HIV epidemic is not over. Let’s all work.
The City Council of Hartford made history at its November meeting when it voted overwhelmingly to approve the placement of the Connecticut AIDS Memorial on the Columbus Green near Lafayette Street and Capitol Avenue. The vote marks a significant milestone in the journey to deliver a permanent memorial to the state, remembering our friends and loved ones lost to HIV/AIDS. Equally important, it will remind us that the HIV epidemic is not over and call us to action.
The journey to create the Connecticut AIDS Memorial began in 2021.
The death of beloved activist and Hartford resident Shawn Lang sparked a movement of public art and advocacy. A courageous activist and brilliant political strategist, Shawn turned a crisis into a moment for action. In that spirit, her community came together to create a memorial for the people for whom she fought so hard.
The Shawn Lang Task Force for a Connecticut AIDS Memorial was also inspired by the movement to create similar monuments in cities across the U.S. that, like Hartford, were devastated by HIV in the 1980s to ‘90s, and continue to grapple with the epidemic today.
We believe that the people of Connecticut deserve a beautiful, public tribute in the heart of our capital city to represent the immeasurable losses we experienced from HIV, and to inspire a new generation to walk in Shawn's footsteps and carry on the struggle.
The Connecticut AIDS Memorial has many champions. Hartford residents showed up in large numbers, calling into the meetings, writing letters, and placing calls to City Hall. We would also not be where we are today without the tireless work and adamant support of Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin and Councilwoman Marilyn Rosetti.
The mayor and councilwoman immediately saw the significance of placing this memorial not only in Hartford but right next to the center of state government. We look forward to next year when we all gather with Mayor Bronin and Councilwoman Rosetti to cut the ribbon.
House Speaker Matt Ritter, D-hartford, has also been a huge proponent of the project. Thanks to his leadership, the State Bonding Commission approved a $250,000 grant to the City of Hartford to support the memorial. We are so grateful for the Speaker's support.
Someday soon, when we march and mobilize for positive change in Connecticut, we will gather at the base of a monument, remembering those in our state who died prematurely because our government didn't think they were worth saving. As we raise our voices to demand justice for many causes, we will also remember warriors like Shawn, who, surrounded by dying friends and propelled by a burning rage, marched, lobbied, disrupted, got arrested, and shouted until our elected officials did something.
The Greater Hartford Arts Council also recognized the significance of a Connecticut AIDS Memorial and provided generous seed funding. The job is not finished, however. The Task Force will work in 2024 to raise the funds and work with community to select an artist. We must also ensure that the state steps up and contributes its fair share to this important project.
The unique importance of memorials to the HIV epidemic lies not only in remembering those we lost and reminding us of what happens when our government turns its backs on people, but calls us to action to end the HIV epidemic once and for all. The memorials don't let us forget that HIV, like all public health crises, are symptoms of injustice and inequity.
Today in Connecticut, Black people, queer and trans people, and women continue to bear an outsized burden of HIV infections and death from Aids-related complications. How a society cares for its most vulnerable during a public health crisis reflects its values. Frankly, we can do better.
The Task Force knows that getting to zero HIV transmissions, universal treatment, and normal lifespans for everyone living people with HIV should be a given in Connecticut. We hope that as our elected officials arrive in Hartford and drive toward the Capitol, they will glimpse the memorial Shawn inspired and remember that we all still have work to do.