THE GREATER MANCHESTER UK AIDS MEMORIAL QUILT TRAIL

Inspired by the 2019 Global World AIDS Day theme ‘Communities make the Difference’, we are delighted and proud to announce an exhibition of panels from the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt in locations across Greater Manchester in the run up to World AIDS Day, December 1st 2019.

The UK AIDS Memorial Quilt is a unique and powerful historical and social artefact and an irreplaceable piece of HIV history. It tells the stories of people lost to the virus in the early days of the HIV epidemic in the UK. Loved ones are honoured and remembered in panels made by partners, friends and families. This is the first time any of the Quilt panels have been exhibited in Greater Manchester since 2007.

The Greater Manchester UK AIDS Memorial Quilt Trail will run from 25th November until 1st December at various venues.  A launch event will take place at HOME, Manchester on 25th November at 6.30pm.

VENUES

Each venue will display a panel from the Quilt.  Each panel measures 12 foot x 12 foot (3.6m x 3.6m)

• HOME, Manchester
• Royal Exchange Theatre
• Manchester Central Library
• Manchester Cathedral
• Manchester Art Gallery
• Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery
• Oldham Coliseum
• Number One Riverside, Rochdale
• Stretford Public Hall
• Pendleton Gateway, Salford
• The Met, Bury
• Tameside Hospital, Hartshead Building, South Entrance
• Wigan Life Centre
• Octagon, Market Place, Bolton

WORLD AIDS DAY

Since the virus was identified in 1984, more than 35 million people have died of HIV-related illnesses. Nearly 37 million people are living with HIV today with over 101,000 of those in the UK.

Despite huge medical advances in treatment, HIV remains a highly stigmatised medical condition. World AIDS Day is an opportunity to remember those lost to HIV globally, to raise awareness and to educate people about HIV today.

Neal Sharpe, Joint Interim Executive Director, George House Trust, says:

"We believe that the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt can be used as a key resource to raise levels of awareness about HIV. By personalising those who have died from HIV related illnesses and by presenting information about people living with HIV today, we hope to break down barriers and challenge the stigma that still affects the lives of many people living with HIV.”

The UK AIDS Memorial Quilt Trail leads up to the Greater Manchester World AIDS Day Vigil which takes place on Sunday 1st December at 6pm in Sackville Gardens, the site of the Beacon of Hope, Manchester’s memorial to those lost to HIV/AIDS.

George House Trust is coordinating and delivering the Greater Manchester UK AIDS Memorial Quilt Trail for the PaSH (Passionate about Sexual Health) Partnership as part of Greater Manchester’s World AIDS commemorations.

The PaSH Partnership is a collaboration between George House Trust, BHA for Equality and LGBT Foundation.