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Rock Hudson (Roy Harold Scherer, Jr., later Roy Harold
Fitzgerald) (November 17, 1925 – October 2, 1985), was
an American film and television actor, recognized as a
romantic leading man during the 1950s and 1960s, most
notably in several romantic comedies with Doris Day. Hudson was voted "Star of the
Year", "Favorite Leading Man", and similar titles by
numerous movie magazines. The 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) tall actor
was one of the most popular and well-known movie stars of
the time. He completed nearly 70 motion pictures and starred
in several television productions during a career that
spanned over four decades.
Hudson died in 1985, being one
of the first major Hollywood celebrities to die from an
AIDS-related illness.
"I can at least know my own
misfortune has had positive worth," Hudson said on his
deathbed, shortly before the disease overcame him on October
2, 1985.
(source: Wikipedia)
Ryan Wayne White
(December 6, 1971 – April 8, 1990) was an American teenager
from Kokomo, Indiana who became a national poster child for
HIV/AIDS in the United States, after being expelled from
middle school because of his infection. A hemophiliac, he
became infected with HIV from a contaminated blood treatment
and, when diagnosed in December 1984, was given six months
to live. Doctors said he posed no risk to other students,
but AIDS was poorly understood at the time, and when White
tried to return to school, many parents and teachers in
Kokomo rallied against his attendance. A lengthy legal
battle with the school system ensued, and media coverage of
the case made White into a national celebrity and spokesman
for AIDS research and public education. He appeared
frequently in the media with celebrities such as Elton John,
Michael Jackson and Phil Donahue. Surprising his doctors,
White lived five years longer than predicted and died in
April 1990, one month prior to his high school graduation.
(source: Wikipedia)
Freddie Mercury (born
Farrokh Bulsara, 5 September 1946 – 24 November 1991) was a British
musician, singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist of the
rock band Queen. As a performer, he was known for his flamboyant stage
persona and powerful vocals over a four-octave range. As a
songwriter, Mercury composed many hits for Queen, including "Bohemian
Rhapsody", "Killer Queen", "Somebody to Love", "Don't Stop Me Now",
"Crazy Little Thing Called Love" and "We Are the Champions". In addition
to his work with Queen, he led a solo career, penning hits such as
"Barcelona", "I Was Born to Love You" and "Living on My Own". Mercury
also occasionally served as a producer and guest musician (piano or
vocals) for other artists. He died of bronchopneumonia brought on by
AIDS on 24 November 1991, only one day after publicly acknowledging he
had the disease. (source: Wikipedia)
Pedro Pablo Zamora (born Pedro Pablo Zamora y Díaz,
February 29, 1972–November 11, 1994) was a Cuban-American
AIDS educator and television personality. As one of
the first openly gay with AIDS to be portrayed in popular
media, Zamora brought international attention to HIV/AIDS
and LGBT issues and prejudices through his appearance on
MTV's reality television series, The Real World: San
Francisco.
U.S. President Bill Clinton
credited Zamora with personalizing and humanizing those
living with HIV—especially to Latino communities—with his
activism, including his testimony before Congress. His
romantic relationship with Sean Sasser was also documented
on the show with the two getting married on air; their
relationship was later nominated by MTV viewers for
"Favorite Love Story" award. Zamora's personal
struggle with AIDS, and his conflict with housemate David
"Puck" Rainey is credited with helping to make The Real
World a hit show, for which Time ranked it #7 on their list
of 32 Epic Moments in Reality-TV History.
Each year, a book is placed
with The Quilt exhibit for any who
wish to write a "Message to the Quilt".
Here is a small sample of messages received in 2008 and 2009.
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