GMHC in Its 30th Year Commemorates World AIDS Day 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Krishna Stone | 212.367.1016

***MEDIA ADVISORY***

WHAT: December 1, World AIDS Day annually provides opportunities to raise awareness about the critical issues of the epidemic, increase GMHC's visibility locally and nationally, and enhance our partnerships with community-based organizations through the coordination of events.  As 2012 marked the 30th year of GMHC, it is a time to reflect on the state of the epidemic while looking ahead to the work in 2013.

WHY: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every 9∏ minutes (on average), someone in the United States is infected with HIV. More than 1.2 million people in the United States are living with HIV. One in five (20%) of those people are unaware of their infection. According to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, NYC remains the epicenter of HIV/AIDS in the U.S. More than 107,000 New Yorkers are living with HIV, but thousands more don't know they're infected. NYC's AIDS case rate is almost 3 times the U.S. average, and HIV is the 3rd leading cause of death for New York City residents aged 35 to 54.
 
WHEN: Below is the information about GMHC's World AIDS Day testing days and events before, on and after December 1.
 
World AIDS Day - Free HIV Testing (*Please note the testing days with an asterisk are open to the general public) 

• Wednesday, November 28, 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm--*Marble Collegiate Church, 1 West 29th Street, Manhattan
• Thursday, November 29, 11:45 am to 2:45 pm--Jewish American Services Administration, 2705 Scheley Ave, Bronx
• Friday, November 30, 4:30 pm to 8:00 pm--*Brooklyn Knows (NYCDOHMH Testing Initiative): Brooklyn's Got Talent - Stop HIV Remix, 180 Remsen Street, Brooklyn
• Saturday, December 1, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm--CUNY Department of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, Division for Workers Education, 25 Broadway, 7th floor, Manhattan
• Saturday, December 1, 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm--*Countee Cullen Library, 104 West 136th Street, Manhattan
• Wednesday, December 5, 11:00 am to 7:00 pm--United Nations, Labouisse Hall, Unicef House, 3 UN Plaza, Manhattan
• Thursday, December 6, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm--*Mercy College, 555 Broadway, Dobbs Ferry
• Saturday, December 8, 10: am to 4:00 pm--*Greenwich Village Chamber of Commerce Health Fair, Beth Israel Treatment Center for Cerebral Palsy, 309 West 23rd Street, Manhattan

World AIDS Day Events (All events are free unless otherwise specified)

"Art & AIDS: It's Not Over"
Exhibition featuring the work of artists living with HIV/AIDS
Tuesday, November 27, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm-Opening reception
Leslie-Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art
26 Wooster Street (between Canal and Grand Streets)
Exhibition runs through Sunday, December 2

"Out of the Darkness"
Saturday, December 1
Candlelight Vigil - 6:00 pm
Trinity Lutheran church of Manhattan
164 West 100th Street (at Amsterdam Avenue)
Process to
Gathering featuring guest speakers and performers - 7:00 pm
Advent Lutheran Church/Broadway United Church of Christ
2504 Broadway (at 93rd Street)

"4th Annual Toy Drive hosted by Survivors of Mothers with AIDS (SOMWA)"
Benefiting families affected by HIV/AIDS
Sunday, December 2
5:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Escuelita NYC
301 West 39th Street (between 8th and 9th Avenues)
Attendees are encouraged to bring toys for children ages 1 to 16 which will then be distributed on December 8 at GMHC's annual holiday party for families.  Free admission if attendees bring a gift, otherwise $10.00 admission without a gift. 

"We're Not Taking It Lying Down"
A discussion on health and wellness for women of color
Sunday, December 9
1:30 pm to 5:00 pm
Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. State Office Building
163 West 125th Street, Art Gallery Room
(between 7th and Lenox Avenues)
Guest speakers include: Ofelia Barrios, Iris House; C. Virginia Fields, National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS; Marjorie Hill, PhD, GMHC; Michelle Lopez, Activist; Authur Syliz Ortiz, Writer; Rev. Dr. Renee Washington Gardner, Memorial Baptist Church.
Free HIV testing and lunch will be provided.