What Is The Walking Names Project?

The Walking Names Project is designed to raise HIV/AIDS awareness on a global scale. The project itself will be a dress covered in red ribbons, each bearing an individual's name who is living with HIV/AIDS or has passed away from HIV/AIDS related complications. I will wear this dress in the annual AIDSWalk hosted in Tucson, AZ on October 19, 2008. After the walk, the dress will be made into a panel for the AIDS Quilt. 

How Was This Idea Conceived?

 The project was created in memory of a close friend  who passed away in 2007 of AIDS related complications. He was a professional female impersonator and Jai Smith is wearing the dress in honor of him, and with hopes that this can be an outlet for people to honor their loved ones.

What Do You Hope To Accomplish?

I hope to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS on a global level and to demystify some of the myths surrounding HIV/AIDS by presenting it as a human disease.

How Can People Participate?

Please send the names of the people you would like honored by emailing me. Also please pass on the website (www.walkingnamesproject.org) to others, and let them know about the project, and, if you are able, please donate a suggested $1 to the fund raising page for the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation 2008 AIDSWalk.

Personal Statement:

Hi my name is Jai Smith.  I am going in drag in honor of my fairy godfather Jimmy, who passed away in 2007 from AIDS related complications. I need everyone's help in order to get names. If you would like to honor someone, but would like to keep them anonymous then feel free to provide a nickname or alias, and it will be put on a ribbon for the individual.

Please help me by stating any names you would like to be part of this project and by passing this group on to friends and family, give a voice to those who didn't have one; and please help me by participating in or sponsoring someone for the AIDSWalk 2008. 

I will continue to walk, until there is a cure.

A very special Thank You!

Thank you to Howl At The Moon and Bunny Fufu for helping to put together the wonderful event "Dressed To Cure." The event was a success raising over $600.00. Thank you again so much!