Act Aware: World AIDS Day 2010 in Pittsburgh

Today (Dec. 1) marks the observance of World AIDS Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness, educating, and honoring those who have died in the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The city of Pittsburgh will do its part to Act Aware, the theme for this year’s World AIDS Day, and the public is encouraged to participate and spread awareness. Here is a list of events going on around the city, as compiled by Global Solutions Education Fund Pittsburgh:

Wednesday, December 1st - World AIDS Day

Sembene - The Film & Arts Festival joins forces with New Voices Pittsburgh: Women of Color for Reproductive Justice, Global Solutions Education Fund Pittsburgh and the Partnership for Minority HIV/AIDS Prevention to host the Pittsburgh premiere of the South African film, ‘TAPOLOGO’ in observance of World AIDS Day, December 1st at 6:00 PM, at the Shadow Lounge. Shadow Lounge is located at 5972 Baum Boulevard, in Pittsburgh’s East Side. Doors open at 5:30. This film is free and the public is welcome to attend. Please go to www.sembenefilmfestival.org for more information, or contact Sabira Bushra by phone at 412-657-6916 or by email at info.sembenefilmfestival@gmail.com

Also going on around Pittsburgh on Wednesday, December 1st for World Aids Day

• Highmark Spire Turns Red: Fifth Avenue Place
• Red Ribbon Cookies & Coffee: 10 AM outside City-County Building
• Press Conference with Mayor Luke Ravenstahl: 10:30 AM, City-County Building
• McKeesport Collaborative HIV/AIDS Working Group: Free HIV Testing & Hot Dog Social, 11 AM to 2 PM
• Free HIV Testing: GLCC, 210 Grant Street, 11 AM to 3 PM
• Pittsburgh Aids Task Force 25th Anniversary Luncheon: Rivers Club, One Oxford Center
• Sixth Annual Red Ribbon Gala: 6 PM, Twentieth Century Club
• Candlelight Vigil: 5:30 PM; Starts at CMU, proceeds down Forbes Avenue, ends at Heinz Chapel
• 23rd Annual World AIDS Day Memorial Service: 7 PM, Heinz Chapel
• La Gourmadine Bakery, Lawrenceville, will donate a portion of proceeds from raspberry chocolate dessert sales on Dec. 1st
• J’eet, Garfield, will donate 20% of proceeds from various specials
• Remedy Restaurant, Lawrenceville, will donate a portion of their proceeds from a World AIDS Day dish
• Round Corner Cantina, Lawrenceville, will donate 50% of proceeds from Red Sangria sales on Dec. 1st
• Spin, Shadyside, will offer drink specials, donating a portion of their proceeds
• Square Café, Regent Square, will donate 50 % of all their proceeds on Dec. 1st
• Union Grill, Oakland, will donate a portion of proceeds from an eggplant parmesan special on World AIDS Day
• Sweetest Dessert Studio and Bakery, Pitcairn, will feature a new dessert -- “With Love - Aids Prevention Cupcakes" (in southern style red velvet) -- with a portion of the proceeds being donated to aids awareness and prevention during the month of December
• Vanilla Pastry, East Liberty, will donate 25% of proceeds from a World AIDS Day-themed dessert, during the week of World AIDS Day
• Willow Restaurant, North Hills, will donate portions of proceeds from drink and dessert specials during the week of World AIDS Day

Thursday, December 2nd

• PA/Mid-Atlantic AIDS Education & Training Center Act Aware Conference: 1-6 PM, University Club
• Know Your Status/Free Testing: 7 AM to 6 PM, University of Pittsburgh Early Prevention Project

Friday, December 3rd

• AIDS Quilt Reception: 6-7 PM, First United Methodist Church
• Sunday, December 5th
• World AIDS Day Wrap-Up Social: 6-9 PM, Andy Warhol Museum

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For more information on World AIDS Day events and HIV/AIDS information:

Pittsburgh Red Campaign: www.pittsburghred.org

Official World AIDS Day website: http://www.worldaidscampaign.org/

Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force: http://www.patf.org

Student Global AIDS Project University of Pittsburgh: http://www.pitt.edu/~sorc/sgap/

Stop HIV (Pennsylvania’s HIV/AIDS Prevention Planning and Services): http://www.stophiv.com/

The Body (The Complete HIV/AIDS Resource): http://www.thebody.com/

About World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day is celebrated on December 1st each year around the world. It has become one of the most recognized international health days and a key opportunity to raise awareness, commemorate those who have passed on, and celebrate victories such as increased access to treatment and prevention services.

UNAIDS took the lead on World AIDS Day campaigning from its creation in 1988 until 2004. From 2004 onwards the World AIDS Campaign's Global Steering Committee began selecting a theme for World AIDS Day in consultation with civil society, organizations and government agencies involved in the AIDS response.Themes run for one or two years and are not just specific to World AIDS Day. Campaigning slogans, such as "Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise," have been used year round to hold governments accountable for their HIV and AIDS related commitments.