1 00:00:02,000 --> 00:00:07,000 Downloaded from YTS.MX 2 00:00:03,169 --> 00:00:07,173 (slow tempo dramatic music) 3 00:00:08,000 --> 00:00:13,000 Official YIFY movies site: YTS.MX 4 00:00:08,049 --> 00:00:10,760 (gentle music) 5 00:00:13,680 --> 00:00:16,558 (brooding music) 6 00:00:20,603 --> 00:00:22,188 {\an8}- It's difficult to remember a time 7 00:00:22,230 --> 00:00:23,606 {\an8}when it wasn't here. 8 00:00:24,691 --> 00:00:26,401 {\an8}Harder still to recall when the word 9 00:00:26,443 --> 00:00:28,153 finally permeated your consciousness 10 00:00:28,194 --> 00:00:32,198 and became real, and frightening, and deadly. 11 00:00:36,036 --> 00:00:38,371 It has infected everything, 12 00:00:39,748 --> 00:00:43,209 not just the immune systems of those whose lives it takes, 13 00:00:43,251 --> 00:00:44,461 but all of us it leaves behind 14 00:00:44,502 --> 00:00:46,379 to try to comprehend something 15 00:00:46,421 --> 00:00:48,465 that is finally incomprehensible. 16 00:00:51,885 --> 00:00:55,347 We'll never know who we might have been had it not happened, 17 00:00:55,388 --> 00:00:58,141 and we can't know who we'll be when it's over. 18 00:00:59,267 --> 00:01:01,603 The only thing we know is who we are right now, 19 00:01:02,771 --> 00:01:06,649 and if we stand up, if we find strength, 20 00:01:06,691 --> 00:01:09,027 then we will bring honor to all the love 21 00:01:09,069 --> 00:01:11,112 that has stolen from our lives. 22 00:01:12,405 --> 00:01:16,826 Because in the end, to remember is simply not enough. 23 00:01:21,456 --> 00:01:24,751 (suspenseful music) 24 00:01:39,891 --> 00:01:42,894 (group vocalizing) 25 00:01:45,980 --> 00:01:49,192 (group vocalizing) 26 00:01:51,486 --> 00:01:54,698 (group vocalizing) 27 00:01:57,784 --> 00:02:00,787 (group vocalizing) 28 00:02:03,873 --> 00:02:06,876 (group vocalizing) 29 00:02:09,504 --> 00:02:14,801 (group vocalizing) (dramatic music) 30 00:02:20,348 --> 00:02:23,768 (gentle upbeat music) 31 00:02:26,021 --> 00:02:29,315 - Growing up, LA was a spot that you wanted to come. 32 00:02:30,400 --> 00:02:32,652 It was Hollywood, it was movie stars, 33 00:02:32,694 --> 00:02:34,487 {\an8}and this is where you come to get the life 34 00:02:34,529 --> 00:02:35,989 {\an8}that you were denied 35 00:02:36,031 --> 00:02:37,490 {\an8}in whatever small town you were in. 36 00:02:37,532 --> 00:02:38,491 (group chattering) 37 00:02:38,533 --> 00:02:39,909 - People come to LA 38 00:02:39,951 --> 00:02:41,870 because they want to be part of the dream, 39 00:02:42,704 --> 00:02:45,707 glamour, Hollywood, blondes. 40 00:02:47,000 --> 00:02:49,461 And I was sitting in Patterson, New Jersey 41 00:02:49,502 --> 00:02:51,087 thinking this is where I wanna be. 42 00:02:51,129 --> 00:02:53,173 - [Group] Hey, hey, hey, hey! 43 00:02:53,214 --> 00:02:55,759 We are proud, we are gay! 44 00:02:55,800 --> 00:02:57,427 - If you're gay, 45 00:02:57,469 --> 00:03:01,348 {\an8}the main form of oppression is ostracism the tribe. 46 00:03:01,389 --> 00:03:02,849 (group clapping) 47 00:03:02,891 --> 00:03:05,185 And so we built alternative family. 48 00:03:05,226 --> 00:03:07,687 We built community spaces. 49 00:03:07,729 --> 00:03:10,982 Whether it's the bars and bathhouses 50 00:03:11,024 --> 00:03:13,276 in the gay men's community 51 00:03:13,318 --> 00:03:16,696 or the lesbian feminist bookstores, 52 00:03:17,364 --> 00:03:19,282 we find each other. 53 00:03:19,324 --> 00:03:20,742 That's what we do. 54 00:03:23,912 --> 00:03:25,330 (car horn honks) 55 00:03:25,372 --> 00:03:26,456 - West Hollywood was a part of town 56 00:03:26,498 --> 00:03:27,457 that was the gay part of town. 57 00:03:27,499 --> 00:03:29,084 They called it Boystown. 58 00:03:29,125 --> 00:03:32,712 {\an8}And the hills above Sunset were the Swish Alps. 59 00:03:32,754 --> 00:03:36,299 (fast tempo upbeat music) (group chattering) 60 00:03:36,341 --> 00:03:37,759 - Everybody went to West Hollywood 61 00:03:37,801 --> 00:03:40,220 {\an8}because they felt freer to be who they were. 62 00:03:40,261 --> 00:03:41,805 (group chattering) 63 00:03:41,846 --> 00:03:45,016 - We could walk down the street with another man 64 00:03:45,058 --> 00:03:46,518 who was clearly our boyfriend 65 00:03:46,559 --> 00:03:49,312 and see other people who looked like us. 66 00:03:49,354 --> 00:03:51,272 {\an8}There was a community and you felt supported 67 00:03:51,314 --> 00:03:52,649 {\an8}and you felt safe. 68 00:03:52,691 --> 00:03:54,401 - It's wonderful to be here today 69 00:03:54,442 --> 00:03:56,903 {\an8}celebrating gay pride with all of you. 70 00:03:56,945 --> 00:03:58,947 {\an8}- LA was rip roaring. 71 00:04:00,323 --> 00:04:04,285 I felt like I was part of a movement to liberate ourselves 72 00:04:04,327 --> 00:04:07,414 and to not live in the fiction of the '50s. 73 00:04:09,165 --> 00:04:10,542 - Me and my best friend, 74 00:04:10,583 --> 00:04:12,502 {\an8}we used to take the bus to Hollywood 75 00:04:12,544 --> 00:04:16,006 and come across all kinds of LGBT folks 76 00:04:17,424 --> 00:04:20,927 and I just never knew there were so many people like me. 77 00:04:20,969 --> 00:04:23,013 It was a lot of fun. 78 00:04:23,805 --> 00:04:25,974 But being in West Hollywood, 79 00:04:26,016 --> 00:04:29,602 there was always the possibility of you being treated 80 00:04:29,644 --> 00:04:32,897 a little different, especially if you're a person of color. 81 00:04:32,939 --> 00:04:35,984 But yet it still didn't stop us from going. 82 00:04:38,653 --> 00:04:40,030 {\an8}- When I got to LA, 83 00:04:40,071 --> 00:04:42,949 {\an8}I didn't know where the LGBT community was, 84 00:04:42,991 --> 00:04:45,535 and I remember I took a drive through West Hollywood 85 00:04:45,577 --> 00:04:48,705 and it was nothing but white boys with no shirts on 86 00:04:48,747 --> 00:04:52,042 and I immediately felt like, I'm not welcome here. 87 00:04:52,083 --> 00:04:53,668 (glasses clanging) (group chattering) 88 00:04:53,710 --> 00:04:56,421 And luckily a friend of mine was like, 89 00:04:56,463 --> 00:04:57,922 girl, you're in the wrong part of town. 90 00:04:57,964 --> 00:04:59,424 (electricity buzzing) 91 00:04:59,466 --> 00:05:01,468 You need to get over to Catch One, 92 00:05:02,594 --> 00:05:04,387 and literally my life turned around. 93 00:05:04,429 --> 00:05:07,098 (car horn honking) (disco music) 94 00:05:07,140 --> 00:05:12,020 {\an8}- Jewel Thais-Williams opened the legendary black gay club, 95 00:05:12,062 --> 00:05:13,980 {\an8}Catch One Discotheque, 96 00:05:14,022 --> 00:05:17,776 and Catch One was this black gay club 97 00:05:17,817 --> 00:05:20,487 in the heart of black LA. 98 00:05:20,528 --> 00:05:23,406 (group chattering) 99 00:05:23,448 --> 00:05:26,659 - Catch was a community for people of color 100 00:05:27,702 --> 00:05:29,913 {\an8}and the kids always stayed fresh. 101 00:05:31,039 --> 00:05:34,709 My customers, they would come to the Catch One 102 00:05:34,751 --> 00:05:37,796 because this was a place where they could come and be 103 00:05:38,797 --> 00:05:40,548 and I'm happy about that. 104 00:05:45,637 --> 00:05:49,182 (group chattering) (upbeat music) 105 00:05:49,224 --> 00:05:51,101 Well, it was in the early '80s 106 00:05:51,142 --> 00:05:53,812 when there was first signs of it. 107 00:05:56,690 --> 00:06:00,068 We had a drag show at my club 108 00:06:01,152 --> 00:06:04,656 and the mistress of ceremony, April 109 00:06:04,698 --> 00:06:08,201 {\an8}didn't show up for her gig on the Thursday night 110 00:06:08,243 --> 00:06:09,953 {\an8}and it's like what? 111 00:06:12,122 --> 00:06:13,748 Someone came in and said, 112 00:06:13,790 --> 00:06:17,043 "Well, she had been ill all and she had gone to the hospital 113 00:06:17,085 --> 00:06:19,671 and they thought that she had pneumonia." 114 00:06:20,755 --> 00:06:24,217 But within a couple weeks, April was dead. 115 00:06:24,259 --> 00:06:27,554 (melancholic music) 116 00:06:30,807 --> 00:06:36,104 - I remember it distinctly, I read about it in Frontiers 117 00:06:37,772 --> 00:06:40,108 {\an8}and it was just that report 118 00:06:40,150 --> 00:06:42,402 {\an8}that the doctors reporting some kind of virus 119 00:06:42,444 --> 00:06:44,070 {\an8}going on with gay men in town. 120 00:06:44,112 --> 00:06:45,739 (insects chirping) 121 00:06:45,780 --> 00:06:49,159 It caught people's attention, caught mine. 122 00:06:59,461 --> 00:07:02,255 - We're dealing with what medical researchers 123 00:07:02,297 --> 00:07:05,759 are now calling gay related immunodeficiency diseases, 124 00:07:05,800 --> 00:07:07,594 GRID, if you will. 125 00:07:07,635 --> 00:07:08,762 (group chattering) 126 00:07:08,803 --> 00:07:10,221 - It was still too early. 127 00:07:10,263 --> 00:07:12,766 No one really knew what was going on. 128 00:07:13,808 --> 00:07:18,980 When it got real was starting to have friends 129 00:07:19,981 --> 00:07:23,151 {\an8}who in fact were getting sick and dying. 130 00:07:26,488 --> 00:07:30,575 - We still have Yahrzeit, which is a Jewish custom. 131 00:07:31,659 --> 00:07:33,953 {\an8}Yahrzeit candles for a lot of people 132 00:07:34,746 --> 00:07:36,498 because we remember them. 133 00:07:41,836 --> 00:07:44,673 - It was known as the gay cancer, 134 00:07:44,714 --> 00:07:50,011 {\an8}and we started seeing people on the street with KS. 135 00:07:52,180 --> 00:07:56,518 - Kaposi sarcoma was a skin cancer, 136 00:07:57,560 --> 00:08:00,647 {\an8}purple or violet patches on the skin, 137 00:08:00,689 --> 00:08:03,692 {\an8}sometimes on the face, and very distressing. 138 00:08:05,026 --> 00:08:08,947 And was an unknown in terms of how to treat it. 139 00:08:09,989 --> 00:08:11,658 {\an8}- [Reporter] Tonight, about 300 people 140 00:08:11,700 --> 00:08:13,326 {\an8}attended the first mass meeting 141 00:08:13,368 --> 00:08:14,786 {\an8}held within the gay community 142 00:08:14,828 --> 00:08:16,913 to alert homosexuals about the dangers 143 00:08:16,955 --> 00:08:20,458 of kaposi sarcoma and pneumocystis pneumonia, 144 00:08:20,500 --> 00:08:21,960 two related diseases that show up 145 00:08:22,002 --> 00:08:24,546 almost exclusively in gay men. 146 00:08:25,672 --> 00:08:29,718 - We published something in the CDC's Journal, 147 00:08:29,759 --> 00:08:33,179 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 148 00:08:34,222 --> 00:08:38,059 We were describing what we now know as AIDS, 149 00:08:39,436 --> 00:08:44,149 evidence of a new acquired immune deficiency syndrome. 150 00:09:00,582 --> 00:09:02,959 (brooding music) (insects chirping) 151 00:09:03,001 --> 00:09:05,337 - I've gone through so many changes 152 00:09:05,378 --> 00:09:07,756 since this whole thing began. 153 00:09:09,049 --> 00:09:12,344 {\an8}Lots of periods of depression and terror 154 00:09:12,385 --> 00:09:17,849 {\an8}and just really again, the sense of hopelessness. 155 00:09:21,102 --> 00:09:24,064 {\an8}- A long-term friend of mine, Tom McQuoid 156 00:09:24,105 --> 00:09:27,776 {\an8}was a business partner in the store that I had, 157 00:09:28,943 --> 00:09:30,570 within a month after we opened the store, 158 00:09:30,612 --> 00:09:32,113 he came down with it. 159 00:09:33,490 --> 00:09:37,994 He didn't have insurance and they put him into county. 160 00:09:39,788 --> 00:09:41,247 {\an8}And I went to visit him, 161 00:09:42,290 --> 00:09:44,459 and it was everything you can imagine. 162 00:09:44,501 --> 00:09:45,877 It was a hellhole. 163 00:09:46,961 --> 00:09:49,798 He was in a room with 20 other patients. 164 00:09:51,132 --> 00:09:53,677 At that point nobody knew how it was transmitted 165 00:09:53,718 --> 00:09:56,304 and so nurses wouldn't go near him. 166 00:09:57,097 --> 00:09:59,099 He was basically ignored. 167 00:10:00,433 --> 00:10:03,728 - There were all these guys that no one visited. 168 00:10:04,771 --> 00:10:07,357 They were just there by themselves 169 00:10:08,692 --> 00:10:11,695 {\an8}and there was no one fighting, no one fighting for them. 170 00:10:16,491 --> 00:10:19,035 {\an8}- I'm very sad, very fearful, 171 00:10:20,161 --> 00:10:22,163 {\an8}and I feel very lonely, you know? 172 00:10:23,289 --> 00:10:28,003 I feel like I've been dealt a bad hand here. 173 00:10:32,966 --> 00:10:34,551 - Growing up in the gay community, 174 00:10:34,592 --> 00:10:36,970 we had sort of learned a lesson by that point in our lives 175 00:10:37,012 --> 00:10:38,471 and the lesson was that we knew 176 00:10:38,513 --> 00:10:40,974 that we had to take care of each other. 177 00:10:41,016 --> 00:10:43,059 {\an8}We looked at this desperate situation 178 00:10:43,101 --> 00:10:45,603 and felt that something needed to be done. 179 00:10:45,645 --> 00:10:48,356 (gentle music) 180 00:10:49,691 --> 00:10:52,193 - AIDS Project Los Angeles was the first agency 181 00:10:52,235 --> 00:10:57,115 {\an8}to be formed in Los Angeles County to respond to AIDS. 182 00:10:58,491 --> 00:11:01,369 {\an8}- We just would have these meetings in our living room 183 00:11:02,829 --> 00:11:06,124 {\an8}and that was how APLA all started being organized. 184 00:11:06,166 --> 00:11:07,959 - [Reporter] Nancy Cole is on the board of directors 185 00:11:08,001 --> 00:11:10,628 of the AIDS Project Los Angeles. 186 00:11:10,670 --> 00:11:13,506 - I hate AIDS. 187 00:11:13,548 --> 00:11:15,258 {\an8}I hate the disease, I hate AIDS. 188 00:11:15,300 --> 00:11:17,844 {\an8}I hate the fact that no one has been able to really 189 00:11:17,886 --> 00:11:21,848 get a grip on what this is and how to stop it. 190 00:11:23,183 --> 00:11:27,270 - Nancy Cole, she was a caring, compassionate person 191 00:11:27,312 --> 00:11:31,066 {\an8}and she would do anything for anybody that needed help. 192 00:11:32,067 --> 00:11:33,860 Nancy was very connected 193 00:11:33,902 --> 00:11:36,196 in the gay community in Los Angeles. 194 00:11:37,238 --> 00:11:39,199 All of her best friends were gay men. 195 00:11:40,450 --> 00:11:44,245 - When we started APLA, we first raised $7,000. 196 00:11:45,622 --> 00:11:47,916 {\an8}That was a lot of money in 1982 for a small charity. 197 00:11:49,250 --> 00:11:51,544 At the very beginning we rented a tiny little office 198 00:11:51,586 --> 00:11:53,380 on Cole Avenue in Hollywood, 199 00:11:53,421 --> 00:11:55,173 and we had two rooms, 200 00:11:55,215 --> 00:11:57,550 most of which was taken up by the hotline. 201 00:11:57,592 --> 00:11:59,135 - AIDS hotline, may I help you? 202 00:11:59,177 --> 00:12:02,889 - So we recruited volunteers and we trained them 203 00:12:02,931 --> 00:12:05,475 to answer phone calls from people 204 00:12:05,517 --> 00:12:08,728 {\an8}with all the information that we knew about HIV. 205 00:12:08,770 --> 00:12:10,146 (phone ringing) 206 00:12:10,188 --> 00:12:12,023 And everything we could tell them 207 00:12:12,065 --> 00:12:14,484 we could fit on the front and back of a piece of paper. 208 00:12:14,526 --> 00:12:16,111 So there was tremendous fear 209 00:12:16,152 --> 00:12:18,363 coming from lack of information. 210 00:12:18,405 --> 00:12:19,364 (brooding music) 211 00:12:19,406 --> 00:12:20,490 - Hi, AIDS hotline. 212 00:12:20,532 --> 00:12:21,616 This is John, can I help you? 213 00:12:21,658 --> 00:12:23,243 - AIDS Hotline, Manuel speaking. 214 00:12:23,284 --> 00:12:26,162 - There was so many calls and so many people. 215 00:12:26,204 --> 00:12:28,123 We had our share of suicide calls. 216 00:12:28,164 --> 00:12:29,833 - Do you feel you've been exposed? 217 00:12:29,874 --> 00:12:31,960 - We could help them deal with their fears 218 00:12:32,002 --> 00:12:34,170 {\an8}and helping people deal with their emotions 219 00:12:34,212 --> 00:12:38,008 {\an8}on the telephone, that was a big chunk of what we did. 220 00:12:39,342 --> 00:12:42,971 We had our share of family calls where one family member, 221 00:12:43,013 --> 00:12:45,765 many times the father gets to find out 222 00:12:45,807 --> 00:12:47,767 that not only is his son gay, 223 00:12:47,809 --> 00:12:51,062 but he also has a disease that from what we can tell 224 00:12:51,104 --> 00:12:52,480 is it gonna kill him. 225 00:12:52,522 --> 00:12:54,107 - [Interviewer] Does your family know? 226 00:12:54,149 --> 00:12:55,316 - Yeah. 227 00:12:55,358 --> 00:12:56,943 {\an8}- [Interviewer] What's been their response? 