The NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt is the Grand Marshall of the 1991 IGRA Finals Rodeo.

The NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt began in San Francisco, in June of 1987, as one person's protest to the AIDS epidemic. Propelled by the death and tragedy that confronted so many around the world. especially in the Gay and Lesbian community, a man named Cleve Jones searched for a way to make people understand the overwhelming loss and frustration that was affecting himself, and so many of his friends.

In June of 1987, Cleve spray-painted his friend's name, Marvin Feldman, onto a piece of cloth the size of Marvin's grave. Others joined the effort: friends, acquaintances, and strangers. Soon, thousands of people across the United States and around the world were adding names, expressing their grief and anger by creating hand-made memorials for their loved ones lost to AIDS.

Today the Quilt continues as a powerful, visible reminder of the epidemic we continue to face. More than 14,000 individual panels - each one remembering the life of someone who has died of AIDS- have been sewn together for friends, family members and loved ones. In Wichita, a portion of the entire Quilt will be on display at Century II on November 30th through December 2nd, 1991. The Quilt is being sponsored in Wichita by a special committee, A Commitment to Care.

IGRA is pleased to recognize the NAMES Project Foundation for their contribution to public understanding about AIDS.

The Names Project website