By GAYLE WEBER

gweber@dailynews.net

Fort Hays State University will commemorate World AIDS Day during three days of activities next week.

George Jackson, diversity affairs coordinator at FHSU, said he hopes the events will break down stereotypes about the people who have or can contract the HIV virus.

"We just hope to dispel the myth that only a certain population contracts HIV," Jackson said.

Part of the commemoration is a display of 12 panels of the AIDS Memorial Quilt. The quilt, which was founded in 1987, honors those who have suffered from HIV or AIDS. It will be on display from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in the Memorial Union Ballroom and Black and Gold Room at FHSU.

Also, art donated by FHSU faculty and students will be part of a silent auction, with money raised going toward the AIDS Research Alliance. Jackson said he is hoping to raise about $500 from the auction.

Nina Martinez will be the featured speaker at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Black and Gold Room of the Memorial Union.

Martinez was exposed to AIDS by a blood transfusion at 6 weeks old, said Mike Miller, president of the FHSU Gay-Straight Alliance, a sponsor of the activities.

"It shows how she's living through the diagnosis, going to grad school and continuing on through her life," Miller said.

FHSU also will conduct a World AIDS Day forum at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday. Jackson said he was hoping to get healthcare professionals as well as religious leaders to be a part of the forum.

Also, on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Student Health Center will conduct free, confidential HIV testing from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The week's events wrap up with the showing of "Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt" at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the Black and Gold Room of Memorial Union.

All events are free and open to the public.