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www.GayPeoplesChronicle.com May 8, 2009

GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

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Canton to observe AIDS candlelight memorial

by Robert Meeker

Canton "Together, We Are the Solution" is the theme for this year's International AIDS Candlelight Memorial, a program of the Global Health Council, one of the oldest and largest grassroots mobilization campaigns for HIV and AIDS awareness in the world.

Started in 1983, the Candlelight Memorial takes place on the third Sunday in May and is led by a coalition of 1,200 community organizations in 115 countries hosting local memorials that honor the lost and raise social consciousness about the disease.

To commemorate this occasion, a candlelight vigil hosted by the Stark County Regional Advisory Group committee will be held on Sunday, May 17, at 7:00 p.m. at New Vision, 3129 North Market Ave., Canton.

Started in 1983 by people with AIDS in San Francisco and New York City, the memorial is meant to honor all those who have been affected by the AIDS pandemic. The memorial began at a time when little was known about HIV. Today, an estimated 25 million people have died as a result of AIDS

and 40 million are currently estimated to be infected with the disease. The Candlelight Memorial remains one of the most important civil society-led efforts as it demonstrates the invaluable role communities play in the fight against HIV.

Focus for this year's vigil includes reducing stigma and discrimination; ensuring access to treatment, prevention and care; increasing resources for HIV, malaria, tuberculosis, and other related issues; and promoting greater involvement by affected communities.

All are welcome and encouraged to attend the candlelight vigil. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the vigil starting at 7 p.m. A dessert social hour will follow. Admittance is free. A paper product donation to 5 CHAPS is welcomed. 5 CHAPS Five-County Hygiene and Pantry Services-distributes personal hygiene products to people with HIV.

If you have any questions, please contact Robert Meeker at 330-453-0146 ext. 118 or meekerre@stark.redcross.org.

Robert Meeker is an HIV Risk Reduction specialist with the Red Cross of Stark County.

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whom he was intimate was biologically male, born Justin Zapata.

The prosecution, however, pointed out that Andrade knew 36 hours before the killing about Zapata's biological

sex.

Andrade was sentenced to life in prison for the murder, and was also convicted on a hate crime enhancement.

Zapata's family spoke to the court before sentencing, and also to the press afterwards.

Friends and relatives fought back tears all the way through, with Zapata's brother expressing relief that the killer of his "beautiful sister" would see justice.

Lesbian becomes British poet laureate

London-The centuries-old post of British poet laureate, bard to kings and queens, has been held by William Wordsworth, Alfred Lord Tennyson and Ted Hughe—but never, until May 1, by a woman, or an openly gay person. Carol Ann Duffy said she hesitated before accepting the job, which brings

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a high public profile and an expectation to rhapsodize about royal weddings, funerals and major state occasions.

In the end, she left the decision to her 13-year-old daughter, Ella: "She said, 'Yes mummy, there's never been a woman.'

22

Duffy, 53, said that as laureate she would write "whatever needs to be written."

A witty and popular writer whose work is widely taught in British schools, Duffy is also the first openly gay poet laureate.

When she was first considered for the post in 1999, some newspapers reported that the government was worried about how a lesbian laureate would be received by the British public. The job went to Andrew Motion.

Compiled from wire reports by Brian DeWitt, Anthony Glassman and Patti Harris.

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