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National AIDS Grove - Golden Gate Park
This year marks the grim 25 year anniversary of AIDS. First recognized in 1981, the U.S. response to the disease was slow and half-hearted. Despite surgeon general C. Everett Koop's repeated pleas, President Reagan refused to publicly mention the disease first known as GRID (Gay Related Immune Deficiency). It wasn't until 12 years and 110,000 American deaths later that the U.S. took its first halting strides toward a consolidated effort at finding a cure for the disease.

Fortunately San Francisco's action to combat AIDS was swifter and more aggressive than the national effort. Local public health organizations along with civic government launched media campaign to promote safe-sex, the need for blood screening, and publicize high-risks such as needle-sharing. A myriad of local organizations provided aid and support for victims and survivors. The disease peaked here in 1992 and has declined since. Today AIDS is recognized not as a 'gay disease' but simply a disease. The seven-acre National AIDS Grove was designated in 1996 to honor the memory of all who have shared in the struggle against AIDS. The 35-foot, spiraling Circle of Friends bears the inscribed names of people who have died of the disease.
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