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[00:00:00] Waka kahania o mātou tīnana, kia whai prōuria i mātou kia koutou i ngā wā katoa. E wakarongonei mātou ki tō koutou o prōuria nui. Kia tupuna mai e koutou ngā tōmeirangi o ngā mauri kia mātou, ki mua, ki muri, ki o mātou kaukau. Kia aratapina tō iwi i rotu ngā māwiwitanga o Aotearoa, i rotu te Whanganui ātara. Manaaki te whānau. Te kaha hui auri ki a noho mai rai te karauanatanga o te whaea o te [00:00:30] motu, ki a tauei hoki tō koutou manaakitanga ki a mātou ki te whare a ngā ngā tū tangata o Aotearoa, e hāpaiti anei te ao Māori awhina kahurangitari, o mātou tūroro, kei roto kei o mātou wākāinga, kei roto kei o mātou hōhipira, ngā kai awhina, ngā tāputa o Aotearoa, puta noa ki ngā mauā.[00:01:00] Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa. Good evening and welcome to Beacons of Hope. Popo e te Manukau. New Zealand's response to the 10th Anniversary [00:01:30] International AIDS Candlelight Memorial. I'm Sue Bergen. And I'm Pauline Gillespie, it's a pleasure to act as your hosts tonight for the New Zealand AIDS Foundation as we hear from key people, all significant voices in our collective journey in response to HIV AIDS. Welcome to all of you, to those of us who live with HIV AIDS, welcome. To those of us who love or are friends with people who live with the virus. Welcome to those of us who voluntarily or professionally work to stop the spread of [00:02:00] HIV and in the care of people living with AIDS. Welcome to those of us who come to mourn the parents of children, lovers, partners, family members, to you and to the spirits of the people you hold so close in your hearts. Right now, as we've heard, beacon bonfires are underway along with candlelight ceremonies around New Zealand, and we salute people in Kaitaia, Whangarei, Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, [00:02:30] Rotorua, Palmerston North, New Plymouth, Takaka, Nelson, Blenheim, Christchurch, Timaru, Greymouth, Dunedin, Invercargill, and the Chatham Islands, who are speaking similar words at this time. this time. In fact, along with the rest of New Zealand, and as the night continues, the rest of the world, we have gathered here to remember the lives of the people we love who have died from AIDS. We are also here to publicly show our support for all people living with HIV AIDS, demonstrating by our [00:03:00] presence that it is only in a supportive social environment that people can maintain their health. Their basic human rights, access to healthcare information, and professional and community support. And this leads us to recommit ourselves tonight to fight the stop, to fight to stop the spread of HIV. To call for the maintenance of safety. blood products and procedures so the virus is not spread medically. To call for the furthering of needle syringe and [00:03:30] education programs. To respect the work already being undertaken by professionals in the sex industry and call for their education to be supported and to remind all people. This is by practicing safe sex. We begin with a message from the patron of the New Zealand AIDS Foundation. Governor General Dame Catherine Tizett, regretfully Dame Catherine is not able to be with us tonight. Her message is going to be read by Kate Harcourt. [00:04:00] This is a message from the Governor General. In remembering those who have died and those who are still living with HIV AIDS, we should also recall that they would want their lives and experiences to mean something. Lighting a candle this evening should remind us that that the priority must still be to prevent the disease spreading through [00:04:30] awareness, education, and changes in behavior. A cure for AIDS is still distant, but it seems that better management of the disease is now possible. People who have contracted HIV AIDS can look forward to a better life. It is also possible that people with natural immunity to the virus May teach the medical researchers some useful lessons. [00:05:00] These, however, are mere glimpses of silver in what is still a very dark cloud. Beacons of hope, rather than any torch of celebration. Once a year, for the last ten years, candles have been lit around the world to symbolize that HIV AIDS casualties are leaving a spark behind them. We remember. The men, [00:05:30] women, and children who have died and who have left us a legacy of knowledge and love. The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial has been organized for the last ten years by Mobilization Against AIDS in San Francisco. And we can congratulate Paul Bonberg and his team there for organizing tonight in over 50 countries around the world. Sister Paula Brett Kelley from the Wellington Office of the New Zealand AIDS Foundation is currently in San Francisco.[00:06:00] Before she left she was presented with a miniature torch like the ones we'll be carrying tonight, made by the Wellington Torchmakers to give to the organizers in San Francisco with our love. And best wishes from New Zealand. Tonight is truly an international event and we have two messages from overseas sent specially for tonight. The launch of the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial. And don't forget this is a world launch. First of all, from Her Royal Highness the Queen. The Princess of Wales. [00:06:30] As we begin our Sunday here in London, we are thinking of you ending yours in New Zealand. In particular, our thoughts are with you as you begin the worldwide commemoration of the 10th International AIDS Day. Candlelight Memorial. Your beacons of hope begin a chain of light and warmth that will stretch across the globe over the hours ahead. This