In this podcast Michael, guardian of the NZ AIDS Memorial Quilt, talks about the history of the quilt in New Zealand.
Summary
In the podcast titled "Michael Bancroft - NZ AIDS Memorial Quilt", guardian of the quilt Michael Bancroft discusses the significance and history of the New Zealand AIDS Memorial Quilt with interviewer Gareth Watkins. The quilt project, which honors individuals who died from HIV/AIDS, was inspired by a similar initiative that began in the United States around 1985 and gained momentum as it provided families, lovers, and friends a way to remember their lost ones. Large quilt displays were organized on significant days such as World AIDS Day and during candlelight memorials, serving not only as a tribute but also as an educational and prevention tool.
Bancroft highlights the contributions of New Zealander Bruce Burnett, who, upon returning to New Zealand after being diagnosed with HIV in the US, advocated for the establishment of support clinics like the Bruce Burnett Clinic in Auckland. The first panel of the New Zealand quilt was created in 1988 for Peter Cuthbert, initiating the country's participation in the global quilt project.
The conversation touches on how HIV/AIDS was initially perceived very negatively, attributed to ignorance and misconceptions about the disease. It was often seen as a "gay disease", leading to significant stigma despite the fact that it was not limited to any particular demographic. Bancroft also reflects on the role of religious communities during the epidemic, with certain denominations deeming it a divine punishment for homosexuality. In response, the Interfaith AIDS Ministry Network, comprising diverse religious leaders, was formed to provide much-needed pastoral care and support, transcending religious borders and preconceived biases.
Bancroft, who was involved in pastoral care as a representative of the Roman Catholic Church, describes the difficult periods in the late 1980s and early 1990s when the community would move from one funeral to the next, often dealing with multiple losses simultaneously. Even so, they were able to build strong support networks within families and the community, with mothers and other female relatives prominently providing care and supporting the creation of quilt panels.
The podcast also discusses the decline in the creation of new panels, with the last one received in the early 2000s. This decline may reflect a change in how people choose to remember their loved ones, as well as advancements in treatment allowing those living with HIV to lead longer lives. Despite this, the quilt remains a valuable educational resource and a reminder of the lives lost and affected by the epidemic.
A project to digitize the quilt and its stories for an online platform is mentioned as a way to preserve the memory of those honored by the quilt and engage future generations. Bancroft reveals a personal connection to many of the quilt's panels and acknowledges the profound impact of the HIV epidemic on those in their prime during the 1980s.
The podcast concludes with an acknowledgment that while the quilt panels are not frequently displayed in public due to their delicate nature, their importance endures. The initiative to create a virtual quilt will ensure that the stories and memories continue to be accessible globally, providing a perpetual tribute to those who have passed.
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