A quilt to remember Terry Higgins, the first named person in the UK to die of an AIDS-related illness, will be displayed in the Wales is… gallery at St Fagans National Museum of History from 29 January 2026.
Terrence Higgins, known as Terry, was born in Pembrokeshire in 1945. He grew up in Haverfordwest, before moving to London. When Terry died at St Thomas’ Hospital in London on 4 July 1982, his death sparked the creation of a charity in his name that would alter the course of the HIV epidemic and save countless lives.
This quilt, on loan from Terrence Higgins Trust, was produced to mark the 40th anniversary of his death and celebrate his incredible legacy. Each of the eight panels celebrate different aspects of his life, including as a Welshman, gay man and his time in the Royal Navy. Other panels celebrate friendship, LGBTQ+ Pride, and a personal tribute from Terry’s partner, Rupert. The final panel was made by service users, volunteers, and staff from Terrence Higgins Trust to celebrate the huge progress made in the fight against HIV over the last 40 years.
Mark Etheridge, Principal Curator of Collection Development: LGBTQ+ at Amgueddfa Cymru said:
‘It’s a privilege to display the Terry Higgins AIDS Memorial Quilt at St Fagans National Museum of History – the first time for the quilt to be displayed in Wales. The HIV/AIDS epidemic affected the lives of a generation of people, with gay men disproportionately affected. There is still no cure for HIV, but effective treatment now means that people with HIV can’t pass the virus on and can live long and healthy lives.
‘It is important that LGBTQ+ stories become part of the national memory, ensuring that future generations will be able to learn about LGBTQ+ history in Wales.’
Richard Angell OBE, Chief Executive of Terrence Higgins Trust said:
‘Terry was a proud Welshman and lived over half his life in Wales. It is fantastic that his legacy is being celebrated in Wales’ national museum. His life was in many ways extraordinary, but his experiences – from growing up in a small town, to finding his identity and community in the music he loved – will be familiar for so many people, especially queer people.
‘When Terry died there wasn’t even a test for HIV, let alone any treatment. Now, Wales has the opportunity to become the first country in the world to end new HIV cases. We owe it to Terry and everyone we have lost to turn that goal into reality.’
Displayed alongside the quilt is a portrait of Terry Higgins from the Amgueddfa Cymru collection created by artist Nathan Wyburn. It was made using ink stamps in the shape of Terrence Higgins Trust’s heart shaped logo, with green and red colours reflecting Terry’s Welsh heritage.
The Terry Higgins AIDS memorial quilt is on display in the Wales is…gallery from 29 January – 29 June 2026. The portrait is on display from 29 January – 27 April 2026.
You can see more objects relating to LGBTQ+ history in Wales in the Wales is…proud display on permanent display in the gallery.