Stuart, can you tell us what made you start The AIDS Memorial?
So many people have passed away and been forgotten. Maybe not by their relatives or friends, of course, but AIDS is not a subject that we want to be reminded of. Older people don’t want to relive it. It’s too painful and there is still the feeling they will be judged all over again for being connected to someone who died of AIDS. Then the younger generation? Well, why would they be interested? Even though a generation of artists, activists and every day folk were just wiped out, it is now all ancient history to them.
However, I have always been interested in these stories, long before I created The AIDS Memorial (TAM) last April. Yes, there is The AIDS Quilt, there are public memorials but I have always wanted something more accessible and human. Not a block of stone as a substitute or a relic hidden away just like AIDS was/is! I wanted to instantly share the stories that I found.
I’m guessing it’s not something that pays the bills so do you have a group of people who help you with this or do you do it solo?
TAM started off with stories about people who had always interested me, for example Paul Monette, Jobraith, Gia Carangi and Joe Macdonald to name just a few. Gradually as TAM attracted more followers I received message from lovers, mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, nephews, nieces and friends telling me their stories about their loved ones and their history. That’s when it really hit home, there were people from all walks of life that never got the opportunity to realise their potential.
Although I am the only one that posts each day I still class TAM as a collaborative project due to the amount of followers who take the time to submit posts. I’m just the middle man and it is such an honour for me to be able to share them. I love the online community that’s been created through TAM and the loyal support that it receives.
I’m sure all the stories you post are moving but can you tell us about some of the stories that have meant the most to you?
All the stories mean something to me. I am moved daily. I cry. I get angry. Sometimes I’ve been overcome with a whole range of emotions before I even post a story. I couldn’t honestly possibly pick one that stands out because there are just too many. Each one is like a precious gem and I’m very protective of them. I read and monitor all comments left on TAM which is surprisingly troll free!
What do you make of stories that come out now saying ‘As we near finding the cure for HIV/AIDS, people are becoming more relaxed about safe sex and not using condoms…’
I would say hold up! Until they find a cure keep using protection! It’s a complicated subject matter, people are very passionate about it and can get easily offended. I don’t believe in scaring or shaming when it comes to sex or HIV. That never works. But then being open and honest can scare people and there is no getting around that.
Let’s just deal with the facts and the reality of an HIV diagnosis. At this present time you cannot ‘relax’ when it comes to HIV. Sure there is PREP, if you can access it that is, but PREP isn’t a cure. Just like the contraceptive pill doesn’t always prevent babies.
However, PREP is an amazing scientific advance and there is no denying that. But until there is a cure for AIDS none of us can afford to be complacent. We have to take responsibility for our own health. Antiretroviral may make us think it has all gone away. It hasn’t. AIDS is killing people all over the world. Although HIV is classed nowadays as a ‘manageable chronic condition’ you only have to speak to long-term survivors to hear that it is still not a walk in the park.
Were you around during the AIDS crisis?
I was a kid back in the 80’s growing up in Scotland – where I still live now – I thought AIDS was too depressing a subject to think about and I was scared that it could happen to me. Even though I had been out since I was 19 and travelled quite a bit, no one spoke about it. AIDS was a dirty word. Sadly it still is!
What do you want to do with all these stories?
I learn a lot from each post and I want to share that knowledge. If I can play even a small part in keeping their legacy alive, well, my mission is accomplished! Of course I want as many as people to follow TAM as possible. I want the stories to be heard far and wide. This will also hopefully encourage more people to get in contact and allow me to share their stories.
To get in touch with Stuart about The AIDS Memorial:
