Throughout December at SAGE, we observe HIV/AIDS Awareness Month. Our community commemorates this month to spread awareness, remember those who have passed away, and support those who are still living with HIV. All year long, our SAGEPositive program’s dedicated staff supports those who are living with, or who are impacted by, HIV.

World AIDS Day

We kick off every December by commemorating World AIDS Day on December 1. This year, we started off a week full of activities with a community luncheon for SAGEPositive participants — the majority of whom are long term HIV survivors. Participants gathered to discuss what World AIDS Day means to them as individuals whose lives are continuously impacted by the AIDS epidemic.

Over the following week, we held events at the SAGE Centers in Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Midtown. These events included a participant panel discussion, an art project (pictured below), and an erotic writing workshop. Each format provided a different opportunity for SAGE members to explore and express the impact of HIV/AIDS on their lives.

LGBTQ+ Elder Voices

Throughout the month, SAGE also collected oral histories from survivors. We did so with the goal of sharing our elders’ experiences in their own words. These efforts were generously supported by ViiV Healthcare’s Positive Action Grant Program.

Hear from Marc Antonio Akam-Chen and Vivian Lopez-Ponce about their journeys with HIV in the two videos below.

@sageusa

Content warning: This video contains mentions of sexual assault, HIV/AIDS, death, and cancer. In honor of HIV/AIDS Awareness Month, take a moment to hear about Marc’s journey. ❤️ Let’s recognize the impact of this epidemic and spread awareness! #LGBTQStories #LGBTQElderVoices #LGBTQHistory #WeRefuseToBeInvisible #SAGEUSA #Intergenerational #OralHistory #HIVAIDS #HIVAIDSAwareness #NYC #NewYorkStories #LGBTQ

♬ original sound – SAGE

 

@sageusa

Content warning: This video contains mentions of HIV/AIDS and death. In honor of HIV/AIDS Awareness Month, hear from Vivian about her experience. We think she’s more than a little strong! 💪❤️ *Supported by ViiV Healthcare’s Positive Action Grant Program. #LGBTQStories #LGBTQElderVoices #LGBTQHistory #WeRefuseToBeInvisible #SAGEUSA #Intergenerational #OralHistory #HIVAIDS #HIVAIDSAwareness #NYC #NewYorkStories

♬ Stargazing (Slowed + Reverb) – Marcelo De Carvalho