THE LARAMIE PROJECT Drives Home The Importance Of ACON

The producer of The Laramie Project and The Laramie Project:10 Years Later, Theatre Travels, announced today that the upcoming productions will support ACON's Red Ribbon Appeal through a collection at each performance.

Producer Carly Fisher said, "We are very proud to be able to use our platform through these shows to raise money for an organisation that has contributed greatly to lives of many members of the Australian LGBTQI+ community. The work that ACON has done for 33 years and continues to do daily is not only important to the health and wellbeing of people living with HIV today, but also to advance social awareness, understanding and support from the greater community."

ACON CEO Nicolas Parkhill said: "This production is a powerful reminder of the importance of promoting diversity, safety and inclusion in our communities.

"Despite the recent gains in LGBTI rights and equality, there is still a long way to go. LGBTI people and people living with HIV are still at higher risk of mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicide, as a result of discrimination, prejudice, exclusion and stigma.

Through our programs and services, we continue to support LGBTI people, bolster their strength and resilience and improve their overall health and wellbeing. We are grateful for the support of Theatre Travels for their support for ACON and World AIDS Day."

World AIDS Day will occur on December 1st 2018. This will be marked by a production of both shows in one day and an opportunity to gain further information and support from ACON's volunteers at the theatre as well. Information about ACON, including resources from the organisation, will be available.

"Although the hate crime committed against Matthew Shepard occurred 20 years ago, the work that ACON does proves daily how relevant and poignant stories like The Laramie Project are," Fisher said. "I believe there is no better time for us to be bringing back this show, and debuting 10 years later in Sydney than right when we are - over World AIDS Day - a time when the community is called upon to pause and consider the advances in tolerance and yet the distances we still have to go."

Audiences will be asked to dig deep and donate through collections at the theatre for ACON's Red Ribbon Appeal in support of their mission to reduce new HIV transmissions in NSW and support people living with HIV.