I attended the HIV/AIDS Vigil on Sat, Oct 10 at Seattle Central Community College for Seattle’s LGBT Equality Weekend. At about 150-200 people, it was smaller than I expected but educational and inspiring.

A local Cornish College singer/songwriter kicked off the vigil with a beautiful and eerie song. After, speaker Michael Dunlap informed us about the Rise N’ Shine program on Capitol Hill. Founded in 1988, Rise N’ Shine provides stability for children and teens affected by HIV and AIDS through emotional and educational support programs. You can volunteer to become a mentor to children and teens who have been orphaned by the disease, who live with someone with the disease, or who have been infected with the disease themselves.

AIDS has been haunting us for nearly four decades and we have yet to find a cure. Research is being done to find a vaccine, but it desperately needs volunteers. A video promoting volunteering in the research study provided answers and ways to get involved. 

I was also shocked to learn from the final speakers that HIV/AIDS is the leading killer of people ages 15-59 and only 17% of people with AIDS has health coverage.  Of all the people diagnose with HIV/AIDS, 70% are people of color. It’s quite difficult to take it all in.

Hopefully, more and more events like these will raise awareness about a disease that just won’t surrender.