HIV continues to be a pressing issue in Central Florida, but survivors are actively working to erase the stigma surrounding the disease, celebrating the lives they lead, and honoring those who have died in the fight for progress.
Andres Acosta Ardila, co-chairman of the Central Florida HIV Planning Council, finds himself in tears each time the AIDS Memorial Quilt is displayed during World AIDS Day observances. The quilt’s patches are a tribute to those who have lost their lives to HIV in Central Florida.
“The quilts represent those of us who have passed, and it’s truly moving because, as someone living with HIV, I understand that the people who have passed made it possible for people like me to live today,” said Acosta Ardila, who has been living with HIV for 11 years. Like many others in Central Florida, he is alive today thanks to significant advancements in medical treatment.
To honor those affected by HIV and celebrate progress, the council will hold its seventh annual World AIDS Day event this Sunday at the Winter Club Venue in Winter Park, alongside Heart of Florida United Way. The gathering aims to raise awareness and celebrate the lives of those living with HIV, while continuing the fight to end stigma.
HIV in Central Florida: A Continuing Challenge
World AIDS Day, first established by the World Health Organization in 1988, aims to raise awareness and reduce the stigma around HIV. Although the overall number of new HIV cases has decreased in the United States over the past 12 years, the disease remains prevalent. In 2022, 38,000 new cases were diagnosed, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.
Florida ranks third in the nation for the number of new HIV diagnoses, trailing only Texas and California. The state recorded 4,600 new cases in 2022, according to the Department of Health. Central Florida has been particularly hard-hit, with approximately 14,000 people living with HIV across Orange, Seminole, Volusia, and Osceola counties, as reported by AIDSVU, a research group at Emory University. In 2022, Orange County alone saw 460 new cases.
Despite these numbers, medical advancements have greatly improved the outlook for those living with HIV. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 67% of Floridians diagnosed with HIV are now “virally suppressed,” meaning the virus is so under control that it cannot be transmitted to others.
Living with HIV: A Journey of Acceptance and Celebration
For many, these medical advancements not only help prevent the spread of HIV but also play a critical role in reducing the stigma associated with the disease. Acosta Ardila recalls the emotional toll of his initial diagnosis, saying that as a 23-year-old, he felt undesired and isolated. “It felt like I was broken, damaged goods,” he said, noting the burden of having to disclose his HIV status to others, which could carry serious legal consequences.
But over time, advances in medication have made a profound difference. “The medicine showed people that we were just like everyone else, that there was nothing to fear,” he said, stressing the importance of normalizing conversations around HIV.
How to Celebrate World AIDS Day in Central Florida
The World AIDS Day event in Winter Park begins at 2 p.m. with a social and refreshments, followed by the program starting at 3 p.m. The event is open to the public and is an opportunity to celebrate people living with HIV and reinforce the importance of support and community. “For many of us, this is the first space where we feel reintegrated, celebrated, and heard,” Acosta Ardila said.
Those interested can register for the event via the Central Florida HIV Planning Council’s Instagram or Facebook pages.
In addition to the Winter Park event, several other celebrations will be held across Florida:
- Jacksonville: A Service of Remembrance and Hope at Riverside Church, followed by a memorial walk at 6 p.m. City Hall will also host a 25th-anniversary ceremony of the AIDS Memorial Quilt on Monday.
- Broward: A candlelight vigil and remembrance walk at Hagen Park in Wilton Manors, starting at 6:30 p.m.
- Palm Beach: A quilt display, candlelight vigil, and speakers at Compass LGBTQ+ Community Center, with the AIDS Memorial Quilt display running through Dec. 14.
- Tampa: The Red Dress Ball fundraiser at Southern Nights Tampa in Ybor City, from 7-11 p.m.
These events are not only an opportunity to remember those who have passed but also to honor the ongoing fight for progress in the battle against HIV.
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