It’s impossible for those of us who were not there to ever truly understand what it was like to live through the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and for those who did, impossible to fully explain.
As more people began to succumb to the illness, bureaucracy, greed and apathy held firm, presenting challenges on all fronts.
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The government was slow to respond, with the Reagan administration alternately joking about and ignoring the rising death toll. Pharmaceutical companies continued to price drugs out of the reach of most people who needed them. The FDA’s year’s long approval process resulted in a lack of access to potentially life saving medications. The media continued to publish false and misleading information. Many religious groups pointed to the deaths as proof of the sin of homosexuality.
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In response, the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP) was formed as a political action group in 1987. The fight against AIDS remains an ongoing struggle that the group remains active in today around the world, although not to the degree that it was during the height of the crisis.
Keith Haring – Silence Equals Death 1989 pic.twitter.com/BQAFc49LYt
— JCR (@Augthe23R46) December 12, 2016
Their bold, decisive actions helped bring about real change, such as more funding for research, lower drug prices, speeding up the FDA approval process and ending discriminatory practices at hospitals.
The Trump administration has so far moved most aggressively against the immigrant and refugee communities, and has taken some actions that clearly show they are not on the side of the LGBTQ community. The DOJ has stepped back from protecting transgender students, the White House website is noticeably absent from pages about LGBTQ rights and the CDC cancelled a planned LGBTQ youth summit over concerns that it might upset the new administration. There are also concerns that Trump may be looking to shut down the White House Office of National AIDS Policy (ONAP).
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Meanwhile, concerns abound over a leaked “religious freedom” executive order that would provide a license to discriminate against the LGBTQ community. Even if it never comes to pass, a similar piece of legislation, the First Amendment Defense Act, could soon be introduced to Congress. Trump has said he would sign it.
We can learn from the successes of ACT UP and apply them to the fight against the regressive policies of President Trump and his anti-LGBTQ Cabinet. In fact, the process is already underway, as many ACT UP members are now meeting to stop Trump. ACT UP organized a protest during the campaign at Trump Tower over his attempts to use the massacre at Pulse nightclub in Orlando to “polarize Americans.”
ACT UP group hold massive protest against Donald Trump: https://t.co/gGWH2OAyco pic.twitter.com/B1kTj8dkjv
— OUTtv (@OUTtv) June 23, 2016
It wasn’t the first time, either. On Halloween 1989, ACT UP protested against him in front of Trump Tower in an action that saw around 100 costumed people take part, and that was organized by the group’s Housing Committee. It was in response to a lack of housing for homeless people with HIV/AIDS as well as corporate greed generally.
Know your message and make it clear
The art of ACT UP is still just so ridiculously good. pic.twitter.com/m9T96RhS3g
— Tyler Evans (@tylerevansokay) February 4, 2017
From the beginning, ACT UP realized they had to become as knowledgeable as those they were going up against, if not more so. They researched the issues thoroughly, built and maintained impressive networks of experts, and had their talking points down solid. It was impossible to deny that the activists knew what they were talking about and once they had the ear of the establishment and the authorities to whom they were appealing, they were able to not only articulate the problems facing them but also offer concrete and actionable solutions.
They also understood the importance of boiling down their message to memorable slogans and chants, such as “Silence Equals Death” and “ACT Up, Fight Back, Fight AIDS!” That, mixed with their theatrical demonstrations, made for perfect soundbites and video clips that were made for TV and allowed the messages to spread far and wide.
Direct action works
ACT UP displayed bravery by going big early and often. Some of their most notable actions include shutting down the New York Stock Exchange for the first time, in 1989, interrupting then governor Mario Cuomo’s State of the Union Address in Albany, in 1990, and disrupting the CBS Evening News live broadcast, in 1991, to name but a few.
Their righteous audacity got the attention of the press, and thereby the wider public, without their even having to resort to property damage.
While riots have had their place in the history of the LGBTQ rights struggle, such as at Compton Cafeteria and Stonewall riots, it is often felt that those actions can be used to disparage and dismiss a movement. Trump’s response to violent protests during his inauguration and at UC Berkeley, in response to a speech to be delivered by Milo Yiannopoulous, give some credence to this concern.
Direct Democracy is powerful
ACT UP & Sylvia Rivera. Via https://t.co/sybYs1PGDg pic.twitter.com/0jPmdQ6PI3
— LaQuisha St Redfern (@LaQuishaStR) February 9, 2017
The group was organized as a leaderless, direct democracy, with working committees reporting to coordinating committees. While leaders did emerge over time, they often changed and everyone’s voice was valued. Not only did this make it harder to attack and dismantle the group, it meant everyone was able to find a place that best suited their abilities and interests.
This form of organization can also help to ensure that the least powerful voices are heard, although that is certainly no guarantee. Those most used to speaking and being heard should check that privilege and center the voices of the transgender and people of color communities.
Remain focused and check your ego
In order to make a big enough statement to bring about real results, numbers are needed.
Disagreements and egos can get in the way of the larger picture and can halt the progress of any movement in its tracks. While ACT UP remains an active organization, disputes over the group’s direction took much of the wind from its sails around the late ’90s. The Trump administration provides enough of a fight all on its own, as did and does the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Adding infighting into the equation is a surefire recipe for failure. Remember that we are all in this together.
Do not let this administration divide us. Let it unite us in resistance and still, somehow, in hope.