228 00:12:56,985 --> 00:12:58,361 {\an8}- Well, my mother said, 229 00:12:58,403 --> 00:13:01,948 {\an8}"That God was punishing me for my lifestyle." 230 00:13:04,701 --> 00:13:09,622 - That era, it was the ugliest part of human beings 231 00:13:09,664 --> 00:13:11,124 and how they behave. 232 00:13:12,042 --> 00:13:14,127 {\an8}They blamed it on the person, 233 00:13:14,169 --> 00:13:17,464 {\an8}that their behavior was causing this. 234 00:13:17,505 --> 00:13:19,090 (brooding music) 235 00:13:19,132 --> 00:13:22,802 - There was a lot of stigma because back then 236 00:13:22,844 --> 00:13:26,306 there was very little education about AIDS 237 00:13:27,349 --> 00:13:31,811 {\an8}and so people were just so cruel. 238 00:13:31,853 --> 00:13:34,147 - [Reporter] This man Ford Johnson, an architect, 239 00:13:34,189 --> 00:13:36,024 died late yesterday afternoon. 240 00:13:36,066 --> 00:13:37,817 He suffered from AIDS. 241 00:13:37,859 --> 00:13:39,986 Johnson fell down these stairs 242 00:13:40,028 --> 00:13:42,322 while ambulance drivers looked on. 243 00:13:42,364 --> 00:13:45,367 - The person said outright, "I'm not touching him." 244 00:13:45,950 --> 00:13:47,410 Just like that. 245 00:13:47,452 --> 00:13:49,913 {\an8}- We couldn't get people into the hospitals. 246 00:13:49,954 --> 00:13:51,498 {\an8}Hospitals wouldn't take them. 247 00:13:51,539 --> 00:13:52,665 (siren wailing) 248 00:13:52,707 --> 00:13:54,834 Mortuaries wouldn't take bodies. 249 00:13:54,876 --> 00:13:57,712 - Too many people are dying too young. 250 00:13:57,754 --> 00:13:59,506 {\an8}They are dying horrible deaths, 251 00:13:59,547 --> 00:14:02,634 frequently abandoned by friends and family. 252 00:14:04,052 --> 00:14:06,596 The reality of having AIDS can be pretty awful. 253 00:14:08,598 --> 00:14:11,893 I nearly killed myself with alcohol 254 00:14:12,727 --> 00:14:14,688 {\an8}because I was very closeted 255 00:14:14,729 --> 00:14:16,815 {\an8}and very ashamed of being gay. 256 00:14:16,856 --> 00:14:18,274 (birds chirping) (keys clanging) 257 00:14:18,316 --> 00:14:23,405 And I got into recovery and I became a minister, 258 00:14:24,197 --> 00:14:25,782 and I was the pastor 259 00:14:25,824 --> 00:14:28,952 of the Metropolitan Community Church in the Valley. 260 00:14:30,203 --> 00:14:33,164 I had my first symptoms in '82 261 00:14:33,998 --> 00:14:36,334 and I got sick with everything. 262 00:14:36,376 --> 00:14:38,878 I had candidiasis, hepatitis, 263 00:14:38,920 --> 00:14:41,506 mononucleosis, herpes, shingles. 264 00:14:42,298 --> 00:14:45,427 I was horribly, horribly sick. 265 00:14:46,761 --> 00:14:50,306 And they said, "That I would not live to see 1985." 266 00:14:51,516 --> 00:14:53,643 I was the first member of the clergy 267 00:14:53,685 --> 00:14:55,854 to be diagnosed with AIDS, 268 00:14:55,895 --> 00:15:00,066 and when I became a client of AIDS Project Los Angeles, 269 00:15:00,108 --> 00:15:02,819 they immediately put me in front of the cameras. 270 00:15:02,861 --> 00:15:04,320 {\an8}- We have an experience today 271 00:15:04,362 --> 00:15:06,906 {\an8}that really is touching to me. 272 00:15:06,948 --> 00:15:08,324 Right here on my right, 273 00:15:08,366 --> 00:15:09,868 I have a young man named Steve Pieters 274 00:15:09,909 --> 00:15:11,953 and I'd like to introduce you to Steve. 275 00:15:13,079 --> 00:15:14,414 - Tammy Faye Baker wanted to interview 276 00:15:14,456 --> 00:15:18,501 a person with AIDS and so they called me. 277 00:15:18,543 --> 00:15:20,962 {\an8}- I know you must feel lonely sometimes. 278 00:15:21,004 --> 00:15:22,297 Have you found this to be true, 279 00:15:22,339 --> 00:15:24,174 that people wanna stay away 280 00:15:24,215 --> 00:15:26,176 and they're afraid to be anywhere in in the same room 281 00:15:26,217 --> 00:15:27,927 or breathe the same air you breathe? 282 00:15:27,969 --> 00:15:30,263 - Yes, Tammy, that happens. 283 00:15:31,139 --> 00:15:33,266 When I was so very sick, 284 00:15:33,308 --> 00:15:37,937 nobody wanted to come to my house and maybe touch something 285 00:15:37,979 --> 00:15:41,399 or breathe something that was going to contaminate them 286 00:15:41,441 --> 00:15:43,777 or get them sick with AIDS. 287 00:15:43,818 --> 00:15:48,031 Dentists were terrified of doing work on people with AIDS 288 00:15:48,073 --> 00:15:50,575 and so it became very important 289 00:15:50,617 --> 00:15:54,079 to have this dental clinic that APLA started. 290 00:15:54,120 --> 00:15:56,122 - [Dentist] How are you doing today, Maury? 291 00:15:56,164 --> 00:15:59,167 My private dentist would no longer treat me 292 00:16:00,043 --> 00:16:02,087 and then I called APLA. 293 00:16:03,296 --> 00:16:04,756 {\an8}As soon as I went through the door, 294 00:16:04,798 --> 00:16:10,136 {\an8}it was very warm, and accepting, and very comfortable. 295 00:16:11,262 --> 00:16:13,473 You could feel it, the spirit and the comfort 296 00:16:13,515 --> 00:16:15,642 in the clinic just opening up the door. 297 00:16:15,684 --> 00:16:17,102 (group cheering) 298 00:16:17,143 --> 00:16:18,603 And I think we have to be very thankful 299 00:16:18,645 --> 00:16:20,855 to the Project for getting it going 300 00:16:20,897 --> 00:16:25,193 and continuing it so that people can be taken care of. 301 00:16:26,986 --> 00:16:29,072 {\an8}- For a lot of people with AIDS, 302 00:16:29,114 --> 00:16:32,283 it was a bankrupting kind of illness. 303 00:16:33,618 --> 00:16:37,414 And so APLA started the Necessities of Life Program. 304 00:16:38,748 --> 00:16:42,836 People with AIDS could come and get bags full of groceries. 305 00:16:42,877 --> 00:16:44,504 {\an8}- APLA keeps food on the table 306 00:16:44,546 --> 00:16:47,674 {\an8}and it's dignified food on the table. 307 00:16:47,716 --> 00:16:50,176 The people who provided that food for you 308 00:16:50,218 --> 00:16:52,721 did it out of love because of what you are, 309 00:16:52,762 --> 00:16:55,932 not because you're another burden on the system. 310 00:16:55,974 --> 00:16:57,392 There's a lot of fear about AIDS 311 00:16:57,434 --> 00:16:59,519 and there's no fear in this place. 312 00:17:03,148 --> 00:17:05,567 - We created the buddy system at APLA. 313 00:17:05,608 --> 00:17:08,987 People volunteered to adopt a person with AIDS 314 00:17:09,029 --> 00:17:13,616 {\an8}and be their buddy and they would spend time with them. 315 00:17:13,658 --> 00:17:15,368 - How you doing? - Hey, how are you? 316 00:17:15,410 --> 00:17:17,120 - Nice to see you. - Yeah. 317 00:17:18,246 --> 00:17:19,330 - They would have lunch with them, 318 00:17:19,372 --> 00:17:20,790 they would take him on errands. 319 00:17:20,832 --> 00:17:22,250 They would arrange to get 'em to the doctor. 320 00:17:22,292 --> 00:17:23,543 - [Comedian] Lesbian. 321 00:17:23,585 --> 00:17:25,086 (group laughing) 322 00:17:25,128 --> 00:17:27,297 {\an8}- Ours has been a building of trust in the foundation 323 00:17:27,339 --> 00:17:29,382 {\an8}of a very strong friendship. 324 00:17:30,425 --> 00:17:32,469 I can't change Billy's medical situation. 325 00:17:32,510 --> 00:17:36,765 There is nothing I can do to make that different, 326 00:17:36,806 --> 00:17:40,268 but I can be there when he needs a shoulder to cry on 327 00:17:40,310 --> 00:17:42,896 or just somebody to listen to him ramble on 328 00:17:42,937 --> 00:17:45,357 if that's what he needs to do. 329 00:17:45,398 --> 00:17:47,442 {\an8}- She's well beyond a buddy. 330 00:17:48,860 --> 00:17:52,113 I mean our relationship has gone much farther than that. 331 00:17:53,907 --> 00:17:57,452 - The Florence Nightingale in us came out 332 00:17:57,494 --> 00:18:00,580 {\an8}and I knew that they needed someone to say, I love you 333 00:18:00,622 --> 00:18:02,707 {\an8}and would hold them and touch them. 334 00:18:03,917 --> 00:18:06,586 And we would come and see about our friends 335 00:18:06,628 --> 00:18:10,632 and hang out with them knowing that they were really sick. 336 00:18:17,555 --> 00:18:21,893 - In the early days, you could help take care of people, 337 00:18:21,935 --> 00:18:26,272 you could visit them, you could be their friend, 338 00:18:27,273 --> 00:18:28,817 {\an8}but you couldn't save them. 339 00:18:30,318 --> 00:18:31,486 You just couldn't. 340 00:18:32,112 --> 00:18:35,031 (brooding music) 341 00:18:35,073 --> 00:18:38,535 - At APLA every Thursday afternoon at four o'clock 342 00:18:38,576 --> 00:18:40,161 we had a memorial service 343 00:18:40,203 --> 00:18:41,788 for everybody who had died that week. 344 00:18:43,164 --> 00:18:47,460 {\an8}We had grieving counseling for staff because it was so hard, 345 00:18:47,502 --> 00:18:49,129 (group vocalizing) 346 00:18:49,170 --> 00:18:51,089 but that's knowing that about a third of the staff 347 00:18:51,131 --> 00:18:53,216 died the first year I was there. 348 00:18:54,300 --> 00:18:55,677 And, um, shit. 349 00:19:06,229 --> 00:19:07,981 - All right, let me begin with the latest figures 350 00:19:08,023 --> 00:19:09,441 from Los Angeles County. 351 00:19:09,482 --> 00:19:13,153 {\an8}Today they show 56 new cases of AIDS 352 00:19:13,194 --> 00:19:15,113 diagnosed here locally last month. 353 00:19:15,155 --> 00:19:18,992 That brings a national total now to about 10,000. 354 00:19:19,034 --> 00:19:20,577 (fast tempo brooding music) 355 00:19:20,618 --> 00:19:23,663 - And while a lot of theories were put out there 356 00:19:23,705 --> 00:19:28,668 as to the cause of AIDS from the earliest days though 357 00:19:28,710 --> 00:19:33,256 {\an8}we suspected that this was a virus. 358 00:19:34,632 --> 00:19:39,346 The fact that it was occurring among gay men, hemophiliacs, 359 00:19:40,680 --> 00:19:45,352 blood transfusion recipients, and intravenous drug users 360 00:19:46,644 --> 00:19:50,982 looked like bloodborne and sexually transmitted infection. 361 00:19:52,067 --> 00:19:53,651 - [Reporter] First and foremost, we understand 362 00:19:53,693 --> 00:19:55,570 that the basic cause of this deadly syndrome 363 00:19:55,612 --> 00:20:00,408 is a virus now labeled HIV or human immunodeficiency virus. 364 00:20:01,785 --> 00:20:05,580 - Currently, the riskiest practice is to use a needle 365 00:20:06,956 --> 00:20:09,793 which has been previously used by somebody who is infected. 366 00:20:10,919 --> 00:20:14,339 The next highest risk is associated 367 00:20:14,381 --> 00:20:17,717 with specific sexual activities. 368 00:20:17,759 --> 00:20:21,930 {\an8}Anal intercourse is the highest risk activity 369 00:20:21,971 --> 00:20:24,015 {\an8}for transmission of the virus. 370 00:20:24,057 --> 00:20:26,643 (glasses clanging) (group chattering) 371 00:20:26,685 --> 00:20:30,730 - I went to one meeting and I said, 372 00:20:30,772 --> 00:20:35,151 if you could stop gay men from having anal intercourse, 373 00:20:35,193 --> 00:20:40,657 {\an8}we could overcome this and I was booed off the stage. 374 00:20:41,783 --> 00:20:43,618 (water splashing) (brooding music) 375 00:20:43,660 --> 00:20:47,455 Being gay is being sexual, that's where your mind goes. 376 00:20:48,581 --> 00:20:50,917 Even my mind goes, but we'll leave that out. 377 00:20:52,252 --> 00:20:55,422 To tell them they couldn't do it anymore, 378 00:20:55,463 --> 00:20:58,425 that wasn't as easy as it sounds. 379 00:20:58,466 --> 00:21:01,594 That took time and a lot of effort. 380 00:21:01,636 --> 00:21:03,930 - Our end objective is to make every person 381 00:21:03,972 --> 00:21:07,600 in LA County have it second nature in their mind 382 00:21:07,642 --> 00:21:09,769 that when they're having sex 383 00:21:09,811 --> 00:21:12,147 they have to think of having safe sex. 384 00:21:12,188 --> 00:21:15,942 {\an8}- We put out pamphlet after pamphlet after pamphlet 385 00:21:15,984 --> 00:21:21,031 about how it was transmitted and what you needed to avoid. 386 00:21:22,449 --> 00:21:25,118 - I don't think there had ever been a campaign 387 00:21:25,160 --> 00:21:28,163 to change people's behavior regarding health 388 00:21:28,204 --> 00:21:30,457 like we did with HIV and AIDS. 389 00:21:30,498 --> 00:21:33,460 (gentle upbeat music) 390 00:21:33,501 --> 00:21:35,628 And I have to say our staff at APLA 391 00:21:35,670 --> 00:21:38,757 did an incredible job with Mother Cares. 392 00:21:38,798 --> 00:21:40,633 {\an8}- Well now Mother wants you 393 00:21:40,675 --> 00:21:42,344 {\an8}to be extra careful when you play with your friends 394 00:21:42,385 --> 00:21:44,637 {\an8}'cause some of them are getting very sick. 395 00:21:44,679 --> 00:21:48,183 - Zelda Rubinstein from the "Poltergeist", 396 00:21:48,224 --> 00:21:50,810 she played Mother, 397 00:21:50,852 --> 00:21:55,357 and its purpose was to educate people at risk. 398 00:21:55,398 --> 00:21:58,318 It was deliberately done to show gay men 399 00:21:58,360 --> 00:21:59,486 that they need to have safe sex 400 00:21:59,527 --> 00:22:00,653 and this is how you can do it. 401 00:22:00,695 --> 00:22:01,863 - [Group] Rubbers! 402 00:22:06,076 --> 00:22:10,789 - In LA we early had clinics within the bathhouses. 403 00:22:12,207 --> 00:22:16,002 We didn't want people in the alleys, in the streets 404 00:22:16,044 --> 00:22:19,339 and we wanted places where we could educate them. 405 00:22:19,381 --> 00:22:22,509 (water splashing) 406 00:22:22,550 --> 00:22:26,471 - One day I saw ads for gay health clubs 407 00:22:27,472 --> 00:22:28,890 and I called them up 408 00:22:28,932 --> 00:22:32,894 and I asked if people were friendly. (laughs) 409 00:22:34,229 --> 00:22:37,565 {\an8}And the queen on the other end of the phone said, 410 00:22:37,607 --> 00:22:40,610 "Well sweetheart, that totally depends on you." 411 00:22:41,569 --> 00:22:44,531 A few weeks later I went. 412 00:22:44,572 --> 00:22:45,699 (group chattering) 413 00:22:45,740 --> 00:22:48,076 And I went to sit in the lounge 414 00:22:48,118 --> 00:22:50,745 where they were like showing pornography 415 00:22:52,163 --> 00:22:57,585 and down the stairs came this guy and he sat down beside me. 416 00:22:59,087 --> 00:23:02,132 He asked me to go up to his room, 417 00:23:02,173 --> 00:23:05,468 and I said, "Why do people keep asking me that?" 418 00:23:05,510 --> 00:23:09,097 And he just laughed and he said, 419 00:23:09,139 --> 00:23:12,767 "Because that's where people go to have sex." 420 00:23:13,893 --> 00:23:17,897 And so we had sex in the bathhouse that night. 421 00:23:19,274 --> 00:23:21,067 It was my first sexual encounter 422 00:23:22,360 --> 00:23:26,698 and about three months later we moved in together. 423 00:23:28,074 --> 00:23:32,787 We fell in love and it was everything. 424 00:23:32,829 --> 00:23:38,126 (group vocalizing) (brooding music) 425 00:23:41,921 --> 00:23:47,177 My process of kind of understanding HIV personally 426 00:23:47,969 --> 00:23:49,596 actually took a long time 427 00:23:49,637 --> 00:23:51,598 because I, like most other people, 428 00:23:51,639 --> 00:23:54,893 believed the mischaracterization of the epidemic 429 00:23:54,934 --> 00:23:59,105 in the beginning that it was a white gay disease. 430 00:24:00,315 --> 00:24:04,652 But I was in a relationship with a white man, 431 00:24:04,694 --> 00:24:08,156 so it was something that was on my mind. 432 00:24:09,324 --> 00:24:10,784 - [Reporter] The disease that was first perceived 433 00:24:10,825 --> 00:24:12,202 by the black community everywhere 434 00:24:12,243 --> 00:24:14,788 as a white gay problem is now threatening 435 00:24:14,829 --> 00:24:18,124 the lives of black men, women and children in LA. 436 00:24:19,459 --> 00:24:21,628 - In the black community, you can talk to people 437 00:24:21,670 --> 00:24:23,463 {\an8}and they can tell you someone 438 00:24:23,505 --> 00:24:26,591 {\an8}who's 20-years-old or 30-years-old who died of pneumonia, 439 00:24:26,633 --> 00:24:29,386 who had a cancer, who had meningitis, 440 00:24:29,427 --> 00:24:32,764 but it is not clicking that this could possibly be AIDS. 441 00:24:33,556 --> 00:24:35,266 {\an8}- It was all over the news, 442 00:24:35,308 --> 00:24:38,937 {\an8}but it was about white folks and white men in particular, 443 00:24:38,978 --> 00:24:43,024 but actually more black people got it per capita. 