The Big Gay Out dance tent The New Zealand AIDS Foundation is expressing deep gratitude for the support it receives from the community, as it prepares to accept a cheque for more than $13,000 from two Auckland bars. At this year’s LYC Big Gay Out, Urge Bar and Caluzzi Cabaret raised $13,551.99 for the Foundation at their Beer Garden and dance tents. The initiative has raised more than $50,000 over the past six years. Executive Director Shaun Robinson says without such backing, preventing HIV would be a difficult task. “Combating an infectious disease such as HIV is like having a tiger by the tail, you can never let go or ease up or it will get loose again,” he says. “Promoting safe sex is as important today as it ever was and to do that effectively we need money. The money people donate helps to protect lives.” Urge and Caluzzi will hand over a cheque from the proceeds of the Beer Garden and dance tents at Caluzzi tomorrow, just after 7PM.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Tuesday, 8th April 2014 - 1:08pm