Thousands of people are expected to observe World AIDS Day on Dec. 1 through solemn remembrance of those who have died from the disease, as well as HIV testing intended to stop it from spreading.

AIDS Healthcare Foundation is hosting free HIV/AIDS testing events in Los Angeles and West Hollywood in observance of World AIDS Day. (photo courtesy of AIDS Healthcare Foundation)

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) will commemorate the day with the theme, “The war on AIDS in the U.S. is being lost,” and is hosting free HIV testing at numerous locations, according to Christopher Johnson, associate director of communications for AHF. The United States has a disproportionate number of new cases of HIV and AIDS among wealthy nations each year — approximately 50,000, according to a United Nations study. AHF is launching its “20X20” campaign on World AIDS Day, which is a global initiative to link 20 million people worldwide to medical care and anti-retroviral therapy by Dec. 21, 2020.

“Because of powerful medical breakthroughs in HIV treatment options that have enabled millions of people to live long, healthy lives with the disease, many falsely believe that we’ve won the war on AIDS,” AHF founder and president Michael Weinstein said.

“However, the facts tell a much different story. The United States continues to lag behind on the global HIV care continuum and our country has the highest AIDS-related death rate among rich nations. Faced with the reality that twenty percent of HIV-positive people are unaware of their status and three out of four HIV-positive people in the U.S. are not virally suppressed, this World AIDS Day is an urgent wake-up call for local, state and federal leaders. More than ever, our elected officials and health care administrators must support policies that increase the number of people with HIV/AIDS who are knowledgeable of their status, retained in care and adherent to their treatment.”

AHF will kick-off World AIDS Day events with a worship ceremony on Sunday, Nov. 30 at 9 a.m. at the Holman United Methodist church at 3320 W. Adams Blvd. The worship service will be followed by a viewing of AHF artwork in the church’s community hall.

Free HIV testing and condom distribution will be held on Monday, Dec. 1 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at MacArthur Park, 2240 W. 6th St.; as well as from 4 to 7 p.m. at the AHF Pharmacy at 6201 Sunset Blvd. The testing event in Hollywood will also include sex health trivia, prizes, music and more.

Additionally, free testing and condom distribution will be held in West Hollywood on Dec. 1 from 9 p.m. to midnight at the intersection of Santa Monica and San Vicente boulevards. People can also get tested outside the Staples Center on Dec. 1 from 5 to 7 p.m. during a special “Get a Plan. Get Tested” event held during the Los Angeles Clippers game. For information, visit www.aidshealth.org.

The city of West Hollywood is also hosting multiple World AIDS Day events. A panel from the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt will be displayed through Saturday, Dec. 6 at West Hollywood City Hall, located at 8300 Santa Monica Blvd. The quilt was conceived in 1985 by activist Cleve Jones in memorial to people who have died from HIV and AIDS.

Additionally, the city will host a pre-World AIDS Day vigil and celebration of life on Sunday, Nov. 30 beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the entrance to West Hollywood Park, 647 San Vicente Blvd. Members of the West Hollywood City Council will provide remarks, and a moment of silence will be held.

The city will present the annual Paul Starke Warrior Awards on Dec. 1 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the West Hollywood Library, 625 N. San Vicente Blvd. The awards are presented to individuals who provide services for people with HIV and AIDS. West Hollywood poet laureate Steven Reign will present a reading, and Dillon Hosier, of the Israel-West Hollywood HIC/AIDS Task Force, will offer updates and information.

Additionally, the annual AIDSWatch online commemoration will be held for 24 hours on Dec. 1 at www.aidswatch.org. The names of approximately 24,000 people who have died from HIV and AIDS will be listed each for 3.5 seconds. AIDSWatch was launched in 1996. Hollywood resident David Reid said people who wish to have their loved one’s name added to the list can submit the name to www.aidswatch.org by 10 p.m. on Nov. 30.

West Hollywood City Councilman John Duran, who was one of the first HIV-positive elected officials in the United States, said World AIDS Day is an important time to reflect on lost loved ones, as well as progress that is being made in fighting the disease. Duran said medication and treatment has dramatically decreased the number of people who are now dying from AIDS.

“Many of us know people who are HIV positive, but is it becoming less common to see people with some of the debilitating diseases attached to the infection,” Duran said. “I think we are starting to get into a place where we can imagine AIDS-free cities. We are seeing HIV positive people getting to undetectable levels, and at the same time, with people who are taking these medications as a prophylactic, the research shows that we are seeing that they are not contracting the virus.”

The city and Bienstar will also host a forum on Wednesday, Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. in the West Hollywood Park Auditorium, offering updates and information from the U.S. Conference on AIDS. The auditorium is located at 647 N. San Vicente Blvd.

World AIDS Day events conclude with the “APLA Writers Workshop Readings” on Saturday, Dec. 6 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the West Hollywood City Council Chambers, 625 N. San Vicente Blvd. The free event includes readings by current workshop participants.

For information on World AIDS Day events, visit www.aidswatch.org or www.weho.org.