will provide a focus for remembrance of those lost [00:07:00] to AIDS and hope and prayer for an end to the epidemic. Finally, today is also one to acknowledge the continuing courage and determination of those living with HIV AIDS, their loved ones, those who support them, and others working to prevent the spread of the virus. Arohanui, Diana. The second message is from Elizabeth Taylor. Dear friends, as you launch this month's candlelight memorial events, [00:07:30] please know that although I cannot be with you in your beautiful country, my thoughts and heart are surely there. As we continue to wage the battle against the virus that has claimed the lives of so many of our best and brightest, it's vital that we stand together to fight The blame and prejudice that so often accompany each new diagnosis. Your gathering here today affirms the commitment to life that is every human being's birthright. And your continuing efforts in this fight underscore the strength and [00:08:00] compassion of the people of New Zealand. For your responsibility, your caring, your efforts. And all your hard work, I thank you from the bottom of my heart, Elizabeth Taylor. Beacons of Hope is a Wellington initiative, and tonight's event has received funding through the Arts and Culture Grant Scheme, which is of course administered by the Wellington City Council. Our Mayor of Wellington is no stranger to many of us here tonight. Please welcome Fran Wilde.[00:08:30] Kia ora anō tātou, kai runga raunga te manaakitanga o te wā. Greetings to all of you. who are here tonight at this really special event. It's a special event for us in New Zealand, it's a special event internationally, and we're really privileged to be the first in the world to hold it. This event has grown out of the efforts of [00:09:00] Wellingtonians, of the people of Wellington, organised by the AIDS Foundation. Initially, of course, it was the gay business community and their friends who supported it financially. But now there is a huge array of sponsors, and tonight I've been asked to thank them all very warmly for their support. Too many individuals and businesses to mention individually, but your help is most gratefully received. [00:09:30] In particular, I'd like to acknowledge the presence of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra tonight for this occasion. I think that is something quite symbolic and, uh, it is going to add to the meaning of our, uh, Um, commemoration tonight. I'm very pleased that the Wellington City Council Cultural Committee was able to help support the symphony to be here this evening. I want to thank the people from the AIDS Foundation who work very hard in their, [00:10:00] in their own, um, Uh, in their own particular work and who branch out of it to bring us all into be a part of what they are doing. They are individuals for whom I have enormous respect and I think it's important that people know how much of their lives they give to their cause. But most particularly tonight, I want to thank all of you. who have come out this evening to be here. Your presence is a testimony to hope. [00:10:30] Your presence is an acknowledgement that the terrible toll which AIDS has taken on our community will be overcome and can be inhibited in the future. But that will only happen when the community as a whole recognises its impact and forms a consensus to take positive action. For the gay community in particular, visibility will be imperative. I believe [00:11:00] that visibility for the gay community will mean that no longer will AIDS be regarded as some, by others, as some sort of embarrassing secret as a subject of prejudice and fear which springs out of ignorance. So your being here tonight, all you Wellingtonians, All of you, in your thousands, as a sign of solidarity, not only of course with the gay community, but of all of those who have HIV or [00:11:30] AIDS. It is your saying to them, kia kaha. Thank you all for coming. It is good to be able to join with you tonight and with my fellow city councillor, Kerry Prendergast. On behalf of the wider community of Wellington. Our next speaker is responsible for introducing into Parliament the current Human Rights Amendment Bill, and has often put herself and Korea on the line [00:12:00] in the fight against discrimination. Please welcome the Associate Minister for Health, Catherine O'Regan. Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa. Beacons of hope, beacons of hope. and candles which will lighten the lives of many ahead [00:12:30] of us. Today, we commemorate those who have died of AIDS. We join with families, with lovers, with friends, throughout New Zealand, who have had to cope with grief, with prejudice, and always with hope. With anguish tonight, we affirm the rights of people with AIDS to be treated in a compassionate way, to be free from the stigma the [00:13:00] disease brings with it, and to live their lives in dignity. Let us ensure that for the future. We speak freely of HIV AIDS without fear and without prejudice. For my part, I shall do all in my power to amend the human rights legislation and all I ask of New Zealanders is for them to open their hearts and their minds to the suffering of those people [00:13:30] and to let prejudice be gone. I salute the families and friends of those with AIDS, and I remember those who have died. Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa.