If you know about The NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt, the man you can thank for it is Cleve Jones. Along with Marcus Conant, Frank Jacobson and Richard Keller, Jones also created the Kaposi's Sarcoma Research and Education Foundation, which later became the San Francisco AIDS Foundation. The tv program you enjoyed a couple of years ago, showing LGBTQ history (When We Rise), was based on a book by Jones "When We Rise: My Life in the Movement."
Close friends over the years with the late rainbow flag creator Gilbert Baker, Cleve Jones might not be a name you recognize and his face might not be familiar, but he has been an LGBTQ and HIV activist most of his life. The stories he has are a powerful picture of how far we have come. Cleve Jones knew Harvey Milk, and the seeds of activism were probably planted back then. He has been a giant in the lgbtq community ever since. In addition, Cleve has been a Community and Political Coordinator with a major hospitality workers’ labor union.
With over 48,000 3’ x 6’ panels, the story of The Quilt, is a fascinating one. You can learn more about it, and even donate in support, at http://www.aidsquilt.org/ This past weekend, The National AIDS Memorial marked the 35th anniversary of the AIDS Memorial Quilt with an historic outdoor display in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, featuring 3,000 panels of the Quilt.
Cleve Jones is not someone I know well - I used to see him at events or walking around the neighborhood back when I lived in San Francisco, but I certainly respect and admire all he has done, and so am pleased to mention him here during Pride Month.
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