World AIDS Day: Where to Get Tested for HIV

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Free HIV testing and other events are scheduled at several locations in Metro Detroit on World AIDS Day, which is observed on Dec. 1 to raise awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of the HIV infection.

According to the Centers for Disease Control more than 1.2 million people in the United States are living with HIV and almost one in eight people are unaware of their infection.

Here are opportunities to get tested free of charge and other events spreading awareness of HIV and AIDS:

Dec. 1

Wayne County

Wayne County Health Clinic, 33030 Van Born Road, Wayne, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. (the clinic is closed for lunch from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.). Testing is open to all Wayne County residents on a walk-in basis; no appointment is necessary.

World AIDS Day Detroit Giving Breakfast, 8 a.m., with special guest Jeanne White-Ginder, mother of Ryan White. Advance tickets required; The Garden Theater, 3929 Woodward Ave., Detroit.

World AIDS Day Detroit Symposium, 11:30 a.m., at The Garden Theater, 3929 Woodward Ave., Detroit. This free, youth-focused education symposium and awareness event Ryan White Story as told by his mother, Jeanne White-Ginder.

World AIDS Day Benefit Concert featuring American Idols, 7 p.m., The Garden Theater, 3929 Woodward Ave., Detroit. Performers include Kris Allen, Melinda Doolittle, Rayvon Owen, Devin Velez and Malaya Watson. Tickets are $30-85. You must be at least 18 years old to purchase a ticket. Minors are allowed if accompanied by a parent or guardian. Contact (313) 757-1733 or email info@worldaidsdaydetroit.com for more information.

People Who Care About People With AIDS Interfaith Service, 7 p.m., Spirit of Hope Church, 1519 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Detroit. All welcome; light refreshments following. More information available by email at Spiritofhopedetroit@gmail.com.

Oakland County

Name Memorial Quilt Display, 9 a.m., Oakland Room, Oakland University Gender and Sexuality Center, 2200 N. Squirrel Road, Rochester. More information available by email at gsc@oakland.edu or by calling (248) 370-4333.

“Viral Apartheid: The Rise of HIV Exceptionalism,” at noon in the Oakland Room, Oakland University Gender and Sexuality Center, 2200 N. Squirrel Road, Rochester. Todd Heywood, Between the Lines contributing writer, is a special guest. More information available by email at gsc@oakland.edu or by calling (248) 370-4333 for more information.

Film screening, “How to Survive a Plague,” 3 p.m. in the Oakland Room, Oakland University Gender and Sexuality Center, 2200 N. Squirrel Road, Rochester. More information available by email at gsc@oakland.edu or by calling (248) 370-4333.

“Raw Deal: Barebacking in America,” 7 p.m. in the Oakland Room, Oakland University Gender and Sexuality Center, 2200 N. Squirrel Road, Rochester, with special guest Todd Heywood, contributing writer to Between the Lines. More information available by email at gsc@oakland.edu or by calling (248) 370-4333.

“Fall Into The Red: World AIDS Day,” evening, Social Hall Theatre at Ferndale First United Methodist, 22331 Woodward Ave., Ferndale

Washtenaw County

HIV testing by appointment beginning at 11 a.m. at the HIV/AIDS Resource Center, 3075 Clark Road, No. 203, Ypsilanti. Call (734) 572-9355 to make an appointment.

Anonymous HIV testing, 1-3 p.m. Monday-Friday at the University of Michigan Wolverine Wellness Center, Suite 2110, Ann Arbor. Schedule an appointment at (734) 763-1320; walk-ins are taken if the schedule allows.

Mobile Unit at Parkridge Homes Apartments on Armstrong Street in Ypsilanti, 2:30 p.m. HIV, Hepatitis C and other tests conducted. More information by email at lemont@hivaidsresource.org or by calling (734) 572-9355.

Dec. 2

Oakland County

Free STD & HIV testing, Michigan AIDS Coalition (MAC), 6 p.m., Affirmations, 290 W. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale. MAC provides free HIV, gonorrhea, chlamydia and Hepatitis C testing every Wednesday through 9 p.m. Last client taken 30 minutes before end of testing session.

Free HIV and syphilis testing, Affirmations and AIDS Partnership Michigan, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Affirmations, 290 W. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale. More information at the MIchigan HIV/STI Hotline at (800) 872-2437. Everyone welcome. Testing together (for eligible couples/sex partners) is offered by appointment. Contact Clarence Peeples at APM’s main office at (313)446-9820.

Dec. 5

Oakland County

Free HIV and syphilis testing 1-4 p.m., Affirmations and AIDS Partnership Michigan, Affirmations, 290 W. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale. More information from the MIchigan HIV/STI Hotline at (800) 872-2437. Testing together (for eligible couples/sex partners) is offered by appointment. Contact Clarence Peeples at APM’s main office at (313) 446-9820.

Dec. 8

Oakland County

Free STD & HIV testing, Oakland County Health Division, 5-7:30 p.m., Affirmations, 290 W. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale. Offered twice per month on every second and last Tuesday of every month. Last client taken at 7:30 p.m. All testing performed by registered nurses. Tests offered: HIV Rapid Testing, Syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomonaiasis (Trich). Throat and anal cultures as needed on a case by case basis.