444 00:24:43,858 --> 00:24:45,485 Black men mostly, 445 00:24:45,527 --> 00:24:48,863 but there were some women that that got it too. 446 00:24:48,905 --> 00:24:51,032 - [Reporter] This Los Angeles woman has AIDS. 447 00:24:51,074 --> 00:24:52,951 She says when she found out that her husband 448 00:24:52,992 --> 00:24:56,913 was an IV drug user, she left them, but it was too late. 449 00:24:58,039 --> 00:25:00,208 - In many, many ways for black and brown people 450 00:25:00,250 --> 00:25:03,336 {\an8}the way we responded to it is to ignore it, dismiss it, 451 00:25:03,378 --> 00:25:06,715 {\an8}push it to the side and pretend it doesn't exist. 452 00:25:06,756 --> 00:25:08,842 (group vocalizing) 453 00:25:08,883 --> 00:25:12,220 We had someone we knew that used to be around an awful lot 454 00:25:13,054 --> 00:25:14,889 and they stopped coming around. 455 00:25:15,932 --> 00:25:17,767 And then a couple years later, 456 00:25:17,809 --> 00:25:22,313 I remember he died and it was like, that was it. 457 00:25:23,732 --> 00:25:27,193 We're not gonna acknowledge him or even say he was here, 458 00:25:27,235 --> 00:25:29,320 okay, you just don't talk about it. 459 00:25:30,405 --> 00:25:33,700 (melancholic music) 460 00:25:37,537 --> 00:25:42,625 - With regard to the federal response, it's so important 461 00:25:42,667 --> 00:25:45,920 {\an8}who is in charge at the time of a crisis. 462 00:25:48,757 --> 00:25:50,425 That was Ronald Reagan. 463 00:25:50,467 --> 00:25:54,262 He had just become president in January of 1981 464 00:25:55,597 --> 00:26:00,185 and the HIV epidemic came to attention in June of 1981, 465 00:26:02,103 --> 00:26:05,648 but it didn't catch the attention of the president 466 00:26:05,690 --> 00:26:09,778 or high ranking people in HHS 467 00:26:09,819 --> 00:26:12,572 and people who knew what the potential was. 468 00:26:12,614 --> 00:26:13,990 - [Reporter] White House officials confirmed 469 00:26:14,032 --> 00:26:15,617 that the president has never talked 470 00:26:15,658 --> 00:26:17,243 with his surgeon general about AIDS 471 00:26:17,285 --> 00:26:20,663 or read the report Dr. Koop sent him last October. 472 00:26:21,790 --> 00:26:24,125 - I don't know what Reagan was hearing. 473 00:26:25,293 --> 00:26:28,088 He had been an actor in Hollywood 474 00:26:28,129 --> 00:26:32,926 and so he certainly knew gay people from the business. 475 00:26:34,052 --> 00:26:36,262 So what was going on in this White House? 476 00:26:36,304 --> 00:26:38,306 (dramatic music) 477 00:26:38,348 --> 00:26:43,311 There was the sway of these conservative Christians 478 00:26:43,353 --> 00:26:45,271 who said, "Leave it alone." 479 00:26:46,690 --> 00:26:49,025 "These are not legitimate people." 480 00:26:49,067 --> 00:26:51,403 "This is their own fault." 481 00:26:51,444 --> 00:26:53,446 "Let them deal with it." 482 00:26:53,488 --> 00:26:58,118 - If the American people knew the filthy and bloody 483 00:26:58,159 --> 00:27:02,122 {\an8}sexual events that transpired between homosexuals, 484 00:27:02,163 --> 00:27:04,791 they would be a national revulsion 485 00:27:04,833 --> 00:27:06,668 unparalleled in this country. 486 00:27:07,794 --> 00:27:10,380 - It was discrimination that killed a lot of us 487 00:27:11,506 --> 00:27:13,758 {\an8}because we weren't given credibility 488 00:27:13,800 --> 00:27:15,218 {\an8}that we are important enough 489 00:27:15,260 --> 00:27:17,971 {\an8}to do the research and the treatment. 490 00:27:18,013 --> 00:27:19,472 - [Reporter] At the AIDS Project, 491 00:27:19,514 --> 00:27:21,975 a support group for AIDS patients in Los Angeles, 492 00:27:22,017 --> 00:27:25,145 there is growing concern about the AIDS epidemic. 493 00:27:25,186 --> 00:27:27,564 - Well, the mission of APLA was to try 494 00:27:27,605 --> 00:27:29,983 to get more research done 495 00:27:30,025 --> 00:27:32,360 {\an8}and to figure out how to provide aid and support 496 00:27:32,402 --> 00:27:36,281 {\an8}to people who were infected and dying, 497 00:27:37,615 --> 00:27:41,327 but all of it was volunteer, all of it was donation. 498 00:27:41,369 --> 00:27:44,873 We got at that point virtually no help from the government 499 00:27:46,207 --> 00:27:48,293 and so what we tried to do was to force the government 500 00:27:48,335 --> 00:27:49,961 to pay for research. 501 00:27:50,003 --> 00:27:51,671 When that didn't work, 502 00:27:51,713 --> 00:27:54,841 we organized fundraisers and paid for the research ourself. 503 00:27:54,883 --> 00:27:57,177 {\an8}- The reason why we're here tonight 504 00:27:57,218 --> 00:27:59,512 {\an8}is because we're here to try to conquer 505 00:27:59,554 --> 00:28:01,848 this horrible thing called AIDS. 506 00:28:01,890 --> 00:28:03,475 (group cheering) 507 00:28:03,516 --> 00:28:07,729 {\an8}- We put on benefits for service organizations like APLA. 508 00:28:07,771 --> 00:28:09,272 {\an8}- I'm standing in for the Roxy Theater 509 00:28:09,314 --> 00:28:11,107 {\an8}where a special 10 o'clock performance 510 00:28:11,149 --> 00:28:13,610 of a play called "Women Behind Bars" is about to go on. 511 00:28:13,651 --> 00:28:15,278 And the thing that really makes it important 512 00:28:15,320 --> 00:28:17,405 is that the first theatrical performance 513 00:28:17,447 --> 00:28:20,200 is really given as a benefit for AIDS. 514 00:28:20,241 --> 00:28:22,410 And I would like to talk for a minute with Max Drew, 515 00:28:22,452 --> 00:28:24,329 who is the man that organized this whole thing. 516 00:28:24,371 --> 00:28:28,249 {\an8}Max, Max, why did you put on this particular benefit? 517 00:28:28,291 --> 00:28:30,085 {\an8}- "Women Behind Bars" seemed appropriate 518 00:28:30,126 --> 00:28:31,711 for the fun of the event. 519 00:28:31,753 --> 00:28:33,880 We were also trying to stimulate interest 520 00:28:33,922 --> 00:28:36,174 in the film community for participation. 521 00:28:36,216 --> 00:28:39,260 (camera snaps) (gentle upbeat music) 522 00:28:39,302 --> 00:28:42,722 - The reason I became a celebrity spokesperson at all 523 00:28:42,764 --> 00:28:44,974 {\an8}was because I was Nellie Oleson 524 00:28:45,016 --> 00:28:46,643 {\an8}on "Little House on the Prairie". 525 00:28:46,685 --> 00:28:48,978 Coming right up! 526 00:28:49,020 --> 00:28:53,441 I was really awful and I enjoyed it enormously. 527 00:28:54,234 --> 00:28:56,236 - Nellie, I have to talk to you. 528 00:28:56,277 --> 00:28:59,364 - And then they decided to marry her off. 529 00:28:59,406 --> 00:29:02,283 I was so happy when Steve Tracy showed up 530 00:29:02,325 --> 00:29:04,494 'cause he was cute as a bug, and he little freckles, 531 00:29:04,536 --> 00:29:05,912 and the curly hair, 532 00:29:05,954 --> 00:29:07,747 and was like the nicest person in the world. 533 00:29:07,789 --> 00:29:09,916 We stayed friends after the show 534 00:29:09,958 --> 00:29:14,045 and people thought that he and I were dating, 535 00:29:15,171 --> 00:29:17,799 but I found out he was gay early on. 536 00:29:18,925 --> 00:29:21,803 And then in the '80s he got sick, 537 00:29:23,513 --> 00:29:28,059 and he called and told me that in fact I have AIDS. 538 00:29:28,852 --> 00:29:31,938 So suddenly my phone rang. 539 00:29:31,980 --> 00:29:34,607 They were asking me medical questions 540 00:29:34,649 --> 00:29:37,277 and epidemiology questions. 541 00:29:37,318 --> 00:29:39,946 If they're asking an actress questions 542 00:29:39,988 --> 00:29:41,448 about this very serious disease, 543 00:29:41,489 --> 00:29:42,866 something is wrong with this picture. 544 00:29:42,907 --> 00:29:44,242 (phone ringing) 545 00:29:44,284 --> 00:29:46,494 And so at AIDS Project Los Angeles, 546 00:29:46,536 --> 00:29:48,329 I signed up for the Speaker's Bureau, 547 00:29:48,371 --> 00:29:51,958 so I went everywhere and talked about people with AIDS, 548 00:29:53,084 --> 00:29:55,378 and I was able to provide services. 549 00:29:55,420 --> 00:29:56,838 Welcome to AIDS Vision. 550 00:29:56,880 --> 00:29:59,174 I'm Allison Arngrim, your volunteer host. 551 00:30:00,508 --> 00:30:04,554 - We got celebrity support where we could, 552 00:30:04,596 --> 00:30:07,515 but there was so much stigma. 553 00:30:07,557 --> 00:30:12,479 {\an8}Stigma around HIV, but the other risk was many celebrities 554 00:30:12,520 --> 00:30:16,024 {\an8}in Hollywood at the time were not out. 555 00:30:16,066 --> 00:30:20,278 {\an8}And the common understanding for a gay celebrity 556 00:30:20,320 --> 00:30:23,865 was if you come out and support an HIV cause 557 00:30:23,907 --> 00:30:25,909 everyone's going to assume that you're gay 558 00:30:25,950 --> 00:30:27,869 and that will hurt your career. 559 00:30:27,911 --> 00:30:29,829 {\an8}- Well look me over. 560 00:30:29,871 --> 00:30:31,164 {\an8}(group laughing) 561 00:30:31,206 --> 00:30:34,292 - My father managed Liberace, 562 00:30:34,334 --> 00:30:37,128 which meant I went to Liberace shows as a child. 563 00:30:37,921 --> 00:30:39,339 My parents really did say, 564 00:30:39,381 --> 00:30:42,384 "No one knows that Liberace is gay." 565 00:30:42,425 --> 00:30:45,303 {\an8}And I said, "I'm eight, I know he's gay." 566 00:30:45,345 --> 00:30:47,138 - I want you to beat my friend over there. 567 00:30:47,180 --> 00:30:49,349 That's Scott Thorson. 568 00:30:49,391 --> 00:30:51,726 (group clapping) 569 00:30:51,768 --> 00:30:54,229 {\an8}- Everything was so hush hush, 570 00:30:54,270 --> 00:30:56,523 {\an8}everything was so closeted, 571 00:30:56,564 --> 00:30:57,899 (group chattering) 572 00:30:57,941 --> 00:31:00,402 and you just didn't advertise it. 573 00:31:01,277 --> 00:31:03,363 In the late '70s, early '80s, 574 00:31:03,405 --> 00:31:06,491 that started to change culturally, 575 00:31:06,533 --> 00:31:08,868 but definitely not in the entertainment business. 576 00:31:08,910 --> 00:31:11,955 It was very much a tightly held secret. 577 00:31:11,996 --> 00:31:14,916 {\an8}(gentle music) 578 00:31:15,917 --> 00:31:17,293 Well, I was really young 579 00:31:17,335 --> 00:31:20,630 in the beginning of the AIDS epidemic, 580 00:31:22,007 --> 00:31:26,219 but I knew very early on that something bad was happening. 581 00:31:28,304 --> 00:31:30,890 The relationship between her and the gay community 582 00:31:30,932 --> 00:31:32,642 was always very strong. 583 00:31:32,684 --> 00:31:34,060 - [Joan] You know how I know who's gay and who's not gay? 584 00:31:34,102 --> 00:31:35,270 Can we talk here? 585 00:31:35,311 --> 00:31:37,230 (group laughing) (group clapping) 586 00:31:37,272 --> 00:31:42,569 - And so she did a big AIDS fundraiser in LA. 587 00:31:43,361 --> 00:31:44,654 - [Announcer] Ms. Joan Rivers. 588 00:31:46,031 --> 00:31:48,450 - I remember it being very crowded. 589 00:31:48,491 --> 00:31:52,120 I remember it being very outrageous. 590 00:31:53,079 --> 00:31:54,497 It was very successful. 591 00:31:54,539 --> 00:31:58,960 It raised money and it opened doors. 592 00:32:00,128 --> 00:32:03,631 {\an8}I have to think that it gave people some shelter 593 00:32:03,673 --> 00:32:05,425 to be able then to speak out. 594 00:32:05,467 --> 00:32:07,260 - Hi, my name is Sammy Davis Jr. 595 00:32:07,302 --> 00:32:08,928 I know you've heard about AIDS, 596 00:32:08,970 --> 00:32:11,765 that's acquired immune deficiency syndrome. 597 00:32:11,806 --> 00:32:16,478 {\an8}- Each city had to use the resources of that city. 598 00:32:17,604 --> 00:32:19,439 New York had the Gay Men's Health Crisis, 599 00:32:19,481 --> 00:32:23,443 which was a very important, very active organization. 600 00:32:24,819 --> 00:32:29,491 San Francisco obviously had a very vibrant gay community. 601 00:32:30,575 --> 00:32:32,952 In Los Angeles we've got star power. 602 00:32:32,994 --> 00:32:36,122 {\an8}- Do you feel that you or anyone you know personally 603 00:32:36,164 --> 00:32:38,375 {\an8}are at risk of getting AIDS? 604 00:32:38,416 --> 00:32:42,170 - In the early days, we had a bad brand. 605 00:32:43,254 --> 00:32:44,673 People didn't wanna associate with it. 606 00:32:44,714 --> 00:32:46,549 They want to say, oh, those gay boys 607 00:32:46,591 --> 00:32:48,677 are getting what they deserve for their behavior, right? 608 00:32:48,718 --> 00:32:53,598 {\an8}And so that was one of our goals was to change the brand 609 00:32:54,641 --> 00:32:57,227 and we knew that getting Hollywood involved 610 00:32:57,268 --> 00:33:01,356 in getting that legitimacy was gonna be key. 611 00:33:02,440 --> 00:33:04,526 {\an8}- Peter Scott was our board chair 612 00:33:05,902 --> 00:33:08,988 and he came up with the idea of having a benefit dinner, 613 00:33:09,030 --> 00:33:11,199 something called Commitment to Life. 614 00:33:12,033 --> 00:33:13,576 And remember this is an '85 615 00:33:13,618 --> 00:33:15,578 when nobody was supporting much of anything. 616 00:33:16,371 --> 00:33:18,832 We put together some ideas, 617 00:33:18,873 --> 00:33:20,291 who makes the most sense 618 00:33:20,333 --> 00:33:22,460 for something called Commitment to Life. 619 00:33:23,586 --> 00:33:26,631 And there were three draws at that time, 620 00:33:26,673 --> 00:33:30,760 the Pope, Queen Elizabeth, and Elizabeth Taylor. 621 00:33:31,886 --> 00:33:33,388 And we said, "Well, we can't get the first two, 622 00:33:33,430 --> 00:33:35,223 but we could probably get the third." 623 00:33:36,558 --> 00:33:38,643 {\an8}- Elizabeth Taylor was the biggest movie star in the world. 624 00:33:38,685 --> 00:33:40,979 (upbeat music) 625 00:33:41,021 --> 00:33:44,649 She was the last great movie star of the Golden Age. 626 00:33:45,442 --> 00:33:47,569 Her escapades were notorious. 627 00:33:48,695 --> 00:33:50,321 She was what every girl in America wanted to be 628 00:33:50,363 --> 00:33:52,032 and many of the boys. 629 00:33:52,073 --> 00:33:55,201 - Where passion rules, how weak does reason prove? 630 00:33:56,578 --> 00:34:00,040 - She was working in a creative business, 631 00:34:00,081 --> 00:34:03,501 {\an8}so she had gay people around her her whole life. 632 00:34:04,252 --> 00:34:05,837 {\an8}- Thank you, my friends. 633 00:34:07,213 --> 00:34:11,051 {\an8}- In the '80s, Elizabeth was making some TV movies 634 00:34:11,092 --> 00:34:13,678 and kind of living her life. 635 00:34:13,720 --> 00:34:16,097 AIDS was in the news. 636 00:34:16,931 --> 00:34:18,058 She'd go to a cocktail party 637 00:34:18,099 --> 00:34:19,851 and people were like whispering, 638 00:34:19,893 --> 00:34:21,811 oh, there's this awful thing. 639 00:34:22,604 --> 00:34:24,064 {\an8}And Elizabeth was getting more 640 00:34:24,105 --> 00:34:25,565 {\an8}and more angry and frustrated, 641 00:34:25,607 --> 00:34:27,650 like why is nothing happening? 642 00:34:28,693 --> 00:34:33,698 - I was made so aware of the silence, 643 00:34:34,741 --> 00:34:37,702 {\an8}this huge loud silence regarding AIDS, 644 00:34:37,744 --> 00:34:39,412 how no one wanted to talk about it. 645 00:34:39,454 --> 00:34:41,456 No one wanted to become involved. 646 00:34:41,498 --> 00:34:45,794 And it's so angered me that I finally thought to myself, 647 00:34:45,835 --> 00:34:49,255 bitch, do something yourself. 