Today, Wednesday June 15, is Irish AIDS day and to mark the occasion there will be a screening of United In Anger and docu-theatre piece

Today is Irish AIDS Day, the day which aims to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS in Ireland, and to mark the day United In Anger will be screened next Wednesday 20 June as part of the Rapids: Call for Conversion and Film Screening event. Check out the movie trailer for the documentary below.

Rapids is “a new documentary theatre piece exploring instances of disclosure and stigma in the lives of men and women living with HIV in Ireland today.”

Theatre company Talking Shop Ensemble are collaborating with activist Robbie Lawlor to help raise awareness for HIV and engage with members of the HIV+ community, the Facebook event explains.

On Wednesday 20 June, Talking Shop Ensemble & Act Up London are “launching their ‘Call for Conversation’ and encouraging members of the HIV+ community to get involved in their theatre piece through sharing their story and creating art from their experiences.”

As part of Irish AIDS day people are able to purchase red ribbon badges in Dublin City Centre, with proceeds from the fundraising campaign given to the HIV and STI service at the GUIDE Clinic in St. James’ Hospital.

HIV and AIDS is a notable issue amongst the gay community, with figures indicating that one in eight sexually active gay men in London have HIV. Since Ireland has seen a 30% rise in HIV cases yearly from 2014 to 2015, and a 75% increase in the first three months in 2016 compared to the same period in 2015, increased awareness and prevention aims to combat people contracting the virus.

To get involved with Rapids you can email [email protected] with the word RAPIDS in the subject line. For more info check out the Facebook event.