Te Papa's marae is to host an AIDS Candlelight Memorial for the first time. Worldwide gatherings are held on the third Sunday of May each year, dating back to 1983 in San Francisco when thousands marched on City Hall in the face of an emerging health crisis. This year, Body Positive Wellington is honouring the memory of those in New Zealand who lost the fight against the virus, families affected by the epidemic and those people still living with HIV. This year's theme for the May 18th event is 'Let’s keep the light on HIV'. The Wellington gathering at Te Marae will have the treasured collection of New Zealand AIDS Quilts on display. Body Positive says having the ceremony at the Te Papa marae "is of inestimable value emotionally, culturally and politically, as HIV/AIDS, although in a much better state than 30 years ago, still needs to be brought to the forefront of people’s awareness". It adds: "After a great HIV education campaign New Zealand needs to be aware the fight is not yet over." Following the Official event at Te Papa, Rush Bar will host a Tribute evening. Find out more here
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Sunday, 13th April 2014 - 9:19am