648 00:34:49,297 --> 00:34:52,175 (upbeat music) 649 00:34:52,217 --> 00:34:53,426 - [Tim] And Elizabeth was well aware 650 00:34:53,468 --> 00:34:56,429 of the fame that she had 651 00:34:56,471 --> 00:35:00,725 and she realized she was in a unique position 652 00:35:00,767 --> 00:35:04,521 to be able to put her face to AIDS. 653 00:35:05,605 --> 00:35:07,482 - I became involved when I was asked 654 00:35:07,524 --> 00:35:09,901 to be general chairman of the first dinner 655 00:35:09,943 --> 00:35:12,904 given in America to raise funds for AIDS. 656 00:35:12,946 --> 00:35:14,447 {\an8}(birds chirping) (cameras snapping) 657 00:35:14,489 --> 00:35:16,616 {\an8}- We had a fundraising event, 658 00:35:16,658 --> 00:35:20,704 the presale party for Commitment to Life in West Hollywood 659 00:35:20,745 --> 00:35:22,080 and she went. 660 00:35:22,122 --> 00:35:24,290 - It's a desperate situation 661 00:35:24,332 --> 00:35:26,459 and it needs everybody's help now. 662 00:35:27,836 --> 00:35:30,588 - [Bill] It was her very first AIDS event. 663 00:35:30,630 --> 00:35:35,343 - To put a dinner together, it took seven months work. 664 00:35:36,177 --> 00:35:38,930 Our industry seemed reluctant 665 00:35:38,972 --> 00:35:40,807 to have anything to do with it. 666 00:35:40,849 --> 00:35:43,476 It was a taboo subject. 667 00:35:43,518 --> 00:35:46,479 And I won't tell you the names of some of the people 668 00:35:46,521 --> 00:35:48,398 that refused to have their names identified 669 00:35:48,440 --> 00:35:52,485 because it would blow your mind. (chuckles) 670 00:35:52,527 --> 00:35:57,157 I became so incensed and personally frustrated 671 00:35:57,198 --> 00:36:00,160 at the rejection I was receiving 672 00:36:00,201 --> 00:36:03,538 by just trying to get people's attention. 673 00:36:03,580 --> 00:36:06,666 - And that was what it was like until Rock Hudson got sick. 674 00:36:06,708 --> 00:36:08,668 - [Reporter] Actor Rock Hudson has AIDS, 675 00:36:08,710 --> 00:36:11,212 acquired immune deficiency syndrome. 676 00:36:12,547 --> 00:36:15,300 - Rock Hudson was completely in the closet, 677 00:36:16,217 --> 00:36:19,220 {\an8}but Elizabeth knew Rock was gay. 678 00:36:20,180 --> 00:36:21,765 They were friends. 679 00:36:21,806 --> 00:36:26,102 {\an8}- [Narrator] Liz and Rock, today's two most exciting stars 680 00:36:26,144 --> 00:36:27,562 in the only picture big enough 681 00:36:27,604 --> 00:36:30,315 to bring them together "Giant." 682 00:36:31,983 --> 00:36:34,361 - In January of 1985, 683 00:36:34,402 --> 00:36:37,364 she received the Cecil B. DeMille Award. 684 00:36:37,405 --> 00:36:40,283 {\an8}- Ladies and gentlemen, Ms. Elizabeth Taylor. 685 00:36:40,325 --> 00:36:41,284 (group clapping) 686 00:36:41,326 --> 00:36:44,120 (triumphant music) 687 00:36:44,162 --> 00:36:49,626 - [Tim] She was with Rock and he didn't look very well. 688 00:36:51,002 --> 00:36:55,590 She asked him about it, but he said it was cancer. 689 00:36:56,758 --> 00:36:59,219 {\an8}- Mr. Hudson is being evaluated and treated 690 00:36:59,260 --> 00:37:03,306 {\an8}for complications of acquired immune deficiency syndrome. 691 00:37:04,432 --> 00:37:05,767 - Elizabeth found out that Rock had AIDS 692 00:37:05,809 --> 00:37:08,436 at the same time as everybody else. 693 00:37:09,688 --> 00:37:12,399 She got in touch with Michael Gottlieb 694 00:37:12,440 --> 00:37:15,902 and he took her to go see Rock 695 00:37:16,945 --> 00:37:19,781 and so she had a chance to say goodbye. 696 00:37:20,448 --> 00:37:23,368 (gentle music) 697 00:37:25,078 --> 00:37:30,542 - What we all have to do is go out tonight, tomorrow, 698 00:37:31,876 --> 00:37:35,296 grab our neighbors, our friends, our acquaintances, 699 00:37:35,338 --> 00:37:38,425 grab them by the throats if necessary, 700 00:37:38,466 --> 00:37:42,429 make them understand, break the barrier. 701 00:37:43,805 --> 00:37:47,642 - Rock Hudson put a face to the disease for the world 702 00:37:48,810 --> 00:37:53,815 {\an8}and that was invaluable in helping us move along 703 00:37:55,191 --> 00:37:57,235 {\an8}the idea that everybody needs to be concerned about this. 704 00:37:57,277 --> 00:38:00,071 (group cheering) (group clapping) 705 00:38:00,113 --> 00:38:01,781 When we were putting together 706 00:38:01,823 --> 00:38:05,035 {\an8}the first Commitment to Life dinner after Rock Hudson, 707 00:38:05,076 --> 00:38:09,080 {\an8}the demand for tickets to that event was crazy. 708 00:38:09,122 --> 00:38:10,498 {\an8}- Tonight in Los Angeles, 709 00:38:10,540 --> 00:38:12,459 {\an8}some of the biggest names in show business 710 00:38:12,500 --> 00:38:16,546 will host a widely publicized benefit for AIDS. 711 00:38:16,588 --> 00:38:20,175 - [Announcer] Ladies and gentlemen, Ms. Elizabeth Taylor. 712 00:38:20,216 --> 00:38:22,427 (group cheering) 713 00:38:22,469 --> 00:38:23,970 - The emotions were so raw 714 00:38:25,305 --> 00:38:28,308 {\an8}because everybody was personally affected by it. 715 00:38:28,350 --> 00:38:31,519 - All we can do at this point 716 00:38:31,561 --> 00:38:35,106 is help our friends who have AIDS, 717 00:38:35,148 --> 00:38:36,232 (group cheering) (group clapping) 718 00:38:36,274 --> 00:38:37,859 and the only way we can do that 719 00:38:39,027 --> 00:38:41,946 is by doing what you are doing by giving, 720 00:38:41,988 --> 00:38:46,659 giving of support, money, and love. 721 00:38:46,701 --> 00:38:48,328 (group cheering) (group clapping) 722 00:38:48,370 --> 00:38:49,788 - That evening was amazing 723 00:38:49,829 --> 00:38:52,082 because it was all of these big famous people 724 00:38:52,123 --> 00:38:55,585 coming together to say, we see you. 725 00:38:56,461 --> 00:38:57,837 That hadn't happened. 726 00:38:57,879 --> 00:38:59,839 That was the first time that happened. 727 00:38:59,881 --> 00:39:03,009 {\an8}- As a person with AIDS, I wanna remind you, 728 00:39:03,051 --> 00:39:04,844 {\an8}I am still alive. 729 00:39:04,886 --> 00:39:06,971 (group cheering) (group clapping) 730 00:39:07,013 --> 00:39:10,850 I had been so scared of dying alone 731 00:39:11,726 --> 00:39:14,521 and that was totally irrelevant 732 00:39:14,562 --> 00:39:16,856 because I was surrounded by love. 733 00:39:17,941 --> 00:39:19,693 I am very hopeful that the turnout 734 00:39:19,734 --> 00:39:21,403 of stars and celebrities 735 00:39:21,444 --> 00:39:25,365 will really help people across the country realize 736 00:39:25,407 --> 00:39:27,033 that there is nothing to fear 737 00:39:27,075 --> 00:39:29,744 from being in the same room with a person with AIDS, 738 00:39:29,786 --> 00:39:31,705 from embracing a person with AIDS, 739 00:39:31,746 --> 00:39:34,124 from being present to a person with AIDS. 740 00:39:34,165 --> 00:39:36,209 (group cheering) (upbeat music) 741 00:39:36,251 --> 00:39:37,669 - When we first put this on, 742 00:39:37,711 --> 00:39:39,713 we were targeting maybe $400,000. 743 00:39:39,754 --> 00:39:41,673 It is not someone else's problem, 744 00:39:41,715 --> 00:39:44,009 it is all of our problem. 745 00:39:44,843 --> 00:39:47,137 Wound up raising $1.3 million. 746 00:39:47,178 --> 00:39:49,055 - [Interviewer] If you have one message 747 00:39:49,097 --> 00:39:50,890 to get across to people about why they should really care. 748 00:39:50,932 --> 00:39:53,435 - Well, it's human beings' lives 749 00:39:53,476 --> 00:39:55,228 and if you care about anything, 750 00:39:55,270 --> 00:39:56,771 if you care about yourself, 751 00:39:57,856 --> 00:39:59,816 you have to care what happens to others. 752 00:40:07,741 --> 00:40:09,159 - [Announcer] The following program is a special 753 00:40:09,200 --> 00:40:11,202 from Channel Five's Eyewitness News. 754 00:40:11,244 --> 00:40:12,746 It contains detailed information 755 00:40:12,787 --> 00:40:15,331 about a sexually transmitted disease. 756 00:40:15,373 --> 00:40:19,002 - [Reporter] This is it, the test everyone's talking about. 757 00:40:19,044 --> 00:40:21,129 The AIDS antibody test. 758 00:40:22,505 --> 00:40:24,466 - They developed this HIV test 759 00:40:25,550 --> 00:40:28,345 and for a lot of us, myself included, 760 00:40:28,386 --> 00:40:31,139 {\an8}we were adamant that people shouldn't take the test 761 00:40:31,181 --> 00:40:33,183 {\an8}because there were no treatments. 762 00:40:34,476 --> 00:40:38,772 Getting tested without treatment exacerbated stigma, 763 00:40:38,813 --> 00:40:43,276 but also exacerbated hopelessness. 764 00:40:43,318 --> 00:40:44,652 (group chattering) 765 00:40:44,694 --> 00:40:47,906 So we felt that a better prevention strategy 766 00:40:47,947 --> 00:40:50,408 was to assume that you had it 767 00:40:50,450 --> 00:40:53,453 and we behaved accordingly as a way 768 00:40:53,495 --> 00:40:55,872 of trying to protect each other. 769 00:40:56,956 --> 00:40:59,125 I decided that I should take the test 770 00:40:59,167 --> 00:41:03,672 because Chris was already experiencing severe symptoms. 771 00:41:04,464 --> 00:41:08,134 And so I went to get tested. 772 00:41:08,176 --> 00:41:10,845 Two weeks later, I went to get my results 773 00:41:10,887 --> 00:41:15,183 and it turns out that I was HIV positive 774 00:41:16,309 --> 00:41:18,853 and everything started to spin. 775 00:41:20,689 --> 00:41:23,066 And I began to cry 776 00:41:23,858 --> 00:41:27,987 and I was completely overwhelmed 777 00:41:28,029 --> 00:41:32,534 by the notion that I was going to die. 778 00:41:34,869 --> 00:41:37,080 The doctor said to me, 779 00:41:37,122 --> 00:41:42,544 "You probably have six months to live and you should go home 780 00:41:43,378 --> 00:41:45,714 and get your affairs in order." 781 00:41:46,965 --> 00:41:51,636 And I remember thinking, I'm 20 something, 782 00:41:51,678 --> 00:41:54,848 I don't have any affairs to get in order. 783 00:41:54,889 --> 00:41:56,683 - [Reporter] 37-year-old Chris Brownlie 784 00:41:56,725 --> 00:41:58,309 and 31-year-old Phill Wilson 785 00:41:58,351 --> 00:42:00,270 have been a couple for eight years. 786 00:42:00,311 --> 00:42:02,731 Although Phill has AIDS related complex, 787 00:42:02,772 --> 00:42:04,858 he is still healthier than Chris 788 00:42:04,899 --> 00:42:07,986 who was diagnosed as having AIDS last February. 789 00:42:09,070 --> 00:42:12,949 - We really went into political mode 790 00:42:12,991 --> 00:42:17,245 and then the Larouche campaign happened. 791 00:42:17,287 --> 00:42:19,372 {\an8}- This is a disease which is perfectly capable 792 00:42:19,414 --> 00:42:21,082 {\an8}of eliminating the human race. 793 00:42:22,208 --> 00:42:24,878 - Lyndon Larouche was a very marginal 794 00:42:24,919 --> 00:42:27,964 {\an8}right wing, crazy character, 795 00:42:28,006 --> 00:42:32,385 but he did catch a moment of lack of understanding 796 00:42:32,427 --> 00:42:34,054 about HIV/AIDS. 797 00:42:34,095 --> 00:42:37,015 - I'm afraid that I'm going to get it from causal contact. 798 00:42:37,057 --> 00:42:38,600 I don't care what they say, 799 00:42:38,641 --> 00:42:42,062 you can get it from casual contact. 800 00:42:42,103 --> 00:42:43,688 - [Torie] Lyndon Larouche was able 801 00:42:43,730 --> 00:42:47,233 to put this ballot measure Prop 64, 802 00:42:47,275 --> 00:42:50,528 and it would've quarantined people with AIDS. 803 00:42:50,570 --> 00:42:53,907 {\an8}- AIDS victims must be isolated 804 00:42:53,948 --> 00:42:56,951 from general society until a cure is found 805 00:42:56,993 --> 00:42:58,328 so we don't catch that disease. 806 00:42:58,370 --> 00:42:59,621 Am I right? - Yeah! 807 00:43:00,705 --> 00:43:03,750 - At that point, 60% of Californians 808 00:43:03,792 --> 00:43:06,920 did not know how AIDS was transmitted. 809 00:43:06,961 --> 00:43:09,422 - If the only way to stop them stop it is quarantine people 810 00:43:09,464 --> 00:43:11,257 I don't think any there's any way around it. 811 00:43:11,299 --> 00:43:13,301 I think they're gonna have to do it. 812 00:43:13,343 --> 00:43:14,928 - In the early '80s, 813 00:43:14,969 --> 00:43:18,223 {\an8}gay people had just been decriminalized 10 years earlier. 814 00:43:19,391 --> 00:43:21,685 Then the American Psychological Association says, 815 00:43:21,726 --> 00:43:22,977 we're not insane. 816 00:43:24,020 --> 00:43:26,981 We had come so far to create a community 817 00:43:28,316 --> 00:43:30,402 and all of a sudden they're talking about rounding us all up 818 00:43:30,443 --> 00:43:31,861 and putting us in camps. 819 00:43:31,903 --> 00:43:34,364 - At a time when I am facing the possibility 820 00:43:34,406 --> 00:43:35,949 of my premature death, 821 00:43:35,990 --> 00:43:39,828 I do not need the added stress of being told 822 00:43:39,869 --> 00:43:42,122 that I might possibly be quarantined 823 00:43:42,163 --> 00:43:45,000 or put away from people who could help me. 824 00:43:45,041 --> 00:43:49,379 {\an8}- A lot of the queer community was mobilized. 825 00:43:49,421 --> 00:43:51,006 - [Group] No on 64. 826 00:43:51,047 --> 00:43:53,758 - [Torie] For the Fighting Against the Larouche Initiative. 827 00:43:53,800 --> 00:43:55,927 We did a direct mail drive. 828 00:43:55,969 --> 00:43:58,430 We got Keith Haring to do the logo. 829 00:43:58,471 --> 00:44:02,058 - [Group] AIDS education, not determination. 830 00:44:02,100 --> 00:44:03,435 - [Reporter] In California opposition 831 00:44:03,476 --> 00:44:05,645 to the initiative is building. 832 00:44:05,687 --> 00:44:08,356 - When you had a particular proposition 833 00:44:08,398 --> 00:44:11,693 {\an8}like 64, you defeat it. 834 00:44:11,735 --> 00:44:13,445 - [Reporter] The no on 64 campaign 835 00:44:13,486 --> 00:44:15,196 it was a resounding victory. 836 00:44:15,238 --> 00:44:17,782 But beneath the cheers and celebration last night, 837 00:44:17,824 --> 00:44:20,035 there were also sighs of relief. 838 00:44:20,076 --> 00:44:22,328 {\an8}- Voters of California clearly made a choice 839 00:44:22,370 --> 00:44:23,955 {\an8}that they want public health policy 840 00:44:23,997 --> 00:44:26,166 {\an8}to stay in the hands of the professionals. 841 00:44:28,918 --> 00:44:31,171 - It was roundly defeated 842 00:44:31,212 --> 00:44:35,842 and it was a major step in our community. 843 00:44:35,884 --> 00:44:38,636 (group cheering) (gentle music) 844 00:44:38,678 --> 00:44:43,683 - The ethic that took root in the LGBT community 845 00:44:43,725 --> 00:44:46,936 {\an8}was we are gonna take responsibility 846 00:44:46,978 --> 00:44:50,440 {\an8}for stopping the spread of this disease. 847 00:44:50,482 --> 00:44:51,983 - Welcome to AIDS Walk. 848 00:44:53,151 --> 00:44:55,737 - We put together the AIDS Walk. 849 00:44:55,779 --> 00:44:58,031 An AIDS Walk is where you get people 850 00:44:58,073 --> 00:45:00,325 to volunteer not only to walk, 851 00:45:00,367 --> 00:45:03,912 but to raise money from their friends to support their walk. 852 00:45:04,704 --> 00:45:06,206 - As you begin your walk, 853 00:45:06,247 --> 00:45:08,124 I wanna wish you good luck 854 00:45:08,166 --> 00:45:10,210 and I want you to remember 855 00:45:10,251 --> 00:45:13,421 {\an8}that with your individual efforts today, 856 00:45:13,463 --> 00:45:17,175 {\an8}it takes us that much closer to our goal. 857 00:45:19,260 --> 00:45:21,346 - [David] It was a spectacular day, 858 00:45:22,430 --> 00:45:25,934 and Paramount Pictures hosted it for years. 859 00:45:25,975 --> 00:45:27,852 - Fundraisers hope they can keep up this pace 860 00:45:27,894 --> 00:45:31,231 Long after today's walk, there'll still be a need for money. 861 00:45:31,272 --> 00:45:34,359 Judging by today's turnout, they're off to a good start. 862 00:45:35,860 --> 00:45:38,363 - As far as I was concerned in our work, 863 00:45:38,405 --> 00:45:42,200 {\an8}whether you were HIV positive or not, in your mind you were. 864 00:45:42,242 --> 00:45:44,119 It was only a matter of time. 865 00:45:45,453 --> 00:45:48,790 And you were part of a community that glued itself together. 866 00:45:49,624 --> 00:45:51,835 And so it started making people 867 00:45:51,876 --> 00:45:55,422 be activists instead of just active. 868 00:45:55,463 --> 00:45:58,008 (gentle upbeat music) 869 00:45:58,049 --> 00:46:00,260 - [Reporter] West Hollywood, a recently formed city 870 00:46:00,301 --> 00:46:02,929 with a large gay and lesbian community. 871 00:46:02,971 --> 00:46:05,348 That community is protected by a city council, 872 00:46:05,390 --> 00:46:08,309 which considers gay rights a priority. 