A Graying Pandemic
A participatory installation created at AIDS2012, the XIX International AIDS Conference in Washington, DC (7/22 - 7/27, 2012)
Read about the project here or visit:
grayingofaids.org and acria.org
Click on images for more stories. Site is a work in progress; check back soon for more content.
All content © The Graying of AIDS
"Around the world, older adults are living with HIV and AIDS. Some are long-term survivors aging with the virus while others became HIV-positive later in life; their faces and stories are rarely represented in media depictions of this pandemic. We set up a portrait studio and interview table, asked questions, and invited you to join us in the Global Village at AIDS2012 in Washington, DC. Meet some of the people we met there: 50+ portraits in 5 days, representing 13 countries, 13 US States, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia."
- With gratitude to all who shared their stories and their time with us – Naomi, Katja & Viviana
From our on-site question/comment board:
Are you afraid of what your grandchildren will think?
- Haylee, age 20 / Eureka, Illinois / USA
No. I’ve talked with them and they are supportive and proud of me for what I am doing.
- Anna
Positive doesn’t have anything to do with my intellect. Stop talking to me like I’m a child and you have to take care of me. I’m just as strong and independent as I was before I was diagnosed. And that I have been sick since ‘97 doesn’t mean that I’m necessarily weak, or stupid. I may get tired and sick occasionally, but right now I’m fine.
- Ann, age “over 50” / Arkansas / USA
"Could you please enumerate the blessings that came with HIV?"
- Milagros, age 47 / Tennessee / USA
"Life, no matter who you are, is about service. If we all served each other then we would solve so many problems, and the world would be so much better… I feel like Miss America."
- Sister Vicious Power Hungry Bitch, age 60 / California / USA
