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Gary Dell’Abate, president of the
HIV-advocacy organization Lifebeat, announced the installation of an
interactive artwork, “The Arches of Hope,” in New York City. The artwork is
part of a national campaign to increase HIV/AIDS awareness among young people
and bring about an HIV-free generation. Antonio Pio Saracino designed “The
Arches of Hope,” which was the idea of Patrick Duffy, creative director of
gay-oriented hotel The Out NYC.
The awareness campaign kicked off
with a week-long celebration that will culminate in a January 17 reception at
The Out NYC. During the week preceding the reception, Lifebeat asked people
across the country to tweet “messages of hope for an HIV-free generation” using
the hashtag #Arches of Hope. Messages were displayed on JumboTron screens in
Times Square and on digital tickertape embedded in the interactive art
installation. These Twitter messages were also shared across 12 social
networking sites. Salt-N-Pepa’s Sandra “Pepa” Denton, long-time safe sex
advocate, participated in the reception. Unveiling of “The Arches of Hope” is
timed to coincide with President Obama’s inauguration.
Dell’Abate—also known as “Baba
Booey,” the producer of “The Howard Stern Show”—became an HIV/AIDS activist
after his brother’s death from AIDS. Dell’Abate stated that Lifebeat launched
the awareness campaign because young people have become “cavalier” about
unprotected sex after the development of effective HIV treatment.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