[00:14:00] It's my privilege to introduce the next speaker, Tom O'Donoghue, who is a person who has been living with the HIV virus for some years now. Thank you. Before I let Tom, uh, take, uh, the microphone, I would like just to say a few words on behalf of those who've been working with Tom over a period of years. My name's John Boyd, uh, I'm the manager of the Sexual Health Centre in Wellington. And when I [00:14:30] first, uh, entered into work with HIV AIDS, Tom was one of the main people that who in fact taught me about living with the virus and about how we can support those living with the virus and also how we can help to prevent the spread of HIV here in Wellington. Tom has given an enormous amount over a period of years [00:15:00] to both prevention and support of those with the virus. And it's no exaggeration to say that he is known, loved and respected by all of those who have worked alongside him. Tom's not only given individual support to people living with the virus, he's also worked alongside the many communities who are most affected by HIV. Especially sex industry workers, [00:15:30] trans people, and injectable drug users. And in partnership with those communities, uh, this has led to many initiatives, including now a new initiative, a health based clinic, which will be opening at 282 Cuba Street on the 3rd of June. And this clinic will be owned and run By the communities operating from 282 Cuba Street. And I think it's a landmark event. [00:16:00] And something that will, uh, lead to great strides ahead in our efforts to prevent HIV amongst those communities. What also isn't often appreciated, is that Tom has done an enormous amount of work in other arenas. For example, in connection with Catherine O'Regan, on the human rights legislation and other legislation that it's important to get right to, uh, aid our efforts to [00:16:30] prevent the spread of HIV. Also, Tom has done an enormous amount of work in areas such as prisons. Very difficult areas to deal with. A prime area where HIV transmission can occur. And Tom has been at the forefront there. Also, I've been privileged to work alongside Tom with health professionals. Health professionals do not always act logically. when it comes to HIV. And Tom's [00:17:00] been able to bring his knowledge and expertise to that area, and I've seen enormous changes in attitudes as a result of Tom's work. Tom, without further ado, I'd like to hand over to you. for being with us this evening. Tena koutou.[00:17:30] Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa Good evening and welcome everyone. At last year's AIDS Candlelight Memorial when I spoke, I introduced myself as a person living with HIV. The virus that causes AIDS. A lot has happened since then. I now have AIDS. Friends of mine with AIDS used to say to me, You know Tom, it is different [00:18:00] having an AIDS diagnosis. than being called HIV positive. I never really appreciated why that should be so, but I have a clearer understanding of what they meant now. When I was given my AIDS diagnosis last October, I quickly got hold of the information on the particular illness I had. Boy, was it depressing reading. Statistically, I had 142 days left to live. As you can imagine, [00:18:30] I didn't bother doing any more reading on the topic. But, it was as if the AIDS bogeyman had taken a huge step toward me. Since then, I've had a series of illnesses and spent times in hospital. and had a particularly bad time in January of this year. I had weeks of being tied to machines on drips. Believe me, it was no fun at all. However, thanks to the skills of [00:19:00] the hospital specialists, drug therapies, and the positive support I received from nurses and friends, I'm recovered and I'm doing well. To be honest, I feel better than I have done for the last two years. I think I also now understand more about AIDS. I'm sorry if I'm going to sound a wee bit depressing, but I feel that we need reminding of just what AIDS is about. AIDS is a disease. AIDS is about attitudes, [00:19:30] and AIDS is about a virus. For most of us, AIDS is a devastating disease, socially, economically, and personally. It shatters our dreams. It causes panic and depression. We fear dying young. We fear dying young. AIDS can be a protracted, horrible and unpleasant way to die. [00:20:00] The emotional pain and distress of AIDS can't be alleviated by an injection like some physical pain can. AIDS is different to other life threatening illnesses in that there is an awful uncertainty in how and when it will strike, or how and when it will manifest itself. It strikes us in a diversity of ways. including fungal infections, bowel disorders, pneumonias, [00:20:30] blindness, and unusual and sometimes disfiguring cancers. Often we suffer these illnesses singly or in groups. But quite often, too, we have many or all of them at the same time. I earlier said AIDS was also about attitudes. It's bad enough having to fight daily to stay alive and well, let alone also having to fight the totally [00:21:00] unjustified prejudices and stigma that surround AIDS. Sometimes, of course, This comes from ignorance and fear. But what is inexcusable is having to fight the bigoted attitudes and put up with the insults from people who should know better. Like some government MPs, journalists, doctors, certain community groups and people often held [00:21:30] up as pillars of society. Often these critics of ours act under the guise of Christianity. Yet the question must be asked, why? Why do you so often publicly and vehemently ferment such hatred and malice? It's certainly not my idea of what Christianity is about. Many of us with AIDS have deep spiritual needs, and indeed develop the spiritual [00:22:00] component of our lives rapidly. Yet, many of the groups and institutions that could help us spiritually, and, I might add, be equally privileged in having known us, reject us, and even