Rick Gerharter: The Photographer

These historic photographs capture poignant events in the lives of many who lost their
loved ones to the AIDS epidemic. They bear witness to events between 1988-98 when the epidemic stole headlines and human needs spawned by AIDS and HIV disease couldn’t be filled fast enough.

As the epidemic loomed large in cities around the country, many marched, spoke out, organized demonstrations, petitioned their representatives, and publicly honored the memory of those they loved most. With relentless impact the inexorable march of the AIDS virus eventually brought the epidemic to the center of the world stage. The presence of AIDS could no longer be denied; its impact is still felt around the world, with over 25 million worldwide dead from the disease.

For those hit hardest by the AIDS epidemic early on, life ended without hope. Today thousands live with HIV disease and the expectation of a vital and productive life.
For those of us who wish to leave a legacy of compassion, hope, and awareness
to those yet to be born, we say do not forget what happened here.

Heroes and heroines were forged in these early years. The voices of a few visionaries
gathered people into groups with a life-saving agenda; together they would put a desperately needed wedge in the soaring rate of infections. Because of these efforts, new social services,
medical interventions, drug release policies, prevention education strategies, and government benefit programs were pioneered to change the face of human services. These achievements prove Margaret Mead’s famous quote, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has.”

Not in our lifetime has such a compassionate response to a devastating crisis been formulated so quickly by so few. All these efforts were initially undertaken without
government support, in spite of longstanding discrimination and homophobia, by a group composed largely of gay men and their supporters. In institutions around the country,
the rallying efforts of these activists, educators, social leaders, writers, artists, and care providers are held up as examples of successful grassroots organizing that resulted in
lasting social change.

This website is dedicated to those who lost their lives to AIDS and those who loved them.

Fawn Moran