Plague

In this together

by Kristen Lombardi

Given the conditions in sub-Saharan Africa -- where some estimate that 30 percent of the population lives with HIV or AIDS -- it's no surprise that this year's December 1 celebration of World AIDS Day focuses on the African AIDS pandemic (see "State of the Art").

But this doesn't mean that AIDS has been tamed in the US. Far from it. Despite declines in AIDS-related deaths in this country, as many as 40,000 people are diagnosed with HIV every year. And infection rates are growing among the most vulnerable groups, including racial minorities, women, and intravenous-drug users.

Make no mistake: AIDS remains a serious and deadly threat -- both at home and abroad. Which is why local activists and health-care professionals are asking residents to participate in the 13th annual global remembrance for victims of the virus.

Dozens of events are planned in and around Boston, including a candlelight vigil at the Multicultural AIDS Coalition, a visual-arts installation at the Boston Center for the Arts, and a keynote speech on the African AIDS pandemic at Trinity Church in Copley Square. Similar observances are also scheduled in such communities as Cambridge, Fall River, Lowell, and Gloucester.

Commemorations kick off in Boston on November 30 at 5:30 p.m., when participants in two vigils will march from the Multicultural AIDS Coalition at 801 Tremont Street and Safe Place at One Marvin Street to Roxbury Community College at 1234 Columbus Avenue. There, they will rally for the millions of victims worldwide who are afflicted with the disease.

Over at the BCA, another vigil will begin Thursday, November 30, at 11:30 p.m. and continue until midnight on December 1. Residents from Roxbury, Dorchester, and the South End are expected to make their way to the BCA Cyclorama, where artist Michael Dowling will present his ninth annual "Medicine Wheel" -- an installation of 36 shrines commemorating AIDS victims. "The medicine wheel is really a healing circle," Dowling explains. "It's a place for people to bring their thoughts, their prayers, and their dreams."

Whatever the event, these first 24 hours in December serve to reaffirm the importance of keeping up the fight against AIDS. As Amy Rosenberg of the Boston-based AIDS Action Committee warns, "Though it hasn't been front-page news for a while, the AIDS epidemic is still with us. And if we don't remain vigilant, this disease will affect everybody sooner or later."

For a complete listing of local World AIDS Day events, contact the Boston Public Health Commission at (617) 534-4559, ext. 2694, or the AIDS Action Committee at (617) 437-6200, or visit www.aac.org.