The NAMES AIDS Memorial Quilt The AIDS Memorial Quilt honors more than 92,000 individuals who d

The NAMES AIDS Memorial Quilt

The AIDS Memorial Quilt honors more than 92,000 individuals who died of the AIDS epidemic of the 80s + 90s. Invoking symbols of pride, sorrow, power, and remembrance, I wanted to pay my respect with my own panel and shine light on a memorial not many people remember.

HIV/AIDS spread like a wildfire within the LGBTQ+ community throughout the 80s and in 1985, the AIDS Memorial Quilt was conceived by AIDS activist Cleve Jones. By 1992 – when the AIDS-related deaths in the U.S. had passed 250,00 - the AIDS Memorial Quilt had panels from every U.S. state and 28 countries. By 1996 - during which time the deaths had ballooned to over 580,000 - the number of panels had grown to such an extent as to cover the entire breadth of the National Mall. Today it is remembered as the largest, single display of the AIDS Memorial Quilt. Our history is important, and I wanted to shine some light on one of the darkest moments our community went through and remember those who we lost, thank those who helped fight, and honor all who lived through such horror.

To quote one of the panels “I CAN’T FORGET. NOT EVEN IF I TRY”