ROM Speaks: Stitching Grief: The AIDS Memorial Quilt

ROM Speaks: Stitching Grief: The AIDS Memorial Quilt

Wednesday, October 30, 2024

7:00 PM - 8:00 PM, followed by a meet-and-greet reception from 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM

From fascinating to thought-provoking, ROM Speaks presents compelling voices on hot topics, guaranteeing an entertaining evening enriched by engaging conversations.

Program Information

Making its first public appearance in 1987 during the early years of the AIDS pandemic, the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt is a powerful, living memorial celebrating the lives of people who had died of AIDS-related causes. The inaugural quilt was comprised of 1,920 panels covering an area larger than a football field, and in 1996 had grown to include more than 40,000 panels, which stretched from the Washington Monument to the U.S. Capitol when displayed on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Today, the AIDS Memorial Quilt is accessible online and features 50,000 panels with nearly 110,000 names of those who died of AIDS-related causes sewn into it.

Join activist Cleve Jones, the AIDS Memorial Quilt's visionary founder, and Canadian AIDS Society Executive Director Ken Miller, for an intimate, candid conversation, moderated by journalist Valerie Pringle, on the legacy of the AIDS Memorial Quilt and the Canadian AIDS Society. Through stories, news, and life events, these two visionaries explore the relationship between textile arts, intimacy and care, and the politics surrounding craft and the AIDS epidemic. The evening also features a live performance by Forte – Toronto Gay Men's Chorus.

Completing the evening is a tour of the ROM original exhibition Quilts: Made in Canada, a meet-and-greet reception, and opportunities to purchase books on the topics discussed.

Featured Speakers

• Cleve Jones has given a voice to the voiceless, organized the struggling and disenfranchised, and inspired activists and audiences alike with his life stories of driving history-making change for over 50 years. He was recognized as a Champion of Change by President Obama and portrayed in an Oscar-winning film. His acclaimed keynotes connect the historic struggles of the past with the most urgent issues of our time: overcoming pandemics, achieving economic justice, protecting the vulnerable, and standing up for all forms of human rights. A passionate speaker with a powerful story, Jones is now speaking out for all who struggle for equality and fair treatment. He brings both historical perspective and storytelling talent to timely discussions of diversity, intersectionality, civil and human rights and the stunning parallels between the HIV and COVID-19 pandemics.
• Ken Miller is the Executive Director of the Canadian AIDS Society (CAS). A passionate and empathetic leader, Ken has worked in various settings, from consumer led mental health organizations to outpatient counselling services, to community health centres. Living and working on the traditional lands of the Anishinabek Nation and the traditional territories of Fort William First Nation, signatory to the Robinson-Superior Treaty of 1850 (now known as Oliver Paipoonge), Ken's empathy for others directs him as a helper. He believes it is the qualities of empathy, passion, and determination that drive his vision and community work with the Canadian AIDS Society.
• Valerie Pringle is one of Canada's most respected media personalities, having enjoyed a distinguished career as a broadcaster and journalist for over 35 years. She is passionate about helping others and now makes a significant contribution to Canadian life raising awareness of various charitable organizations through her volunteer work and public speaking. An early champion of the fight against AIDS, she worked to raise funds and fight the stigma associated with AIDS and has been a spokesperson for the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research for 25 years.
• Forte – Toronto Gay Men's Chorus is one of Canada's premier male choral ensembles, and boasts a membership proudly drawn from Toronto's diverse LGTBQ+ community. Created in 1997, the choir has evolved to master a wide range of performance repertoire styles, from show tunes and "choir-ography" to original contemporary, and classical works. The choir's versatility has been showcased through performances on television and radio, at sports and ceremonial events, with touring groups, and as part of special community celebrations.

• Honor a Loved One by Adding Their Name to the "Stitching Grief" Memorial
  At the heart of our memorial table, you have the opportunity to personally contribute by adding the name of someone who passed away due to HIV or
  AIDS-related causes. This simple act of remembrance ensures their legacy lives on, woven into the collective memory of our community.  Whether they were a friend, family member, or a community leader, adding their name serves as a powerful tribute to their life and a reminder that their story continues to inspire change.  By participating, you help amplify the voices of those we’ve lost, ensuring that no name is forgotten in the ongoing fight against HIV/AIDS. The table will be located on the 3rd Floor in Eaton Court during the post-program reception..

Program Partners

Created in 1986, the Canadian AIDS Society (CAS) is a national charitable organization dedicated to advocating for A IDS Service Organizations across Canada and is the keeper of the Canadian AIDS Quilt panels. CAS represents community-based HIV/AIDS organizations across the country, delivering on its objective to strengthen the response to HIV/AIDS in Canada and enhance the lives of people and communities living with, and affected by, HIV/AIDS.

Pride Toronto creates and supports events and programming that celebrate the diverse talents, stories, and achievements of all 2SLGBTQI+ communities, and boldly advocates for and defends human rights. Its main event, Pride Toronto, is held annually in June, and culminates with the city's popular Pride Festival Weekend celebrations, one of the largest organized gay pride festivals in the world.

The Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research (CANFAR) was founded in 1987 and aims to end Canada's HIV epidemic by leading national strategies to increase prevention, testing, treatment and linkage to care, and to end HIV stigma. Fueled by fundraising, CANFAR supports research, builds awareness, and cultivates partnerships.