Unfortunately we ran out of time to air this segment on the Informer the day before World AIDS Day, so we thought what not make it a special podcast.

The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus have a common saying before the curtain rises amongst the chorus, “I sing for two.” For each man standing, one chorus member has died of AIDS.

A quarter-century into the epidemic, the list of the dead is longer than the living: there are 210 singers and 257 obituaries.

 

In the early days of the chorus and during rehearsals in the 80s and 90s, long time chorus members recounted in an article for SFGATE.com what it was like to go to weekly memorials while planning your own funeral and hearing about other chorus members in hospital.

 

We now live in a time where young people, whether positive or negative stand side by side with the elders of our communities and have no idea or understanding of the devastation that our communities went through during the AIDS epidemic.

 

Here in Australia, we have LGBTI choruses perform at candlelight vigils and memorials each year, and tomorrow on Word AIDS Day, whether you are attending an event or not, take some time to come together and unite in the fight against HIV, to remember those who have been lost to this disease and to stand in solidarty with people living with HIV today. This day is an important part of our history, and just because we now have medication to combat the effects of HIV, doesn’t mean the HIV+ community don’t need our support and friendship.

Remember, you can show support for people living with HIV all year round, not just on World AIDS Day.

And be sure to buy a red ribbon.