Twenty-five years later, where are we now?
Today, Wednesday, December 1, is World AIDS Day. Since the first official World AIDS Day in 1988, numerous non-profits, health organizations and awareness campaigns have worked annually to bring attention to HIV/AIDS around the world. 
Locally, the Greater Community AIDS Project (GCAP) will host several events this week to bring awareness to HIV/AIDS and how it impacts our lives right here in Champaign-Urbana. GCAP was founded in 1985, originally as the Gay Community AIDS Project, by concerned C-U residents who were concerned about the growing number of friends and loved ones diagnosed with HIV and AIDS. In addition to the World AIDS Day events, GCAP is also celebrating its 25th year as the leading not-for-profit organization that directly addresses HIV/AIDS in Champaign-Urbana.
Advocates and researchers long ago dismissed HIV/AIDS as just a "gay" disease, or something that only happens on far-away continents. In reality, HIV/AIDS is happening right here, in our own back yards. Mike Benner, Executive Director at GCAP, commented on the growing number of those living with HIV in East Central Illinois.
"We have known about HIV/AIDS for over 30 years, and it has not gone away yet. It's no longer just in the large cities, happening to very small groups of people with specific behaviors. We have women, men, adults and children living in our community with HIV/AIDS right now. Decades ago, when we finally discovered how HIV was transmitted, everyone thought it was a short-term disease that we could address easily with education and testing. It's 2010 and we're still seeing an increase in the annual number of infections."
The CDC has estimated that the U.S. experiences more than 50,000 new cases of HIV infection every year, with over 1.2 million individuals living with HIV/AIDS in America as of 2008. There are over 1500 new cases reported in Illinois annually, with several hundred individuals currently infected in Champaign County and the surrounding areas.
While the various community awareness activities are important on World AIDS Day, this is a battle that needs year-round attention. "We should be reminded every day that people are infected daily. People in our country, our state, our community are dying every day from HIV/AIDS-related complications. It hasn't gone away and we need to remember our risks and resources all year round," says Benner, who is also an HIV-positive community member.
There are many World AIDS Day activities open to the public this week, both on campus and in the community.
GCAP's World AIDS Day and 25th Anniversary events this week include:
Food for the Soul: World AIDS Day
When: Wednesday, December 1, from 12-1 p.m.
Where: Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural House, 708 S. Mathews, Urbana
What: Discussion on HIV/AIDS in our community with Mike Benner, Executive Director of GCAP, who has been HIV-positive since 2002. The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District will also be on-site to provide free HIV testing. Lunch will be provided.
Cost: Free
World AIDS Day Memorial Service
When: Wednesday, December 1, from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Where: Illinois Terminal, 45 E. University Ave., downtown Champaign
What: A memorial service to remember those who have died from HIV/AIDS, and support those who continue to fight the disease in Champaign-Urbana. Guest speakers will highlight the history of HIV/AIDS activism in our community, and Amasong will perform.
Cost: Free
AIDS Resource Fair
When: Saturday, December 4, from 1-4 p.m.
Where: Spurlock Museum, 600 S. Gregory St., Urbana
What: An informational fair with booths staffed by local resource organizations. Plans for the event include a performance, a talk on AIDS work in Africa, and a crafts area for kids inspired by the artifacts in the Siyazama: Traditional Arts, Education, and AIDS in South Africa exhibit.
Cost: Free
GCAP 25th Anniversary and Holiday Floorshow
When: Saturday, December 4, 6-10 p.m.
Where: Levis Faculty Center, 919 W. Illinois, Urbana
What: A 25th anniversary celebration and fundraiser, with an eclectic blend of entertainment ---everything from cabaret to vaudeville. There will also be a Holiday Buffet by Classic Events Catering, cash bar, silent auction and raffles. All proceeds benefit GCAP. Cocktail attire encouraged.
Cost: Tickets are $30 per person, $50 for couples, $20 for students. You can purchase online here, or call 217-351-2437. Tickets will also be available at the door for an additional $5 per person.
