WORLD AIDS DAY BENEFIT CONCERT

Each year on the first day of December there is a global acknowledgement of the impact that HIV has had on humanity. It’s an act of remembrance, of lives lost, lives impacted by this virus too but also a celebration of the people across the world who work tirelessly to support and care for the HIV community and those who strive through science to seek an effective cure. Medical science has made it possible for people with HIV to lead long and normal lives but other things still remain an issue and the most insidious is the stigma that is still attached to it.

Each year at the AIDS memorial in New Steine Gardens there is a vigil where the names of those lost to HIV and AIDS are read out and this is followed by a choral concert in St Mary’s Church where the local LGBTQ+ choirs  perform.

I go along each year and I usually write a review. This year I am doing something different. It’s not that the choirs are not worthy of words of praise, the whole event is a celebration in music so beautifully performed and so heart felt too. In the first half we heard from The Rainbow Chorus, always a delight. They were followed by Resound Voices, a male ensemble who present challenging work impressively and to round out the first half Brighton Rox whose vocal skills are so entertainingly delivered.

The evening was compèred by the talent that is Hannah Brackenbury and she treated the audience to two Victoria Wood songs from he brilliant show Victorious.

After the interval came The Actually Gay Men’s Chorus with a set that as usual featured some soaring solos. This year a guest choir, City Of Stars had been invited and their delivery of some great show tunes was packed with energy and again some brilliant solo voices. Finally the massive sound of Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus rounded out the evening, a thunderous and impressive vocal ensemble whose precision always impresses.

The whole event raises money for a local charity, Lunch Positive, and the man behind that is the exceptional human being that is Gary Pargeter. He always speaks well but on this occasion he read a piece written by someone who has found a place through finding Lunch Positive. With his permission I am posting his words here.

No star ratings this year, the stars are the people who work so hard to make the world understand and make it a better place to live in.

AK

A Grateful Reflection on My Journey with Lunch Positive By Abe

Two and a half years ago, I arrived in Brighton searching for safety—a place where I could begin to rebuild. I had come from an environment where racism, homophobia, and HIV stigma weren’t just present—they were relentless. These experiences took a heavy toll on my mental health and left my nervous system in a constant state of survival. I was worn down, isolated, and uncertain about where I could truly belong.

Then I found Lunch Positive.

From the very first time I walked through the door, I was welcomed—genuinely, openly, and without judgment. There were no questions asked about my past or labels placed on me. Just kindness. That first experience gave me something I hadn’t felt in a long time: hope.

Lunch Positive became more than just a service—it became a sanctuary. A space where I felt seen and accepted. As the weeks went on, that simple act of welcome began to heal parts of me I thought were beyond repair. My confidence, which had been silenced by fear and rejection, slowly began to return. I felt safe enough to be myself again.

In time, I stepped into a volunteering role—not out of obligation, but from a deep desire to give back to the very community that had held me when I needed it most. But the beautiful thing about Lunch Positive is that giving never feels one-way. The more I gave, the more I received. Volunteering brought structure, purpose, and a deep sense of connection. My anxiety began to ease. My days had more meaning. I felt part of something bigger than myself.

At the heart of it all is food—not just as nourishment, but as a symbol. A shared meal that says: You matter. You are welcome. You belong. Around those tables, conversations spark, laughter is shared, and community is built. It’s a quiet revolution of compassion—plate by plate, person by person.

Lunch Positive is a grassroots charity, born from the lived experiences of people in Brighton and Sussex. It’s powered by love, empathy, and the belief that no one should feel alone. Its impact is profound—alleviating isolation, restoring dignity, and building a truly inclusive community.

To every supporter, to every volunteer, and to every incredible member—thank you. Thank you for your warmth, your strength, and your humanity. You’ve given me more than words can capture.

Lunch Positive hasn’t just been a part of my journey—it’s helped me find the strength to shape the next chapter of my life with joy and hope.

With all my heart,

Abe