Event: World AIDS Day 2025
December 1, 2025
Gallery:
Each year in December, we acknowledge those lost to and impacted by HIV/AIDS and champion the ongoing fight against the epidemic. To commemorate World AIDS Day, the New York City AIDS Memorial hosted its annual, free, and public observance featuring programming in collaboration with organizations dedicated to bringing communities together in the fight to end AIDS.
2025 Schedule:
MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 12 PM
Rally & Press Conference
Presented in partnership with ACT UP, Amida Care, Bronx Móvil, Callen-Lorde, Harlem United, Housing Works, Popular Democracy, and VOCAL-NY
A variety of speakers discussed the impact of reduced global AIDS funding, which has led to rising infection rates and preventable deaths abroad, as well as domestic cuts that jeopardize access to care and increase hardship for vulnerable communities. The event will also reaffirm the importance of free expression, public assembly, and collective action—principles that have long been central to the AIDS movement. Speakers included Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Assemblymembers Tony Simone and Linda Rosenthal, Council Member Alexa Avilés, alongside tremendous voices in activism, including activists and Long-Term Survivors Valerie Reyes-Jimenez, Ivy Arce, LaLa Zanell, Tamara Oyola Santiago, Reginald Brown, and Eric Sawyer. The rally was followed by a march to Stonewall.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 12 PM—6 PM
Reading of Names of New Yorkers Lost to AIDS
Presented in partnership with Housing Works
The New York City AIDS Memorial and Housing Works, a New York City-based non-profit fighting the twin crises of AIDS and homelessness, hosted a six-hour-long presentation where multiple speakers simultaneously read the names of New Yorkers lost to the epidemic under the New York City AIDS Memorial’s canopy for eight hours straight. This annual event offers an overwhelming and powerful representation of the vast number of lives unnecessarily lost to the epidemic. Previously staged for many years at City Hall, this year will once again renew this important and healing tradition to value the lives lost to HIV/AIDS. You can sign up to read names using the button below.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 6:30 PM
Candlelight Vigil & Concert with the Red Ribbon Revue
co-hosted by the NYC (dis)Order of Sisters
To close each World AIDS Day event, we hosted a moving musical performance by The Red Ribbon Revue and our annual candlelight World AIDS Day vigil, co-hosted by the NYC (dis)Order of Sisters. The Sisters are a leading-edge Order of queer and trans nuns who believe all people have a right to express their unique joy and beauty. The Red Ribbon Revue celebrates the legacy of HIV-positive artists - especially those lost to AIDS. Founded in 2019 by Sam Bolen and Brian Mummert, RRR destigmatizes people living with HIV, puts poz performers in the spotlight, and lifts up the canon of work by HIV+ artists past and present: Freddie Mercury, Jerry Herman, Howard Ashman, Dick Scanlan, and so many more. Performers included RRR co-founders Brian Mummert and Sam Bolen, along with Aaron Lee Battle and Ruby Rims. This moving closing moment brought New Yorkers together in reflection, remembrance, and celebration of the enduring spirit of those impacted. Our candlelight vigil was organized previously for 33 years by activist Brent Nicholson Earle, and we are honored to continue this tradition. After the vigil, attendees marched to St. John's Lutheran Church (81 Christopher Street) for further programming.
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Thanks
Special thanks to Housing Works for their years of advocacy and support, to our community partners ACT UP, Amida Care, Bronx Móvil, Callen-Lorde, Harlem United, Housing Works, Popular Democracy, and VOCAL-NY, and to Valerie Reyes-Jimenez, Brent Nicholson Earle, Nikki Jax & the House of Jax, Brian Mummert, Sam Bolen, and the Red Ribbon Revue.
Community programming at the New York City AIDS Memorial is made possible, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development in partnership with the City Council and by the Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation.
Photography by Sargent Images.