By John Cunningham and Tom Jensen–
The National AIDS Memorial was conceived by a small group of San Franciscans, moved by the devastating AIDS crisis, as a living memorial to all people touched by AIDS. As our nation’s only federally-designated memorial to AIDS, the memorial holds the responsibility to tell the stories of the epidemic, the stories of prejudice, stigma and discrimination; the stories of love, compassion and the eloquence of a community’s response.
In choosing the long-ignored and neglected 10-acre de Laveaga Dell in Golden Gate Park, the founders, along with hundreds of volunteers, turned a forgotten and sidelined tract into an intimate, expansive memorial with national and international recognition. It was a deeply heartfelt desire to respond, to take action, to bring light to dark days.
Another story has now taken root.
Dr. Tim Seelig Envisions Artists Portal
In 2011, Dr. Tim Seelig, the then new artistic director of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, reached out to me and together we walked the National AIDS Memorial. Anyone who knows Tim knows that he is a visionary and is deeply passionate about his work and his community. During that walk, Tim spoke of the immeasurable loss that impacted the vast arts communities across the nation in the early days and ensuing years of the epidemic. It is a loss that remains in individual and collective grief and memory.
He talked about the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, who lost so many men that they christened a “Fifth Section,” in memoriam to the now over three-hundred voices who were silenced by AIDS. Tim talked of the chorus’ desire to honor and remember these artists, and all artists, in a more solid and tangible way. As we walked between the light and shadows of the memorial it became very clear that this vision was so necessary for not only San Francisco, but also for our nation. Artists give joy, inspiration and hope, and impart truth, ideas and societal change.
Over the last seven years, a group of dedicated individuals continued to meet to discuss and hone the vision to create such a space. What was lost on Broadway, in Hollywood, in the fashion world, and within the galleries, halls, cafes and stages of every community will never be wholly known, but the lives of some of the most creative and vibrant souls must never be forgotten. In 2017, the National AIDS Memorial completed a memorial circle to honor the national Hemophilia community, who lost half of its population tragically as a result of the contaminated blood supply. The team found inspiration in this to realize the dream that Tim had shared on that walk in 2011.
Transforming the Dream into Reality
Visitors to the new Artists Portal, located at the western end of the memorial, perched on the crest of a hill and tucked under towering native oak trees, will enjoy a beautiful view of the California Academy of Sciences and the de Young Memorial Museum. The National AIDS Memorial and the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus have worked together closely over the last year in the design, location, funding and labor to ensure this new feature honoring the national artists community became a reality.
One of Tim’s early ideas was to include an aural component in this space. An 8½-foot-tall Emperor Chime graces the space, a quiet sentinel until visitors ring the chime and speak a name or names of loved ones. I think visitors will find the resonance and harmony restorative and intuitive, just as the memorial cradles memory through the other senses.
On December 1, prior to performing at the 25th annual World AIDS Day National Observance—open to the public, all are welcome—the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus will gather at the Artists Portal to formally dedicate the newest addition to the National AIDS Memorial. This project of love was inspired by the spirit of some of the most creative souls to walk beside us. The memorial has long stood as a space dedicated to heroes, for remembering those we loved, for honoring those who fought and survived, for reminding us of the force and resilience of community.
The National AIDS Memorial is deeply appreciative to all who have supported this project, which will live on in perpetuity to honor all those lost and will tell the story of not only loss but also of incredible strength and compassion. The National AIDS Memorial would like to thank a few individuals for making this project a reality: Tim Seelig, Chris Verdugo, Don Ruthroff and K.C. Farrell.
John Cunningham is the Executive Director of the National AIDS Memorial Grove. Tom Jensen, a digital consultant for Wells Fargo Virtual Channels Digital group, is a member of the organization’s Board of Directors.
The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus (SFGMC) has long dreamt of creating a lasting tribute to those we have lost to the AIDS pandemic. Now, thanks to the following generous donors, such a tribute is possible at the National AIDS Memorial Grove.
SFGMC wishes to extend a special thank you to all those who have donated time and expertise in making the new Artists Portal possible. Financial contributions from the following individuals, LGBTQ choruses and allied organizations were instrumental in giving life to the memorial. Thank you!
On World AIDS Day, December 1, the Artists Portal will be dedicated in memory of those singers who no longer stand on stage but whose voices still resound in our hearts.
