By Al Ballesteros
As the AIDS epidemic continues to impact communities across the country, The Wall Las Memorias’ AIDS Monument is an anchor for the work of the organization by addressing stigma, shame and health prevention to under-served communities.
For 30 years, The Wall Las Memorias (TWLM) has led the effort to eradicate stigma and bigotry around HIV/AIDS, creating a safer space in the community and leading to the creation of health prevention programs that serve the LGBTQ+ community. The AIDS Monument has been a catalyst for social change as TWLM promotes dialogue, community building, education, and prevention services to help bring an end to the epidemic.
Richard Zaldivar founded TWLM in 1993 with the vision of bringing HIV/AIDS awareness to the greater Los Angeles Latino community. Richard was inspired to create this movement when he heard that his close friend was struggling with denial and shame following an HIV diagnosis.
Today, the AIDS Monument is celebrating 20 years as a standing memorial and reminder of the ongoing epidemic which has taken the lives of tens of thousands in Los Angeles County and hundreds of thousands around the country.
TWLM is a health, social services and advocacy organization that provides a wide array of programs including HIV prevention, testing, PREP, substance use prevention, mental health services, community outreach, policy and advocacy work. At present, the organization provides care to 5,000 annually.
After 20 years of the AIDS monument, what do you feel the impact has been?
Zaldivar: Although many doubted that we could build a monument in the Latino community, we proved them wrong. Although the thought to build a monument came from one person it was the community and The Latino Men’s Group, a prevention group of The Wall Las Memorias who helped in the advocacy for the construction of the monument. That advocacy paved the way for HIV awareness and education. For the men who suffered from racism and exclusion in the gay community, their involvement gave our men a sense of purpose and pride.
The monument has been a place for thousands of people to honor those who had been dishonored. The monument is safe a pathway for the Latino and faith-based communities’ participation.
What are the goals for the Wall Las Memorias and the monument for the next several years?
Zaldivar: The monument will evolve with modern technology and will soon go viral. In February 2025 our AIDS monument will go virtual online at our website so the world can visit. Soon our organization, The Wall Las Memorias will enter our 32 years of service. We are seeking to expand our PrEP program, HIV prevention and testing, substance use and mental health programs.
What are your thoughts of why HIV infection rates continue forward at higher levels, especially among Latino MSM in light of current information and available resources?
Zaldivar: We will continue to see an increase in HIV in Latino MSM until we address the issues of homophobia, racism, classism, and elitism in our community. These issues contribute to isolation, which often leads to drug abuse and mental illness. We have much work to do before we eradicate HIV. The Wall Las Memorias is committed to ending HIV once and for all.
The Wall Las Memorias will host SALUD! A las Grandes Memorias, A World AIDS Day Music & Health Community Celebration, a free community-wide health fair on December 1, 2024. The event will be hosted in Lincoln Park at 3600 N. Mission Rd., Los Angeles, CA 90031. The health fair will begin at 2 p.m. World AIDS Dat commemorations are scheduled for later in the afternoon/evening beginning at 4:30 p.m.