How to Survive a Plague: Direct Action during the AIDS crisis
Presented by Trystan Reese, 2024 Edition
For many of us, COVID-19 marks the first pandemic we’ve experienced. However, for the LGBTQ+ community, the devastating impact of a mysterious illness sweeping through close-knit networks isn’t new. The HIV/AIDS epidemic remains one of the darkest chapters in modern history, one that disproportionately impacted gay communities and catalyzed an unprecedented movement of direct action, allyship, and resistence.
Join renowned educator and activist Trystan Reese in this powerful exploration of the untold stories of the AIDS epidemic. Through this workshop, participants will delve into the historical, medical, and grassroots responses that arose in the face of crisis, learning from the courage and unity of those who faced unimaginable loss.
Workshop Overview:
This session will cover the following key topics:
1. The Early Days of the Epidemic
We begin by setting the stage, exploring LGBTQ+ life in the 1970s and the first mysterious cases of what would later be recognized as AIDS. Participants will learn about the origins of the epidemic, including the early medical and political responses, and how this devastating illness quickly took hold in gay communities across the globe. Through real-life accounts, we’ll discuss the false identification of “Patient Zero” and the deep stigma and fear that permeated society in those early years.
2. The Height of the Pandemic
As the death toll rose, so did the fierce resistence of the LGBTQ+ community. In this section, we will explore the incredible grassroots efforts led by groups like the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and ACT-UP, who transformed grief into action. Participants will hear about the tireless advocacy, medical breakthroughs, and direct action efforts that forced political leaders and the medical establishment to confront the epidemic. This segment will also highlight the crucial allyship shown by the drag community, lesbian women, faith groups, and countless others who stepped up to provide care when systems failed.
3. The Aftermath: Collective Trauma and Resilience
The AIDS epidemic left a lasting scar on those who lived through it, but it also instilled an indomitable spirit of survival and hope. We’ll discuss the long-term effects of the epidemic, both in terms of collective trauma and the lessons of resilience it imparted. What strategies did the LGBTQ+ community use to endure and rebuild? How can these lessons help us navigate today’s challenges, from ongoing public health crises to social justice movements?
4. Resources for Further Learning
For those who want to dive deeper, we’ll provide a curated list of resources that include films, podcasts, and books that capture the stories and impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic:
• Beats Per Minute (French film)
• The Cell That Started a Pandemic (Radiolab podcast)
• And the Band Played On (book and movie)
• How to Survive a Plague (documentary)
• The Atlantic article: “The Plague Years in Film and Memory”
• We Loved Each Other: Dr. Anthony Fauci’s reflections on Larry Kramer, friend and AIDS activist
• The Secret History of Catholic Caregivers and the AIDS Epidemic (Vice article)
5. Q&A and Open Discussion
The workshop will conclude with an interactive Q&A, providing participants the opportunity to ask questions, share reflections, and engage in meaningful discussion about the history and legacy of the AIDS epidemic.
By the end of this workshop, you’ll leave with a profound understanding of the AIDS epidemic, inspired by the courage and determination of those who fought to survive. You’ll be equipped with practical insights into how the lessons from this crisis can guide us through today’s challenges, whether they be related to public health, social justice, or community resilience.
