In honor of World AIDS Day we share Stories of Love, Loss & Remembrance visits The Aids Memorial and Support the Global Fund in any way you can.
The Aids Memorial on Instagram shares thousands of stories of love, loss and remembrance of millions of people who have died of HIV/AIDS.
June 5, 2021 marks 40 years since the first cases of AIDS were recognized by the federal government. It is also HIVLong-Term Survivors Awareness Day. Through this unique storytelling initiative, the National AIDS Memorial is featuring stories that show the intimate human experience of AIDS during the 40 years of the pandemic – the lives lost, the survivors, the heroes. We share the important story of AIDS — the fear, stigma and discrimination. We share the stories of hope, courage, compassion, and love. And, we bring to light the harsh reality that four decades later, there is no cure and the rates of infection are on the rise, particularly in communities of color. The nation – and the world – still struggles with the issues of health and social justice and stigma. As we have seen with the tragic loss from Covid-19, there is much our nation can learn from the past, to shape a better tomorrow.
These are the first in a series of touching stories, with new features being added regularly to reach a total of forty.
Nearly 37 million people around the world are living with HIV today
Aids Memorial
We are a living memorial with thousands of names engraved within our 10-acre natural space. We are the 50,000 sections of the AIDS Memorial Quilt, with 110,000 names hand-stitched into each 3 ft by 6 ft panel. We are a memorial that remembers those who died of AIDS and share their stories through powerful educational, storytelling, events and community programs. Help support these programs and our mission.
As the nation’s federally designated national memorial to honor the lives lost to AIDS, our mission is so much more, particularly as we face a rise in HIV rates today, particularly in communities of color and among Black gay men and young people.
Through powerful programs, the National AIDS Memorial shares the story of HIV/AIDS as a teaching tool to help educate and raise greater awareness. We offer healing and hope to survivors and those living with HIV today and help inspire a new generation of leaders to carry the torch against health and social injustice and end the root causes of both.
“On this solemn day, forty years since the discovery of HIV/AIDS, Americans pay tribute to the hundreds of thousands of Americans we have lost to this vicious disease and draw strength from the more than one million courageous survivors living with HIV today. Moved by the beauty of the Grove and power of the Quilt, this morning we again renewed our vow to finally defeat the scourge of AIDS and bring hope and healing to all those affected. Thanks to the tireless leadership of activists, survivors, scientists and the LGBTQ community, we will not relent until we banish HIV to the dustbin of history and achieve an AIDS-free generation.” ~ Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Importantly, this commemoration honors those we’ve lost, the survivors and the heroes who have been on the frontlines of finding a cure and aiding those in need.
“The Quilt is a poignant and important reminder of why we must work with a sense of urgency to help end the epidemic. It will take the ongoing collaborative efforts of many groups working together, including activists, advocates, scientists and the LGBTQ+ community, to ensure that in another 40 years from now, the HIV epidemic is part of history. Gilead partners with allies like the National AIDS Memorial to remember those we’ve lost and raise greater awareness about the root causes driving the HIV epidemic, such as stigma, racism, homophobia and transphobia.” ~ Daniel O’Day, Chairman and CEO of Gilead Sciences.
Aids Memorial Pride 2022 Mix by DJ Chris de Buerre.
Personal Note
My step father died of complications after diagnosed of HIV positive in 2011. He stopped taking his pills. He just left too soon. I am sure my siblings miss their dad.
My dear best friend and I considered as a family member he is living under AIDS. He has a healthy life in Canada with his husband. This song is for you:
Gay porn stars died of AIDS
Doug Cooper (February 2, 1958 – April 16, 1992) was known as Tim Kramer, one of the biggest gay porn stars of the 1980s.
Roger Koch aka Frank Vickers aka Roger Ramses (October 15, 1948 – February 24, 1991) was a gay adult film performer who died of AIDS in St. Vincent’s Hospital, New York City,. He was 42 years old.
Michael Skrzypcak aka Eric Stryker (September 24, 1954 – February 19, 1988) (pictured left) was a gay adult film performer who died of AIDS in California. He was 33 years old.
For all those victims who were punished, ignored and maltreated you will never been forgotten.
Today, in the US, Apple Books features curated collections of books and audiobooks, including nonfiction about the global fight against HIV/AIDS and fiction from around the world. Apple TV app users can explore a compelling collection of shows and movies on the Watch Now tab that shine a light on the human cost of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. And Apple Music features a special selection of music programming, radio episodes, and more for subscribers to recognize the day.
Your generous donation helps support the work and mission of the National AIDS Memorial. By sharing the story of the struggle against HIV/AIDS, we remember, in perpetuity, the lives lost, we offer healing and hope to survivors, and we inspire new generations of activists in the fight against stigma, denial, and hate, for a just future.
Donate now. Go to https://www.aidsmemorial.org/donate-now and support in any way you can.
This is a powerful and moving tribute to those affected by the disease. The personal stories and heartfelt remembrances highlight the ongoing struggle against it. It’s a stark reminder of the importance of continuing to support initiatives like the National AIDS Memorial and the Global Fund. As a student, I developed a project for students who might need helping hand in psychological meaning and in academic success as well (here is linkedin article). It’s inspiring to see how far we’ve come, yet there’s still so much work to be done. Let’s keep supporting and educating to make a difference.