Members of Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust are set to lead this year’s World AIDS Day commemoration, hosting an evening of remembrance and reflection in partnership with AIDS Memory UK. The event, taking place on Monday 1 December from 6:30pm to 8:00pm, will be held at the iconic Fitzrovia Chapel, a landmark deeply connected to Britain’s HIV/AIDS history due to its proximity to the former Middlesex Hospital, home of the UK’s first dedicated AIDS wards.
The commemorative evening will feature poetry readings, live music, and personal reflections from young members of Mosaic. Following the programme at the chapel, attendees will take part in a symbolic walk to the nearby chosen site of London’s first permanent AIDS Memorial. The memorial—planned as a major new public artwork by renowned artist Anya Gallaccio and supported by the Mayor of London—is expected to be realised in the coming years.
London’s Deputy Mayor for Communities and Social Justice, Debbie Weekes-Bernard, highlighted the significance of the event, stating:
“This event marking World AIDS Day offers a poignant moment to reflect on those we have lost to HIV/AIDS-related illness and unite in our battle against the virus. It reminds us how far we have come in tackling HIV/AIDS, but also that there is further to go in ending stigma and achieving equality for all people affected in our communities.”
Ash Kotak, Founder and Artistic Director of AIDS Memory UK, echoed this sentiment:
“It’s enlightening and moving to see young LGBTQ+ people take an interest in HIV & AIDS history. The intergenerational transfer of queer knowledge works both ways and can be rewarding and unifying.”
For Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust, empowering the next generation to remember, learn, and advocate is central to the event. Executive Director Lukasz Konieczka said:
“This event is not only about remembering those we lost but also about empowering young LGBT+ persons to honour their legacy and continue the conversation about compassion, health, and community.”
The Fitzrovia Chapel team also emphasised the importance of continuing to tell these stories. Freya Bently, Culture and Community Manager, noted:
“We are proud to be hosting this special remembrance event. In doing so, we honour our history as chapel to the Middlesex Hospital, which housed the UK’s first dedicated AIDS wards in the 1980s and 1990s. We’re pleased to be working with Mosaic and AIDS Memory UK to ensure that the story of HIV/AIDS is accessed by younger generations.”
How to Attend
The event is open to all, but advance booking is essential due to limited capacity.
You can reserve a free place via OutSavvy: http://link.outsavvy.com/aids-day
