World AIDS Day 2009: theme: Universal Access & Human Rights

World AIDS Day honored with local events
On Sunday, November 29, Metropolitan Community Church Seattle Pastor Rev. Ray Neal will be giving a special sermon in commemoration of World AIDS Day. Metropolitan Community Church Seattle gathers at the chapel of Temple de Hirsch Sinai (1441 16th Ave.) at 12:30 p.m. (www.mccseattle.org)

The 6th Annual World AIDS Day benefit luncheon will be held Tuesday, December 1 at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center. This complimentary luncheon is presented by the Dunshee House, Gay City Health Project, Multifaith Works and Seattle Counseling Service. Registration is at 11:15 a.m., lunch is from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. (www.strongertogetherlunch.com)

On Tuesday, December 1, the Q Center at the University of Washington will be hosting an ice cream social from 1-2 p.m. A speaker from Lifelong AIDS Alliance will hold a Q&A; forum from 2-3 p.m. Discussion topics will be basic facts and statistics about HIV/AIDS and a history of Lifelong's work in the Seattle area. (depts.washington.edu/qcenter)

A World AIDS Day lecture with Dr. Grace John-Stewart will be held Tuesday, December 1, at 1:30 p.m. at the University of Washington, Hogness Auditorium, Room A-420. This lecture is a joint lecture between the UW School of Medicine and the UW School of Public Health.

On Tuesday, December 1, free HIV/AIDS testing will be offered by Gay City Health Project, 511 E. Pike St., from 1:30-4:30p.m. Testing is always professional and confidential. (206-860-6969; www.gaycity.org)

NATIONAL
On December 1, the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock, Arkansas, will be displaying the AIDS quilt. The Clinton HIV/AIDS Initiative helps to bring affordable, lifesaving treatment to hundreds of thousands of people in dozens of countries. (www.clintonfoundation.org)