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
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