Laguna’s AIDS party expands the message

To onlookers it probably appeared like another fun, eclectic Main Beach party on Sunday.

There was warm weather, live music, volleyball, homeless people, protesters and kids chasing giant soap bubbles. But officially, it was an HIV/AIDS Awareness Day event.

You had to look close to get the message, but that was part of the plan.

The gathering was sponsored by the city’s HIV Advisory Committee, along with the AIDS Services Foundation, Laguna Beach Community Clinic, Shanti Orange County and Laguna Drug. But there were also other groups like Laguna Beach Lifeguards, Laguna Food Pantry and R Star Foundation, which helps women and children in Nepal.

In addition, the event happened to coincide with Global Climate March, which meant more than the usual number of protest signs along Coast Highway.

And in the background, there was festive rock music, creating a concert-in-the-park atmosphere with barefoot dancing and beach chair lounging.

Amid the clamor, however, were longtime HIV and AIDS survivors. Scott Alan, for example, sat quietly with his faithful dog Amber near the HIV booth.

Alan has had HIV for longer than he cares to remember. Still, he shows up to events. He represents for the people he’s lost. But when he looked around at the various strangers on Sunday, he wondered how much they really knew about HIV.

When HIV rates are actually increasing in some areas would people finally use a condom?

Would they drop their bravado and do an honest assessment of their sex life or drug use?

Would they get tested?

Privately, some survivors wondered if the party atmosphere was too much or contrasted with the grim history of HIV and AIDS.

There was a second event on Tuesday, a more solemn candlelight vigil for World AIDS Day with red ribbons and other ceremonial accouterments. But it was a work day for most, so attendance was relatively light.

As with every special day now, there is a growing pattern or template, punctuated with a predictable online acknowledgment. Maybe it’s a special Google Doodle or Facebook profile photo color overlay marking the occasion.

The problem is, tomorrow is a different day but HIV continues.

According to the World Health Organization, since the beginning of the epidemic, almost 78 million people have been infected with the HIV virus, and nearly 40 million people have died.

Currently, there are about 37 million people living with HIV, but surprisingly only 54% know they are infected.

Just last year, almost 2 million people started antiretroviral treatment — one of the largest annual increases ever.

During Sunday’s event, which included free testing, organizers said more people got tested than last year. HIV Advisory Committee chair Daniel Garza said he was pleased with the event but that the program should be viewed together with World AIDS Day.

The committee purposely started opening up the Sunday event to broader community groups to help increase attendance.

“That’s an event where we invite members of the community to celebrate the lives of those who are living with HIV and AIDS,” he said. “And then on World AIDS Day, we remember those who have passed away.”

Garza admitted that the two-year program is still a work in progress, and they will continue to evaluate areas for improvement.

“We’re trying to work on it, so hopefully next year we will work out some of the kinks,” he said.

The theory is that it’s a better strategy to attract new people who are not part of the inner circle of the HIV community. In other words, widen the aperture, get more attendance and try to reach a different audience.

“So it can be a community event and include everybody in it and not have it be so, ‘it’s just about us,’ especially because so many people who are living with HIV are just part of the community,” Garza said. “I’m a 15-year survivor and I definitely have a pretty good life. I’m happy and I’m working and I volunteer.

“So we wanted to make sure people knew that and we’re celebrating those who are living with it and not just remembering those who passed away — and giving each their day.”

In an age where the message matters, where mindshare is fleeting, where fundraisers and special activities — especially in Laguna Beach — are a dime a dozen, it pays to try new things.

And if it takes a party to help raise HIV awareness, then at least there’s dancing.

DAVID HANSEN is a writer and Laguna Beach resident. He can be reached at hansen.dave@gmail.com.