go as far as saying I must acknowledge though, that there are many people from such groups and individuals from many churches who have worked hard and been very supportive for people with HIV and [00:22:30] AIDS. My recent illness, however, also showed that there are lots of people who just shine through in times of need. My friends, Family and colleagues were wonderful. So too were the New Zealand AIDS Foundation, my GP, the hospital doctors and nursing staff. Two people deserve special mention. One is my partner Kim, whose [00:23:00] situation is is, I'm sure you'll appreciate, a very poignant and sad one. But without his support, I'd never have made it as far as I have. The other person is a very special nurse called Linda. I know I speak for all of us here in Wellington, Linda, when I thank you for your selfless efforts in supporting us, our families. Our partners and friends very often in your own [00:23:30] time and at your own expense, such nurses are worth every dollar the health system spends on them. I'd like to remind everybody that it has been people with HIV and AIDS and those most at risk of contracting hiv aids, who have been at the forefront of the fight against aids. Many of us. Some of us have worked tirelessly, usually as volunteers, and even when quite [00:24:00] ill, to help educate and prevent the spread of this disease. We're often the best educators because we can personalise the issue and put a face to this virus. Some of us like the National People Living with AIDS Union, who I represent, choose to work publicly, acting as advocates and providing representation for all people living with HIV AIDS, to area health boards, government [00:24:30] departments, the minister's office, other community groups, etc. Other people with AIDS, Work quietly among their own circle of friends and families. We all have the same goal though to to educate and prevent the spread of aids. The New Zealand AIDS foundation was the gay men, including those with AIDS response to the epidemic. In the mid 1980s, political foresight encouraged by [00:25:00] people representing sex industry workers and injecting drug users. and setting up community organisations, introducing the world's first National Needle Syringe Exchange Program and promoting safer sex behaviours was another successful community response. These community AIDS groups efforts as peer educators and safer sex and drug using behaviours has kept HIV AIDS among their client [00:25:30] base to a minimum. They are to be congratulated. We must not get complacent. AIDS is here and it's still spreading. Like overseas, heterosexuals, and particularly women, are featuring increasingly in the news statistics. We can stop this disease, but we need your help. You can help by providing a supportive social environment for both people [00:26:00] with HIV AIDS, and by and those at risk of HIV AIDS. People living with this virus deserve to lead socially and economically productive, fulfilling and happy lives. Thank you Catherine O'Regan for your courage and introducing legislation to outlaw discrimination on the basis of disablement. It'll be a big step forward if it gets passed for both our personal and the [00:26:30] public health good. Finally, thank you all for coming here tonight to share with us and commemorate the lives of those who have died. Let us not forget those early and courageous AIDS pioneers, many of whom are now dead. I'm sure you'll know what I mean when I say that all of our lives have been enriched by knowing and or caring for people with AIDS. People with AIDS. These are indeed [00:27:00] beacons of hope for a better world. Thank you. As Tom has just mentioned, the experience of contracting HIV is not unique to one section of our population. It's important tonight and at any time to know that men and women and children are living with HIV AIDS in New Zealand. Claire Turner, [00:27:30] a volunteer with Wellington's Awhina Centre, will read a message from a woman living with AIDS. Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou. Hi everybody. I'm reading a message from a friend of mine. She's too ill to be here tonight. This is her message. If I die, I will want people to [00:28:00] remember my name. But like most women with AIDS, we fear being identified. I am not sure how and when I got HIV. And I don't care. For now, it is love to me that is important. The love for me is so strong. But there's not only love, there's a sadness I feel for a lot of people who do not have the support I [00:28:30] have. They are turned away by parents or friends. If these people only knew what can be achieved by both sides, they'd be so thankful. The support I get from my doctors, nurses and counsellor is very comforting. And the comfort of my family is great. Heterosexual people don't think they can get this far. But if you really think about it, it's not something you'll get because you're in [00:29:00] some category, but because you're somebody, anybody. I feel like screaming my lungs out when I hear that young or older people still say using condoms isn't cool. Because it doesn't feel right. I mean, when is it right? I can't help being angry when I talk about AIDS. To the women listening, I say, Be very careful. Recently I went [00:29:30] to see the whales. They're my favourites. There's something about them, maybe their size or because they're endangered, they fascinate me. I love the sound they make under the water. I love them. It was the most beautiful thing to see these graceful creatures in the water. They made me think of peace. I would like to be at peace.