AIDS Action Now’s pre-World AIDS Day party left revellers with a sobering reminder of Canada’s responsibility to people living with HIV/AIDS.

The Nov 30 party at Buddies in Bad Times also raised about $700 for the advocacy group, says Alex McClelland from AIDS Action Now.

At the party, organizers unveiled a new advocacy video calling for the end of the Harper government's denial of the right to health for Canadians living with and affected by HIV and hepatitis C.

After the video was screened, many in the room shouted “Shame, shame, shame on Harper!”

But it wasn’t all serious political messages. The event was hosted by Lex Vaughn, as the hilarious Graham and Diane, and featured a roster of fabulous performers, including dancers Ill Nana and Ladybear Extraordinaire, Fay Slift.

For more information go to AIDS Action Now!

 

 

AIDS Action Now released a video tonight, on the eve of World AIDS Day, calling for the federal government to recommit to the fight against AIDS and hepatitis C in Canada. In the new video, the group condemns the Harper government for "refusing to address this national healthcare crisis."

 

 

 

 

  

UPDATE 7:30 PM ET: We've posted the new video. 

Tonight AIDS Action Now! is hosting a pre-World AIDS Day get-together at Buddies in Bad Times in Toronto to launch its World AIDS Day advocacy video calling for an end to the federal government's denial of the right to health for Canadians living with and affected by HIV and hepatitis C.

Xtra.ca will be the first to post the video later tonight, so keep an eye on this space.

Tonight's launch will be hosted by the comedic yin/yang duo Graham and Diane (Lex Vaughn).

 

Xtra.ca had a chance recently to talk with Graham and Diane about tonight's show and why they've decided to take a break from comedy.

 

"She's just getting a pap smear."

Graham and Diane talk on their recent shows in Toronto and Montreal and why they're taking a break from comedy:






Diane discusses health issues and being a vegetarian:






Graham and Diane on fellow World AIDS eve performer Fay Slift:






Diane explains why it's important to have a substantive message:






Graham isn't on Twitter yet, but reveals he's been "twatting" for years:






Has Graham seen the AIDS Action Now video yet? He seems to think so: