If I was born 20 years earlier, I probably wouldn’t have made it to my 30th birthday.
The impact of HIV and AIDS on the gay community cannot be understated. Even today, with the incredible advancements made for HIV treatment and prevention, the impact of this epidemic is lasting.
Activism is the foundation of Pride
The first gay pride parades were called “gay liberation marches” and took place in June 1970 in San Francisco, New York, and Chicago to mark the first anniversary of the Stonewall riots. The first marches in the early 70s served to inspire the social acceptance of LGBTQ people and fight for equality.
By the 1980s, the AIDS crisis took centre stage as government inaction led to the deaths of thousands of gay men.
While the AIDS epidemic robbed us of a generation of talented, creative, intelligent men, it gifted our community with a fighting spirit.
Personally I was not part of the fight, but I am honoured to be standing on the shoulders of the men who came before me, both those who survived and those who didn’t.
My education about queer history came from TV and movies. Below I am sharing 7 of the films or series that have had a profound impact on me.
My challenge to you, regardless of your sexual orientation, is to watch just one of these to better understand why we celebrate Pride.
I have a sneaking suspicion that a new fight looms on the horizon, and while it may not be an epidemic, it will require us – allies and all – to rise.
This is how you change the world:
1. The Normal Heart
The autobiographical story of activist and writer, Larry Kramer (played by Mark Ruffalo), between 1981-1984 New York City. Amidst conflict and fear-mongering, he and his friends join forces to expose the truth about the emerging AIDs crisis to both the government and the gay community.
2. How to Survive a Plague
The story of the brave young men and women who successfully reversed the tide of an epidemic, demanded the attention of a fearful nation and stopped AIDS from becoming a death sentence. The powerful story of their fight is a classic tale of empowerment and activism.
3. It’s a Sin
Technically this isn’t a film, but I had to include it because it is high quality both behind the camera and on screen. It’s a Sin is a heartfelt chronicle of young friends navigating the joys, heartbreak, and outlandish parties that await them amidst an epidemic in 1980s London.
4. Milk
The true story of Harvey Milk (played by Sean Penn) and his struggles as an American gay activist who fought for gay rights and became California’s first openly gay elected official.
5. Paris is Burning
The 80s seen through the eyes of New York City’s African American and Latinx Harlem drag ball scene, an intimate portrait of rival fashion “houses,” from fierce contests for trophies, to house mothers offering sustenance in a world rampant with homophobia, racism, AIDS, and poverty.
6. Dallas Buyers Club
The true story of accidental AIDS activist Ron Woodruff (played by Matthew McConaughey), whose cross-border smuggling network brought much-needed treatments into the hands of HIV and AIDS patients neglected by the medical establishment.
7. We Were Here
An intensely personal account of five individuals whose lives were forever transformed by the tragedy of AIDS, We Were Here illuminates the power of a community that comes together with love, compassion, and determination.
What would you add?
What films have inspired your inner activist? I’d love to hear about it. Let me know.
Photo by Oriel Frankie Ashcroft: https://www.pexels.com/photo/people-walking-on-the-street-6054378/
