TAKE ACTION ON WORLD AIDS DAY

By Toby Longhurst

Take action – No Discrimination is the theme for this year’s World AIDS Day events which will take place around the world on 1 December in a global show of support for those living with HIV and a day of remembrance for the loved ones that we have lost.

To help raise awareness, a vast array of events will be held all around the state including candle light vigils, memorial services and a gala fundraising event featuring some of Australia’s most talented & well known fashion designers.

Queensland Positive People General Manager, Simon O’Connor, said the theme of the 2009 World Aids Day reflected the need to fight against the discrimination that those living with HIV and AIDS still face.

“After all the successes and advances we have made in the treatment of HIV, it’s disappointing that people living with HIV are still being discriminated against. Discrimination leads to more than just a bad day. It takes a pervasive toll on the physical, mental and emotional well-being of people living with HIV who already have enough to deal with managing a chronic illness,” O’Connor said.

“This World AIDS Day, we call for discrimination to be challenged and ended whenever and wherever it is encountered.”

In 2008, Queensland recorded its joint highest number of new HIV notifications on record, equaling the record set in 2007. With more people contracting HIV than in previous years, and the improvement of HIV medications, Queensland now has more people living with HIV than ever before.

BRISBANE
RED Lunch
Tuesday 1 December
Conrad Tresury Hotel
From 12pm
Dress in your finest red outfit or simply slip on killer red heels or dab of red lipstick and join Sunday Mail Fashion Editor Kellie Alderman and Leigh Buchanan (Season 1 Project Runway Runner-up) for the RED lunch. Guests will enjoy a scrumptious 2 course meal, drinks and a chance to bid on one off RED accessories designed by some of Australian leading designers including Peter Lang, Kirstin Ash, Alannah Hill, Daniel Lightfoot, Dinosaur Designs, Dolly Rockers and George Wu to just name a few.
Tickets : $90 per head
available from the Conrad Treasury on 3306 8786

World AIDS Day Memorial Service
Tuesday 1 December
Metropolitan Community Church, Cordelia Street, South Brisbane
From 7pm

World AIDS Day Information Stall
Tuesday 1 December
Radcliff Place
From 1pm to 6pm
Information Stall with display of vintage posters, red ribbons, leaflets and people to talk to.

LOGAN
World AIDS Day Morning Celebration
Woodridge Interchange at Wood ridge Train Station
Tuesday 1 December
From 7am until 10am
A community breakfast including stalls, bbq sausage sizzle and interactive displays
Info: Anthony on 0448 856 541

GOLD COAST
Sausage Sizzle
Lions Club Picnic Area, Jabiru Island Paradise Point
Saturday 28 November
From 11am until 4pm
A community sausage sizzle
Info: 3017 1731

CAIRNS
World AIDS Day Candlelight Vigil
Tuesday 1 December
From 6pm
The Lagoon, Esplanade Cairns
Info: 4041 5451

World AIDS Day Shopping Centre Stalls
Thursday 26 November – Raintree’s Shopping Centre
Friday 27 November – Stocklands Shopping Centre & Umi Arts Market, Esplanade
Saturday 28 November – Cairns Central Shopping Centre
Sunday 29 November – Smithfield Shopping Centre
Info: 4041 5451