“Our Board members' personal experiences motivated us to establish a landmark work of art and a one-of-a-kind digital monument which allow people not only to remember their friends and loved ones, but also to recognize the people and organizations who cared and advocated for the sick,” said Mark Lehman, the Foundation’s Board Chair. “We want to make sure that these inspirational and emotional stories are captured, shared and passed down to younger generations.”
The online component of the monument will invite visitors to submit videos, photos and stories and will be an unprecedented collection of materials relating to the more than 650,000 Americans who lost their lives to the disease. In addition, the online component will share the stories of the activists, caregivers, community leaders and organizations who fought the epidemic, as well as serve as a curated collection of information on the state of HIV/AIDS via links to resources from leading AIDS services organizations around the country.
“In many ways the story of AIDS and the story of West Hollywood are intertwined,” said West Hollywood Mayor John D'Amico. “Right from the beginning, the people of West Hollywood wept for the dying, cared for the sick, and protested for more action. Our ongoing commitment to caring and optimism is coupled with our strength as we continue to act. Today, with this monument, and all that we have become, we mark our history while we prepare for new challenges, new protests and new celebrations.”
"The creation of an AIDS monument in West Hollywood is deeply personal for those of us who lived through the horror. This project will bring us together as a community to grieve, remember, honor our heroes and teach about what happened when plague hit Southern California,” said Councilmember John J. Duran.
