By Matt Simonette

Staff writer

Public officials and community activists observed World AIDS Day Dec. 1 at a reception and concert at Malcolm X College, 1900 W. Van Buren.

At the event, officials from Chicago Department of Public Health discussed the city’s work in the upcoming months to help fight the spread of infection.

Lora Branch, director of the CDPH’s STD/HIV Prevention and Care Program, said an upcoming media campaign, “Stopping AIDS is Everyone’s Business,” would hopefully heighten the response to the disease in the African American community. Singer Mo’nique is among those featured in the ads, Branch said.

The campaign is an outgrowth of an initiative by the Centers for Disease Control, which is “reaching out to large corporations and labor leaders, and working with local agencies like us,” added Branch.

She also said that in upcoming months, the city is going to be much more aggressive in getting condoms out into the community.

“We’re going to beef up the condom distribution. We can do a better job in making them accessible to everyone,” Branch said.

Simone Koehlinger, director of CDPH’s Office of LGBT Health, said the city would be “upping our testing efforts at community events.”

She said that the city’s presence would hopefully spark discussion about the pandemic in various communities.

“We need to get more people talking, getting everyone aware of what a big issue this is. We have to get the numbers to speak a story,” Koehlinger said, adding that the CDPH would continue to work in tandem with organizations such as Chicago Black Gay Men’s Caucus.

“It helps us to have a presence. They’re one of the groups we turn to when we need accurate information,” she said.

At the reception, CDPH also introduced segments and cast members from its new film, “Kevin’s Room: Together.” Branch, who produced the film, said she looked forward to its television premiere the following night.

“It’s a conversation starter,” Branch said. “The film takes on legs after the broadcast.”

Activist Michael O’Connor said that while many people in the city were working hard to combat HIV/AIDS, the day made him reflect on the epidemic, and he was saddened that many people still haven’t awakened to the problem.

“Some things are getting better. But we hear more about gay marriage than we do about HIV. And you can’t marry anyone if you’re dead,” O’Connor said.

The CDPH reception was just one World AIDS Day event that took place Dec. 1. About 35 people attended a prayer service led by Rev. Kevin Downer of achurch4me that evening at Center on Halsted.

Community members also read poetry at the service, and participants were invited to decorate a tree with red ribbons in memory of someone they’ve lost or in tribute to someone they know affected by the disease. They could also hang white ribbons to articulate their hope for the future.

A march through Lakeview was originally scheduled to follow the Center on Halsted service, but was cancelled because of inclement weather.