‘Touching Lives’ is the theme for this month’s International AIDS Candlelight Memorial in Perth. This year marks the 29th anniversary for the vigil which began in San Francisco back in 1983. Diane Lloyd, the chairperson for the HIV AIDS Peer Advisory Network (HAPAN) in Perth said the memorial was a time for remembering people as well as reflecting on the journey the community had taken.
‘It’s an international event to basically remember the people who have died of AIDS-related illness,’ Lloyd said.
‘It’s also a time to look at supporting people and educating and advocating.’
Having been diagnosed with HIV since 1986, Lloyd said she had ‘lost a lot of friends’ in the early ’90s including her partner in 1992.
‘So it’s still about remembering people and for me, part of it is about where we are now,’ Lloyd said.
She said it was also about appreciating the people who had undergone earlier treatments that had improved the quality of life as well as extended the life expectancy of people living with HIV. Perth MLA John Hyde will be speaking at the memorial.
The International AIDS Candlelight will be held at the HIV/AIDS Memorial, Robertson Park on the corner of Fitzgerald and Stuart Street, North Perth on Sunday May 15 at 6pm.
Benn Dorrington
