World AIDS Day takes place every year on Dec. 1. During this yearwhich marks the 40th anniversary since HIV was officially discoveredhere are some of the events taking place (locally, regionally and nationally) on, before and after that day:
A "Crimson Table Talk: Ending the HIV Epidemic Live Panel Discussion" will take place in person and virtually Tuesday, Nov. 30, 6:30-8:30 p.m. CT. AIDS Foundation Chicago Ryan White Care Coordination Manager DJ Rivers-White, MA, will join the Joliet-area/south suburban alumnae chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and various community partners for both an in-person and virtual discussion. In-person attendees must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test. Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/crimson-table-talk-ending-the-hiv-epidemic-live-panel-discussion-tickets-205628679917.
On Monday, Nov. 29, at 11 a.m., there will be a "Change, Not Chains" virtual event about that is sponsored by Ohio Health Modernization Movement (OHMM), a coalition of advocates working to modernize their state's law criminalizing individuals living with HIV. See ohmodernizenow.org/webinars/ .
The World AIDS Day community celebration of the historic passage of HB1063, which ended criminal penalties against people living with HIV, will take place Wed., Dec. 1, 1-2 p.m., at the DuSable Museum, 740 E. 56th Pl.
The event will feature the presentation of the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation's (ETAF) Legislator Leadership Award to recipients state Sen. Robert Peters, of the 13th District, and state Rep. Carol Ammons, of the 103rd Districtand will feature keynote speakers. A negative COVID-19 test or proof of vaccination is required for the in-person event.
A Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) World AIDS Day event will take place Wed., Dec. 1, 6-8 p.m. at Malcolm X College. There will be a public screening of Crystal Clear Chicago, a docuarticle focused on understanding the rise of methamphetamine use among Black gay and bisexual men in Chicagoland. For more information, see hivcareconnect.com/calendar/chicago-department-of-public-health-world-aids-day/ .
The Chicago Parks Foundation will hold a World AIDS Day event on Dec. 1, 9-10:30 a.m., at the Belmont Harbor Yacht Club.
Antonio King, LGBTQ health and outreach liaison in the CDPH's HIV/STI Bureau, and AIDS Foundation Chicago President/CEO John Peller will comment on the current status of the fight against HIV/AIDS. Other scheduled speakers include Ald. Tom Tunney as well as AIDS Garden Chicago Board President and former Illinois state Rep. Yoni Pizer.
Attendees will also get a sneak peek of the AIDS Garden Chicago, which is nearing completion. RSVP at wlang@chicagoparksfoundation.org .
In Normal, on Wed., Dec. 1, 3-5 p.m., University Galleries of Illinois State University will host a screening of "Enduring Care" and a presentation by Alexander Martin, artist and outreach specialist for Central Illinois Friends. "Enduring Care" is a video program highlighting strategies of community care within the ongoing HIV epidemic. The program features newly commissioned work by Katherine Cheairs, Cristobal Guerra, Danny Kilbride, Abdul-Aliy A. Muhammad and Uriah Bussey, Beto Perez, Steed Taylor, and J Triangular and the Women's Video Support Project. See events.illinoisstate.edu/event/day-without-art-2021-enduring-care/ .
On the national front, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will hold its "NIH World AIDS Day 2021 Virtual Event: The Role of Research in the National HIV/AIDS Strategy," which the Office of AIDS Research (OAR) is hosting. It will be held Wed., Dec. 1 at 10-11:30 a.m..
For more information, visit https://www.oar.nih.gov/news-and-events/meetings-events/world-aids-day-2021.
On Monday, Dec. 6, 12-2 p.m., a World AIDS Day event will take place at Kindig Performing Arts Center, in South Holland at South Suburban College. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to stop by and receive information from Christian Community Health Center. For more info, call 708-210-5741.