University Commemorates World AIDS Day with “AIDS Chair” Display

In observance of World AIDS Day on Dec. 1, the University brought the “AIDS Chair” exhibit to campus for the day on Thursday. Photo by Nick Frogameni '12, '14.

In observance of World AIDS Day on Dec. 1, the University of Hartford brought the “AIDS Chair” exhibit to campus for the day on Thursday (Nov. 29).

Eighty-eight AIDS Chairs were displayed throughout the day Thursday on the lawn outside Gengras Student Union. The chairs are designed to look like AIDS ribbons.

Several photos of the University's AIDS Chair display are featured on the Hartford Courant website. In addition, a photo of student Trevor Stegina helping to set up the display is featured prominently in the print edition of today's (Friday's) Courant, on the front page of the "CTNow" section.

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.