London, 1 December 2025 – In commemoration of World AIDS Day 2025, the young LGBT+ community is taking the lead in hosting a moving evening of remembrance and reflection. This event is being held in partnership with AIDS Memory UK, and will be held at the historic Fitzrovia Chapel in London.
The event, taking place on Monday 1 December from 6.30 pm to 8.00 pm, will feature poems by Queer Elders reflecting on their life experiences. The evening will also include poetry readings, music performances, and personal reflections delivered by members of the Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust. Guests will then participate in a symbolic walk to the nearby site selected for The AIDS Memorial in London, which will be realized in the coming years in a new public artwork by acclaimed artist Anya Gallaccio and supported by the Mayor of London.
Debbie Weekes-Bernard, London’s Deputy Mayor for Communities and Social Justice, expressed her support for the event, saying, “This event marking World AIDS Day offers a poignant moment to reflect on those we have lost to HIV/AIDS related illness and unite in our battle against the virus. It reminds us how far we have come in tackling HIV/AIDS, but also that there is further to go in ending stigma and achieving equality for all people affected in our communities. I am proud that City Hall is supporting London’s first permanent HIV/AIDS memorial, which will be an important message of solidarity and a symbol of hope, as we build a better and healthier London for everyone.”
Lukasz Konieczka, Executive Director of Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust, stated, “This event is not only about remembering those we lost but also about empowering young LGBT+ persons to honour their legacy and continue the conversation about compassion, health, and community.”
Founder and Artistic Director of AIDS Memory UK, Ash Kotak, also shared his thoughts on the event, saying, “It’s enlightening and moving to see young LGBTQ+ people take an interest in HIV & AIDS History. The intergenerational transfer of queer knowledge, works both ways and can be rewarding and unifying.”
Freya Bently, Culture and Community Manager at The Fitzrovia Chapel, expressed her pride in hosting the event, saying, “We at the Fitzrovia Chapel are so very proud to be hosting this special remembrance event for those who have been lost to HIV/AIDS. In doing so, we honour our history as chapel to the Middlesex Hospital, which housed the UK’s first dedicated AIDS wards in the 1980s and 1990s. We’re pleased to be working with the Mosaic LGBT Young Person’s Trust and AIDS Memory UK to ensure that the story of HIV/AIDS is accessed by younger generations.”
While the event is open to everyone, advance booking is required to manage capacity. To reserve a place, please visit http://link.outsavvy.com/aids-day.
For media enquiries, please contact Lukasz Konieczka at Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust through email at lukasz.konieczka@mosaictrust.org.uk or by phone at 07550124393. More information can also be found on the trust’s website at https://www.mosaictrust.org.uk.
AIDS Memory UK is a charity committed to establishing The AIDS Memorial in London, which comprises a permanent, newly commissioned public artwork and a cultural program to find meaning from HIV and AIDS. The ultimate aim is to honor those lost to HIV/AIDS, celebrate those living with HIV today, and inspire ongoing advocacy for education and equality.
The Fitzrovia Chapel, once the chapel to the Middlesex Hospital, is a hidden gem in the heart of Fitzrovia. Built in 1891 by architect John Loughborough Pearson in the Byzantine style, the chapel was a place of solace for staff, patients, and visitors seeking a moment of quiet reflection, contemplation, or prayer. Now open to all, the Fitzrovia Chapel is a charity and arts venue, with a program of exhibitions and events that reflect its history, such as those referencing the UK’s first dedicated AIDS wards housed by the Middlesex Hospital in the 1980s and 1990s.
Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust supports, educates, and inspires young LGBT+ persons aged 12–25 across London. The charity provides a safe, affirming community where young persons can connect, learn, and thrive.
