Jeff Bosacki took a trip to Europe in 1987, treating it as one last hurrah — he expected to die soon from his HIV diagnosis.
However, it led him to something worth fighting for. When he returned to the United States, he went to Washington, D.C., when the AIDS Memorial Quilt was first displayed in its entirety on the National Mall. Comprised of nearly 2,000 panels at that time, the quilt was meant to draw attention to the AIDS crisis and honor those who died. The display also coincided with the Second National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights.
"The idea was a panel that was supposed to represent the size of a coffin, 3-feet-by-6-feet," said Bosacki, who now lives in Palm Springs. As chapter organizations were formed so that AIDS quilts could be made across the country, Bosacki got involved with various groups, and even traveled to African and Caribbean countries to provide educational work.
Nearly 40 years later, he's still here and guiding people through the quilt-making process, most recently at the LGBTQ Community Center of The Desert in Palm Springs. A small group of residents have come together to honor deceased loved ones ahead of World AIDS Day on Monday, Dec. 1. Coachella Valley residents will have an opportunity to see their finished works on display in the Center's lobby throughout the month of December.
