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Birmingham Remembers Their Names – The UK AIDS Memorial Quilt Exhibition
26 July, 2022 - 8 August, 2022
Free
Pride House Birmingham 2022 present a display of the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt during the Commonwealth Games.
From Tuesday 26th July – Monday 8th August, weekdays only
9am – 6pm each day, 10 slots available per hour
Venue: Southside Building, 31 Hurst Street, Birmingham B5 4BD
Book your slot here to view the quilt
The UK AIDS Memorial Quilt is an irreplaceable piece of social history. It tells the stories of many of those lost in the early days of the HIV AIDS epidemic in the 80’s and 90’s.
The UK Quilt is part of an international movement that sought to raise awareness of the impact of the AIDS pandemic and ensure that these lives would never be forgotten.
It is both a shout of protest at the needless loss of life, and a celebration of the lives commemorated. It is a reminder that HIV is still with us and that lives are still lost. It is a call to action to challenge HIV stigma and support those living with HIV today.
The quilt is a unique historical document.
In total there are 20 twelve foot by twelve foot panels on display, each comprising up to 8 smaller panels. Each panel is approximately 4m sq. Each individual panel commemorates someone who died of AIDS and has been lovingly made by their friends, lovers or family. Lives remembered include those of the writer, Bruce Chatwin; the artist/film maker Derek Jarman; the actors, Ian Charleson and Denholm Elliot; gay rights activist, Mark Ashton and the photographer Robert Mapplethorpe.
In addition, emotive testimonials, photos, and personal documents that tell the story behind the panel accompany many of the quilt panels.
The quilt represents people from all around the UK. Each of the panels tells a story – many have their own folder that is a personal tribute to the people being commemorated, containing photographs and letters.
The Quilt reminds us how far we’ve come in the fight against HIV – it no longer has to stop you living a long and healthy life – but there is still much to be done.