Posters from the fight against HIV/AIDS
Remember our history. Our discourse cannot be sound without it. This is our legacy.
i’m pretty sure i’ve reblogged this before, but i’m gonna go ahead and do it again because the late ‘80s / early ‘90s were fucking terrifying. queer rights was literally a life and death struggle.
ACTUAL REALITY. Act up. Fight AIDS.
I remember watching How To Survive A Plague, and RENT, for the first time, at fourteen. And while I didn’t fully understand the political and social complications at the time, the determination, rage, and the unwavering nature of the human spirit in the face of so much unadulterated loss and frustration stood out to me, resonated with me, motivated me, even after all of these years. The way the LGBTQ+ community rose up, banded together, and fought against society and the government in an effort to save themselves, their loved ones, and others, should bring anyone to their knees - and shame anyone who says that activism is bullshit. Activism is what brought HIV/AIDs to the forefront. Activism is powerful, it gives voice to suppressed communities, it gets shit done.
Today is World AIDs Day. Let us remember those who were not able to live long enough to see how much progress the fight against HIV/AIDs has made since the 80s epidemic. Let us remember those who were in the middle of it all, afraid that they weren’t going to live long enough to see any progress to be made, but are still with us today. To those who have died of AIDs, to those who fought and continue to fight - thank you.
