The Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) on Sunday supported the initiative of the Global Network of
Attendees lighting candles at SASOD’s sixth International AIDS Candlelight Memorial
People Living with HIV (GN+) and hosted the sixth International AIDS Candlelight Memorial in Guyana on the steps of the St George’s Cathedral.
The theme for this year’s, the 32nd annual observance, “Supporting the Future”, challenges people from various communities around the world to unite and demand a sustainable AIDS response – one that is fully inclusive. In a release, SASOD said the event reinforced the need for access to treatment, care and support, as many persons living with HIV (PLHIV) are still facing discrimination and criminalisation in various contexts.
The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial is not just a memorial, but an opportunity for communities to mobilise and raise awareness about HIV and AIDS. It is about fostering global solidarity, and breaking down the barriers of stigma and discrimination, and restoring hope for the future. Delivering the feature address was Folami Harris, Chief of Party of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Advancing Partners and Communities (APC) Project. In her address, she challenged those present to apply a simple ABC model as they support the future. She spoke to Acceptance of those living with HIV, calling for a sense of Belongingness within our respective communities and groups, and being a part of the Collective response to HIV.
The Candlelight Memorial brought together a sizeable group of young people, health professionals, civil society representatives and members of the public to show camaraderie and support for persons infected and affected by HIV; to encourage people to continue to act together, and to call on the public to end stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV, and key affected populations.
Equal access
Performances from local artistes including Jackie Hanover, Randolph Critchlow, EUPHORIA Dance Group, A-TayJah, Nurriyyih Gerrard, Lloyda Alicia and Gavin Mendonca sent positive and progressive messages while entertaining the crowd as they chimed in on cue to a few of the performances. Those present were then invited to share words of tribute and participate in the lighting of candles in memory of those lost to the disease.
The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial is committed to ending HIV by raising awareness and advocating for the advancement of effective policies at all levels. Much has been done to improve and advance the HIV response in Guyana; however, much more is still needed. SASOD is calling for equal access to treatment, prevention and care services for all Guyanese regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity. Stigma and discrimination – especially homophobia and transphobia – are barriers to accessing services for the communities we serve. There is an urgent need to end stigma, discrimination and human rights violations, affecting people living with HIV and key populations such as men who have sex with men, people who use drugs, sex workers and young people. Coordinated by GN+, the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial is the world’s oldest and largest grassroots mobilisation campaigns for HIV awareness annually.