873 00:46:08,351 --> 00:46:11,312 - Because there was the first gay majority in the nation, 874 00:46:11,354 --> 00:46:13,189 West Hollywood was the fertile ground 875 00:46:13,231 --> 00:46:15,859 for an LGBT movement to spring fourth. 876 00:46:17,235 --> 00:46:18,820 {\an8}HIV and AIDS brought up all these medical issues, 877 00:46:18,862 --> 00:46:21,781 {\an8}but it also brought up all these legal issues. 878 00:46:21,823 --> 00:46:26,995 - I was diagnosed in April and I was out of a job. 879 00:46:27,829 --> 00:46:29,122 - People could lose their job, 880 00:46:29,164 --> 00:46:30,832 or lose their apartment, 881 00:46:30,874 --> 00:46:34,336 or lose their insurance if they were HIV positive. 882 00:46:34,377 --> 00:46:38,298 And so the city of West Hollywood ended up passing a law, 883 00:46:38,340 --> 00:46:41,843 no discrimination on the basis of HIV status. 884 00:46:41,885 --> 00:46:44,346 - It extends protections to persons with AIDS 885 00:46:44,387 --> 00:46:46,848 or persons who are thought to have AIDS 886 00:46:46,890 --> 00:46:49,267 {\an8}and those persons are protected by the city 887 00:46:49,309 --> 00:46:51,478 {\an8}because there is no state or federal law 888 00:46:51,519 --> 00:46:53,521 that protects them at this point. 889 00:46:54,856 --> 00:46:56,900 - Dealing from the point of view 890 00:46:56,941 --> 00:47:00,153 of a discriminated small minority, 891 00:47:00,195 --> 00:47:03,740 {\an8}you had to use your brain and you had to control yourself 892 00:47:03,782 --> 00:47:05,492 if you were gonna progress. 893 00:47:05,533 --> 00:47:06,910 (gentle upbeat music) 894 00:47:06,951 --> 00:47:09,162 No one offered us a seat at the table, 895 00:47:09,204 --> 00:47:12,582 so we did things like established relationships 896 00:47:12,624 --> 00:47:15,710 with politicians, with respected people 897 00:47:15,752 --> 00:47:18,129 in the non gay community. 898 00:47:19,464 --> 00:47:21,508 {\an8}We got to the point where we could get admitted 899 00:47:21,549 --> 00:47:23,343 to the mayor's office. 900 00:47:24,386 --> 00:47:26,137 We were not shunned and we were able 901 00:47:26,179 --> 00:47:28,807 to accomplish a great deal. 902 00:47:28,848 --> 00:47:30,350 (gavel banging) 903 00:47:30,392 --> 00:47:32,268 - Meeting of the subcommittee will come to order. 904 00:47:32,310 --> 00:47:36,940 {\an8}- Some members of Congress were waking up to this. 905 00:47:36,981 --> 00:47:39,526 {\an8}Henry Waxman, he had a safe seat 906 00:47:39,567 --> 00:47:42,153 and he was chairman of the subcommittee, 907 00:47:42,195 --> 00:47:44,948 the exact subcommittee we had to deal with. 908 00:47:46,324 --> 00:47:49,327 I sat in Waxman's office and we talked about AIDS, 909 00:47:49,369 --> 00:47:52,914 and he listened and he acted. 910 00:47:52,956 --> 00:47:55,166 {\an8}- This is not liberal or conservative, 911 00:47:55,208 --> 00:47:58,461 {\an8}it is not a Democratic or Republican position. 912 00:47:58,503 --> 00:48:00,880 I believe that we have crafted legislation 913 00:48:00,922 --> 00:48:03,216 that can slow the spread of AIDS. 914 00:48:03,258 --> 00:48:04,634 - The bill has passed. 915 00:48:04,676 --> 00:48:06,219 (gavel bangs) 916 00:48:06,261 --> 00:48:10,181 - The federal government provided some money, not enough, 917 00:48:10,223 --> 00:48:14,060 but money was provided and we struggled through. 918 00:48:14,102 --> 00:48:18,148 - [Group] No on 64, no on 64. 919 00:48:18,189 --> 00:48:22,402 - We defeated Prop 64 by a tremendous margin, 920 00:48:22,444 --> 00:48:25,530 but the issues around discrimination 921 00:48:25,572 --> 00:48:29,868 {\an8}and criminalizing HIV continue to go on. 922 00:48:29,909 --> 00:48:32,996 {\an8}- The civil rights of the uninfected American people 923 00:48:33,038 --> 00:48:34,914 {\an8}are as much entitled to protection 924 00:48:34,956 --> 00:48:37,125 as the civil rights of the infected. 925 00:48:38,418 --> 00:48:41,755 {\an8}- There was a guy named Dannemeyer from Orange County 926 00:48:41,796 --> 00:48:43,631 who was a total creep. 927 00:48:43,673 --> 00:48:49,137 {\an8}- If you have the virus and you engage in sexual activities 928 00:48:50,430 --> 00:48:52,265 {\an8}with another human, you've committed a crime. 929 00:48:52,307 --> 00:48:56,436 {\an8}- [Phill] Bill Dannemeyer was so active in putting forth 930 00:48:56,478 --> 00:49:01,149 {\an8}these irrational discriminatory initiatives. 931 00:49:01,191 --> 00:49:03,193 - They have failed to take action 932 00:49:03,234 --> 00:49:04,569 to protect the public health 933 00:49:04,611 --> 00:49:06,196 by shutting down these AIDS factories, 934 00:49:06,237 --> 00:49:08,573 which we sometimes call bathhouses. 935 00:49:08,615 --> 00:49:12,452 - And there were lots of victories for that side, 936 00:49:13,578 --> 00:49:17,207 making it illegal to transmit the virus, 937 00:49:17,248 --> 00:49:19,209 making it illegal if you're positive 938 00:49:19,250 --> 00:49:22,712 to spit on a policeman, 939 00:49:22,754 --> 00:49:26,633 making it illegal if you didn't disclose your HIV status, 940 00:49:26,675 --> 00:49:30,512 even if you did not infect anyone. 941 00:49:30,553 --> 00:49:33,390 And some of those laws are on the books today. 942 00:49:33,431 --> 00:49:36,351 {\an8}- We are acting in the best interest of the nation 943 00:49:36,393 --> 00:49:40,188 {\an8}by fighting AIDS and not the people with AIDS. 944 00:49:42,440 --> 00:49:45,235 - When I became chair of APLA, 945 00:49:45,276 --> 00:49:49,823 {\an8}I wanted money and I wanted to kill anti AIDS bills. 946 00:49:49,864 --> 00:49:53,618 {\an8}That's just two things, but those are big important things. 947 00:49:55,036 --> 00:49:58,289 AIDS Action Council was the AIDS lobbying organization. 948 00:49:59,416 --> 00:50:02,877 APLA and the main AIDS organizations 949 00:50:02,919 --> 00:50:05,296 in the country were members 950 00:50:05,338 --> 00:50:07,674 and they were there to secure financing 951 00:50:07,716 --> 00:50:08,800 from the government. 952 00:50:10,218 --> 00:50:15,598 {\an8}- I did go to Washington and I lobbied several times. 953 00:50:17,517 --> 00:50:20,812 One day our older son Brett said, 954 00:50:20,854 --> 00:50:23,398 "I've got something to talk to you about." 955 00:50:24,232 --> 00:50:26,484 And he said, "I've got AIDS." 956 00:50:28,111 --> 00:50:31,031 And then a year later, our second son, 957 00:50:31,072 --> 00:50:35,535 Michael called and told us he had just been diagnosed. 958 00:50:36,619 --> 00:50:39,789 I was with each of my sons when they died. 959 00:50:41,416 --> 00:50:44,210 It was pretty raw. 960 00:50:45,211 --> 00:50:47,714 I finally pulled myself together 961 00:50:47,756 --> 00:50:51,176 and I joined mother support groups, 962 00:50:52,010 --> 00:50:54,346 but I had to do more than that. 963 00:50:55,055 --> 00:50:56,431 {\an8}(brooding music) 964 00:50:56,473 --> 00:50:59,684 {\an8}- I've never heard once in this chamber 965 00:50:59,726 --> 00:51:04,314 anybody say to the homosexuals, stop what you are doing. 966 00:51:05,774 --> 00:51:08,151 Do you realize that if they would stop what they're doing, 967 00:51:08,193 --> 00:51:12,364 there would not be one additional case of AIDS 968 00:51:12,405 --> 00:51:14,324 in the United States of America? 969 00:51:16,117 --> 00:51:18,328 - We went to the Senate. 970 00:51:19,204 --> 00:51:21,873 Jesse Helms walked over to us 971 00:51:22,957 --> 00:51:25,085 and when we told him why we were here, 972 00:51:25,126 --> 00:51:26,753 he pulled his hand back. 973 00:51:26,795 --> 00:51:29,297 He didn't want to have anything to do with us. 974 00:51:29,339 --> 00:51:32,550 (cameras snapping) 975 00:51:32,592 --> 00:51:37,847 - Elizabeth became the spokesperson for amfAR, 976 00:51:38,515 --> 00:51:40,350 (gentle upbeat music) 977 00:51:40,392 --> 00:51:41,601 which was the National AIDS Research Foundation. 978 00:51:43,186 --> 00:51:46,356 I traveled with her to Washington and we met with senators. 979 00:51:47,357 --> 00:51:48,775 She wanted them to know 980 00:51:48,817 --> 00:51:52,112 {\an8}that they had to be supportive of funding. 981 00:51:52,153 --> 00:51:55,156 {\an8}- It is my hope that history will show 982 00:51:55,198 --> 00:51:58,660 {\an8}that the American people and our leaders 983 00:51:58,702 --> 00:52:01,621 met the challenge of AIDS rationally 984 00:52:01,663 --> 00:52:04,749 and with all the resources of their disposal. 985 00:52:05,959 --> 00:52:07,794 - She was willing to do whatever it took 986 00:52:07,836 --> 00:52:12,340 to get the politicians to get their heads out of the sand. 987 00:52:12,382 --> 00:52:14,884 - Many of us have lost a dear friend to AIDS, 988 00:52:14,926 --> 00:52:16,761 don't wait until someone you care for 989 00:52:16,803 --> 00:52:18,930 is touched by this horrifying illness. 990 00:52:18,972 --> 00:52:20,557 {\an8}(group chattering) (cameras snapping) 991 00:52:20,598 --> 00:52:23,893 {\an8}- We did a fundraiser in Washington for amfAR 992 00:52:25,020 --> 00:52:28,273 and Reagan had not yet said the word AIDS. 993 00:52:28,314 --> 00:52:29,941 (group clapping) 994 00:52:29,983 --> 00:52:35,280 Elizabeth met with him and said, "Do it for me." 995 00:52:35,947 --> 00:52:37,323 ("Hail to the Chief") 996 00:52:37,365 --> 00:52:41,494 And Reagan spoke and uttered the word AIDS 997 00:52:41,536 --> 00:52:43,413 for the first time. 998 00:52:43,455 --> 00:52:45,373 - Spending on AIDS has been one 999 00:52:45,415 --> 00:52:48,418 of the fastest growing parts of the budget. 1000 00:52:48,460 --> 00:52:50,754 And ladies and gentlemen, it deserves to be. 1001 00:52:50,795 --> 00:52:52,756 (group clapping) 1002 00:52:52,797 --> 00:52:54,591 - Just the fact that he was there 1003 00:52:54,632 --> 00:52:57,844 after so much silence was very important. 1004 00:52:57,886 --> 00:52:59,512 He signs bills, 1005 00:52:59,554 --> 00:53:01,473 I mean, he's the president of the United States. 1006 00:53:01,514 --> 00:53:03,016 The speech was going along fine 1007 00:53:03,058 --> 00:53:06,019 until he mentioned mandatory testing. 1008 00:53:06,061 --> 00:53:09,773 - I've also asked HHS to add the AIDS virus 1009 00:53:09,814 --> 00:53:12,192 to the list of contagious diseases 1010 00:53:12,233 --> 00:53:14,944 for which immigrants and aliens seeking permanent residence 1011 00:53:14,986 --> 00:53:18,031 in the United States can be denied entry. 1012 00:53:18,073 --> 00:53:20,784 (group booing) 1013 00:53:22,118 --> 00:53:25,372 - The President had never been booed, I am sure. 1014 00:53:25,413 --> 00:53:27,582 (dramatic music) 1015 00:53:27,624 --> 00:53:31,711 But I can assure you that me and many of my friends 1016 00:53:31,753 --> 00:53:35,715 blame him for many, many deaths. 1017 00:53:35,757 --> 00:53:38,718 - Americans working together can beat any problem 1018 00:53:38,760 --> 00:53:42,681 that comes our way and that goes for AIDS too. 1019 00:53:46,851 --> 00:53:48,395 - It had taken Reagan, 1020 00:53:48,436 --> 00:53:51,815 his entire presidency to even say the words, 1021 00:53:51,856 --> 00:53:56,069 and there was still unbelievable homophobia and bias 1022 00:53:56,111 --> 00:53:58,238 coming out of the Congress. 1023 00:53:58,279 --> 00:54:01,533 And so we had to multitask. 1024 00:54:01,574 --> 00:54:03,660 And we are a part of this community 1025 00:54:03,702 --> 00:54:08,415 and it belongs to us as much as it belongs to anyone else. 1026 00:54:08,456 --> 00:54:10,083 (siren wailing) 1027 00:54:10,125 --> 00:54:14,337 And then we began to look at the impact of HIV and AIDS 1028 00:54:14,379 --> 00:54:16,381 along racial lines. 1029 00:54:16,423 --> 00:54:19,092 {\an8}- AIDS is an equal opportunity disease, 1030 00:54:19,134 --> 00:54:22,387 but we can all fight and win if we hang together. 1031 00:54:22,429 --> 00:54:24,097 (group chattering) 1032 00:54:24,139 --> 00:54:29,644 - At the time there was not really any sort of consideration 1033 00:54:30,645 --> 00:54:34,274 around bisexual people or trans people. 1034 00:54:34,315 --> 00:54:35,817 {\an8}Of course, trans people should have been 1035 00:54:35,859 --> 00:54:39,487 {\an8}a part of the conversation, but they were not. 1036 00:54:40,697 --> 00:54:43,783 - From the very beginning of the epidemic, 1037 00:54:43,825 --> 00:54:49,080 {\an8}trans people were not included and many communities of color 1038 00:54:49,873 --> 00:54:52,000 were left behind unfortunately. 1039 00:54:53,710 --> 00:54:58,131 And so the challenges for me as someone who is HIV positive 1040 00:54:58,173 --> 00:55:01,051 and as someone who was trying to access healthcare, 1041 00:55:01,092 --> 00:55:05,764 there was specific to my needs there wasn't any. 1042 00:55:05,805 --> 00:55:07,057 (gentle music) 1043 00:55:07,098 --> 00:55:08,767 (group vocalizing) 1044 00:55:08,808 --> 00:55:12,562 - Los Angeles, it has a huge Asian community. 1045 00:55:13,980 --> 00:55:18,526 We had a good mix of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese. 1046 00:55:20,195 --> 00:55:24,324 We had a very big Thai community here in Los Angeles 1047 00:55:24,366 --> 00:55:27,077 {\an8}and our big thing in Los Angeles 1048 00:55:27,118 --> 00:55:29,829 {\an8}was that we need to get Asian people tested. 1049 00:55:31,206 --> 00:55:35,794 And at the time, Filipino men were the most infected. 1050 00:55:36,586 --> 00:55:38,713 And so being a gay Filipino man, 1051 00:55:38,755 --> 00:55:40,840 I had a personal investment. 1052 00:55:41,633 --> 00:55:43,802 I started doing AIDS work 1053 00:55:45,220 --> 00:55:46,805 and I found out that there were a lot of communities 1054 00:55:46,846 --> 00:55:48,390 of color who did not want to be identified 1055 00:55:48,431 --> 00:55:50,475 as a person living with AIDS. 1056 00:55:50,517 --> 00:55:52,227 (melancholic music) 1057 00:55:52,268 --> 00:55:56,523 - So was the shame that they have contracted the disease 1058 00:55:56,564 --> 00:55:58,525 that they didn't want to go out. 1059 00:55:59,567 --> 00:56:02,195 {\an8}Some of them when their families found out 1060 00:56:02,237 --> 00:56:05,990 {\an8}that they were HIV positive turned their back on. 1061 00:56:07,867 --> 00:56:12,580 - I used to volunteered over in APLA and some of the guys, 1062 00:56:14,416 --> 00:56:16,126 {\an8}they wouldn't come to the food bank 1063 00:56:16,167 --> 00:56:17,627 {\an8}knowing that I was there. 1064 00:56:19,004 --> 00:56:24,050 This is how deeply the shame cut into the hearts and souls 1065 00:56:24,718 --> 00:56:26,219 of a lot of those guys. 1066 00:56:26,261 --> 00:56:27,929 (group chattering) 1067 00:56:27,971 --> 00:56:31,725 {\an8}I'd like anyone who has had a friend, lover, relative 1068 00:56:33,101 --> 00:56:34,811 who has passed from AIDS 1069 00:56:34,853 --> 00:56:38,148 to yell out their name as the song is being played. 1070 00:56:38,189 --> 00:56:39,941 - Leo. - Bob. 1071 00:56:39,983 --> 00:56:41,192 - [Man] Lucci. 1072 00:56:42,110 --> 00:56:43,403 - [Woman] Larizo Bob. 1073 00:56:43,445 --> 00:56:45,155 - [Man 2] Keith Bass. 1074 00:56:45,196 --> 00:56:46,740 - Chris. - Wayne. 1075 00:56:47,615 --> 00:56:49,826 - Dudley Jones! - Roger Deccan. 1076 00:56:49,868 --> 00:56:51,161 - Dan Rice. - Al! 1077 00:56:51,202 --> 00:56:53,371 - [Woman 2] Michelle Vincent. 1078 00:56:53,413 --> 00:56:55,081 (melancholic music) 1079 00:56:55,123 --> 00:56:56,458 - [Interviewer] Did you see a lot of people pass? 1080 00:56:56,499 --> 00:57:00,211 - Oh, too many to even mention. 1081 00:57:04,966 --> 00:57:09,471 From doctors, to teachers, to principals of schools, 1082 00:57:09,512 --> 00:57:14,642 to business folk, to bankers, to preachers. 1083 00:57:16,394 --> 00:57:18,855 Some good folks died. 1084 00:57:20,857 --> 00:57:23,234 I knew guys were being put out 1085 00:57:23,276 --> 00:57:26,988 and they would come to the club off the streets, 1086 00:57:28,073 --> 00:57:31,659 and so we used to have a buffet at happy hour. 1087 00:57:32,994 --> 00:57:36,247 Sometimes this was all that the folks had to eat. 1088 00:57:36,289 --> 00:57:38,583 (group vocalizing) 1089 00:57:38,625 --> 00:57:43,880 - Jewel saw these young black men get sick, 1090 00:57:45,840 --> 00:57:49,469 and these were her patrons, and these were her staff, 1091 00:57:49,511 --> 00:57:51,179 and these were her friends. 