Updated to remove incorrect reference to Harvey Milk and correct the language of a chant. We regret the errors.
markhfreeman
Good article, great history. I love that it contrasts ACT-UP tactics with so-called anarchist ones. Compare stopping speeches on campus and breaking store windows to: dropping dollar bills from the balcony of the NY Stock Exchange and watching the traders scramble for them; or holding die-ins in front of St. Patrick’s Cathedral to protest its homophobic bishop. Both approaches are disruptive, but which is more likely to get heard– mindless juvenile property damage or media-savvy non-violence? Thanks for this article, and lots of Love in Interesting Times!
torocastano
No t, no shade (honestly) but I would ask you to look at the relationship ACTUP had to mainstream LGBT power in their time. As Dr King told us before we assassinated him, riot is the language of the unheard. ACTUP and QUEER NATION were in the Christopher Street West Pride Parade in 90 or 91 against the will of the promoters who tried hard to get the city to bar them because they found their tactics were an ugly representation of LGBT people.
Rusty66
I’m 72 years old. I survived the epidemic, but I buried three partners, and countless friends.
I was a church organist in San Diego when the “second wave” hit us. I played the organ for over three hundred funerals.
I still have nightmares about that time.
I hope Ronald Reagan is ROASTING in HELL.
I hope Cthulhu rises from the swamps and EATS THE LIVERS of present-day Republicans, KKKonservative KKKristianist KKKultists (but I repeat myself), and ANYONE who voted for *dt.
I’m old, and disabled, and poor … all I can do is write letters, make phone calls, and sign petitions … but I will FIGHT as long as there’s breath in my body!!!
Barkythedoggy
Rusty – I am 60. I too, somehow, lived through the carnage of the epidemic. I can feel your pain and relate to it only too well.
In my home safe, I have preserved an old Rolodex that I used to use. Within in are 261 cards with a red colored “X” across them, done as those people passed from my life, path and acquaintance. Sometimes when I have looked through it the pain is still just as fresh and horrible as it was when they were first lost.
I stand with you, and will fight as long as I possibly can. I will never forget those that were lost, and will carry their names in a continued fight for right.
Peace
BtD
ronp954
If you are going to write about ACT UP and that time period Please get your facts straight. Harvey Milk was assassinated in 1978 and therefore unable to give any type of instructions to any branch of ACT UP which was started in 1987. Also – nowhere in the film “How to Survive a Plague.” is it mentioned that Milk gave any sort of instructions to ACT UP , obviously, because he was Dead.
Kangol
The Harvey Milk reference is bizarre, because, as you point out, Milk was murdered in 1978, and HIV/AIDS didn’t make an appearance until 1980-81. So…Queerty, is anyone home?
Kangol
It’s nearly Tuesday and yet still no article on Queerty on the news raging all day around Milo Yiannopoulos, the darling of the Breitbartrumpistas on here. He’s lost his invite to CPAC, he’s lost his book deal, he’s lost all credibility and is going down in flames because finally someone paid attention to the racist, misogynistic, transphobic creep’s pro-pedophilic statements.
Come on, Queerty, get on it!
Heywood Jablowme
YES! – That’s been bugging me too. Queerty didn’t mention Milo Y last week (before OR after the Bill Maher show) and nothing now either. It’s almost like they’re going out of their way to avoid the subject?
Dot Beech
I want to acknowledge and thank the man standing front and center in the first photograph in this article. His name is Andy Velez. Andy is as important a hero as the LGBT community has ever produced. He has been in the fight against AIDS from the very beginning. If there is AIDS related work to do, Andy is there. If there is an AIDS action to plan or implement, Andy is there. If there is an opportunity to spread the word and build awareness, Andy is there. He is intelligent, impassioned, articulate and damned near always right. ACT UP alum all know him, but the rest of us owe him more than we will ever know.
Thank you, Andy. For all you have given.
1EqualityUSA
Dot Beech, lovely words. Stay a while on Queerty Isle, won’t you? Trolls wash in on the tide, so be warned.
DCguy
Wonder when the Log Cabin pro Trump trolls will come in and call Act-Up bullies who picked on poor Reagan?
And hey Queerty, waiting for a nice article all about Milo Yiannopoulos. The best part is, the Trump trolls kept accusing the “left” of intolerance when they protested his racism and bigotry, but it was a GOP group that released that video of him.
Be fun to see the Trump trolls try to either defend him or try to change the subject.
GayEGO
Very good article about the problems we went through. Fortunately, my lifetime partner of 55 years and I were happy with our regular home style of living and were not going out cruising. We lost a few friends during those days.
torocastano
Respectfully, I believe it is possible to for those of us who were not there to understand. Segments of the gay world have never known a cessation in the sudden and continual loss of friends, family, and loved ones. And, lucky for us there has been great interest recently in beginning to talk about and theorize that time. Like ACTUP, we should be vigilant (and outrageous) about attempts by academics or authority figures to claim and offer single narratives of events. I promise you interest will only increase into 2018 as we see landmark retrospectives about artists like David Wojnarowicz, et al. I know in Los Angeles where I live many of the key figures who started ACTUP and QUEER NATION are alive, thriving, and accessible.
There are direct connections to groups like Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) (largely communist until the mid 1960s – much like early gay rights activists) and poor working class people of color communities who helped form that group of 600 at the Black Cat eons ago.
JaneSmith76
Be fun to see the Trump trolls try to either defend him or try to change the subject. Thank you, Andy. For all you have given.
happy room