Join Us for the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial on Sunday, May 17

On Sunday May 17, the Interfaith AIDS Coalition (IAC) and Boulder County AIDS Project (BCAP) are co-hosting a local in-person event as part of the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial, remembering people living with HIV. The theme for this year is "Peer Magic: the Power of Connection, Care, and Lived Experience."

This event will be one of thousands organized across the world on this day. It is free and open to the public. No RSVP is required. Participants are invited to arrive at the covered porch of the First United Methodist Church (FUMC), located at 1421 Spruce Street, Boulder 80302, at the new start time of 3 p.m. The program will begin shortly after 3:15 p.m.

The program includes short reflections by Rev. Mark Pickett, a retired minister in the United Church of Christ. Rev. Pickett has served churches in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Vermont, and North Carolina. He and his wife, Margot Pickett, retired and moved to Colorado seven years ago to be closer to their grandchildren. They live in Longmont and are members of First Congregational Church in Boulder. The event also includes the reading aloud of names of people living with HIV who have died. Musicians for the evening are local singer-guitarist, Laurie Dameron and local singer, Clara Kelley.

There will be a silent 0.3-mile walk leaving from the covered porch of First United Methodist Church (FUMC), heading south past BCAP on 14th Street, to the Boulder County Historic Court House on the Pearl Street Mall. The walk will continue east along Pearl Street to 15th Street, ending back at the FUMC’s porch area, at 15th and Spruce Streets.

Participants will carry signs reminding the public that until there is a cure, there is work to do to improve the lives of people living with HIV, to minimize transmission, and to end HIV-related stigma. After the last names are read aloud, participants will be invited to share names of loved ones they would like to remember.

People living with HIV started the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial in 1983 and since then there have been thousands of events organized across the world by community-based organizations. These events help raise awareness about HIV and break down stigma. BCAP and the IAC have been organizing this event together since 1992.

Since 2011, the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial has been coordinated by Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+). The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial brings together people in more than 100 countries to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and highlight the importance of HIV prevention, treatment, and support. While we hold those we have lost in our hearts, our gathering is also to express support of and solidarity with people living with HIV. We hope you will come and join us.