Fighting Back: Lessons From AIDS for COVID-19
The GLBT Historical Society is responding to the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic in a new series of online programs that examine the crucial lessons learned in the fight against AIDS.
The «Fighting Back: Lessons From AIDS for COVID-19» series is an intergenerational discussion bringing together community leaders, experts, historians and activists to explore lessons from the past that might be useful in formulating «resistance» efforts today.
Bobbi Campbell, the «AIDS Poster Boy», ca. 1983; photograph by Marie Ueda, Marie Ueda Collection (2006-12), GLBT Historical Society.
Originally launched in the wake of the 2016 U.S. presidential election, «Fighting Back» has investigated many contemporary social issues in a historical context and has made the intersectional nature of the LGBTQ community one of its central themes. Each panel in the current series provides historical context to the pandemic, exploring topics such as direct-action movements, community-building efforts, the role of art and artists and the challenges confronting healthcare workers. The intention of this series is to inspire members of the public to find ways to transform feelings of anxiety, despair or anger into action, and to find models for building community and solidarity.
«A big part of our job here at the GLBT Historical Society is to explain why history matters», says GLBT Historical Society Executive Director Terry Beswick,. «Rarely are we presented with a clearer illustration than the COVID-19 pandemic. With ‘Fighting Back’, we hope to stimulate an intergenerational and intersectional exchange of experiences and ideas that will inform the most pressing issues of the day».
Events in the «Fighting Back» series are free and a suggested donation of $5 is appreciated. Participants must register in advance to receive a Zoom link to watch the panel and participate in the live Q & A session. The events in will also be live streamed and then archived on our YouTube page
Registration and complete information about the series are available on our website at glbthistory.org/fighting-back.
Upcoming Panels
«Fighting Back»
Building Community in a Pandemic
Wednesday, April 15
6:00–7:30 p.m. PDT
Registration: free; $5 suggested donation
Bay Area community leaders, mental-health specialists and historians will discuss the opportunities for and challenges facing community-building during the ever-growing COVID-19 crisis. What lessons have members of our community learned from the HIV/AIDS crisis that we can apply to our current health emergency? How do we prioritise self-care in the midst of a pandemic? This program is co-organised and co-hosted by the East Bay Stonewall Democratic Club and the GLBT Historical Society. Free registration is available online at eventbrite.com.
«Fighting Back»
Healthcare Workers on the Front Lines
Wednesday, April 22
6:00–7:30 p.m. PDT
Registration: free; $5 suggested donation
From the earliest days of the AIDS epidemic, healthcare workers were instrumental in diagnosing patients, devising treatment strategies and advocating for research funding. This panel brings together both healthcare veterans and current professionals to consider such topics as patient care, public health policy and activism in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Registration will be available online at glbthistory.org/fighting-back.
«Fighting Back»
Confronting the Stigma of Disease
>Wednesday, April 29
6:00–7:30 p.m. PDT
Registration: free; $5 suggested donation<
New and frightening diseases have often led to the stigmatisation of impacted patients and populations. During the 1980s, the emergence of AIDS reinforced existing prejudices against the already-marginalised LGBTQ community, and the appearance of COVID-19 initially in China has led to incidents of violence and discrimination against Asians and Asian Americans. An intergenerational panel of activists and community leaders will discuss how disease leads to xenophobia and stigmatisation, and will discuss what strategies used during the height of the AIDS crisis might be adapted during the COVID-19 epidemic. Registration available online at glbthistory.org/fighting-back.