World AIDS Museum and Educational Center facts for kids
The World AIDS Museum and Educational Center is a special place in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It opened on May 15, 2014. This museum helps people learn about HIV and AIDS and remembers those affected by it.
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History of the Museum
The idea for the World AIDS Museum started with a support group called Pozitive Attitudes. This group helped people living with HIV. It met at the Pride Center in Fort Lauderdale.
Steve Stagon led this group. He thought it was important to create a museum about AIDS in South Florida. He knew that many people in Broward County and Miami-Dade County were affected by HIV and AIDS. Also, many LGBTQ+ people live in this area.
Before finding a permanent home, the museum had small exhibits in churches and at the Pride Center. They then chose a building on 26th Street for the museum.
A Special Dedication
On November 7, 2013, famous basketball player Magic Johnson visited the museum. He dedicated the new space. This was exactly 22 years after he shared that he was living with HIV. The museum officially opened its doors to the public in May 2014.
What You Can See and Do
The World AIDS Museum and Educational Center has a main gallery. Here, you can see a timeline of the AIDS epidemic. There are also exhibits about stigma, which means unfair negative ideas about people.
The museum also has a traveling photo exhibit called The Face of HIV. This exhibit is now at The Urban League of Broward County's community gallery. The museum also teaches about HIV and AIDS in schools and other groups.
The current leader of the museum is Dr. Requel Lopes, AP. The museum is now located at 1350 E. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304, inside the ArtServe Facility.
On March 9, 2017, writer and activist Larry Kramer spoke at the museum. This was part of an exhibit that honored his important work.
Other AIDS Museums Around the World
There is also an AIDS Museum that travels around. It is a nonprofit group based in Newark, New Jersey. This museum collects art about AIDS and art made by artists living with HIV. It started in December 2004.
Some of its traveling exhibits have included:
- An art show called "Eyes of Mercy." It featured art by HIV-positive artists. This show was at Seton Hall University in New Jersey in late 2006.
- An exhibit called "Edge of Light: Art in the Age of AIDS." This was at Rutgers Newark from July to December 2007.
- A project called "Positive Still: Artists Respond to AIDS." This was in New York and included art from the AIDS Museum's collection.
There is also an AIDS Museum in Thailand. Another one is being created in South Africa.
