THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, December 1, 1994 TAG: 9412010430
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE STONE, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines
The observance of World AIDS Day in Virginia today is being marked with an emphasis on abstinence, family values and personal responsibility.
The theme of this year's AIDS Day - sponsored by the World Health Organization, the American Association for World Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - is ``AIDS and the Family.''
That theme is ``in step'' with Gov. George Allen's ``strong support of the family,'' said Dr. Donald Stern, acting state health commissioner.
``Parents should play the major role with their children in forming character and values regarding sexuality, the benefits of abstinence, the dangers of illegal drugs and the importance of personal responsibility and self-worth,'' Stern said.
In the United States, AIDS is the sixth leading cause of death in people 15 to 24 and the leading cause of death for African-American men in Virginia, aged 25 to 44.
Currently, more than 6,500 Virginians have been diagnosed with AIDS and more than 6,000 more have the virus that causes AIDS. Those numbers do not include the thousands who are believed to be infected, but have not been tested and do not know they are infected.
Here are some of the World AIDS Day observances and activities in Virginia:
``A Day Without Art,'' coordinated by Tidewater AIDS Crisis Taskforce.
Two programs are planned today, one at 12:30 p.m. at the Chrysler Museum in Norfolk and the second at 7:15 p.m. at the Virginia Beach Center for the Arts.
Sixteen Hampton Roads organizations, including the Virginia Ballet Theater, the Virginia Symphony and the Peninsula Fine Arts Center are participating.
``AIDS Memorial Trees,'' Christmas trees bearing the first names of Virginians who have died of AIDS, will be on display beginning today and continuing through the holidays at Coliseum Mall in Hampton, Lynnhaven Mall in Virginia Beach, Patrick Henry Mall in Newport News, Pembroke Mall in Virginia Beach and Chesapeake Square Mall in Chesapeake.
A World AIDS Day program presented by the Eastern Virginia Regional AIDS Coalition from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. today at Waterside in Norfolk.
A dedication of a panel for The NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt at 8 p.m. today in St. Catherine's School at 6001 Grove Ave., Richmond.
``AIDS and the Family'' at 7 p.m. today at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 815 East Grace St., Richmond.
Lt. Gov. Donald S. Beyer Jr. and Dr. King Davis of the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Social Work will speak.
A candlelight walk will follow.
An HIV update for clergy from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. today at Fifth Street Baptist Church, 2800 Third Avenue, Richmond.
An interfaith service Sunday at 7 p.m. at Walnut Hills Baptist Church, 310 South Blvd., Petersburg.
The Petersburg Festival Chorus, Petersburg Boys Choir and the Gillfield Baptist Church choir will perform. Speakers include Dr. Dana Kuhn of the Medical College of Virginia Hospital and the Rev. Dwayne Johnson of Metropolitan Community Church, Richmond.
Panels from the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt will be on display Friday at the Glen Echo Building, Henrico Government Center East, 3810 Nine Mile Road, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
KEYWORDS: AIDS by CNB