There were 3,806 new HIV diagnoses in Italy in 2013, according to the Italian National Institute of Health (ISS). According to the observatory, the majority of new HIV diagnoses are attributable to unprotected sexual intercourse, which accounts for 83.91% of all reports. 39.4% of new diagnoses, the report continues, are related to homosexual intercourse between men, and more than half of new diagnoses occur in the advanced stages, when CD4 lymphocyte counts are already low or when the first symptoms have already appeared (late presenters). Diagnoses among men who have sex with men are increasing compared to last year among Italians (they account for almost half of new diagnoses), while among foreigners, heterosexual transmission is the most common mode of transmission.
On December 1st, World AIDS Day, Arcigay associations and committees are mobilizing to provide information on prevention practices, to distribute free condoms and to break down clichés and prejudices surrounding HIV positivity.
Here is the calendar of the main initiatives:
Bologna | Arcigay Il Cassero
A completely revamped website (casserosalute.it), a postcard and video campaign, and an information stand in the university district on Monday. These are the main initiatives launched by the Cassero LGBT Center in Bologna to mark December 1st, World AIDS Day. On Monday, December 1st, a Cassero stand, in collaboration with UniLGBTQ, will be set up in the university district (Via Belle Arti, corner of Via Castagnoli, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, and Piazza Puntoni from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm). In Piazza Maggiore, on Sunday, November 30th, from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm, Cassero volunteers will be working at the "Rapid, Anonymous, Safe" stand. This event, organized for the third consecutive year by the Bologna Local Health Authority in collaboration with the Inter-Agency AIDS Commission, offers rapid and anonymous saliva testing for HIV.
Catania | Arcigay Catania
To mark World AIDS Day, Arcigay Catania has organized a series of information booths: Friday, November 28th and Saturday, November 29th, at the Terme di Achille sauna and the Industrie disco; and Monday, December 1st, at local schools. Additionally, a conference with Barbara Ensoli, sponsored by the University and the City Council, is scheduled for December 13th.
Cremona | Arcigay La Rocca
Arcigay Cremona "la Rocca" is a partner in the "CONTAGIAMOCI DI SAPERI" project, promoted by the Bessimo Social Cooperative in collaboration with the Lombardy Region and the Cremona Local Health Authority, and under the patronage of the Municipalities of Cremona and Crema. The project provides free, anonymous HIV saliva testing in these locations (with immediate results in 20 minutes) and free distribution of male and female condoms.
Saturday, November 29, 2014, Cremona, Piazza Stradivari from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Monday 1 December 2014, Cremona, at Dropin via Buoso da Dovara 108 from 9.30 to 13.00
Sunday 7 December 2014, Crema, at the gazebo between Via XX Settembre and Piazza Duomo from 4pm to 7pm
Information event in Cremona on Saturday 29 November 2014 from 4pm to 6pm in the Spaziocomune events room in Piazza Stradivari 7
speakers:
Rosita Viola (Councillor for Transparency and Social Liveability of the Municipality of Cremona)
Dr. Anna Maria Camisani (ASL Cremona – Addiction Department)
Alessandra Lomini (Project Manager for the Bessimo Cooperative)
Dr. Chiara Fornabaio (medical staff of the infectious diseases department of the Cremona Hospital)
an operator from the ASL Cremona health center
Genoa | Arcigay Approdo
An awareness-raising event organized by the LGBT Approdo – Ostilia Mulas Association is scheduled for Saturday, November 29, 2014, starting at 3:00 PM at Palazzo Ducale (Genoa). A gazebo, the Coming Out Closet, will be set up next to the stall, where anyone can enter and exit by revealing something about themselves with a sign. It's a reminder that everyone is (and should be) free to share their stories and their experiences, without fear of judgment or discrimination. The event is part of a series of events dedicated to World AIDS Day and is sponsored by the City of Genoa.
