Interview: Tom Viola

Why is the NYC AIDS Memorial important to you?

This Memorial will affect any gay man over the age of 40, who is likely carrying both expressed and unexpressed emotion about living through the first 20 years of this epidemic. Walking by the remains of St. Vincent’s is a kick in the gut. We all remember folks we visited there, folks who died there, times that we were there. But now comes the NYC AIDS Memorial to help salve the wound. The serendipity of the Memorial is amazing. It’s the exact perfect spot, and I applaud Paul, Chris and Keith for hanging in there and making this happen as quickly and as beautifully as they have.

What do you find special about the Memorial?

The idea of creating a space to remember, reflect and renew is graceful. I love the design, it’s so thought out. It’s done in a way that doesn’t impose a feeling, but will allow each person to have his or her own personal experience of the space. It will be a daily reminder of recommitment and inspiration for current and future generations of activists, caregivers and people living with AIDS. That is the Memorial’s best purpose and most important challenge.

How and why is Broadway Cares involved?

I’m thrilled that BC/EFA could step up first when it was just a germ of an idea, and our funding really took root. We are delighted to join Elton John AIDS Fund and MAC AIDS Fund as lead donors to this project, as well as so many of our collective friends and colleagues. The AIDS Memorial represents the best of the work we have done for years and continue to do to this day. It represents the organizations we’ve supported and collaborated with, the hundreds of thousands who’ve died and the many, many more who loved, cared for and stood with them through what were and still are extraordinary circumstances.

Tom Viola is Executive Director of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.