This year the theme of World AIDS Day in Australia is

“Now More Than Ever”

In the lead up to World AIDS Day on Sunday the 29 of November, Meridian will host a Morning Tea event to show solidarity with people living with HIV in the ACT and around the world , and to remember those we have lost to an AIDS-related illness.

The morning tea will include :

Peter Rowland Memorial address by Jacob White

A former Canberran, Jacob is young activist living with HIV.

His journey with HIV started at the age of 16 while still living at home and while still in the closet – now, twelve years later, he’s seen remarkable advances in treatment, perception of HIV in the wider community, and the quality of life that many positive people are able to enjoy today.

Currently working for Equality Australia in Sydney, Jacob has dedicated his professional life to all manner of progressive causes and understands innately that that equality within society leads to better health outcomes across all sectors of society. He’ll be speaking on the theme for this year’s World AIDS Day – ‘Now More Than Ever’.

Performance by the Canberra Qwire

&

Sonia Di Mezza(pen name: Angela Aquila), who will be talking about:

Love Sick

A memoir by Manu Bhat with Angela Aquila, “Lovesick” (published by Lulu) shares the story of how an Indian woman had hope despite facing the worst circumstances.

Sharing the story of Bhat, the book shows how she wanted to find love in an arranged marriage. During the course of that marriage, Bhat was devastated when she learned that she had contracted HIV from her husband and subsequently suffered a miscarriage. After divorcing her husband, Bhat managed to turn her life around and find true love with her soul mate.

World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day is an opportunity to raise awareness about HIV.

World AIDS Day is one of the most globally recognised events of the year.

People around the world unite to show support for people living with and affected by HIV and to remember those who lost their lives to AIDS.

Across Australia, World AIDS Day is celebrated to encourage the community to talk about HIV/AIDS; to remind and educate us that the HIV epidemic is still a major health issue.

In a time when the focus is on the COVID-19 pandemic, it is timely to remember that no one is safe until everyone is safe. Leaving people behind is not an option if we are to succeed.

worldaidsday.org.au

Please Note: This will be a COVID SAFE Event

Events that include gatherings of people, present a risk for COVID-19 transmission due to crowd density, number of participants involved, difficulties in maintaining safe physical distancing, and contact tracing complexities.

Due to ACT Government COVID-19 restrictions, registration for this event is essential and social distancing must be adhered to.

Meridian (formerly the AIDS Action Council) is the leading community agency in the ACT supporting people living with HIV, and specialising in community health, education and inclusion for people of diverse sexualities and genders.

For over 35 years we have worked to create opportunities for people in our communities to live their best lives.