2. NYC AIDS Memorial

Photo of NYC AIDS Memorial InstallationPhoto by John Moore

On December 1st, the World AIDS Day, New York City AIDS Memorial is installing Hear Me: Voices of the Epidemic, a daily, hour-long outdoor sound installation composed of historical texts, poetry, speeches, music, and more that capture the history of the AIDS epidemic. The installation is the organization’s most ambitious program in its history and will include a powerful speech by activist Vito Russo, a touching song composed by Michael Callen, historic recordings of an ACT UP-led protest made by artist David Wojnarowicz, and a contemporary poem by artist Kia LaBeija.

This program will run nightly beginning at 7 PM. Hear Me will be preceded each day, beginning at 10 AM, by a recording featuring the names of over 2,000 New Yorkers lost to AIDS and read by What Would an HIV Doula Do?, a group of activists, caregivers, friends, long-term survivors of HIV/AIDS, and people living with HIV today.