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The 23rd International AIDS Conference began Monday in the Bay Area, but was forced to do so virtually amid the global coronavirus pandemic.
“Unfortunately, another pandemic has come upon us as we are working tirelessly to try to bring an end to the AIDS pandemic, and this has obviously thrown a wrench in the works and the process for the International AIDS Conference,” John Cunningham, Executive Director of the National AIDS Memorial said.
He said the virtual conference features workshops, speakers, breakout sessions and information on COVID-19, which has stark similarities to the AIDS pandemic.
Although the conference is virtual, the now 48,000 paneled AIDS quilt is still featured.
“The quilt will be hanging from both the San Francisco Mayor’s Balcony at City Hall, as well as from the front of the Oakland City Hall,” Cunningham said.
In addition, the conference launched a new web platform featuring lives lost, activists, caregivers and heroes.
The International AIDS Conference was last in the Bay Area in 1990.