Aids quilt celebrates lives of people with virus

Artist Garry Jones (left), pictured with Coventry Pride trustee Richard Harty, was inspired to educate others about HIV treatment after his own diagnosis

A memorial quilt has gone on display in Coventry to celebrate the "forgotten" lives of people with Aids.

The hand-stitched artwork, which can be seen at St Mary's Guildhall on Bayley Lane, was designed by artist and activist Garry Jones.

Mr Jones, who was diagnosed with HIV in 2006, said his aim was to "educate" and "get people talking" about the virus.

"It's no longer a death sentence if you're on treatment," he said.

Birmingham-based Mr Jones, who lived in Coventry in his 20s, said he had used art to raise awareness and remove stigma since his diagnosis.

"I just wanted to remember all those people that I knew that have died," he said. "But also to celebrate those who are living."

Inspired by an Aids memorial quilt in the United States, Mr Jones also led the creation of similar panels in Birmingham, unveiled with a public sculpture in 2022.

"It took me a long time to get used to being HIV positive because of the shame and the guilt that's put on you by society," he said.

"Now I stand proud as a gay man who's HIV positive. And, just because I've got a virus, doesn't make me any different from anyone else."

The quilt, commissioned by Coventry Pride and partly funded by the city council, depicts a silhouette of Lady Godiva wrapped in a red ribbon.

Councillor Kamran Caan, cabinet member for public health and sport, said the city had "a high rate of HIV".

"It impacts people from all ethnicities and sexualities and we implore everyone to get tested," he said.

Coventry Pride trustee Richard Harty said the 6ft-high (1.82m) panel celebrated the "forgotten" history of the local LGBT community and "lives that we've lost."

"We want to educate people about HIV, and that you don't have to die from it, you can get tested," he said.

The quilt will remain on display until 16 March.