National Asian & Pacific Islander
HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

What is National A&PI HIV/AIDS Awareness Day?

One of the key achievements of the Banyan Tree Project to date is the establishment of National A&PI HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on May 19th. This day is officially recognized by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The first National Awareness Day was held in 2005. Each year, this day is commemorated with events around the country designed to promote the Banyan Tree Project goals.

In recognition of National API HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has created a National HIV/AIDS Observance Days Web site.

What happens on this day?

Organizations around the country dedicated to providing HIV/AIDS services to A&PIs host events in their communities to raise awareness about the impact of HIV/AIDS-related stigma.

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What have we accomplished so far?

On May 19th, 2005:

Hundreds of people attended events in nine cities across the country.
Key leaders in the fight against HIVAIDS-related stigma were recognized with awards in cities holding awareness day events, including Boston, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
A&PIs living with HIV/AIDS spoke publicly in Chicago about how stigma and discrimination have affected their lives.
A media blitz of radio, television and print ads, as well as posters and signs, promoted HIV/AIDS awareness and addressed the issue of stigma in Honolulu’s “No Shame” campaign.
An HIV/AIDS research summit was held in New York City. Dr. David Ho, who was honored as Time Magazine’s Man of the Year in 1996 for his breakthrough research on HIV/AIDS, was the keynote speaker.
A Washington, D.C. speakers’ panel discussed how faith-based organizations could play a role in reducing HIV/AIDS-related stigma in A&PI communities.