The National AIDS Memorial Grove marked World AIDS Day with a virtual exhibition of the AIDS Memorial Quilt that featured more than 10,000 panels, chosen by partners that included STORIES: The AIDS Monument.

The Quilt was conceived in 1985 by activist Cleve Jones and first displayed in 1987 during the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights.

STORIES’ Development Committee Chair Jorge Mellado explained that “the National AIDS Memorial reached out to us about this wonderful partnership opportunity to reflect and remember.”

The STORIES panels were chosen by West Hollywood Mayor Lindsey P. Horvath and FAM Board member Dr. W. David Hardy. 

“So many people make up the story of our City’s experience with AIDS that it was difficult to choose only a few,” Mayor Horvath said. “The panels I chose [Thomas Crail, Clayton Griffin, Sheldon Andelson, Marc Bliefield and Tom Proctor] represent people who were instrumental to creating our City.”

Among the panels Dr. Hardy selected were panels representing two men he provided care for: singer-songwriter Peter Allen and Alan Peterson. Dr. Hardy said that Allen’s “bright, high-energy music remains to remind us of a happier, more carefree time,” and credited Peterson with teaching him “resiliency and passion in the face of grave adversity.”

In a time of challenge and isolation, the Virtual Quilt Exhibition served as a reminder of the importance of collective grief and collective celebration of life.  The exhibition can be viewed online through March 31, 2021.

“The Virtual Quilt Exhibition makes accessible an important telling of the stories that make up the lives of people who were impacted by AIDS,” said Mayor Horvath. “The Exhibition not only helps us to know and remember their stories, but also helps to educate future generations.”