February 1, 2017 Comments 6 Pink Panther 2767 Views

The Instagram Account Preserving the Legacy of the AIDS Epidemic

In a world that is beginning to lose their hope in humanity (and social media), one Instagram account is reigniting the flame.

It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly thirty years since the beginning of the AIDS epidemic. Two generations were lost: men and women who could have taught young people something about life. The AIDS Memorial (@the_aids_memorial) is honoring those lost by sharing images of them and adding an anecdote about their lives and what they contributed.

Take a look at some of their posts:

#DerekJarman (31 January 1942 – 19 February 1994) was an English #filmdirector, #stagedesigner, #diarist, #artist, #gardener and #author. #Jarman was born in #Northwood, #Middlesex. . He boarded at #CanfordSchool in #Dorset, and from 1960 studied at #KingsCollegeLondon. This was followed by four years at the #SladeSchoolofFineArt, #UniversityCollegeLondon (UCL), starting in 1963. . He had a studio at #ButlersWharf, London, in the 1970s. Jarman was outspoken about #homosexuality, his public fight for #gayrights, and his personal struggle with #AIDS. . Jarman first became known as a stage designer, getting his break in the film industry as production designer for #KenRussell's The Devils (1970). He later made his debut in "overground" narrative filmmaking with #Sebastiane (1976), about the martyrdom of St. Sebastian. This was an early British film featuring positive images of gay sexuality, and its dialogue was entirely in Latin. . During the 1980s Jarman was a leading campaigner against #Clause28, which sought to ban the "promotion" of homosexuality in schools. He also worked to raise awareness of AIDS. . On 22 December 1986, Jarman was diagnosed as HIV positive and discussed his condition in public. His illness prompted him to move to #ProspectCottage, #Dungeness in Kent. In 1994, he died of an #AIDS-related illness in London, aged 52. . #whatisrememberedlives #theaidsmemorial #aidsmemorial #neverforget #endaids #newqueercinema

A post shared by THE A I D S M E M O R I A L (@the_aids_memorial) on Jan 30, 2017 at 3:46pm PST

"My oldest brother #LeonAnthonyBrooks who was such a old soul as a kid they called him Mister Lee. . He was born on this day in 1958. This is his graduation picture of #OaklandTechnicalHigh class of 1976, my favorite of him. . He died of #AIDS complications in 1991. He missed CD burning and music and movie piracy … he would have loved it … he missed Facebook, twitter and I-phones … 4G, he missed how far computers went to in an office to in every home … he missed seeing his niece and nephews grow up and the chance to see their kids … He missed … no really it’s us that missing this awesome, gorgeous, funny, loving brother … uncle … son … he was one of a kind … miss you Mr. Lee"- by Jesse Brooks . #whatisrememberedlives #theaidsmemorial #aidsmemorial #neverforget #endaids #blackhistorymonth

A post shared by THE A I D S M E M O R I A L (@the_aids_memorial) on Jan 31, 2017 at 4:22am PST

"….here's me in #Sydney in the mid 90s with my friend from #SanFrancisco, #AlanCappa (pictured right). He was an amazing beautiful person. We lost touch and I never found any trace of him … his name is listed on the #AIDSmemorialgrove in #SanFrancisco's #GoldenGatePark. To all of our friends who are not seeing in the new year, may they rest in peace, or at least have a great time in that big dance party in the sky" – by Chris Munro #whatisrememberedlives #theaidsmemorial #aidsmemorial #neverforget #endaids

A post shared by THE A I D S M E M O R I A L (@the_aids_memorial) on Jan 29, 2017 at 4:36pm PST

#PalmerDeane (Feb 28th, 1934 – Apr23rd, 1990) was an American actor born in #WalkerCounty, #Texas. He was an known for The Doctors (1963), #StilloftheNight (1982) in which he portrays #AuctionSpotter and Death Mask (1984). He died of #AIDS in #NewYork. . #whatisrememberedlives #theaidsmemorial #aidsmemorial #neverforget #endaids

A post shared by THE A I D S M E M O R I A L (@the_aids_memorial) on Jan 28, 2017 at 3:26pm PST

#BertMichaelHunter (April 15, 1958 – January 23, 2001), born on April 15, 1958, in #HellsKitchen, NY, and raised in #SpanishHarlem, NY. He was an educator, cultural activist and journal editor who died of #AIDS on January 23, 2001, in #CentralHarlem, #NewYork City. To activists, he was Bert, the strong-headed leader of African American advocates who founded three generation-shaping #NewYork groups: #GayMen of #AfricanDescent, the #AudreLorde Project and Other Countries. "He put his money and his body where his mouth was, " said friend and fellow veteran, Colin Robinson. In literary circles, he was known as B. Michael Hunter, the prolific author who wrote about his experiences growing up gay in the ghetto. He also edited the award-winning Sojourner: Black Gay Voices in the Age of AIDS. To his family, he was simply Michael, the proud son who quit a cushy IBM job to become a public school teacher. "He encouraged other to pursue their dreams, " cousin #SheilahMarby said. #whatisrememberedlives #theaidsmemorial #aidsmemorial #neverforget #endaids

A post shared by THE A I D S M E M O R I A L (@the_aids_memorial) on Jan 23, 2017 at 10:22am PST

#DavidCole (June 3, 1962 – January 24, 1995) was an American #songwriter and #recordproducer. Cole initially worked as a session musician for #FleetwoodMac and #JanetJackson but was best known as was one half of the dance-music duo #CCMusicFactory, which he founded with musical partner #RobertClivillés. Clivillés and Cole also produced various hits for other artists such as #MariahCarey, #ArethaFranklin, #JamesBrown, #LisaLisaandCultJam, #DeborahCooper, and many others. Cole won a Grammy for the soundtrack for the film #TheBodyguard which starred #KevinCostner and #WhitneyHouston. After Cole's death in 1995, Clivillés continued to keep C+C Music Factory going through his own production work. Cole died at #LenoxHillHospital in #Manhattan on January 24, 1995 due to complications from spinal meningitis brought on by #AIDS aged 32. He was buried at #EastRidgelawn Cemetery in #Clifton, #NewJersey. The song #OneSweetDay by #MariahCarey, featuring #BoyzIIMen, was written in memory of #Cole. #whatisrememberedlives #theaidsmemorial #aidsmemorial #endaids

A post shared by THE A I D S M E M O R I A L (@the_aids_memorial) on Jan 24, 2017 at 1:47pm PST

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6 Comments

Henrie
February 01, 05:54 Reply

This is so very thoughtful…
Mandy
February 01, 06:08 Reply

It really is. No matter the circumstances that led to their deaths, memories ought to be preserved.
Khaleesi
February 01, 12:06 Reply

Wow, this such a moving tribute … we must always remember the ones we lost … meanwhile in this part of the world, Stigmatization of HIV/AIDS is still alive and kicking strongly ..
Duke
February 01, 15:45 Reply

Don’t know why this reminds me of the movie ” The Normal Heart”
Promise4all
February 01, 16:59 Reply

Doctors@kitodiaries.com I need help please. Can we chat over a secure line/call?
- Simba
  February 03, 17:36 Reply
  
  Hi sorry, for late reply…. If u haven’t heard from a Dr here… Ask PP for my contacts