Brooklyn Knows: Free HIV Testing/Counseling and AIDS Memorial Quilt Display to Mark World AIDS Day at Brooklyn Borough Hall

On Wednesday, December 1, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and Deputy Borough President Yvonne Graham will host events at Brooklyn Borough Hall to mark World Aids Day 2010.


The New York City Health Department will conduct a lighting ceremony at the Brooklyn Borough Hall for the 23rd Annual World AIDS Day. The event is for today, Wednesday, December 1,  from 5-6:30pm at the Brooklyn Borough Hall Rotunda (209 Joralemon St near Court Street).

The lighting ceremony will be part of a celebration of the launch of Brooklyn Knows, which is a campaign encouraging folks in Brooklyn to get tested for HIV/AIDS and know their status. This ceremony is part of a full day of activities to raise awareness of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Brooklyn and sub-Saharan Africa. Joining BP Markowitz and Deputy BP Graham will be Malaak Compton-Rock, founder and director of Journey for Change: Empowering Youth Through Global Service; former supermodel, maternal health advocate and founder of Every Mother Counts, Christy Turlington Burns; actress and activist Gabrielle Union; Brooklyn-born Academy Award-nominated actress Gabourey Sidibe; teens from Journey for Change; a representative from (RED); and New York City officials.

The Brooklyn Borough Hall will also be one of the 80 landmarks around the world that will be turning (RED) to help spread the message that 2015 is the due date for an AIDS-free generation.

Throughout the day, from 11 AM - 7 PM, the AIDS Memorial Quilt will be on display in the Courtroom in partnership with EAC Brooklyn TASC, who will also offer free HIV testing, counseling, prevention measures and literature on the HIV/AIDS epidemic.


WORLD AIDS DAY established on December 1, 1988, brings messages of compassion, hope, solidarity and understanding about HIV/AIDS to the world, and gratitude and encouragement to those committed to the fight against HIV/AIDS.  According to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), there are currently more than 107,177 people living with HIV/AIDS in NYC.  ODHMH is committed to preventing and controlling the spread of HIV and ensuring that people living with HIV/AIDS have the best possible treatment and care.  For more information, please visit www.nyc.gov/health or call 311.