The message at World AIDS Day ceremony at City Hall yesterday was loud and clear -- there may be no cure for the disease this century but AIDS is preventable.

Amid much hugging and some tears, politicians, health workers, friends, AIDS sufferers and their relatives turned out yesterday afternoon to mark the day dedicated to increasing awareness worldwide.

Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan, the Minister of Health and World Aids Day Committee chairman, Mrs. Joan Dillas Wright, among others addressed the small crowd.

An emotional speech came from Shadow Health and Social Services Minister Mr.

Nelson Bascome.

Faltering at times, he recounted his own experience of the disease. "I always find this day especially moving when it makes me reflect on the family I've lost through AIDS,'' he said, adding his main concern was teaching young people to practise safe sex.

"One of the biggest problems we have today is young people. When we look at young people, they are still practising unsafe sex.'' He said a commission should be set up to outlaw discrimination against AIDS victims. In the US, he said, people with AIDS can now claim a disability allowance.

"In the world in which we are living, we need to be on top of changing attitudes toward AIDS. I also want to bring the professional and business communities closer to the problem. Not just in terms of money but to touch the hearts of these people. AIDS is not just a money issue -- it's a hands-on issue.'' The Hon. Quinton Edness said next year Government will be taking tough decisions to save lives.

The community, he said, must come to terms with the need to distribute condoms to young people.

"The Bermuda community must accept and put in place plans to extend condom distribution and use including condom distribution discreetly done to our school children, teens and young adults,'' he said. And he said more educational campaigns targeted at young people and women were needed.

Guest speaker from Atlanta, AIDS activist Ms Debbie Thomas, urged parents to come clean with their children and talk to them frankly about the disease.

"People are not doing what they could to protect themselves. AIDS is 100 percent preventable,'' she said. "People have a choice in the matter. It is a decision they make that determines what happens to them.

"When is the time right to talk to your children about Aids? We only have prevention -- we don't have a cure. We have to be open and honest. As adults we need to get honest about our own misbehaviour.'' AIDS quilt unveiled -- Page 6