Brighton landmarks to be lit up red and Red Ribbon flag to be flown from town halls on World AIDS Day

To show support and solidarity with residents and communities affected by AIDS and HIV, on World AIDS Day (Sunday, December 1) city’s landmarks will be lighting up red and Brighton & Hove City Council will be flying the Red Ribbon flag from Brighton & Hove town halls.

Held globally each year, World AIDS Day supports people living with HIV and commemorates those who have died from an AIDS-related illness. The red ribbon is an important symbol of awareness and shows our commitment to the fight against HIV.

Councillor Leslie Pumm, Cabinet Member for Communities, Equality and Human Rights, said: “World AIDS Day is an opportunity for everyone to come together and remember all those who lost their lives to an AIDS-related illness and to show love and support for communities torn apart by this awful disease.

“It is also a day of celebration of the amazing medical advances, which allow people living with HIV today to do so without fear of ever developing AIDS or passing it on.

“However, we must remember that HIV hasn’t gone away, and we all have a role to play in getting tested regularly.

“We are a UK Fast Track City, a global initiative to end HIV as a public health threat, and we have made great progress towards our goals as new HIV diagnoses continue to fall.

“I’d like to thank all our partners, the NHS and organisations including Lunch Positive, the Martin Fisher Foundation and the Sussex Beacon who made this possible, and everyone who’s been working on the wonderful events taking place in the city.

“We are proud that our city is at the cutting edge of testing and treatment and urge people to get tested now to keep themselves and loved ones safe.”

A number of community events, including a concert, a community lunch and an annual candlelight vigil, are taking place on Sunday, December 1 to mark World AIDS Day.