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40 Years Later: National AIDS Memorial Tribute in Golden Gate Park

On June 5, experience a 40-block display of the AIDS Memorial Quilt plus performances
By - posted 6/3/2021 No Comment

June 5th marks 40 years since the first cases of AIDS were reported in the United States. It is also HIV Long-Term Survivors Awareness Day. The issues our nation faced in the past year — a raging pandemic with hundreds of thousands of lives lost, social injustice, health inequity, stigma, bigotry and fear – are also the issues faced throughout four decades of the AIDS pandemic. It is why today, we have a National AIDS Memorial.

On this important date in the long fight against HIV/AIDS, the National AIDS Memorial — the nation’s federally-designated memorial to AIDS — will honor the more than 700,000 lives lost to AIDS, the survivors, and the heroes, during the past four decades.

40 Years Later: A Day of Tributes and Remembrance in the Grove
June 5, 2021
Noon to 6 pm
National AIDS Memorial Grove, Golden Gate Park, SF
FREE w/ RSVP

Starting at noon, special guests and visitors will be able to stroll through the Grove to see the thousands of names engraved within the memorial and experience a powerful 40-Block display of the AIDS Memorial Quilt. There will be a special performance from members of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus at 12 noon. Throughout the day, visitors will be able to read the names of loved ones lost to AIDS, which will be softly amplified throughout the Grove and leave personal tributes on Quilt signature panels. This moving observance brings together the power of the Quilt and the beauty of the Grove, together to reflect on four decades of activism, resilience, hope and remembrance.

During a powerful LiveStream ceremony, leaders of the AIDS movement including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Dr. Anthony Fauci and other leaders in the AIDS movement will provide touching tributes of activism, resilience, hope and remembrance.

While strolling through the Grove, you will be able to view digital storyboards available via your smartphone that will share stories of the Quilt, the Grove, and key historical touchpoints.

COVID Safety Requirements:

This event will adhere to all local Covid-19 health and safety guidelines.

  • All guests are required to enter the memorial via the Main Portal, at the corner of Bowling Green Drive and Nancy Pelosi Drive
  • All guests are required to wear masks and social distance; masks will be provided for those who do not have one
  • Only a limited number of guests are allowed in the Grove at a given time so we will have timed-entry
  • Guest pods will be allowed to enter the Grove at 30-second intervals
  • Hand sanitizer stations will be set up around the Grove
  • Visitors are encouraged to complete the tour of the Grove within 30 minutes to keep the flow of the event moving
  • Please dress appropriately for the weather; layers are generally recommended
  • Please DO NOT bring a backpack or other personal belongings; a coat check area will not be provided
  • If you are driving and parking in Golden Gate Park, please do not leave any valuables visible in your vehicle

More information about the day is available at http://www.aidsmemorial.org/AIDS40 where you can download information prior to your visit, including stories about the Quilt panels that will be on display.

If you cannot attend in-person, a special ceremony will be streamed beginning at 2:30 PT/5:30 ET featuring leaders in the AIDS movement via the National AIDS Memorial website.