'All I want is a friend'

Leah R. was an intravenous drug user who found out she was HIV positive seven years ago, while 14-year-old Lindsey D. only learned about her status a few months ago.

Both spoke to a crowd of about 50 gathered at Annapolis City Hall last night to commemorate World AIDS Day. The event began with a candlelight vigil at City Dock. Participants then marched up Main Street carrying a sign, candles and a faux coffin.

Lindsey already has lost three relatives to AIDS and says her family has been supportive. But Leah has had a different experience. She learned about her status while she was incarcerated. When she called her mother to tell her about it, she hung up on her. Her mother refuses to talk about Leah's HIV status and whenever she visits, she doesn't let Leah use her dishes. "There are a lot of people who I thought were my friends who turned their back on me because I have an illness," said Leah, 26. "All I want is a friend. All I want is to know that somebody's got my back."

Across the country and state, various events took place to raise awareness of the disease and push for a cure. The Maryland AIDS Administration has recorded more than 30,000 AIDS cases in the state, along with nearly 17,000 deaths from the disease as of June 2007. In Anne Arundel County, there were 957 people living with HIV or AIDS as of December 2006. A report with 2007 data will not be released until the end of this month, health officials said.

Charles Hammond Jr. learned he was HIV positive 12 years ago. He took the news so hard that he tried to commit suicide. But he has been able to deal with his depression by going to weekly support group meetings with others who are in the same situation.

"It feels good that so many people came out," said Mr. Hammond, who lives in a group home for men with AIDS and HIV. "I feel better now (between the group meetings and medication)."

In Annapolis, the AIDS Walk has been going on for at least a dozen years. Each year, organizers start promoting the event with a luncheon in September, which was held at Heritage Baptist Church. The December walk includes a march through downtown, along with speeches and music. In previous years, the event ended at the Stanton Center, but this year it was at City Hall.

"There's no way we need to be saying (AIDS) is not an issue," said Joann Davis, a co-chair of the event. "There's a great deal of hope, but there still are cases. This is to remember those who are living with AIDS or who have died of AIDS. This will affect us all."

At City Hall, Rev. Wayne Schwandt pointed out that the marchers received little reaction from the passersby on the streets.

"It's amazing that the only response I heard was from the dogs," said Rev. Schwandt, of the Metropolitan Community Church of the Chesapeake. "Perhaps it's time to find a new and boisterous way (to attract the public). Maybe at noon (on Dec. 1) or the first Saturday at noon."