WU holds concert to support World AIDS Day, raise awareness
By: Amy Buchanan
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Webster University students and community members filled the University Center Sunnen Lounge on Friday, Dec. 4, with one goal in mind - to raise awareness of the risks and prevention methods of the HIV virus.
The third annual World AIDS Day concert was one of the events set in motion by the LGBTQ Alliance at WU.
"Our goal is to raise awareness to those affected and promote prevention," said Eva Erge, a senior English and philosophy major an the president of the LGBTQ.
The concert, sponsored by the Association for the African American Collegians at WU (AAAC), Delta Upsilon, Delta Phi Upsilon, the Student Government Association (SGA) and ONE Webster, is an extended celebration of week-long events that took place with the World AIDS Day on Dec. 1.
Jessica Russell, a freshman video production major, greeted audience members at the front door of the Sunnen Lounge. For Russell, this concert was an important part of her experience at WU.
"I have just learned how much HIV affects friends and family," Russell said. "It's important to educate everybody on how to prevent it and go on with life."
HIV, a disease that affects nearly 469,000 people in America, is transmitted through blood, semen, vaginal fluid, pre-ejaculate or breast milk. This disease causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome(AIDS), a condition in humans in which the immune system begins to fail, leading to life-threatening opportunistic infections.
While the purpose of this event was to spread awareness and safety guidelines, the LGBTQ lightened the mood by providing live music.
Elise Chi, a senior advertising and marking major and LGBTQ coordinator, said the concert was a fun way to bring awareness to the community.
C. Jay Conrod, a soul music singer was first to light up the stage with his performance. Illphonics, a hip hop group, Julie Schurr, a folk singer, and Andrea Gibson, the concert's main attraction, were also performers for the concert.
Gwyndolyn Kay, a sophomore theater major, was involved in the set-up for the concert and was in charge of the spot light during Conrad's performance.
"His voice was very smooth and he made me appreciate R&B more," Kay said.
While students inside the Sunnen Lounge were serenaded with music, the outside of the UC offered education. Organizations including Williams and Associates Inc., a group that focuses on disease prevention and health education, particularly in regard to African Americans in the St. Louis area, was among the leaders at the event raising awareness.
FAITH Aloud, a group that focuses on promoting safe sex practices and reproductive health, was in attendance to hand out condoms and pamphlets on how to educate each other regarding safe sex.
Project Ark, a group that provided safe sex information and instructions on how to use condoms, provided free AIDS tests to people who were high-risk candidates.
According to the United States Statistic Summary for 2007, one in five people infected with HIV didn't even know they had it. Project Ark prides itself on making people aware of the risks of the disease and staying safe.
"It's a great opportunity for the (LGBTQ) Alliance and ONE (Webster) to help teach the community about risks and the transmission of HIV," said Daniel Gladden, the prevention coordinator for Project Ark.
For Kay, seeing people at the concert learning about the AIDS epidemic made her feel good about the event.
"It's good to see people feel the same way and know how important it is to be educated," Kay said.
Hayley Mintz, a sophomore creative writing major, wanted to show her support to her friends who worked hard for the success of the concert.
"There are a lot of people I know who were involved and working with the concert so I wanted to show my support for my friends as well as AIDS awareness," Mintz said.
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