Cornerstone ($25,000+)
Terrence Chan + Edward Sell
Hero ($5,000+)
Joseph Bondi
Paul Saccone + Ryan Knight
Justin Taylor
Guardian ($2,500+)
Jaime Caban + Rob Mitchell
Stephen P. Hanten
Steve Gallagher + Chris Thorne
Gary Richards + Cecil Johnson
Defender ($1,000+)
Anonymous
Tiffany, Dan + Sadie Apczynski
Sal Baglieri + Peter Cirincione
Mike Bankert + John Tease
Fred Baumer + Phillip Browning
Dale Becherer + Cole P. Kinney
Derek Blechinger + Andrew Conrad
Jim Bohanon + Larry Fleck
Them Bui + Jim Hill
Tom Burch + Neil Austin
Bruce Carpenter
Joe Castrovinci
Lloyd + Janet Cluff
Rick Crane + Warwick Bentley
Joe Czuberki
Jay Davidson + Kevin O’Neill
Bud Dillon
Sean Dowdall + David Landis
Jared + Peter Drake
Dan England + Dr. Tim Seelig
Adrian Fischer + Soo Choi
John Foertsch
Robbie Frederick + Andrew Marsh
Steve Gallagher + Chris Thorne
Jim Gibson
Jason + Stephen Harpster Andersen
Steven Huffines + Daniel McCurdy
Cynthia + Jerry Johnston
Louis Kelly
Randy Laroche + David Laudon
Dr. Jay Lalezari
Stephen Luppino
Cam McLoed + Jeff Damon
Gary + David Mendelson Varela
Keith Pepper + Ken Raith
Curtis Ponzi
Jamie Rawson
Eddie Reynolds, Jr. + Herman Correa
Gary Richards
Bob Rufo
Donald Ruthroff + Jonathan Kronn
Mark Short
Michael Tate + Simon O’Mahony
Christopher Verdugo
Gary Welch
Partner ($500+)
Andrew Lippa + Tom Regouski
James McCrea + Gregory Jurin
Marilyn Stewart
Tracy Tuenge
Friend ($1+)
Richard Brabham
Gerald Deighton
Roseanne de Vries
Susan Feder
Paul Frantz
Peter Franzi
Jonathan Funk + John Arnold
Barbara Hodgen
William Hughes
Dan Joraanstad + Robert Hermann
Lynn Kormondy
Jessica McMillan
Mauricio Montano
Scott Nelson
Mike Oliver + Rodney Wade
Michael Ring
Pam Sammons
Allan Treuter
Terry + Lisa Viall
Mike Volis
Michael Wright + Brian Roby
Kasi + Craig Zieminski
LGBTQ Choruses
ANNA Crusis Women’s Choir
Asheville Gay Men’s Chorus
Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus
Boston Gay Men’s Chorus
Buffalo Gay Men’s Chorus
Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus
City of Festivals Men’s Chorus
Coro Allegro
Denver Gay Men’s Chorus
Denver Women’s Chorus
Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington DC
Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles
Golden Gate Men’s Chorus
Heartland Men’s Chorus
International Voices Houston
Kansas City Women’s Chorus
Knoxville Gay Men’s Chorus
LanSINGout Gay Men’s Chorus
Lesbian and Gay Chorus of SF
Maine Gay Men’s Chorus
Melbourne Gay and Lesbian Chorus
Men’s Chorus of the Ozarks
Mid America Freedom Band
Modern Men Coachella Valley Men’s Chorus
New York City Gay Men’s Chorus
North Coast Men’s Chorus
Oakland Gay Men’s Chorus
One Voice Mixed LGBT Chorus MN
Orlando Gay Chorus
OurSong Atlanta
Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus
Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus
Reveille Men’s Chorus
River City Mixed Chorus
Sacramento Gay Men’s Chorus
San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band
Seattle Men’s Chorus
Seattle Women’s Chorus
Silicon Valley Gay Men’s Chorus
The Stonewall Chorale
Turtle Creek Chorale
Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus
VOICES of Kentuckiana
West Coast Singers
Windy City Performing Arts
The Women’s Chorus of Dallas
Allied Organizations
ACFEA Tour Consultants
American Choral Directors Association
Chorus America
First Baptist Church Greenville SC
GALA Choruses
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