AIDS Memorial Quilts Will Be On Exhibit In El Paso

The AIDS Memorial Quilts will be on exhibit at the Binational Candlelight Vigil coming in June.

The Paso Del Norte region will be hosting the Binational Candlelight Vigil this summer to raise social consciousness and education about HIV and AIDS, prevent stigma and discrimination, and promote compassion, and care, of those impacted by the disease. At the event, various agencies will be on hand providing information about the services offered to the community, as well as education on topics including HIV/AIDS, sexual and reproductive health, substance use, and more.

Part of the Binational Candlelight Vigil will include the AIDS Memorial Quilts which began back in 1985 to help organize the annual candlelight march honoring Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone. At the end of the 1985 march, people stood on ladders taping placards bearing the names of friends and loved ones who had died of AIDS to the walls of the San Francisco Federal Building. The original quilt is now displayed in the Smithsonian Museum and has become the largest community art project in the world. Since its inception, over 1,000 beautiful quilt displays take place each year all over venues from schools and universities, corporations and community centers, places of worship and galleries around the globe.