Most Recent Culture Comments
@Jason: You’re right about that. I get groceries at Schnucks (they carry what I buy, which I can’t say of any other single grocery store in town), and if they have a beer I’m in the market for it’s usually a quarter or two cheaper per 6-…
Best Neighborhood Bar (& Grill) : Urbana - My ‘hood- the ‘Boom! http://www.boomerangbarandgrill.com Go on a Wing Wednesday or Fish Friday, or see a band play some night. Local blue-collar Urbana terroir galore. My only beer snobbish gripe is lack of a pale hopped ale, but you…
The one thing that’s bothered me for a while about the Friar is that, for most commonly purchased adult beverages, you can actually walk down the strip mall to Schnucks and get them cheaper. It makes no sense, but there it is. I suspect it’s because Schnucks…
Maybe I complained enough in person. One time I even explained to the (wholly uninterested) clerk how to navigate the Illinois Statutes web page, and Savoy’s Municipal Code database I wouldn’t know because I only go there when I want to pay 30% more for anything, which is never.
@Rob: You seem to have the weirdest experiences. I’m in Friar Tuck every other week (don’t tell my mom that I’m a lush). They never fail to ask for my birth date but never my age, they never card afterwards, and they often allow me to use…
This column affords me a long-awaited opportunity. I’ve wanted to write my own column called Fuck You Friar Tuck Liquors. but I always thought it’d be too pithy. Here, I can say Fuck You Friar Tuck Liquors and not feel bothered to stretch it out to 750…
Ha! Exactly. You, sir, are welcome at the bar in My House.
Why wait ‘til 3 pm?
I’m excited to go tonight- should be very fun!
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The Alan Partridge lookalike on the right in the first small photo has nothing to condescend to anyone about. AH HA!
Snell and the little Hitlers of the neighborhood association need to chill out. Legitimate businesses should have the freedom to exist without having to endure the slings and arrows of ignorant and misguided opposition.
represent, Matt.
Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
Food trucks are the start-up, small businesses of the future for those unable to afford real estate. No surprise, that merchants who pay rent, utilities, and maintenance on a property would despise the traveling competition. Or developers who build more empty retail spaces would want to close…
Not so much far-right Tea Party as a balanced, moderate viewpoint between letting businesses succeed and protecting society with reasonable regulations. In spite of what the city reps are saying, the interpretation of policy on this issue certainly has changed. Letting a business start up under one…
I think it’s neat that SP has turned rightward, now espousing a Tea Party-style frustration with government regulations & taxes.
This makes me so sad. (Happy to live in Urbana, though!) Crave Truck has been a GREAT addition to the food choices in C-U, and it’d be a travesty to chase them away. This town should be supporting small businesses. I’m glad to hear that they’ll still…
*slow. clap.* Still offering no threat of intelligence…. I know I said I thought you should just write this whole column yourself next year, Isaac, but now that you’ve gone and taken a “part deux” run at it, I’d like to modify my request: Best Music 2013,…
Actually, it’s kind of nice, the quiet. John Heoffleur’s engaging commentary/dialogue is sorely missed, however. In lieu of someone intelligent saying something, I’ve compiled a list of Honourable Mentions: BEST ROCK BAND: Take Care ::these gentlemen have four completely different sets at their disposal right now (which…
What? Echo! (Echo!) Where’s the dischord and dissent?
This weekend will mark the first appearance of Kayla Brown’s Fire Doll Candle booth at the Market. Check it: http://www.facebook.com/firedollcandles
And without bloodshed. Sounds like the Savoy trustees aren’t as narrow-minded as some of their whiny pants constituents. Do you think quack Snell is already planning an asinine counterattack or is he still laying low after those “threats” against his person?
hey, if hair ain’t gon’ be over your head, my jokes may as well be.
Okay, almost 24 hours later and I finally got Issac’s Summer joke. I’m an idiot.
Excellent. I am glad sometimes American dreams are encouraged, rather than stifled.
Swap the dog for a fire pit and it sounds like you’re writing about my back yard. Very nice.
funny, as your summer begins, another Summer ends.
@Dan - Wow. Unfortunately, I have to refrain from further comment due to a previous employment relationship. But with that brief context you might be able to imagine possible comments or responses I could have.
Oh, by the way, the “Champaign County YMCA” no longer exists. The official name is now the “Stephens Family YMCA” (the website has not been updated, but check out the latest program guide). And no, it’s not just the name of the building. It’s the name of the organization.
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The Alan Partridge lookalike on the right in the first small photo has nothing to condescend to anyone about. AH HA!