Vigils and gatherings took place around the world last Sunday, December 1^st to mark World AIDS Day. In New York City Drogheda born gay activist and film maker Brendan Fay was invited by the Society for Ethical Culture to lead their AIDS Day commemorations.

Fay, who is the founder of the Irish LGBTQ group Lavender and Green Alliance and co-founder of Irish AIDS Outreach, spoke at the morning gathering and screened a preview of his new AIDS-themed film in the afternoon.

“World AIDS Day 2024 is a day for awareness and action, a day for community and compassion” Fay said. “Too many people speak about the AIDS crisis as something from the past. Yet, as a human family we still live in a time of AIDS.”

“It’s been 42 years since the first stories of AIDS appeared in the media. Yet, as of August 2024, an estimated 1.2 million people in the United States are living with HIV.”

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 630,000 people died from HIV-related causes globally in 2023 and 40 million people are living with HIV.

“In a world that prioritizes weapons over healthcare there is still no cure for HIV or AIDS over 42 years later” Fay said.

“We who are witnesses to the living and the dying must tell the stories of love and courage, that there was a “HIV/AIDS pandemic and the people of ACT UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) and others rose up and took to the streets chanting – “health care is a right”.  Their community activism would save millions of lives.”

Brendan spoke about the silence, stigma and shame such as when William Buckley on March 18, 1986, in the New York Times op-ed urged tattooing gay men on the buttocks to prevent the spread of AIDS and people screamed AIDS.. AIDS.. AIDS.. as the Irish LGBT group sought to march in the St. Patrick’s parades.

He spoke of being present for the inspiring “wedding ceremony” of Bill McCann and John Bohne on May 30, 1987. They were young college students in their 20s, dedicated Quakers and living with AIDS. Both died not long after their wedding.

Fay said when people reached out to him for help in finding a priest to visit a gay son or lover with AIDS or to officiate a funeral, he called on Fr Mychal Judge. Fay spoke of Fr. Mychal’s St. Francis AIDS Ministry. Fr Mychal Judge was also chaplain died on 9/11.

In the afternoon there was a preview screening of Brendan’s current film “Our Son Robert- Voice of Hope in the AIDS Crisis” which tells the story of AIDS activist Robert Rygor (1953-1994) and how the AIDS crisis also transformed the lives of his parents Stanley and Kathleen, which is to be released in early 2025.

Following Robert‘s death at age 40 on January 16 1994 Kathleen and Stanley became advocates with Lavender and Green Alliance and Irish Aids Outreach.

Speaking at the International AIDS Conference in Cameroon, Africa on December 11, 1992, Robert Rygor said:   “People with AIDS have a special role in this fight for global survival.

“We must not be ashamed of who we are. We must not fear discrimination but challenge it where it exists. We must be vocal in demanding our rights and self-respect… To do otherwise will contribute to our death in a way more severe than the virus itself.

“Be hopeful - a cure is on the way. In the meantime, do your best to enjoy your life.”- Robert Rygor. He died on January 16, 1994.

In April  2022 Fay led the campaign in the New York Council to have 34th street in Astoria co named as “Stanley, Kathleen and Robert Rygor Way.”   

Fay reminded the audience that in 2024 AIDS crisis is far from over.  “Most living with AIDS do not have access needed health care. Our advocacy and struggle continue. Together we rise and raise our voices –.  Together we remember friends, family and lovers.  Together we take to the streets, bearers of hope and healing chanting –health care is a right”