New Yorkers mark World AIDS Day with vigils and readings

New Yorkers joined memorials, marches, and readings at several gatherings around the city in commemoration of World AIDS Day, which is observed annually on Dec. 1. The events included the 33rd annual Out of the Darkness candlelight vigil and march at the New York City AIDS Memorial on Dec. 1. That event was followed by a subsequent World AIDS Day event at St. John's Church featuring speakers and performers. Events marking World AIDS Day continued on Dec. 2 with a reading of the names of people lost to AIDS. There was also an ACT UP New York demonstration criticizing the incoming Trump administration's cabinet appointments and healthcare positions. Demonstrators also targeted the Adams administration for multiple reasons, including the reduction of funding for sexual health clinics as well as other health services. Below are some photos from three different scenes commemorating World AIDS Day.

AT NYC AIDS MEMORIAL [caption id="attachment_54190" align="aligncenter" width="700"] NYC (dis)Order of Sisters.Donna Aceto[/caption] [caption id="attachment_54191" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Community members mourn.Donna Aceto[/caption] [caption id="attachment_54192" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Former State Senator and Councilmember Tom Duane with longtime HIV/AIDS activist and World AIDS Day organizer Brent Nicholson Earle.Donna Aceto[/caption] [caption id="attachment_54193" align="aligncenter" width="466"] Brent Nicholson Earle.Donna Aceto[/caption]

AT ST. JOHN'S CHURCH [caption id="attachment_54195" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Organizer Krishna Stone at St. John's Lutheran Church.Donna Aceto[/caption] [caption id="attachment_54196" align="aligncenter" width="700"] A performance by NYC Flaggers.Donna Aceto[/caption] [caption id="attachment_54197" align="aligncenter" width="700"] World AIDS Day organizer Barbara Martinez.Donna Aceto[/caption]

READING OF THE NAMES [caption id="attachment_54199" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Assemblymembers Linda B. Rosenthal and Tony Simone of Manhattan.Donna Aceto[/caption] [caption id="attachment_54200" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Joe Pressley reads to the audience.Donna Aceto[/caption] [caption id="attachment_54201" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Queer Soup Night, a volunteer-led group working to provide queer communities with soup, serves attendees.Donna Aceto[/caption] [caption id="attachment_54202" align="aligncenter" width="700"] ACT UP's demonstration.Donna Aceto[/caption] [caption id="attachment_54203" align="aligncenter" width="700"] ACT UP sends a message to the president-elect and the mayor.Donna Aceto[/caption]