2 minute read
LGBTQ+ choirs mark World AIDS Day 2020
December’s World AIDS Day (WAD) virtual concert gave us insights into some of the realities of living with HIV/AIDS and the valuable work carried out by Lunch Positive.
Narrated by Alistair Appleton (and signed by Marco Nardi) it brought together the sights and sounds of previous concerts, as well as glimpses of how the choirs are continuing to rehearse during lockdown, to raise money to support the work of Lunch Positive.
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Aneesa Chaudhry, MD of Rainbow Chorus, said: “Our hearts beat together and our voices resound as one. I love the passion and depth of emotion that pours from singers across our choirs at WAD. Conducting everyone is an honour. Our message, loud and strong.”
Samuel Cousins, MD of Actually Gay Men’s Chorus, said: “We had to look from a different perspective to put on something to mark WAD, it started with a fair bit of head scratching but we got there. The 2020 WAD video stream was a great example of how different groups that represent myriad people across Brighton & Hove really can come together for a great cause, Lunch Positive, and create a joint work against all of the odds. Though we did all miss out on getting together and being physically present in the same space the team did ‘virtually’ manage to produce something accessible to all. This alone makes me so proud to be a part of the wonderful LGBTQ+ community here in Brighton & Hove.”
Joe Paxton, MD of Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus, said: “It was more important than ever for our family of Brighton LGBTQ+ choirs to be able join together in making this video for WAD, raising awareness of HIV/AIDS and money for Lunch Positive. I’m hopeful that next year we can all be under one roof again to share our love of music and perform as a massed choir once more.”
Gary Pargeter, service manager at Lunch Positive, said: “Our sincerest thanks to everyone from the virtual WAD concert. We know that everyone is working in differing ways, and to have the continued support of the WAD concert means the world to us. The concert is the only community WAD fundraising event that Lunch Positive benefits from, and this helps sustain our community support throughout the whole year ahead. Every penny goes directly to providing services and helps people most in need.
“Lunch Positive has been busier than ever, reaching and supporting the most vulnerable, and providing a yearlong range of Covid-19 crisis responses, as well as our usual lunch club and in-person services when lockdown has eased. We have supported over 200 people, and there has been an amazing surge of volunteering activity with over 7,000 hours given so far!
“Thanks again to everyone involved and who donated through the WAD concert. Your support, affection and kindness makes a very great difference to hundreds of lives.”