1092 00:57:52,514 --> 00:57:56,101 She was a black woman running the largest black gay club 1093 00:57:56,142 --> 00:57:57,936 west of the Mississippi. 1094 00:57:57,977 --> 00:58:03,233 And so when AID hit she saw it up close and personal. 1095 00:58:04,067 --> 00:58:06,152 (group cheering) (gentle music) 1096 00:58:06,194 --> 00:58:09,948 - We started the Minority AIDS Project. 1097 00:58:11,282 --> 00:58:15,286 {\an8}Our mission was to help out and bring services to the hood. 1098 00:58:16,079 --> 00:58:18,957 (gentle music) 1099 00:58:18,998 --> 00:58:20,834 - [Phill] The Minority AIDS Project 1100 00:58:20,875 --> 00:58:24,671 was the first organization in Los Angeles County 1101 00:58:24,713 --> 00:58:27,924 that focused exclusively on people of color 1102 00:58:29,009 --> 00:58:31,344 to make sure that folks didn't die alone 1103 00:58:31,386 --> 00:58:35,181 and that there was someone who visited them in the hospital. 1104 00:58:35,223 --> 00:58:36,808 {\an8}- When you talk AIDS in my community, 1105 00:58:36,850 --> 00:58:39,019 {\an8}you talk AIDS in poverty, 1106 00:58:39,060 --> 00:58:42,731 and so you have to deal with it from that angle. 1107 00:58:43,815 --> 00:58:46,693 We see men, we see women, we see kids, 1108 00:58:46,735 --> 00:58:49,612 but the model that the white gay community has 1109 00:58:49,654 --> 00:58:53,283 would not and cannot work in our community. 1110 00:58:53,324 --> 00:58:56,661 We have to deal with people basic surviving, eating, 1111 00:58:56,703 --> 00:58:58,830 sleeping, a roof over their head. 1112 00:59:00,248 --> 00:59:03,126 - [Jewel] We got a home for the homeless, Dignity House. 1113 00:59:04,377 --> 00:59:06,671 And then we opened Ruth's House, 1114 00:59:07,756 --> 00:59:11,926 was a place for women and children with AIDS. 1115 00:59:12,969 --> 00:59:14,346 {\an8}- Black folks stepped up and said, 1116 00:59:14,387 --> 00:59:15,930 {\an8}we're gonna take care of our own. 1117 00:59:15,972 --> 00:59:18,224 People of color, going to churches, 1118 00:59:18,266 --> 00:59:20,018 going to places where black families were 1119 00:59:20,060 --> 00:59:23,104 to say, love your children who may have AIDS. 1120 00:59:35,784 --> 00:59:40,246 {\an8}(man speaking in foreign language) 1121 00:59:48,922 --> 00:59:51,758 - If you were poor and Latino 1122 00:59:51,800 --> 00:59:55,387 {\an8}you live in the Echo Park Silver Lake area. 1123 00:59:55,428 --> 00:59:56,805 (siren wailing) (brooding music) 1124 00:59:56,846 --> 00:59:59,599 If you were positive in the Latino community, 1125 00:59:59,641 --> 01:00:04,270 not only you have to deal with the LAPD harassing you, 1126 01:00:04,312 --> 01:00:07,524 but you have to also deal with gang members 1127 01:00:07,565 --> 01:00:10,819 that will just beat you up for being who you are. 1128 01:00:12,153 --> 01:00:16,032 {\an8}Oscar De La O, that was in his blood 1129 01:00:16,074 --> 01:00:17,659 to be involved in the community 1130 01:00:17,701 --> 01:00:20,453 to try to make life better for others. 1131 01:00:20,495 --> 01:00:23,623 So he started Bienestar. 1132 01:00:23,665 --> 01:00:25,709 (gentle upbeat music) 1133 01:00:25,750 --> 01:00:28,086 Bienestar means wellbeing, 1134 01:00:29,504 --> 01:00:32,757 and it's a space were you can come and be yourself. 1135 01:00:34,175 --> 01:00:37,929 We created our baseball team and we play in a gay league. 1136 01:00:39,723 --> 01:00:42,851 We were the first ones to do a gay prom. 1137 01:00:44,227 --> 01:00:47,188 {\an8}We used to call it Amore Prohibido, Forbidden love. 1138 01:00:49,691 --> 01:00:52,902 We had many clients that were transgender 1139 01:00:54,029 --> 01:00:56,197 who would come in dressed as a boy 1140 01:00:56,239 --> 01:00:58,408 and they would go into the restroom 1141 01:00:58,450 --> 01:01:00,076 and come back as a woman 1142 01:01:00,910 --> 01:01:02,829 because that was the only space 1143 01:01:02,871 --> 01:01:04,372 that they felt that it was safe 1144 01:01:04,414 --> 01:01:06,041 where they can be themselves. 1145 01:01:07,542 --> 01:01:09,419 - My name is Chris Brownlie. 1146 01:01:09,461 --> 01:01:11,004 I believe people with AIDS 1147 01:01:11,046 --> 01:01:13,173 and their loved ones deserve the very best care. 1148 01:01:14,758 --> 01:01:16,593 {\an8}- [Michael] Myself and Chris Brownlie, 1149 01:01:16,634 --> 01:01:18,261 {\an8}we were very, very close friends 1150 01:01:18,303 --> 01:01:20,889 {\an8}and we were talking about what should we do now. 1151 01:01:21,890 --> 01:01:24,017 Here in LA people really, 1152 01:01:24,059 --> 01:01:26,895 when they started that steep slope down, 1153 01:01:26,936 --> 01:01:29,314 people really had no place to go. 1154 01:01:30,648 --> 01:01:33,026 The least we could do is give them a dignified death, 1155 01:01:34,277 --> 01:01:37,489 and that's what led ultimately to the founding of AHF 1156 01:01:37,530 --> 01:01:39,407 as the AIDS Hospice Foundation. 1157 01:01:40,450 --> 01:01:42,660 {\an8}- The person with AIDS has been treated 1158 01:01:42,702 --> 01:01:47,040 {\an8}with neglect and disrespect by our society in general. 1159 01:01:47,082 --> 01:01:49,959 In Los Angeles County opening this facility today 1160 01:01:50,001 --> 01:01:53,755 says that that era is over. 1161 01:01:53,797 --> 01:01:55,423 (birds chirping) 1162 01:01:55,465 --> 01:02:00,053 {\an8}- We got ahold of this old tuberculosis hospital 1163 01:02:00,720 --> 01:02:01,304 right by Dodger Stadium 1164 01:02:02,889 --> 01:02:06,226 and we built the Chris Brownlie Hospice. 1165 01:02:07,310 --> 01:02:11,439 The plan was that it would be a place 1166 01:02:11,481 --> 01:02:14,192 that Chris could go in the end. 1167 01:02:16,152 --> 01:02:21,449 For the longest time, we literally did not allow ourselves 1168 01:02:22,242 --> 01:02:24,953 to think about him dying, 1169 01:02:26,121 --> 01:02:30,959 but when it became clear that the time was short, 1170 01:02:32,919 --> 01:02:36,006 he and I were in the room alone 1171 01:02:36,881 --> 01:02:39,926 and I told him that it was okay, 1172 01:02:39,968 --> 01:02:42,554 that it was okay for him to go. 1173 01:02:44,431 --> 01:02:48,810 Chris took a breath, and then he took another breath, 1174 01:02:49,769 --> 01:02:51,563 and then he took another breath, 1175 01:02:52,647 --> 01:02:55,275 and then he didn't take another breath, 1176 01:02:56,359 --> 01:03:00,572 and I laid there with my head on his shoulder. 1177 01:03:02,323 --> 01:03:04,367 They came to take him away. 1178 01:03:05,744 --> 01:03:10,832 And I remember thinking, why are they in such a hurry? 1179 01:03:12,000 --> 01:03:14,085 Don't they know what just happened? 1180 01:03:16,379 --> 01:03:20,425 (brooding music) (group chattering) 1181 01:03:20,467 --> 01:03:25,305 - We marched on Washington on October the 11th, 1987, 1182 01:03:25,347 --> 01:03:27,640 {\an8}and I know it's that date because I was there. 1183 01:03:27,682 --> 01:03:31,686 - I'm at the Capitol Mall where the NAMES Project AIDS Quilt 1184 01:03:31,728 --> 01:03:33,271 is to be unveiled. 1185 01:03:34,356 --> 01:03:37,150 Each panel of this huge two city block quilt 1186 01:03:37,192 --> 01:03:40,403 bears the name of someone who has died of AIDS. 1187 01:03:40,445 --> 01:03:45,116 There are over 2000 names on this quilt here today. 1188 01:03:45,158 --> 01:03:48,870 And what a graphic and loving tribute to our family. 1189 01:04:01,216 --> 01:04:05,220 - It had to be all flown to Washington DC 1190 01:04:05,261 --> 01:04:07,931 and it's because this was our cemetery. 1191 01:04:08,932 --> 01:04:10,266 We were laying our dead 1192 01:04:10,308 --> 01:04:12,060 before President Reagan and the Congress. 1193 01:04:12,102 --> 01:04:15,021 (dramatic drum music) 1194 01:04:15,063 --> 01:04:17,816 This is something we all had in common. 1195 01:04:17,857 --> 01:04:22,028 And out of that came a whole new level of activism. 1196 01:04:23,113 --> 01:04:24,781 - There just comes a breaking point 1197 01:04:24,823 --> 01:04:28,618 where people are just fed up with not being seen, 1198 01:04:28,660 --> 01:04:34,124 not being heard, not being honored as human beings. 1199 01:04:35,583 --> 01:04:39,921 And AIDS was one of the great catalysts of just saying, 1200 01:04:39,963 --> 01:04:43,049 we've had it and I know a lot of you 1201 01:04:43,091 --> 01:04:45,218 just want us to go away, 1202 01:04:45,260 --> 01:04:47,470 but we're gonna be even more in your face now 1203 01:04:47,512 --> 01:04:49,556 because we're fighting for our lives. 1204 01:04:49,597 --> 01:04:52,851 - [Group] Act Up, fight back, fight AIDS! 1205 01:04:52,892 --> 01:04:56,187 - Act Up was started by Larry Kramer in New York. 1206 01:04:57,480 --> 01:04:59,733 Out of that came Act Up chapters all over the country. 1207 01:04:59,774 --> 01:05:01,443 - [Group] Silence equals death! 1208 01:05:01,484 --> 01:05:06,031 - We're not here to please anyone, to make friends. 1209 01:05:06,072 --> 01:05:08,074 {\an8}We're here to save our lives 1210 01:05:08,116 --> 01:05:10,452 {\an8}and the lives of the people with HIV. 1211 01:05:10,493 --> 01:05:14,330 - [Group] We're not a red tape, we're not a red tape! 1212 01:05:14,372 --> 01:05:17,375 - I feel an urgency as a person with AIDS, 1213 01:05:17,417 --> 01:05:19,002 {\an8}and if it hadn't been for Act UP, 1214 01:05:19,044 --> 01:05:21,463 {\an8}I'm not sure that we would have the AZT 1215 01:05:21,504 --> 01:05:24,049 that is helping us stay alive longer. 1216 01:05:24,090 --> 01:05:26,259 Because ACT UP was instrumental 1217 01:05:26,301 --> 01:05:30,305 in getting the FDA to speed up approval of these drugs. 1218 01:05:31,598 --> 01:05:33,391 - The government today approved the sale 1219 01:05:33,433 --> 01:05:36,644 of the first drug for the treatment of AIDS. 1220 01:05:36,686 --> 01:05:38,605 The drug AZT is not a cure 1221 01:05:38,646 --> 01:05:41,149 because it doesn't kill the AIDS virus, 1222 01:05:41,191 --> 01:05:43,902 but trials last year showed that it prolongs life 1223 01:05:43,943 --> 01:05:45,487 for AIDS sufferers. 1224 01:05:46,571 --> 01:05:51,159 - AZT was very toxic, however AZT 1225 01:05:52,243 --> 01:05:54,287 {\an8}showed that you could develop a drug 1226 01:05:54,329 --> 01:05:56,289 {\an8}that would treat HIV. 1227 01:05:56,956 --> 01:06:00,168 (group chattering) 1228 01:06:07,342 --> 01:06:11,596 {\an8}- In a world where the Desert Storm has taken our attention 1229 01:06:11,638 --> 01:06:16,267 {\an8}away from a winter storm that has attacked America now 1230 01:06:16,309 --> 01:06:21,523 for 10 years, killing more people than the Vietnam War. 1231 01:06:22,607 --> 01:06:27,362 Tonight we take a moment to think about this. 1232 01:06:28,697 --> 01:06:31,741 I have to tell you that just three hours ago, Randy Stewart, 1233 01:06:31,783 --> 01:06:35,662 an employee for six years of AIDS Project Los Angeles 1234 01:06:35,704 --> 01:06:37,122 died of AIDS. 1235 01:06:38,123 --> 01:06:39,499 {\an8}I had to spend, of course, 1236 01:06:39,541 --> 01:06:41,418 {\an8}half of my time out raising money. 1237 01:06:41,459 --> 01:06:43,545 I mean it was cocktails and funerals in most days. 1238 01:06:44,504 --> 01:06:48,174 - APLA was barely solvent. 1239 01:06:48,216 --> 01:06:50,635 {\an8}And so every way we could possibly think 1240 01:06:50,677 --> 01:06:52,929 {\an8}about raising money, we raised money. 1241 01:06:52,971 --> 01:06:54,264 (upbeat music) 1242 01:06:54,305 --> 01:06:57,058 Everything from haircutathons, 1243 01:06:57,100 --> 01:07:01,855 to cocktail parties, to tribute dinners, 1244 01:07:01,896 --> 01:07:03,440 (cameras clicking) 1245 01:07:03,481 --> 01:07:07,193 APLA was able to get celebrities to step forward. 1246 01:07:07,235 --> 01:07:10,280 - We have the wonderful, talented Estelle Getty. 1247 01:07:10,321 --> 01:07:12,240 We're here with Heather Thomas. 1248 01:07:12,282 --> 01:07:15,076 It's nice for you to come out tonight Zsa Zsa. 1249 01:07:16,411 --> 01:07:19,039 - [Craig] There was another event called Summer Party. 1250 01:07:19,080 --> 01:07:21,416 (disco music) 1251 01:07:21,458 --> 01:07:25,211 Summer Party attracted 5,000 people 1252 01:07:25,253 --> 01:07:28,048 and it was entertainment and food 1253 01:07:28,089 --> 01:07:30,717 on the back lot of Universal. 1254 01:07:30,759 --> 01:07:32,218 - AIDS Dance A Thon, 1255 01:07:32,260 --> 01:07:33,345 I somehow think Jesse Helms won't be there, 1256 01:07:33,386 --> 01:07:34,387 but hey, he's invited. 1257 01:07:34,429 --> 01:07:36,097 Come on down, I dare ya. 1258 01:07:36,139 --> 01:07:38,558 - And it was a star speckled evening in Universal City. 1259 01:07:38,600 --> 01:07:41,811 The Call Celeb, a fashion show for AIDS research. 1260 01:07:42,937 --> 01:07:44,522 - [Craig] There was an annual fashion gala, 1261 01:07:44,564 --> 01:07:47,400 which was put together by a group of volunteers 1262 01:07:47,442 --> 01:07:49,611 from within the fashion industry. 1263 01:07:50,695 --> 01:07:53,782 {\an8}And every year featured a particular designer. 1264 01:07:56,826 --> 01:07:59,204 - We ran APLA like a business. 1265 01:08:00,121 --> 01:08:01,414 I said, give me that cure, 1266 01:08:01,456 --> 01:08:03,375 {\an8}I'll shut this organization down faster 1267 01:08:03,416 --> 01:08:05,293 {\an8}than you can believe. 1268 01:08:05,335 --> 01:08:07,879 {\an8}That wasn't appreciated by my staff. 1269 01:08:07,921 --> 01:08:10,006 {\an8}(dramatic music) 1270 01:08:10,048 --> 01:08:12,717 {\an8}Barry Diller was a top executive 1271 01:08:12,759 --> 01:08:15,428 {\an8}in the entertainment industry and still is. 1272 01:08:16,554 --> 01:08:19,933 So I called Barry Diller and asked for a meeting. 1273 01:08:19,974 --> 01:08:23,269 And they said, "Mr. Diller invites you to dinner 1274 01:08:23,311 --> 01:08:25,814 at his home on Saturday night." 1275 01:08:27,107 --> 01:08:31,444 I show up and there is Barry Diller, David Geffen, 1276 01:08:31,486 --> 01:08:34,572 and Sandy Gallin, was one of the top agents. 1277 01:08:35,949 --> 01:08:38,743 They were all moguls in the entertainment industry 1278 01:08:39,577 --> 01:08:41,746 and rich, which was nice. 1279 01:08:43,039 --> 01:08:46,835 And at the end of the meeting, I was politely dismissed 1280 01:08:48,128 --> 01:08:51,297 and two days later, the treasurer called me and said, 1281 01:08:51,339 --> 01:08:53,133 "We just got the big check 1282 01:08:53,174 --> 01:08:55,844 from Diller, and Geffen, and Gallin," 1283 01:08:56,636 --> 01:08:58,888 and fundraising became easier. 1284 01:08:58,930 --> 01:09:00,932 {\an8}- When the first person I knew died, 1285 01:09:00,974 --> 01:09:04,144 {\an8}I couldn't bring myself to throw his Rolodex card away, 1286 01:09:04,185 --> 01:09:05,520 so I saved it. 1287 01:09:06,688 --> 01:09:10,191 I now have a rubber band around 341 cards. 1288 01:09:11,609 --> 01:09:16,781 {\an8}- David was such a powerful, influential force of nature 1289 01:09:17,574 --> 01:09:18,867 {\an8}in the creative community. 1290 01:09:19,993 --> 01:09:22,746 David is the one who introduced me to APLA. 1291 01:09:24,039 --> 01:09:26,583 I was always influenced in the world 1292 01:09:26,624 --> 01:09:30,253 in which it was the obligation of people that have 1293 01:09:30,295 --> 01:09:32,630 to take care of people that have not. 1294 01:09:34,007 --> 01:09:37,719 I felt given the positions of influence that I had, 1295 01:09:37,761 --> 01:09:40,388 that it made it safe for other people 1296 01:09:40,430 --> 01:09:42,932 in our community to show up. 1297 01:09:42,974 --> 01:09:44,476 (group chattering) 1298 01:09:44,517 --> 01:09:47,896 - The first Commitment to Life was the success. 1299 01:09:49,272 --> 01:09:53,443 {\an8}And then the second one raised just under a million dollars. 