Call for mourning and action

To mark World AIDS Day, Laguna Beach High students create posters that are displayed around town; the city will also hang ribbons -- red, not black -- on public art and host a vigil for those killed by the disease or still living with it.Laguna Beach has the highest incident of AIDS and HIV in the country, according to Dr. Korey Jorgensen of the Laguna Beach Community Clinic. In recognition of World AIDS Day, Dec. 1, various community groups will come together to promote awareness and mourn those lost to the disease.

“There are 600 residents of Laguna currently infected,” said Jorgensen, who sees AIDS Day as a time to honor those who have died and to support those who are living with the disease.

There are 40,000 new cases of HIV and AIDS reported nationwide each year. “People are less sensitive about the danger of getting AIDS; it’s not an emergency for the government anymore,” Jorgensen said.

Laguna Beach High School has brought attention to AIDS Day by enlisting 100 students to display original posters in local businesses.

All of the posters are original, said teacher Kerry Pellow.

“It takes negativity off the concept of AIDS -- lives go on, it’s not necessarily the end,” Pellow said.

For Kim de St. Paer, the clinic’s supervisor of anonymous HIV testing, the psychological difficulties of living with the disease can outweigh the physical aspects.

“When someone is diagnosed with HIV, they often have a suicidal moment,” de St. Paer said. “We can’t take away shock, but we can be with them. It’s a very lonely feeling for them.”

The Laguna Beach Community Clinic is one of two organizations that provides AIDS and HIV care for low-income people, de St. Paer said. The clinic provides top-quality care at no cost.

In memory of Laguna residents who have died as the result of contracting HIV and AIDS, trees around town will be adorned with red ribbons with their names on them.

This year there are 320 ribbons ready to be placed, said Martin Salas, director of health education and prevention for AIDS Services Foundation.

There are concerns regarding the disease within the Latino community in Orange County, which makes up 34% of the total population yet accounts for 47% of the cases of HIV and AIDS, according to Salas.

Sarah Kasman, the executive director of AIDS support group Orange County Shanti, has seen a demographic shift in the disease. “Artists and creative people were the earliest victims of AIDS,” said Kasman.

Due to a conflict with Art Walk Day in Laguna, gallery owner Marion Meyer will make a more limited recognition of AIDS Day than she has in years past.

“We will put black ribbons on some pieces,” said Meyer. “Three or four years ago we took everything down and put black drapes up. Last year we took out our window display.”

Elsewhere in town, the city will put red ribbons on the art pieces it owns. In the past, the ribbons have been black, but this year the City Council voted to use red ribbons after Councilwoman Cheryl Kinsman voiced objection to black: She wanted to see something less dreary on a day that happens to be her birthday.

Former city Arts Commissioner Joan Corman disagrees with the council’s action.

“I was shocked when Laguna Beach City Council chose not to follow the recommendations of their arts commission to place black ribbons as a symbol of mourning on public art,” Corman said.

“The red ribbons Kinsman requested to brighten up her birthday are inappropriate and will mislead the public into thinking the city embellished sculptures for the upcoming Christmas holiday.”

The activities for AIDS Day will commence with a candlelight vigil at Main Beach led by Rev. Ron Hyrchuk of the South Coast Medical Center. Short readings and a prayer will be followed by attendees speaking the names of loved ones lost to AIDS.

“It’s difficult to say at first, but when I do it, it’s not just saying the name, it’s bringing forth a being who once lived and loved,” said Hyrchuk, who lost a younger brother to AIDS 14 years ago.

World AIDS Day Activities for Laguna Beach:

* Red ribbons with names of people who died of AIDS will be tied to trees throughout Laguna Beach.

* Free anonymous HIV testing will be available at Main Beach.

* The Laguna Beach Community Clinic, Laguna Beach High School, Shanti Orange County, ACTION, the Center and AIDS Service Foundation will provide information about services provided throughout Orange County for people living with HIV and AIDS

* At 6:00 p.m., Rev. Ron Hyrchuk will lead a candlelight vigil at Main Beach to remember lost loved ones.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Should the City Council be able to change the color of ribbons for local World AIDS Day events? Write us at P.O. Box 248, Laguna Beach, CA, 92652, e-mail us at coastlinepilot@latimes.com or fax us at 494-8979. Please give your name and tell us your home address and phone number for verification purposes only.(LA)World AIDS Day posters were designed by Colin Peterson, top left, Ben Crabel, top right, Alex Terwilliger, right, and Natalie Houalla, above.20051125iqe5ikknNo Caption20051125iqe4qyknNo Caption20051125iqe5pfknNo Caption20051125iqfgabkn(LA)