Laguna to honor World AIDS Day

Laguna Beach’s HIV Advisory Committee will hold events Sunday and Monday to recognize World AIDS Day.

Committee members, along with representatives from the AIDS Services Foundation, Laguna Beach Shanti, and the Laguna Beach Community Clinic will host free seminars and interactive workshops from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at the Main Beach cobblestone area.

Using funds from a grant awarded by the Laguna Beach City Council, anonymous HIV testing and counseling will also be available inside the Community Clinic’s tent, according to a news release. Results will be available in 20 minutes.

The HIV Advisory Committee will then hold its annual candlelight vigil at 5 p.m. Monday at Main Beach’s cobblestone area.

The vigil is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with the virus and commemorate those who have died of AIDS, the final stage of the disease.

About 39 million people worldwide have died of AIDS-related causes, according to the World Health Organization’s website.

World AIDS Day began in 1988 and is held on Dec. 1 each year.

—Bryce Alderton

Twitter: @AldertonBryce