Naples | Arcigay Antinoo Naples
On the occasion of International AIDS Day, the Arcigay Antinoo Provincial Committee of Naples and the NPS Association (Network of HIV-Positive People), with the support of SISM (Italian Secretariat of Medical Students), ANM, MetroNapoli, Anlaids, Coordinamento Campania Rainbow, and with the support of the Municipality of Naples, are organizing and supporting a series of initiatives in the city. On Sunday, November 30th, a flash mob will take place at 6:00 p.m. in Via A. Diaz on the theme "HIV is not a crime," with the extraordinary participation of the renowned cartoonist Silver (father of Lupo Alberto) and the M. Luigia Esposito Dance Center. On December 4th, as part of the Poeté event, conceived by Claudio Finelli, at the Chiaja Hotel de Charme, there will be a presentation of the book "Resto Umano," by Annamaria Lacatena and Miki Formisano (NPS); on December 5th, at the Arcigay Naples headquarters, there will be a screening of the short film "Un mondo di colori," directed by Domenico Salierno. On Sunday, November 30th, at the Cabaret Port'alba, together with NPS and supported by Arcigay Campania and Coordinamento Campania Rainbow, the committee is hosting the "Condom Gay Party" evening featuring Nicola Vorelli and many other artists. Proceeds from the evening will be used for sexually transmitted disease prevention and control campaigns.
Padua | Arcigay Tralaltro
The conference on the health and well-being of HIV-positive people is titled "I Think Positive," and will be held on Monday, December 1, from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM at Palazzo Del Bo, Aula D'Aya, in Padua. The conference aims to raise awareness of AIDS and retroviruses from both a medical, clinical, psychological, and social perspective. It will be an opportunity to learn about, remember, and share medical and health information on HIV prevention, understand the new frontiers of research for primary and secondary prevention, and also become aware of the social perception of HIV positivity and how our conversations influence attitudes toward those who have contracted the virus. It will also address whether discrimination still exists and what tools can be used to combat it. Speakers include Marco Canova (Student Union and Anteros), Mirco Costacurta (Per Students and Arcigay), Professor Saverio Parisi (University of Padua), Dr. Renzo Scaggiante (Padua Hospital), Prof. Giampiero Turchi (University of Padua), Stefano Pieralli (PLUS Association).
Palermo | Arcigay Palermo
On World AIDS Day, Arcigay Palermo is participating in the "Red Party," organized by Shut Up in collaboration with I Love Tuesday, scheduled for Saturday, November 29th, from 11:00 PM at Tasmira (Via Rosario Gerbasi 6, Palermo). Arcigay Palermo volunteers will set up a stand at the popular nightclub to promote active prevention, distributing informational materials and condoms, and providing personalized counseling by the association's experts.
Pavia | Arcigay Coming Out
Many events with Arcigay Pavia "Coming-Aut" on the occasion of World AIDS Day: Friday, November 28th, we begin with "Salutiamoci," a meeting at the headquarters (Piazza Vittoria 21, first floor, in the "Quartiere Centro" room) with the health group and the SISM (medical students) to question how much we really know about HIV/AIDS and discuss the health group's activities and projects. On Saturday, November 29th, the headquarters will be open as usual and available to everyone. Sunday, November 30th, from 2 to 7 pm, there will be an information booth in front of the Demetrio café, Corso Strada Nuova, with distribution of condoms/femidoms/dental dams and lubricant, as well as informational materials and red ribbons. On Monday, December 1st, in the Aula del '400 at the University of Pavia (Piazza Leonardo da Vinci), the presentation of Arcigay Pavia's new health campaign, "Non ti scordar di me" (Forget Me Not) will be held at 8:30 pm. On Tuesday, December 2nd, we'll be at the Caffè Teatro, Corso Strada Nuova 75, for the "Singles Party.".
Pistoia | Arcigay La Fenice
Arcigay Pistoia "La Fenice", in collaboration with the Municipality of Pistoia and with the assistance of qualified personnel, is proposing a conference for December 1st to raise awareness and inform citizens and high school students in the Pistoia area about HIV and AIDS. The conference will take place in the Sala Maggiore of the Town Hall starting at 10:00 am. Speakers will include: Tina Nuti (Councilor for Health Protection and Promotion Policies for the Municipality of Pistoia), Ennio Passalia (Head of the STD Sector at the IREOS clinic), Dr. Corrado Catalani (Director of the Protected Hospitalization Unit, San Jacopo Hospital in Pistoia), and Dr. Giovanna Zanotti (sexologist). The President of Arcigay Pistoia is coordinating the event.
Reggio Emilia | Arcigay Gioconda
On December 1st, meet with Arcigay Gioconda volunteers in Reggio Emilia's Piazza Prampolini and Piazzale Europa, along with the Red Cross and Green Cross, to get tested for HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and syphilis. Information booths will be available on Monday evening at the Italghisa, Fuori Orario, Corallo, and Tunnel nightclubs.
