Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Compass' Display of the Names Project Quilt


We had the chance to talk to Lorenzo Lowe yesterday on the last day of the Names Project Quilt display at Compass. The display began on November 19th and ran through December 3rd. This period included December 1st which is  World AIDS Day. Compass had other events throughout the period commemorating the event and the display of the quilt panels. In the video, Lorenzo, who is Compass' HIV Prevention and Testing Coordinator, talks about the importance of the display on impressing the extent of the epidemic to a younger generation that was not around during the crisis period of the 1980s and 90s, before the advent of life-sustaining drugs for treatment. There still is no cure for the disease and awareness is important to prevent its further spread.

Here are some still pictures. Remember that each quilt represents a life that was taken too early amid much confusion and hysteria over the epidemic. Some of which still exists. When you look at these pictures, think of the loved ones that you knew or know that have been impacted by this illness.