A Night of Reflection, Inspiration, and Advocacy: Lighthouse Foundation’s 3rd Annual World AIDS Day Commemoration
On Friday, December 1, Lighthouse Foundation (LF) hosted our 3rd Annual World AIDS Day Commemoration at the esteemed Gallery Guichard, a Black-owned art gallery in the historic Bronzeville, Chicago. This event, which has become a tradition for our organization, serves as a poignant reflection on the lives lost to HIV/AIDS and a celebration of the unwavering resilience within our community.
Events like our World AIDS Day commemorations are essential because of the disproportionate impact of HIV/AIDS on Black LGBTQ+ communities in Chicago. In 2020, Black Chicagoans accounted for a staggering 57% of new AIDS diagnoses despite constituting only 29% of the city's population. Furthermore, predominantly Black neighborhoods like Austin, Pullman, South Shore, and Washington Park saw the highest number of new HIV diagnoses, highlighting the urgent need for increased awareness, funding, and education.
The event's centerpiece was a compelling panel discussion moderated by Timothy Jackson, the Senior Director of Policy & Advocacy for AIDS Foundation Chicago. Panelists included Caprice Carthans and Terry Dudley, two of the stars of "HIV and the Journey to Zero," a two-part documentary series that sparks important conversations around the end of the HIV epidemic, as well as follows the everyday lives of younger advocates and people living with HIV.
During the panel, Dudley addressed the issue of homelessness among those diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, stating, “It’s kinda appalling to see that in 2023, we don’t have any agency, nonprofit, or policy that has been created to fight this.”
The conversation also delved into the underfunding of Black-led Chicago nonprofits. Carthans emphasized the need for change, stating, “In order to change the game we’ve got to be in the game. In order to be in the game, we’ve got to learn what the rules are. They’ll let us play […] because it brings them revenue. So if [they’re] gonna make money, give us some. Don’t guess about what you think we need; ask us, we’ll tell you.”
The event provided a platform for crucial conversations in addition to treating attendees to a free dinner crafted by Black LGBTQ+ chef, Daniel Will, and a free open bar.
“[I liked] all of the considerations taken into creating the space,” one attendee reflected, “The fit of the chairs, dietary needs, the food vendor themself, the gallery, and more. I also enjoyed that, while it was a fabulous turnout, it still felt intimate enough for me to meet many people.”
“I believe these events are needed and appreciated in more ways than you may know,” shared another attendee, “I truly enjoy attending [LF’s] events because I always have a great time and learn more than what I knew.”
As the evening concluded, LF’s Executive Director, Jamie Frazier, delivered poignant remarks, emphasizing what the path toward achieving zero new HIV/AIDS cases looks like: funding Black-led organizations and amplifying Black voices. “If we want to accomplish something that we have never done before, then we must be prepared to do something that we have never done before,” Frazier urged, encapsulating the spirit of hope and activism at the heart of our commemoration.
As we reflect on this year’s event as an organization, we continue to look towards a future where HIV/AIDS is not just commemorated but conquered, where support is not just spoken but sustained, and where every voice, especially those in the Black LGBTQ+ community, is heard, valued, and uplifted.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for this event, as well as our funders for making it such a success: The Chicago Department of Public Health, Northwestern Medicine, Third Coast CFAR, and Viiv Healthcare.