Rome | Arcigay Rome
Monday, December 1st | 6:30 PM | Via Zabaglia, 14
On the occasion of World AIDS Day, the Youth Group and the Volunteer Group present the film The Normal Heart.
Siena | Pansexual Movement Arcigay SienaOn Friday, November 28th, at 9:30 pm, there will be an Infopoint on HIV and Sexually Transmitted Diseases during the "Welcome to the Jungle" party at the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Siena. On Monday, December 1st, the "Siena Supports the Fight against HIV" competition will be launched online, awarding two prizes to two theses on the topic of HIV in the social and medical fields. Additionally, a fundraising aperitif will be held at the Arci Centro in Siena from 8:00 pm, followed by a screening of the documentary film "+ or – Confused Sex: Tales of Worlds in the Age of AIDS" at 9:00 pm. This will be followed by a discussion with Professor Andrea De Luca, head of the Infectious Diseases Department at the University of Siena.
Taranto | Hermes Academy Onlus – Arcigay Taranto
As part of the activities promoted by the LGBTIQ Listening Center of Taranto and Province, the Cultural Association Hermes Academy Onlus – Arcigay Taranto, in collaboration with the SERT, the LISIDE Higher Education Institute of Taranto, the Prudenzano Comprehensive Institute of Manduria (TA), the Tarantanz Company, the Teatro dei XIII Company of Catanzaro, the Circus of Magna Grecia, Strambopoli – The City of Artists and Il Salotto delle Muse, organizes the fifth edition of “(At)Traits of Art”, A series of socio-cultural events (flash mobs, seminars, conferences, film clubs, workshops, and dance-theater performances) aimed at raising awareness, preventing, and combating sexually transmitted diseases, homophobia, transphobia, bullying, and gender-based violence.
On Saturday, November 29th, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., Piazza Maria Immacolata will be "inhabited" by Arcigay activists, performers from the Tarantanz Company, and Il Circo della Magna Grecia, who will distribute free condoms and informational materials related to the sexually transmitted disease prevention campaign. The Hermes Academy Onlus will offer a free dance-theater workshop led by Simona Tempesta, a dancer from the Tarantanz Company, and Luigi Pignatelli. A flash mob is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. On Sunday, November 30th, the meeting with Arcigay activists will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. in Piazza Garibaldi, which will be animated by performers from Strambopoli – La Città degli Artisti and students from the performing, visual, and literary arts workshops promoted by the Hermes Academy Onlus Cultural Association.
Also on Sunday, November 30th, the Hermes Academy Onlus Cultural Association – Arcigay Taranto invites its members to its headquarters at Via Pupino #90, where, starting at 9 pm, as part of the "Cineforum" series dedicated to LGBTIQ issues, "The Normal Heart" will be screened in the original language with Italian subtitles. On Monday, December 1st, the screenings will be held from 10 am to 1 pm and from 5 pm to 11 pm in Piazza Maria Immacolata, which will be animated by artists from Il Salotto delle Muse and students from the performing, visual, and literary arts workshops promoted by the Hermes Academy Onlus Cultural Association. A flash mob in collaboration with the Compagnia Teatro dei XIII of Catanzaro is planned for 8 pm. Tuesday, December 2nd and Thursday, December 4th, from 10:00 am to 2:30 pm, in the classroom of the Pietro Acclavio Library (via Salinella #31), the Taranto and Province LGBTIQ Listening Center will be offering support. Also, on Tuesday at 10:00 am, the "Classici DiVersi" series returns, a series of matinees dedicated to classic (and not-so-classical) authors who have given shape and color to diversity. The sixteenth event will feature Alda Merini. Following this, Luigi Pignatelli, Cosimo Buccoliero, and Rosario Amato will meet with students from the Liside Professional Institute for Social Services in Taranto and the Prudenzano Comprehensive Institute in Manduria (TA). At 5:00 pm, at the Cantiere Maggese, the Hermes Academy Onlus is offering a free dance-theater workshop led by Roberto Amato. At 7:00 PM, the "Taranto – The New Face" series of conferences returns to the two-level building on Via Cava. During the evening, sexually transmitted diseases and prevention will be discussed, alongside SERT workers and local health authorities doctors involved in the Peer Education project. On Wednesday, December 3rd, starting at 8:00 PM, acting coach Luigi Pignatelli's students will perform the dramatized reading "The Secret of Chanda," loosely based on Allan Stratton's novel of the same name, published by Sinnos. During the evening, activists from Arcigay Taranto will present the booklet "Positive Gay Sex – The First Guide to Sexuality between Males with HIV." On Thursday, December 4th, the "FaVoliamo" reading, writing, and dramatization program for children returns to the former Church of San Gaetano, on the square of the same name, at 7:00 PM. On Friday, December 5th, at 3:30 pm, the "Il Delfino" therapeutic community in San Vito, Taranto, will host the return of the writing and drama workshop led by actor coach Luigi Pignatelli. At 8 pm on Via Cava, the Hermes Theatre Company will present the social theater piece "Pensiero Positivo," written and performed by participants in the free writing and drama workshop offered by Hermes Academy Onlus – Arcigay Taranto to women victims of violence, homosexuals, transgender people, people with disabilities, and people with mental health issues.
