Lighting candles at St Matt's. Picture / Andy - GayNZ.com Poignant AIDS Candlelight Memorial Services have been held across the country, with the theme ‘Let’s Keep the Light on HIV’. Auckland’s service was again held at St Matthew-in-the-City last night, with about 70 people in attendance. Unitarian minister Roger Pym officiated, reminding those gathered that New Zealand has lost around 700 people as a result of HIV, while around 2,000 people now live with the virus. He urged the audience to remember to comfort, to help end stigma and to continue the fight against HIV and AIDS. Speakers included Jock Scott of Body Positive who recalled the people he has lost to HIV, his own struggle with the virus and his determination to contribute to the fight against the epidemic over many years. Nick Laing from the New Zealand AIDS Foundation and Jane Brunning of Positive Women also spoke, while messages were read out from the Governor General, the Prime Minister, the leader of the opposition and the co-leaders of the Greens. John Key’s message paid tribute to those who had died due to HIV and acknowledged work of AIDS Foundation and Body Positive. GALS performed two songs, including the very moving Into The West, which had some in tears. The service ended with the traditional lighting of candles for remembrance. The Auckland Rainbow Community Church provided soup and bread afterwards. Candlelight Memorials were also held in Wellington, Hamilton, Christchurch and Invercargill.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Monday, 19th May 2014 - 11:34am