Commemorating one of the gravest end-of-life issues our world faces

San Francisco Representative Nancy Pelosi, who famously said in 1987 that she came to Congress to help fight AIDS, was honored in San Francisco in April. She joined the Community Volunteer Workday at the National AIDS Memorial Grove to commemorate her twenty-fifth year in the U.S. House of Representatives. Despite critics back in the day, Pelosi was determined what San Francisco has learned about AIDS prevention and care with the rest of the country.

San Francisco’s legacy is still strong today. The National AIDS Memorial Grove in which Pelosi stood in April is located in the city’s glorious Golden Gate Park. The Grove is a space for millions of Americans from around the nation who have been touched directly or indirectly by AIDS can gather to “heal, hope, and remember.” The sacred ground exists to honor all who have faced this tragic disease, both those who have died and those who have suffered a loss.

“For all the promising prospects on the horizon, AIDS continues to invade our lives, violate our past, and rob us of our comfortable assumptions about the future.”

Our community also has the infamous SF Pride to celebrate this weekend. In addition to their dedication to education about and celebration of LGBT culture and liberation, SF Pride is also part of a grant-giving organization. Through community partners, it has granted nearly two million dollars to local LGBT organizations and those working on issues related to HIV/AIDS and other issues that plague the greater community.

We at SevenPonds are very excited to have a booth in the senior section for Pride on Sunday, June 24th! The focus of everyone with whom we’ll share this space will be to engage wellness and social activities for seniors and adults with disabilities, and to create opportunities to build connections with LGBT communities in the Bay Area. Come join us on Sunday — we’d love to meet you and we’re excited to welcome you to share in the conversation about these intersecting end-of-life issues.