World AIDS Day marks 40 years of AIDS epidemic

ducer, Our Lady J and acclaimed actor Billy Porter, will be on hand to discuss the impact of the history-making series about New York City’s African-American, Latino, LGBTQ and gender-nonconforming drag ball culture scene beginning in the 1980s. The Quilt panel made for Porter’s character Pray Tell is being gifted to the memorial to become part of the AIDS Memorial Quilt archives and memorabilia.

“Pose has connected the story of AIDS to a new generation, and the collective work of the creators, cast and crew has touched millions of people,” said Quilt Co-Founder Cleve Jones. “Each episode is so powerful, sharing the pain and love that so many of us have lived through.”

All of the World AIDS Day conversations can also be viewed later on the Memorial’s webpage and its YouTube channel.

Beginning at 4:30 p.m., guests are invited to visit the National

AIDS Memorial Grove in-person, or online, as it is illuminated for a free public display of lights and a special ‘reading of the names’ ceremony. This marks the first time that the 10-acre memorial will open to the public in the evening on World AIDS Day, illuminated with candles, lanterns and decorative lights. Adjacent to the Grove in the Music Concourse, visitors can also see a beautiful light display and listen to poetry readings that same evening.

Additionally, more than 400 sections of the iconic AIDS Memorial Quilt will be displayed at community events around the country. The Memorial has created a special interactive map to show where you can see the Quilt in-person and virtually on World AIDS Day.

“We are incredibly thankful to our partners and supporters who have made our World AIDS Day programming possible,” Cunningham

NATIONAL AIDS MEMORIAL