World AIDS Museum and Educational Center (WAM) and Galleria Fort Lauderdale are collaborating to honor World AIDS Day with an official public event designed to raise awareness and voices in unison for global health. The public is invited on Thursday, December 1, at 8:30 a.m., to participate in an official kickoff ceremony in honor of World AIDS Day at Galleria Fort Lauderdale (2414 E. Sunrise Blvd.). Attendees are encouraged to register in advance at WAM\'s Rock The Ribbon page.

According to the National AIDS Memorial, 40 years into the AIDS pandemic, more than 700,000 lives in the U.S. have been lost to AIDS and more than 1.1 million people live with HIV and an estimated 1 in 7 people do not know they have HIV. According to the CDC, HIV risk remains high among Black and Latino gay and bisexual men.

On December 1, World AIDS Day, Rock The Ribbon will commence with a gathering of elected officials including Broward County Vice Mayor Lamar Fisher, fellow HIV-related agencies and other stakeholders. Special performances by Cassie Ortiz, Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida and DJ Aulden Brown will add flair to rock the crowd. The event will take place outdoors under the covered valet parking entrance.

The World AIDS Day kickoff ceremony is sponsored by Galleria Fort Lauderdale, Our Fund, Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida, Broward County Board of County Commissioners as recommended by the Broward County Cultural Council, Visit Lauderdale - Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau and Florida Department of State, Division of Arts & Culture.