INDIANAPOLIS — Gone but not forgotten.
Dozens braved the cold and snow Saturday morning to honor the lives of those lost to the AIDS epidemic.
The Indiana AIDS Memorial’s new railings were dedicated in honor of Gary "Allen" Whitehead.
Whitehead was a volunteer with the Indianapolis Bag Ladies, an organization that’s raised money for HIV/AIDS efforts for the last 40 years.
But most importantly, Coby Palmer says Whitehead was a friend.
“Allen was full of life. He was always there. The bag ladies always put on shows, drag shows. We do the AIDS walk, we’ve done the garage parties and Allen was always there. There was never a time that Allen didn’t help out," Palmer, the Founder of the Indianapolis Bag Ladies, said.
A series of limestone tablets, carved with the names of those no longer with us, stand proudly among the graves in Crown Hill National Cemetery.
For Palmer, the names represent the many loved one he’s lost.
“The names on that memorial are friends. In the very beginning, the gay community was your family because you could not be gay. You all got together and became family," Palmer said.
The Indiana AIDS Memorial was originally dedicated in 2000 and was the nation's first permanent AIDS memorial in a cemetery. It was only the second in the country.
Stephen Everett with the Health Foundation of Greater Indianapolis says although HIV/AIDS is no longer considered a death sentence, there’s still a lot more work to be done in ending the epidemic.
“It’s very important to help people understand that we don’t have a cure for HIV. This is a wonderful monument to remind us that we can’t forget those we’ve lost, those that are currently living with HIV and there are many," Everett said.
Everett encourages you to get involved in their advocacy efforts.
“They can make a donation, they can learn more information, they can get involved, they can volunteer not only for us but for the many other organizations we support all across the state of Indiana," he said.
For more information, clickhere.
-
Over 2 million Ninja pressure cookers recalled after reports of burn injuries
SharkNinja is recalling more than 2 million pressure cookers sold in the U.S. and Canada — after consumers reported over 100 burn injuries spanning from a hazard that can cause hot food to spew out.
Your Guide to the 2025 Mini-Marathon: Maps, Times, and Closures
The IU Health 500 Festival Mini-Marathon on Saturday will bring tens of thousands to downtown Indianapolis for this annual event. Here’s everything you need to know to prepare for race day.
Daughter finds closure as father is identified among victims of Fox Hollow Farm
Coral Halloran is finding closure after DNA confirms her father, Daniel Thomas Halloran, as a victim of Fox Hollow Farm, resolving decades of mystery surrounding his disappearance.
1 shot, killed on south side of Indy
One person was shot and killed on the south side of Indianapolis early Thursday morning, police said.