Trento | Arcigay July 8On November 26th, at the Arcigay "8 Luglio" headquarters in Trento, from 5 to 7 pm, as part of European HIV Testing Week, LILA Trentino is offering the opportunity to take a rapid saliva HIV test anonymously. On Monday, December 1st, at 5:30 pm, the Arcigay Trentino – Oltre le mura youth group is organizing the "Inform & Protect Yourself" flashmob, meeting in Piazza Pasi in Trento. Participants will bring red balloons with slogans to raise awareness about prevention and combat the stigma surrounding HIV and HIV-positive people. In Piazza Duomo, balloons will form a red ribbon, symbolizing the fight against HIV/AIDS. The goal is to remind everyone, especially young people, how important prevention is and to show solidarity and support for all HIV-positive people. Condoms and informational materials will be distributed during the event; At 8:00 p.m., the Arcigay "8 Luglio" headquarters in Trento will screen Ryan Murphy's film "The Normal Heart," starring Julia Roberts, Mark Ruffalo, and Jim Parsons. This will be followed by an information session on the spread of the infection in the Trentino community and STI prevention.
Udine | Arcigay New Steps
Arcigay Friuli will be present at the event organized by the Santa Maria della Misericordia University Hospital of Udine and the ASS 4 "Medio Friuli" in the Ajace Hall in Udine on Monday, December 1st, starting at 5:00 PM. The event, sponsored by the Municipality of Udine, will also feature Health Councilor Simona Liguori and Regional Councilor Silvana Cremaschi of the Third Commission "Healthcare, Social Services." Giacomo Deperu, president of Arcigay Friuli "Nuovi Passi" Udine and Pordenone, will address the topic "Homosexuality and HIV: Social Stigma as a Risk Factor." As is the case every year, the association is promoting an online awareness campaign on condom use, sharing images on social media that remind us that the problem directly affects us in the region, because "AIDS also exists in Udine and Pordenone." For the occasion, the IRIS University Association will be distributing informational materials and condoms in the Study Center from 7:30 to 9:00 and from 12:00 to 14:00, while information stands will be set up in front of Palazzo Antonini and on the Rizzi Campus from 14:00 to 19:00.
Valsesia – Vercelli | Arcigay Rainbow
Arcigay rainbow volunteers will be present on Monday, December 1st, with a stall at the Borgosesia market from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Informational materials will also be distributed in some public places in the area.
Verona | Arcigay Planet Uranus
Arcigay Pianeta Urano Verona and Gasp! Onlus Verona are organizing a special afternoon of information, experiential activities, and real-life experiences. The event—titled "Be Smart! HIV and AIDS Today. So You Don't Get Lost in the Woods"—will be held on Saturday, December 6th at the Milk Verona LGBT Community Center (Via Antonio Nichesola 9, Zona San Michele Extra, Verona). The program includes:
2:30 pm Youth Group Meeting
3.45pm Introduction of the day
Next: Understanding HIV – Experiential Activities and Information
Final part: Life after diagnosis – Real-life experiences
What changes, how is it managed?
7:00 pm Aperitif with fun gadgets
The event will be hosted by: Giulia Tessaro (Head of the LGBTQI Youth Group of Verona), Michele Breveglieri (National Secretary of Arcigay and Head of Health), Salvatore Fiorito (President of GASP! Onlus Verona), Dr. Massimiliano Lanzafame (Infectious Disease Specialist – B.go Roma Hospital – Verona).
