The Glamafones and Ti Whanawhana perform Gay MP Grant Robertson has this afternoon warned the gay communities of the danger of complacency in the face of the on-going fight against HIV infection and challenged the communities to do more to support those living with HIV. Speaking at this afternoon's Wellington HIV/AIDS Candlelight Memorial service at Te Papa, Robertson said the gay communities have given people with HIV and those who have lost loved ones to the virus "courage, respect and support" but warned against the dangers of stigma complacency in the on-going battle against HIV. Speaker Grant Robertson MP and MC Karen Ritchie "We must strive to ensure that those living with HIV in our community live with respect, dignity and hope and in doing that eliminate the stigma within our communities. We can do more to support the future of those living with HIV," he said. He also said that complacency is another danger. "I used to think that ignorance and prejudice were the two most destructive forces we had to deal with in the fight against HIV/AIDS, but I would now add to that complacency." The service, attended by over 100 people, featured a recounting of the history of the AIDS Quilt Project, the playing of a rare voice track of NZ's first HIV activist Bruce Burnett speaking in a 1980s radio interview, then attaching of messages on a Tree of Remembrance and music and performances by the Glamafones choir and Ti Whanawhana glbti cultural group. In a well-received speech retired gay Australian High Court judge and human and HIV rights activist also speak of the dangers of complacency and of the need to educate succeeding generations of glbti people about the lessons and experiences of the past (see separate news story).
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Sunday, 17th May 2015 - 8:08pm