. . #SpencerCox (March 10, 1968 – December 18, 2012) was a prominent member of @actupny and the @treatmentactiongroup and whose death from AIDS came long after the arrival of antiretrovirals for which he and other activists fought to get approval. Cox died at the Allen Hospital, Manhattan, after reportedly, deciding to stop taking his antiretroviral medication. He was only 44 years old. . After 3 years studying @atbennington College, Cox moved to New York. In 1989, he joined @actupny and dedicated his life to AIDS activism. However, Cox struggled with depression, addiction, and “pill fatigue.” Weeks before his death, Cox, seemingly in good spirits, appeared at a screening of @byDavidFrance’s documentary ‘How to Survive a Plague’ in which he appears and a clip of which is included with this post. . According to the New York Times, “in 1995, when protease inhibitors were in the testing phase, Mr. Cox (who had never taken any real interest in science before being involved in AIDS issues) played an integral role in helping to speed along and design the trial process for the drug Norvir.” . Spencer “was brilliant. He figured out single-handedly how to test these drugs more effectively than any scientist and statistician could,” said playwright and fellow activist, #LarryKramer. . Yet, “as the medications began to work, the movement itself—the organizing principles in Cox’s life—splintered, then broke down. An ever-escalating real estate market made it far more difficult for creative types, including those who toiled away on AIDS issues, to survive in NYC. The clubs and bars where [@actupny members] spent their nights closed their doors, and the Internet became a prevalent way for gay men to socialize and hook up. All of this came with clear psychological and physical costs, particularly as crystal meth moved into the gay party scene. Many of the most prominent AIDS activists spiraled downward.” . Cox also wrote for @pozmagazine and other publications, and founded the Medius Institute for @gmhc, which was concerned with issues faced by gay men, including loneliness, depression and substance abuse. . #whatisrememberedlives #theaidsmemorial . (at NYC AIDS Memorial)