After visiting the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt on display at the Turbine Hall at the TATE in the summer of 2025, I found myself deeply moved by the creativity and craftsmanship evident at all levels, alongside the poignant individual stories embedded in each panel. Whether driven by curiosity or the absence of a permanent memorial commemorating those lost in the AIDS pandemic, I found myself repeatedly pondering who these individuals were and how life had treated them.

This reflection led me to research various quilts that particularly caught my eye—especially those that displayed only a forename. This choice, whether intentional by design or a reflection of the fear surrounding openly memorialising loved ones with their full names, added layers of mystery and anonymity that invited further contemplation on the personal and societal impact of the epidemic, whilst also learning more about who they were.

All articles and relevant documents from this episode are available on the:

XTRA Tea Blog AIDS: THE LOST VOICES - Behind the Stitches

UK AIDS Quilt Website ---> DONATE HERE <----

View Roy's Quilt

View Andrew's Quilt AJ's Letter

View Elaine's Quilt

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Piano cover: 'Only Love Can Hurt Like This' by Riyandi Kusuma

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Music / Instrumental by Aries Beats 'A Sin' + WEBSITE

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Third-party media: Used under 'fair use' for the sole purpose of education, criticism and/or research relating to HIV/AIDS, featured in this podcast. No copyright infringement intended -

• British Newspaper Archives / Newspapers
• UK AIDS Memorial Quilt Website