University to Commemorate World AIDS Day with “AIDS Chair” Display

AIDS Chairs, like this one, will be on display on the GSU lawn on Thursday.

The University of Hartford will commemorate World AIDS Day by bringing the “AIDS Chair” exhibit to campus on Thursday, Nov. 29. Eighty-eight AIDS chairs will be displayed in the shape of an AIDS ribbon on the lawn outside the Gengras Student Union Building from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The chairs themselves are designed to look like AIDS ribbons.

Creators of The AIDS Chairs say they are “symbols of the urgent need to re-engage and re-energize the AIDS movement. The Red Ribbon shape pays homage to the iconic symbol of solidarity, pain, struggle, commitment, and shared sense of urgency which typified the early years of the AIDS movement, and is intended as a visual reminder of the critical discussions and hard work still needing to be done to end the crisis.” To see a chair and learn more information, visit www.aidschair.org.

Center for Community Service Director Matthew Blocker-Glynn is responsible for bringing the display to campus. "I feel it's important for our community to continue to learn abut this disease and remember those that have lost their lives and support those who are currently living with HIV/AIDS, while continuing to push for a cure for this devastating epidemic," said Blocker.

World AIDS Day is held on Dec. 1 each year and is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV/AIDS, show their support for people living with HIV/AIDS, and to commemorate those who have died.