To remember those lost to the disease, an AIDS Memorial Quilt adorned City Hall's lobby with many embroidered names of lives lost and inspirational messages.
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This year marks the 30th anniversary of the beginning of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. In observance, an evening reception and special program, "They Were Among Us: Reflection on 30 Years of the AIDS Epidemic," were held at ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives in Los Angeles to commemorate the lives lost to the disease. A timeline of how the HIV/AIDS epidemic has evolved over past decades was displayed at the archives, which was open to guests.
Many mingled over food and drinks at the evening reception, then concluded the day with distinguished guest speakers and individuals who have endured experience with AIDS. Representatives from different organizations also attended the event to provide resources and useful information on the epidemic.
"We are trying to encourage people to get tested on time," said UCLA CARE Center Representative Alejandro Ponce. "If you are HIV positive, get treatment on time."
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