A huge range of events will take place across New Zealand today to mark world AIDS Day and raise money for the local fight against the epidemic. In Auckland, new HIV drama film ‘3 Needles' screens all day at the Academy Cinema, and the unmissable ‘Queen of the Whole Universe' pageant glams up Aotea Centre this evening. In Wellington, speakers gather from around the country for the '20 Years On' conference, and HIV-related films are screening at The City Gallery tonight. Hamilton hosts an HIV awareness seminar covering a variety of issues about the epidemic. Palmerston North's Club Mystic will donate $1 from every drink purchased to World AIDS Day. Christchurch's World AIDS Day Picnic to be held at 'Friendship Corner', next to the Bridge of Remembrance, from 12-1pm, and there's a 'Red Party' at Cruz Bar tonight which will raise money for the New Zealand AIDS Foundation. Many of Auckland's inner-city gay venues will be donating a portion of their entry fee or bar turnover to the Body Positive support group for people with HIV/AIDS. Volunteers with Red Ribbons will also hit the streets of Auckland and Wellington collecting money for local HIV/AIDS charities. Red Ribbons are also available at branches of The Body Shop nationwide. World AIDS Day is facilitated each year by UNAIDS – the Joint United Nations Programme Against HIV/AIDS. Around forty million people are living with HIV throughout the world - and that number increases in every region every day. Ignorance and prejudice are fuelling the spread of a preventable disease. GayNZ.com is wearing a Red Ribbon on our front page today – we hope you'll wear one too, and encourage your friends, colleagues and family to do the same. Ref: GayNZ.com (m)
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Friday, 1st December 2006 - 12:00pm