1300 01:09:54,819 --> 01:09:59,783 Commitment to Life grew and it became an annual event. 1301 01:10:00,408 --> 01:10:03,286 {\an8}(upbeat music) 1302 01:10:04,079 --> 01:10:07,332 (suspenseful music) 1303 01:10:08,583 --> 01:10:13,880 {\an8}(group cheering) (group clapping) 1304 01:10:17,676 --> 01:10:22,931 * I feel pretty, oh, so pretty * 1305 01:10:24,099 --> 01:10:26,893 * I feel witty, and pretty, and bright * 1306 01:10:26,935 --> 01:10:32,399 * And I pity any girl who isn't me tonight * 1307 01:10:34,317 --> 01:10:35,735 * I feel charming * 1308 01:10:35,777 --> 01:10:38,988 As it went on Commitment to Life 1309 01:10:39,030 --> 01:10:41,825 was the flagship event of APLA. 1310 01:10:42,617 --> 01:10:44,869 {\an8}- The Commitment to Life award. 1311 01:10:44,911 --> 01:10:47,247 {\an8}And I had to come to the Valley to get it. 1312 01:10:47,288 --> 01:10:48,665 (group laughing) 1313 01:10:48,707 --> 01:10:50,500 {\an8}- From that moment on Commitment to Life 1314 01:10:50,542 --> 01:10:53,962 {\an8}became something special and extraordinary. 1315 01:10:55,338 --> 01:10:57,757 {\an8}They stood as amazing fundraising events 1316 01:10:57,799 --> 01:11:00,051 {\an8}because they raised millions of dollars 1317 01:11:01,094 --> 01:11:03,096 {\an8}and they were great entertainment. 1318 01:11:03,138 --> 01:11:04,973 They were great fun. 1319 01:11:05,015 --> 01:11:10,478 {\an8}* A kiss on the hand may be quite continental * 1320 01:11:11,646 --> 01:11:14,941 * But diamonds are girl's best friend * 1321 01:11:14,983 --> 01:11:16,401 (group cheering) 1322 01:11:16,443 --> 01:11:18,778 {\an8}Even though you're at a big AIDS fundraiser, 1323 01:11:18,820 --> 01:11:21,740 {\an8}people wanted to have a really good time 1324 01:11:21,781 --> 01:11:26,453 and celebrate the people they love and lost. 1325 01:11:26,494 --> 01:11:31,750 * I had some friends but they're gone * 1326 01:11:34,127 --> 01:11:39,007 * Something came and took them away * 1327 01:11:39,049 --> 01:11:44,512 * And from the dusk till the dawn * 1328 01:11:47,265 --> 01:11:50,727 * Here is where I stay * 1329 01:11:52,395 --> 01:11:54,314 {\an8}(group clapping) 1330 01:11:54,356 --> 01:11:59,819 {\an8}The generosity of the audience and the performers, 1331 01:12:00,695 --> 01:12:02,864 {\an8}the spirit that was in the room, 1332 01:12:04,199 --> 01:12:07,452 {\an8}you could put all the pain aside 1333 01:12:07,494 --> 01:12:09,871 and escape to a really great show. 1334 01:12:09,913 --> 01:12:11,915 {\an8}(group cheering) (group clapping) 1335 01:12:11,956 --> 01:12:16,378 {\an8}- You knew that you were in a moment, at least for us, 1336 01:12:16,419 --> 01:12:18,129 you were in our moment. 1337 01:12:18,171 --> 01:12:19,172 (R&B music) 1338 01:12:19,214 --> 01:12:23,009 {\an8}* And when I go * 1339 01:12:23,051 --> 01:12:26,012 * Please carry on * 1340 01:12:28,932 --> 01:12:30,392 (group clapping) 1341 01:12:30,433 --> 01:12:32,519 - We all know that all these beautiful Hollywood women, 1342 01:12:32,560 --> 01:12:35,814 they have a gaggle of LGBTQ people behind them 1343 01:12:35,855 --> 01:12:37,691 who build their confidence 1344 01:12:37,732 --> 01:12:39,693 {\an8}and make sure that they look good from head to toe. 1345 01:12:39,734 --> 01:12:42,195 (camera snapping) (upbeat pop music) 1346 01:12:42,237 --> 01:12:43,238 (camera snaps) 1347 01:12:43,279 --> 01:12:44,864 * And you can dance * 1348 01:12:44,906 --> 01:12:46,783 - I wasn't really paying attention to like movie stars, 1349 01:12:46,825 --> 01:12:49,202 {\an8}but I was paying attention to Madonna. 1350 01:12:49,244 --> 01:12:52,831 - Number one is because I really believe in AIDS Project LA. 1351 01:12:52,872 --> 01:12:54,332 {\an8}(group cheering) 1352 01:12:54,374 --> 01:12:59,004 {\an8}- Madonna was one who stepped up for the LGBTQ community. 1353 01:13:00,088 --> 01:13:02,048 - If you do have sex, use a condom. 1354 01:13:02,090 --> 01:13:04,843 It may be the most important thing you ever do. 1355 01:13:06,177 --> 01:13:08,888 - When the AIDS crisis happened, 1356 01:13:08,930 --> 01:13:11,099 people who were part of her circle 1357 01:13:11,141 --> 01:13:15,812 {\an8}were people who were HIV positive or have AIDS, 1358 01:13:15,854 --> 01:13:17,772 and that's why it was important for her 1359 01:13:17,814 --> 01:13:21,192 to make sure that she advocated for us. 1360 01:13:21,234 --> 01:13:23,194 {\an8}* Come on, come on * 1361 01:13:23,236 --> 01:13:26,114 {\an8}- Madonna was very involved early on, 1362 01:13:27,449 --> 01:13:30,410 {\an8}and so we decided that we were gonna honor Madonna 1363 01:13:30,452 --> 01:13:31,953 {\an8}for Commitment to Life. 1364 01:13:33,329 --> 01:13:36,291 Vince Patterson, who did a lot of her choreography 1365 01:13:36,332 --> 01:13:37,709 directed the show. 1366 01:13:38,793 --> 01:13:42,630 They had done the MTV Awards the night before. 1367 01:13:42,672 --> 01:13:45,467 Madonna paid for bringing the whole set 1368 01:13:45,508 --> 01:13:48,219 and her whole crew over the next night. 1369 01:13:48,261 --> 01:13:49,929 (group chattering) 1370 01:13:49,971 --> 01:13:53,016 And nobody in the audience knew she was gonna perform. 1371 01:13:54,392 --> 01:13:55,977 I'm getting chills just thinking about the moments 1372 01:13:56,019 --> 01:13:57,937 that curtain went up and the music started. 1373 01:13:57,979 --> 01:13:59,564 (dramatic pop music) (fingers snapping) 1374 01:13:59,606 --> 01:14:02,650 (group cheering) 1375 01:14:03,777 --> 01:14:06,529 - I attended every Commitment to Life. 1376 01:14:08,114 --> 01:14:09,949 It was festive occasion 1377 01:14:09,991 --> 01:14:14,204 {\an8}and if you were involved in the trenches 1378 01:14:14,245 --> 01:14:17,874 {\an8}to escape from that for an evening, 1379 01:14:17,916 --> 01:14:20,001 {\an8}which was a very good thing. 1380 01:14:20,794 --> 01:14:22,754 {\an8}But to be completely honest, 1381 01:14:22,796 --> 01:14:27,717 it was a healthy reminder of the work that I needed to do. 1382 01:14:27,759 --> 01:14:32,097 {\an8}* Somehow * 1383 01:14:32,138 --> 01:14:35,975 * Someday * 1384 01:14:36,017 --> 01:14:38,186 * Someway * 1385 01:14:50,824 --> 01:14:52,492 - We'll raise $4 million tonight, 1386 01:14:52,534 --> 01:14:54,160 which will feed and take care of and clothe 1387 01:14:54,202 --> 01:14:55,829 {\an8}a great many people who are in great need. 1388 01:14:55,870 --> 01:14:58,373 {\an8}And so it's really wonderful night. 1389 01:14:58,415 --> 01:14:59,666 (group chattering) 1390 01:14:59,708 --> 01:15:01,167 David was fierce. 1391 01:15:01,209 --> 01:15:02,836 (group clapping) 1392 01:15:02,877 --> 01:15:04,713 He cared about this issue. 1393 01:15:05,547 --> 01:15:06,673 He would go after people. 1394 01:15:06,715 --> 01:15:08,216 He would call 'em up and say, 1395 01:15:08,258 --> 01:15:10,593 "You gave a hundred thousand dollars, that's it." 1396 01:15:10,635 --> 01:15:12,846 "What is a matter with you people?" 1397 01:15:12,887 --> 01:15:16,266 "Do you really expect us to accept this as a gift?" 1398 01:15:16,307 --> 01:15:19,310 {\an8}- AIDS makes your responsibility more urgent to be positive 1399 01:15:19,352 --> 01:15:22,814 about our lifestyles and nurture and protect young gays 1400 01:15:22,856 --> 01:15:24,566 who look up to us for hope 1401 01:15:24,607 --> 01:15:26,234 that they too can lead a life 1402 01:15:26,276 --> 01:15:29,696 uninhibited by fear and guilt and shame. 1403 01:15:29,738 --> 01:15:32,824 (group clapping) 1404 01:15:34,576 --> 01:15:38,371 As a gay man, I've come a long way to be here tonight. 1405 01:15:38,413 --> 01:15:41,249 (group cheering) 1406 01:15:42,542 --> 01:15:45,003 - This is one of the leading people in Hollywood 1407 01:15:46,087 --> 01:15:49,090 who everyone in the community knew was gay, 1408 01:15:49,132 --> 01:15:53,219 but had never publicly acknowledged that fact, 1409 01:15:53,261 --> 01:15:55,013 which now has become sort of like, 1410 01:15:55,055 --> 01:15:57,599 oh yeah, I'm gay, get over it. 1411 01:15:57,640 --> 01:16:01,227 But that was not the case in those days. 1412 01:16:01,269 --> 01:16:04,064 (group chattering) (brooding music) 1413 01:16:04,105 --> 01:16:08,485 - It was one thing to go to a big star studded banquet, 1414 01:16:08,526 --> 01:16:10,737 {\an8}it was another thing to work 1415 01:16:10,779 --> 01:16:13,448 {\an8}with people with AIDS on the set. 1416 01:16:13,490 --> 01:16:15,742 - [Reporter] For many in Hollywood with the virus, 1417 01:16:15,784 --> 01:16:18,453 it's a secret, one they feel they have to keep 1418 01:16:18,495 --> 01:16:20,288 or risk losing their career. 1419 01:16:20,330 --> 01:16:21,915 - [Interviewee] I have to remain anonymous 1420 01:16:21,956 --> 01:16:24,084 because I don't want to be subjected 1421 01:16:24,125 --> 01:16:27,837 to the discrimination that is out there. 1422 01:16:27,879 --> 01:16:30,173 So I don't tell people that I'm gay, 1423 01:16:30,215 --> 01:16:33,635 and I certainly don't tell them that I'm HIV positive. 1424 01:16:35,136 --> 01:16:38,598 - I got calls from a number of different actors 1425 01:16:38,640 --> 01:16:40,934 who were diagnosed with AIDS, 1426 01:16:40,975 --> 01:16:44,312 {\an8}who were terrified that they were never gonna work again. 1427 01:16:45,897 --> 01:16:49,651 And a lot of times, actors who were well known 1428 01:16:49,693 --> 01:16:51,111 who died of AIDS, 1429 01:16:51,152 --> 01:16:54,280 their obituary said they died of something else. 1430 01:16:54,322 --> 01:16:55,699 {\an8}(door clicks) 1431 01:16:55,740 --> 01:16:57,200 {\an8}(audience laughing) (brooding music) 1432 01:16:57,242 --> 01:17:02,706 - I knew in 1985 that I was HIV positive. 1433 01:17:03,373 --> 01:17:04,958 I never told anyone. 1434 01:17:05,000 --> 01:17:09,295 {\an8}And I had such fear, I was so governed by fear 1435 01:17:09,337 --> 01:17:12,507 {\an8}that this was going to get out in my life. 1436 01:17:12,549 --> 01:17:16,928 My condition is something often found in young men 1437 01:17:16,970 --> 01:17:19,848 in the prime of their lives. 1438 01:17:20,974 --> 01:17:25,103 But I don't feel that it impacted my work. 1439 01:17:25,145 --> 01:17:28,481 But now that I was in the public eye, 1440 01:17:28,523 --> 01:17:31,484 you did not want that shit out. 1441 01:17:31,526 --> 01:17:32,902 - People with AIDS describe 1442 01:17:32,944 --> 01:17:34,988 how Hollywood's fear of the virus 1443 01:17:35,030 --> 01:17:37,240 is forcing them into the shadows. 1444 01:17:37,282 --> 01:17:39,284 - [Director] All right, very quiet please, this is picture. 1445 01:17:39,325 --> 01:17:40,660 Hold the talk. 1446 01:17:40,702 --> 01:17:43,580 - It was really about discrimination. 1447 01:17:43,621 --> 01:17:46,624 {\an8}Discrimination about people who were suffering 1448 01:17:46,666 --> 01:17:48,918 {\an8}from HIV and AIDS, 1449 01:17:48,960 --> 01:17:51,629 but were healthy enough to work 1450 01:17:51,671 --> 01:17:56,843 and in fact, were working all the time around them. 1451 01:17:58,553 --> 01:18:03,350 My husband was Brad Davis and he was an actor. 1452 01:18:05,060 --> 01:18:07,354 He identified as heterosexual, 1453 01:18:08,480 --> 01:18:12,025 but he never had any problem playing gay. 1454 01:18:13,401 --> 01:18:18,031 {\an8}As an actor he felt that it was his job to take risks. 1455 01:18:18,573 --> 01:18:20,367 (gentle music) 1456 01:18:20,408 --> 01:18:25,872 He was working, but the truth was that by that point, 1457 01:18:26,664 --> 01:18:27,957 he was actually HIV positive. 1458 01:18:29,834 --> 01:18:33,421 In LA if somebody was even rumored, 1459 01:18:34,839 --> 01:18:38,176 these were the kinds of things that could lose you a career, 1460 01:18:39,135 --> 01:18:41,638 and so you didn't talk about it. 1461 01:18:41,680 --> 01:18:45,308 Never any of our friends, never any of our family, 1462 01:18:45,350 --> 01:18:50,814 no one knew, so he suffered a lot alone. 1463 01:18:53,108 --> 01:18:58,363 I knew that Brad was going to die very shortly. 1464 01:18:59,656 --> 01:19:01,449 And just before Brad died, 1465 01:19:01,491 --> 01:19:05,954 he said he felt it was important to come forward 1466 01:19:05,995 --> 01:19:09,165 and tell the truth about how he died. 1467 01:19:09,791 --> 01:19:12,502 (gentle music) 1468 01:19:12,544 --> 01:19:14,921 Brad was working in your shows, 1469 01:19:14,963 --> 01:19:17,132 he was working in your movies, 1470 01:19:17,173 --> 01:19:20,927 he was doing this work and he was HIV positive, 1471 01:19:22,303 --> 01:19:24,556 and that was Brad's intent, 1472 01:19:24,597 --> 01:19:25,974 to shock the community 1473 01:19:26,016 --> 01:19:29,185 into awareness and let them take it from there. 1474 01:19:30,270 --> 01:19:32,105 {\an8}- Whatever the rules are today in Hollywood, 1475 01:19:32,147 --> 01:19:35,275 {\an8}they must be changed so that people like Brad 1476 01:19:35,316 --> 01:19:37,736 can come forward before they die. 1477 01:19:37,777 --> 01:19:41,197 {\an8}(group clapping) 1478 01:19:41,239 --> 01:19:44,993 {\an8}- I think that was the thing that triggered Mr. Diller. 1479 01:19:46,119 --> 01:19:48,621 When he discovered people who had AIDS 1480 01:19:48,663 --> 01:19:52,208 couldn't get a job that angered him. 1481 01:19:53,585 --> 01:19:56,046 {\an8}And he went to a friend of his named Sidney Sheinberg, 1482 01:19:56,087 --> 01:20:00,633 {\an8}who was CEO of MCA Universal. 1483 01:20:00,675 --> 01:20:01,968 He called him up, he said, 1484 01:20:02,010 --> 01:20:03,428 "We gotta do something about this." 1485 01:20:04,554 --> 01:20:07,098 - Hollywood Supports has been established 1486 01:20:07,140 --> 01:20:10,143 by leading figures in the entertainment industry. 1487 01:20:10,185 --> 01:20:13,480 And it is using the services of AIDS Project Los Angeles 1488 01:20:13,521 --> 01:20:17,108 in providing education and counseling to the industry 1489 01:20:17,150 --> 01:20:20,070 to counter AIDS phobia and homophobia. 1490 01:20:20,111 --> 01:20:24,949 What Hollywood Supports is about is no more Brad Davis's. 1491 01:20:26,034 --> 01:20:28,995 - Hollywood Supports, it sent a message 1492 01:20:29,037 --> 01:20:30,413 not just to Hollywood, 1493 01:20:30,455 --> 01:20:31,915 but to the rest of the business world, 1494 01:20:31,956 --> 01:20:33,291 that this is the new standard 1495 01:20:33,333 --> 01:20:35,377 of how you're gonna treat people. 1496 01:20:36,252 --> 01:20:38,004 And we may not have our rights 1497 01:20:38,046 --> 01:20:41,174 guaranteed in the Constitution or by the laws, 1498 01:20:41,216 --> 01:20:44,552 {\an8}but we are going to give it to you on the corporate level. 1499 01:20:45,720 --> 01:20:50,016 {\an8}- There's a quilt being unfolded in our meadow. 1500 01:20:51,393 --> 01:20:54,521 A quilt dedicated to all the people that have died of AIDS. 1501 01:20:55,897 --> 01:20:59,734 {\an8}- Television has tremendous power to open people's minds 1502 01:20:59,776 --> 01:21:03,446 {\an8}and to give them some empathy 1503 01:21:03,488 --> 01:21:06,533 towards people they might not know. 1504 01:21:06,574 --> 01:21:08,284 {\an8}(gentle music) 1505 01:21:08,326 --> 01:21:11,746 {\an8}"The Real World" is about seven individuals coming together 1506 01:21:11,788 --> 01:21:13,456 from different backgrounds, 1507 01:21:13,498 --> 01:21:17,877 {\an8}and so we had a wonderful opportunity to explore things 1508 01:21:17,919 --> 01:21:19,879 {\an8}that were going on in America. 1509 01:21:19,921 --> 01:21:23,133 {\an8}- I am a person living with AIDS and I am a gay man. 1510 01:21:24,426 --> 01:21:27,387 - On "The Real World" Pedro wanted to help educate 1511 01:21:27,429 --> 01:21:29,389 other young people about AIDS. 1512 01:21:30,724 --> 01:21:35,478 Pedro put out a very positive but honest representation 1513 01:21:35,520 --> 01:21:38,565 of what it's like to be HIV positive. 1514 01:21:39,899 --> 01:21:44,446 Pedro taught America that people live with HIV. 1515 01:21:45,488 --> 01:21:49,242 They go on living until their last breath. 