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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 21, 1997)
just out ▼ novom bor 21 , 1907 f 11 local news Remembering MCC is coordinating an event in honor of World AIDS Day a time to share grief and strengthen our mutual resolve , by Inga Sorensen he Rev. Roy Cole, pastor of the Met one way to remember the AIDS struggle is far ropolitan Community Church of Port from over. land, wants people to remember this: “While I’m very happy protease inhibitors “Despite what you hear, AIDS is not appear to be effective with some people, as well over. Huge numbers of people in this as more accessible, we also have to remember that country and worldwide continue to contract we HIV still don’t know how long that will last. Cer and die of AIDS. This is the reality.” tainly that’s the hope, but at this point we just And it’s also why MCC is taking a lead role in don’t know,” he says. organizing a local observance of World AIDS Judith Rizzio of the Coalition for AIDS Edu Day, an international event held each Dec. 1 to cation agrees. remember those who have lost their lives to AIDS The coalition is a group of individuals, non complications and to mobilize people in the ongo profit organizations and businesses that have ing fight against the disease. joined together for the past 10 years to educate the MCC is also planning for the International public about HIV and AIDS. AIDS Candlelight Memorial slated for mid-May. “Some people are beginning to view AIDS as “AIDS continues to kill— MCC believes a chronic illness, but the truth is this disease is still people must not forget this harsh reality. By fatal, and it’s affecting a lot of people,” says sponsoring World AIDS Day and the Interna Rizzio, pointing in particular to vulnerable popu tional Candlelight Memo lationslike women, youth, rial on May 17, 1998, injection drug users and MCC can gift the com communities of color. Give Hope in munity with events that “It’s a mixed bag. You U will strengthen our col want to express hope, par- lective resolve and honor ^ r ticularly in light of new tv. our collective grief,” he treatments, but you also says. have to remember many % people don’t have access According to Cole, the local World AIDS Day to new treatments—espe event will be held the night cially worldwide— and of Dec. 1 at the Portland there is currently no cure,” Art Museum. The evening says Rizzio, who also will include music, the works for Our House of lighting of a Wellness Portland, which through Candle, a dedication of out the AIDS pandemic Quilt panels, speakers, has provided care to those and theater and dance per in the final stages of life. formances. According to Cole, The Rev. Dr. Amos Portland’s World AIDS Brown, senior pastor of Day commemoration will the Third Baptist Church feature performances by in San Francisco, is the the Northwest Afrikan scheduled keynote American Ballet and the speaker. Portland Opera Com Third Baptist is one of the largest African pany; the NAMES Project will dedicate new American churches on the West Coast. Brown is Quilt panels, as it does every year on World AIDS also on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors Day; the Coalition for AIDS Education will present and has been a vocal supporter of the gay and its 1997 Red Ribbon Awards; and there will be a lesbian community. viewing of Blood Lines, a work in progress by Cole says Brown has even been to several filmmakers Jennifer Jako and Rebecca Guberman. fund-raisers at the Eagle, a popular gay leather bar The 8-minute presentation is the beginning of a in San Francisco, “not a venue for most pastors to full-length feature which shares the stories of be found.” HIV-positive and AIDS-affected young people. He adds that Brown, who is a nationally recog According to Cole, the Portland Area Busi nized civil rights leader, was selected to keynote ness Association, a 200-plus member organiza in order to “bring attention to the continuing rise tion of gay men and lesbians in business and their in HIV infection among African American men allies, has become a principal corporate sponsor and women.” of World AIDS Day. “His presence in Portland will help support the PABA President Hala Gores says she’s de work of the Urban League and Brother to Brother,” lighted the group can bolster the event both finan says Cole. cially as well as with volunteer support. Terry Durst, director of community outreach “PABA wants to take a more active role in the for the Urban League of Portland, a cosponsor of gay and lesbian community and strive to give the event, echoes that view. back to the community,” says Gores, a Portland “We want to do more work with African attorney. American churches around HIV/AIDS,” says Battling AIDS, she adds, is clearly a top prior Durst. “Churches have such a critical role in the ity. community.” “The AIDS pandemic is the No. 1 issue,” she And HIV infection, he notes, is hitting the says. “It’s taken its toll on so many.... We want to do what we can to see this stop. African American community extremely hard. Infection rates among African American men and women are among the fastest growing in this World AIDS Day will be commemorated Monday, Dec. 1, from 7:30 to 9 pm in the country. Grand Ballroom of the Portland Art Museum's “It was a wake-up call when Magic Johnson North Wing. The event is free, came forward, and then Arthur Ashe,” says Durst. “But after a while, people kind of forget about it.” and the public is encouraged to attend. For more information, call MCC at 281-8868. Participating in World AIDS Day, he adds, is T * % trier viatical company provides tim e assurances: Washington Viatical Network. 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