The AIDS Project of Southern Vermont is honored to host sections of the internationally renowned AIDS Memorial Quilt in recognition of World AIDS Day which is Monday, Dec. 1. A 12-foot-by-12-foot panel of the Quilt, including a panel memorializing local Ron Squires, Vermont's first openly gay legislator, will be displayed at three public locations in Windham County.
On Thursday, Dec. 4, the Quilt will be on display from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the third floor of the Rockingham Free Public Library in Bellows Falls, in partnership with Bellows Falls Pride. Free HIV testing will be offered from 3 to 6 p.m. The evening program will also feature singer-songwriter Taronté Venable at 6:15 p.m. and a talk by Michael Haley of GLAD Law at 7 p.m.
On Friday, Dec. 5, the display will move to Brooks Memorial Library in Brattleboro, where it will be on view from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Then, Saturday, Dec. 6, the quilt will be on display at the Turning Point Center of Bennington County from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Created in 1985 and first displayed on the National Mall in 1987, the AIDS Memorial Quilt has become "the largest community arts project in history, now composed of nearly 50,000 panels honoring more than 110,000 individuals," organizers wrote in a news release. New panels are still being created, "ensuring that stories of loss, resilience, and community activism continue to be preserved."
"We are so excited to bring this piece of history to Southern Vermont," said Heather Cutler, Case Manager at the AIDS Project of Southern Vermont, in the news release. "It's important to honor this history and celebrate advances in HIV detection and treatment."
This World AIDS Day event is presented in partnership with Bellows Falls Pride, Brooks Memorial Library, Rockingham Free Public library, Turning Point of Bennington County,and community members whose lives have been impacted by HIV/AIDS. Educational materials on HIV prevention, care, and community support will be available at all three locations.
For more information, contact the AIDS Project of Southern Vermont at 802-254-4444.
This Town and Village item was submitted to The Commons.