[00:30:00] For several years now, New Zealanders have been lucky enough to have a young person who has shown great courage, not only in fighting HIV AIDS in her own life, but in educating as many people as will listen about support. for people with the virus and about safe sex. No wonder we call her New Zealand's AIDS ambassador. And she's brought her mum along tonight too. Please welcome Gloria Taylor and Eve Van Graffors.[00:30:30] Kia ora, welcome. At the end of April this year, Eve was admitted to hospital again. Not many of you know that. More needles. More pain, the same story goes on. We talked more, this time getting more stressful and scary each time. [00:31:00] These are some of the questions Eve asked. I just want to know why I am so sick in the first place. Why is AIDS taking over my body? You know, With this sickness, sometimes I feel like giving up. I am in so much pain. I just wish everything would go away. I wish I could be a normal [00:31:30] child. During this conversation we had together, Eve being snuggled up into my arms, and both, of us having tears running down our cheeks. I said to her, when you feel like giving up, why don't you give up? And this was her answer to me. Because mummy, we are strong, and all the other people with HIV AIDS [00:32:00] need me because I help them to be strong. I just want to stay alive for So I can live with my family, always, and to help people understand. Here is a ten and a half year old suffering pain each day, who is in the last stages of AIDS, and is not concerned about herself, but of all people. [00:32:30] At the beginning of this year, Eve and I made a mercy dash to St. Vincent's Hospital in Australia to be by the bedside of Bill Mole, a Canadian man who was suffering in many ways associated with AIDS. Especially emotionally. We brought him back to New Zealand, along with his partner, Ron Reichardt, from the United States. To convalesce, but more [00:33:00] importantly, to give them the tender, loving care they needed so badly. These men, are both gay. Our home has had many people from all walks of life with HIV and AIDS. Children, haemophiliacs, Romanian babies, gay people, bisexual people, and no matter what the circumstances are in our home, we are all gay. They will be loved and cared for with the greatest [00:33:30] respect. It is our wish that all of you out there tonight, and the medical professionals, employees, politicians, so adopt the same attitude as we have. Eve is an inspiration to many. But a representative of love, hope, courage and support the world over. And it is Eve's wish to be here tonight, despite her suffering, to share her love and [00:34:00] dedication to you all. I want you, I want you to care for me and all other children that have HIV or AIDS. I love you all.[00:34:30] Thank you Gloria, thank you Eve, and to all our speakers tonight. In a short while we'll begin the second part of tonight's ceremony, Beacons of Hope. The ceremony of fire in memory of the people we've gathered to remember. Now there are some points to remember about the next part of tonight's program. Shortly there will be a procession of flaming torches representing each New Zealander who has died from AIDS in this country. The procession will be accompanied by the [00:35:00] orchestra, and when the music stops and the last bell tolls, you are invited to call the name of a person you wish to remember tonight. There will be fireworks to conclude the ceremony, so perhaps parents could explain this to the children. in case any of them get a little frightened. After the fireworks conclude, please slowly take your torch back for extinguishing to the point where you've got it and try not to all go back at the same time for obvious reasons. We do hope that the orchestra will play an [00:35:30] encore after those fireworks. That will of course depend How loudly you applaud. We would also be very grateful for your donations at the conclusion of tonight's event. And there will be volunteers nearby. For now though, before the orchestra and the choir come on stage, we ask those people who wish to carry a torch tonight to move to the torch station. It's at Shed 6. Over there behind the playground, marshals will instruct you what to do from that point. We will now take a [00:36:00] 15 minute interval for everyone to get into place before we welcome the orchestra on stage. Thank you everybody, kia ora. Thank you. My friends, my friends everywhere, whoever is the god you know, whatever spirit you follow, tonight, [00:36:30] here, and all around the world, We share a common humanity and concern. We share a common call to hope and to love. As we come now, to this moment, where the words have been said, and the sounds played, [00:37:00] to share, silence of the spirit together, to reach out, In memory to those who have died. And in hope that this death may no more be. And that we may together, [00:37:30] bring new things to each other. So I invite you as we share silence and a prayer to reach out to those, your neighbors and take their hand so that in fact, we here may be joined body and spirit in this wonderful moment. Let us share a moment of silence. [00:38:00] God of all living and all loving. Spirit of hope and compassion. In the dark of this night, we [00:38:30] hold close to us, The light of those who have died of AIDS. Our brothers, our sisters, our children, our parents, our lovers, and our friends. In life, will also be each one of us a light to the world. to scatter the [00:39:00] darkness of prejudice and fear around us. May we remain faithful to the memory of those who have died. May the light and love of God's spirit fill us all, body and soul. [00:39:30] Amen.
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