#aids memorial quilt
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”
Post link
Hey guys, if you have the time please click this link and go view the AIDS memorial quilt. As of last year, all 1.2 million feet of the quilt has been photographed and made viewable to the public.
As such a cornerstone to our community as queer people, the AIDS quilt was a sign of love and remembrance of all who were lost. And for some, with no solution in sight. What a wonder science is, because living as HIV/AIDS positive is no longer a death sentence. It is a treatable and manageable disease. We can live full and happy long lives and not transmit the disease.
When it was intitially unveiled, the quilt had about 2,000 panels and it was now bloomed into 48,000. The majority of them measuring 6'3". About the size of a grave.
I urge you to take the time to treasure, understand, and support our community. As their lives and the queer movement- have brought undoubtable freedom as we live in our own.
Making a quilt can take countless of hours. And a quilt of this size, it’s a whole generations worth.
Love your queer elders. Love your gay history. Live free, today.