1516 01:21:49,284 --> 01:21:51,953 {\an8}(patient gasping) 1517 01:21:51,995 --> 01:21:53,580 {\an8}- Let go. 1518 01:21:53,621 --> 01:21:55,415 (patient gasps) 1519 01:21:55,457 --> 01:21:56,958 All the pain, 1520 01:21:57,000 --> 01:21:59,002 (patient gasping) 1521 01:21:59,044 --> 01:22:00,462 let it all go. 1522 01:22:03,048 --> 01:22:08,511 {\an8}- I remember "Longtime Companion", which was very moving. 1523 01:22:09,179 --> 01:22:10,138 {\an8}- I know I'm losing it. 1524 01:22:12,182 --> 01:22:16,603 Can barely remember half the things I wanna say. 1525 01:22:18,396 --> 01:22:19,981 - There had been this history 1526 01:22:20,023 --> 01:22:22,984 of movies taking on these themes 1527 01:22:23,026 --> 01:22:25,153 {\an8}but they were smaller, independent movies, 1528 01:22:25,195 --> 01:22:29,115 {\an8}playing mostly to arthouse movie audiences. 1529 01:22:30,200 --> 01:22:31,785 We admired those movies very much, 1530 01:22:31,826 --> 01:22:34,746 but somewhere the challenge came to make the movie 1531 01:22:34,788 --> 01:22:40,251 that you could show at the mall cinema on a Saturday night. 1532 01:22:41,628 --> 01:22:45,590 {\an8}Why don't we try to reach the biggest audience possible? 1533 01:22:45,632 --> 01:22:47,717 {\an8}(melancholic music) 1534 01:22:47,759 --> 01:22:49,427 {\an8}- Tom Hanks at that point 1535 01:22:49,469 --> 01:22:51,763 {\an8}was certainly the biggest movie star in the world, 1536 01:22:53,139 --> 01:22:57,143 {\an8}and for the tens of millions of people who saw that movie, 1537 01:22:57,185 --> 01:22:59,145 even though it was a fictional story, 1538 01:22:59,187 --> 01:23:01,439 it helped people understand. 1539 01:23:01,481 --> 01:23:05,902 And Tom Hanks won the best actor Oscar for Philadelphia. 1540 01:23:05,944 --> 01:23:10,824 {\an8}- I know that my work and this case is magnified by the fact 1541 01:23:10,865 --> 01:23:14,411 that the streets of heaven are too crowded with angels. 1542 01:23:15,704 --> 01:23:17,831 As the calendar continues to make our world 1543 01:23:17,872 --> 01:23:19,958 a lesser and lonelier place, 1544 01:23:20,000 --> 01:23:23,294 grace, it seems springs from many sources. 1545 01:23:23,336 --> 01:23:27,632 {\an8}It is a sense of goodwill, of mercy, of beauty. 1546 01:23:29,009 --> 01:23:32,762 I'm inspired once again by your Commitment to Life. 1547 01:23:32,804 --> 01:23:36,558 It is part and parcel to AIDS Project Los Angeles. 1548 01:23:40,854 --> 01:23:42,564 - We had outgrown our building 1549 01:23:43,940 --> 01:23:47,652 {\an8}and there really was only one of the size we needed. 1550 01:23:48,987 --> 01:23:53,533 It was a record studio on Vine, two blocks south of Sunset. 1551 01:23:54,909 --> 01:23:56,369 It was perfect for us, 1552 01:23:56,411 --> 01:23:58,747 but we didn't have the money for a building. 1553 01:24:00,081 --> 01:24:05,086 So I called up Mr. Geffen and after a few pleasantries, 1554 01:24:06,171 --> 01:24:08,006 he said, "All right, what do you want?" 1555 01:24:08,048 --> 01:24:09,382 I said, "A million dollars, 1556 01:24:09,424 --> 01:24:11,718 I need a building, it's a down payment." 1557 01:24:11,760 --> 01:24:14,804 He gave it to me and we got the building. 1558 01:24:14,846 --> 01:24:16,473 (gentle music) 1559 01:24:16,514 --> 01:24:19,642 - When APLA bought that building in the early '90s, 1560 01:24:19,684 --> 01:24:23,605 almost everybody who got AIDS died. 1561 01:24:23,646 --> 01:24:28,151 {\an8}So those first few years were really, really, really bleak 1562 01:24:29,194 --> 01:24:31,905 and we had no effective treatment. 1563 01:24:31,946 --> 01:24:34,616 So what was needed in that era 1564 01:24:34,657 --> 01:24:38,244 is this place where they can be where they could come 1565 01:24:38,286 --> 01:24:40,914 and if they wanted to hang out all day, 1566 01:24:40,955 --> 01:24:42,707 a place of community, 1567 01:24:42,749 --> 01:24:46,336 a place where they could get all the services they need 1568 01:24:46,378 --> 01:24:49,547 in our community service center, and that was the model. 1569 01:24:50,965 --> 01:24:54,719 - They bought that huge building to be a one-stop shop 1570 01:24:54,761 --> 01:24:59,391 for all sorts of AIDs services, and it was, 1571 01:24:59,432 --> 01:25:01,476 {\an8}but then there became a tension 1572 01:25:01,518 --> 01:25:06,815 {\an8}between the one-stop shop idea and then the proximity idea. 1573 01:25:07,982 --> 01:25:09,859 - People of color were coming to us 1574 01:25:09,901 --> 01:25:12,696 {\an8}from neighborhoods all over Los Angeles County. 1575 01:25:13,655 --> 01:25:15,615 It wasn't convenient for them. 1576 01:25:16,866 --> 01:25:20,829 And so there were criticisms lodged at APLA. 1577 01:25:20,870 --> 01:25:21,955 (group chattering) 1578 01:25:21,996 --> 01:25:23,498 What's the role of organizations 1579 01:25:23,540 --> 01:25:26,418 that were founded by white folks, 1580 01:25:26,459 --> 01:25:27,836 but now are organizations 1581 01:25:27,877 --> 01:25:30,380 that serve a majority of people of color? 1582 01:25:31,464 --> 01:25:34,342 - At that time, we were on different pages. 1583 01:25:34,384 --> 01:25:36,636 {\an8}The overall purpose of all of this 1584 01:25:36,678 --> 01:25:39,556 {\an8}is is to make this black community, the black gay community, 1585 01:25:39,597 --> 01:25:43,476 a very viable one that will be recognized 1586 01:25:44,519 --> 01:25:46,813 all over the world for sticking together 1587 01:25:46,855 --> 01:25:50,358 to love one another and being present. 1588 01:25:50,400 --> 01:25:51,317 Thank you very much. 1589 01:25:51,359 --> 01:25:52,736 God bless you. 1590 01:25:56,906 --> 01:26:02,370 The Minority AIDS Project had the same purpose as APLA, 1591 01:26:03,705 --> 01:26:08,001 but our little agency didn't have the money and the prestige 1592 01:26:08,043 --> 01:26:09,419 that APLA had. 1593 01:26:11,254 --> 01:26:16,092 {\an8}And so we had to go to the ancestors sometimes 1594 01:26:16,134 --> 01:26:18,386 {\an8}to pull it together. 1595 01:26:19,095 --> 01:26:20,430 Like doing a barbecue 1596 01:26:20,472 --> 01:26:23,975 instead of a Commitment to Life. (laughs) 1597 01:26:25,310 --> 01:26:28,897 Start having the Divas Simply Singing with Sheryl Ralph. 1598 01:26:29,981 --> 01:26:33,735 It was a show featuring the divas of the time, 1599 01:26:35,111 --> 01:26:39,949 so we were just winging it and adding our flavor to it. 1600 01:26:40,492 --> 01:26:42,035 (group cheering) 1601 01:26:42,077 --> 01:26:46,539 - Jewel was a black lesbian woman with a voice. 1602 01:26:47,665 --> 01:26:49,417 She was running a hot club in town. 1603 01:26:50,251 --> 01:26:52,671 She had access to an audience, 1604 01:26:54,047 --> 01:26:56,800 {\an8}and our issue was trying to get to certain audiences. 1605 01:26:57,926 --> 01:27:00,261 - I was asked to be on the board of directors 1606 01:27:00,303 --> 01:27:02,722 by Stephen Bennett. 1607 01:27:03,515 --> 01:27:06,643 He called me and he said, 1608 01:27:06,685 --> 01:27:10,689 "Nobody else has what you have to bring to the table." 1609 01:27:11,731 --> 01:27:12,899 "We gotta talk." 1610 01:27:12,941 --> 01:27:15,443 And I told him I was not gonna be the token. 1611 01:27:16,236 --> 01:27:17,946 That I would do it as long as it 1612 01:27:17,987 --> 01:27:23,451 would bring some resources to the minority communities. 1613 01:27:24,619 --> 01:27:29,249 So I went to the board and the benefit for me 1614 01:27:29,290 --> 01:27:30,875 was to be on that board 1615 01:27:30,917 --> 01:27:34,921 and to see how things operated from the inside out. 1616 01:27:35,964 --> 01:27:38,800 - When Jewel joined the APLA board, 1617 01:27:38,842 --> 01:27:42,971 she made a impact eventually leading 1618 01:27:43,013 --> 01:27:47,600 to bringing more people of color on the board 1619 01:27:47,642 --> 01:27:51,980 {\an8}and diversifying the staff at all levels. 1620 01:27:52,022 --> 01:27:53,565 {\an8}- [Reporter] AIDS Project Los Angeles 1621 01:27:53,606 --> 01:27:55,692 has a new executive director. 1622 01:27:55,734 --> 01:27:57,485 - Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not naive. 1623 01:27:57,527 --> 01:28:00,447 I do clearly understand that there are tensions. 1624 01:28:00,488 --> 01:28:03,241 Folks come to the table with whatever they have 1625 01:28:03,283 --> 01:28:04,784 and we try to share it. 1626 01:28:04,826 --> 01:28:07,954 If you've got bread and I got peanut butter, 1627 01:28:07,996 --> 01:28:09,330 we got a sandwich. 1628 01:28:10,623 --> 01:28:13,793 - And over time it was repositioning the organization 1629 01:28:13,835 --> 01:28:16,838 vis-a-vis what was really happening in the community. 1630 01:28:18,173 --> 01:28:21,634 {\an8}Quite honestly, one of the challenges was the gay money. 1631 01:28:21,676 --> 01:28:23,011 (group chattering) 1632 01:28:23,053 --> 01:28:24,971 Gay money came from white gay men. 1633 01:28:25,013 --> 01:28:28,600 And so we had to make sure that our donors understood 1634 01:28:28,641 --> 01:28:30,810 what we were doing and why. 1635 01:28:30,852 --> 01:28:34,022 It wasn't to save just your boyfriend or you, 1636 01:28:34,064 --> 01:28:35,648 it was to save others. 1637 01:28:35,690 --> 01:28:39,402 {\an8}- The money you have raised tonight is $3,914,000. 1638 01:28:43,031 --> 01:28:46,159 - The dichotomy that existed at APLA at the time 1639 01:28:46,201 --> 01:28:48,495 was that many of the supporters 1640 01:28:48,536 --> 01:28:52,707 {\an8}were these unimaginably uber rich folks. 1641 01:28:53,917 --> 01:28:57,504 And so it was interesting to spend time 1642 01:28:57,545 --> 01:29:00,632 in South Central Los Angeles in the daytime 1643 01:29:00,674 --> 01:29:04,135 and then go to an event at David Geffen's house. 1644 01:29:04,803 --> 01:29:07,639 - Oh yeah, (laughs) 1645 01:29:07,681 --> 01:29:09,766 {\an8}I was on the board with someone those. 1646 01:29:10,809 --> 01:29:14,646 They were big time, big business, 1647 01:29:15,689 --> 01:29:17,899 and they had influence in politics. 1648 01:29:19,025 --> 01:29:20,694 {\an8}One time, two of the board members 1649 01:29:20,735 --> 01:29:22,987 {\an8}helicoptered in for lunch. 1650 01:29:23,613 --> 01:29:24,864 I said, okay. 1651 01:29:27,409 --> 01:29:30,078 You know, it makes you feel a little different, 1652 01:29:30,120 --> 01:29:32,414 but I got along with everybody. 1653 01:29:32,455 --> 01:29:34,457 (upbeat music) (group cheering) 1654 01:29:34,499 --> 01:29:35,834 - [Announcer] He's in the back court, 1655 01:29:35,875 --> 01:29:37,711 the pass great game, four on four, 1656 01:29:37,752 --> 01:29:39,754 Magic all the way, throws it up, down it goes, he's scores! 1657 01:29:40,839 --> 01:29:44,134 {\an8}- Magic Johnson NBA player extraordinaire. 1658 01:29:44,175 --> 01:29:45,343 (group cheering) 1659 01:29:45,385 --> 01:29:47,053 He was an amazing athlete 1660 01:29:47,095 --> 01:29:49,597 and I grew up as a kid watching him play. 1661 01:29:51,141 --> 01:29:52,934 I remember the press conference. 1662 01:29:52,976 --> 01:29:56,438 {\an8}- First of all, let me say good, good after late afternoon. 1663 01:29:57,897 --> 01:30:03,153 {\an8}Because of the HIV virus that I have attained, 1664 01:30:05,655 --> 01:30:10,118 I will have to retire from the Lakers today. 1665 01:30:11,703 --> 01:30:14,080 - Magic, he was this iconic man 1666 01:30:14,122 --> 01:30:17,208 who my family absolutely loved and adored, 1667 01:30:18,293 --> 01:30:21,171 and so it, it was almost like a family member. 1668 01:30:21,212 --> 01:30:22,839 (cameras snapping) 1669 01:30:22,881 --> 01:30:24,466 - You know, sometimes you're a little naive about it 1670 01:30:24,507 --> 01:30:26,509 {\an8}and you think it could never happen to you, 1671 01:30:26,551 --> 01:30:28,261 and it has happened, 1672 01:30:28,303 --> 01:30:32,223 but I'm gonna deal with it and my life will go on. 1673 01:30:33,975 --> 01:30:37,145 - I do think it built an awareness definitely. 1674 01:30:37,187 --> 01:30:41,441 There was much more conversations amongst youth, for sure. 1675 01:30:41,483 --> 01:30:43,485 {\an8}* Let's talk about sex, baby * 1676 01:30:43,526 --> 01:30:45,695 {\an8}* Let's talk about you and me * 1677 01:30:45,737 --> 01:30:47,822 * Let's talk about all the good things * 1678 01:30:47,864 --> 01:30:50,283 * And the bad things that may be * 1679 01:30:50,325 --> 01:30:52,077 * Yo, let's talk about AIDS * 1680 01:30:52,118 --> 01:30:53,453 * To the uninformed * 1681 01:30:53,495 --> 01:30:54,621 * You think you can't get it * 1682 01:30:54,662 --> 01:30:56,664 * Well, you're dead wrong * 1683 01:30:56,706 --> 01:30:58,750 {\an8}Then TLC came in 1684 01:30:58,792 --> 01:31:02,295 and Left Eye had the condom in her glasses. 1685 01:31:02,337 --> 01:31:04,464 - Condoms represent safe sex. 1686 01:31:04,506 --> 01:31:07,759 Protection is a priority, so we stand by strongly. 1687 01:31:09,052 --> 01:31:10,720 - [Traci] And so it became a little more like, 1688 01:31:10,762 --> 01:31:11,638 let's talk about it. 1689 01:31:11,680 --> 01:31:13,264 Let's test. 1690 01:31:13,306 --> 01:31:15,892 Let's build some awareness in the community. 1691 01:31:15,934 --> 01:31:17,769 - I'm really scared about AIDS. 1692 01:31:17,811 --> 01:31:19,270 - God, I can't believe we're talking about this. 1693 01:31:19,312 --> 01:31:22,107 - I think these people need a little education 1694 01:31:22,148 --> 01:31:23,692 about the HIV virus. 1695 01:31:23,733 --> 01:31:26,486 - This AIDS business is serious and it's not going away. 1696 01:31:26,528 --> 01:31:28,321 - I don't know a whole lot about AIDS, 1697 01:31:28,363 --> 01:31:31,408 but I wanna introduce you to a couple of guys who do. 1698 01:31:31,449 --> 01:31:32,992 (static hissing) 1699 01:31:33,034 --> 01:31:35,829 - People saw it, they heard it, 1700 01:31:35,870 --> 01:31:39,082 whether they did something about it was different. 1701 01:31:39,124 --> 01:31:42,335 {\an8}I remember in my generation it was more like a threat. 1702 01:31:42,377 --> 01:31:43,461 Like you better wrap it up. 1703 01:31:43,503 --> 01:31:44,921 You saw what happened to Eazy. 1704 01:31:44,963 --> 01:31:47,507 {\an8}- Rap Singer Eazy-E has lost his battle 1705 01:31:47,549 --> 01:31:48,967 {\an8}with AIDS just 10 days 1706 01:31:49,009 --> 01:31:51,553 after revealing that he had the disease. 1707 01:31:51,594 --> 01:31:53,847 (melancholic music) 1708 01:31:53,888 --> 01:31:59,185 - Eazy, he knew his status three months before he passed. 1709 01:32:00,270 --> 01:32:01,855 {\an8}Imagine what would've happened to a Eazy E 1710 01:32:01,896 --> 01:32:04,858 {\an8}had he had education, knowledge, and testing. 1711 01:32:06,234 --> 01:32:08,570 He would've probably lived longer. 1712 01:32:08,611 --> 01:32:12,615 He would've been able to help people understand more, 1713 01:32:13,575 --> 01:32:15,201 {\an8}but we don't know. 1714 01:32:16,244 --> 01:32:18,788 {\an8}Part of it is the shame, stigma, and silence. 1715 01:32:20,123 --> 01:32:23,585 {\an8}It's something that we are still grappling with, 1716 01:32:25,003 --> 01:32:26,713 {\an8}and it's something that if we don't grapple with it, 1717 01:32:26,755 --> 01:32:28,631 it's gonna hurt us in the end. 1718 01:32:30,050 --> 01:32:32,927 (dramatic music) 1719 01:32:39,601 --> 01:32:41,603 - You have very generous in coming out tonight, 1720 01:32:41,644 --> 01:32:43,355 but I'm gonna ask for one more favor 1721 01:32:43,396 --> 01:32:45,273 from each and every one of you. 1722 01:32:45,315 --> 01:32:47,233 {\an8}I want you to do it for APLA, 1723 01:32:47,275 --> 01:32:49,903 {\an8}and for yourselves, and for your country. 1724 01:32:49,944 --> 01:32:52,405 I want you to make sure that you're registered to vote 1725 01:32:52,447 --> 01:32:53,573 and I want you to vote. 1726 01:32:53,615 --> 01:32:55,283 (group clapping) 1727 01:32:55,325 --> 01:33:00,038 If we can elect leaders who care more about other people 1728 01:33:00,080 --> 01:33:03,708 than they do about themselves, we can beat this disease. 1729 01:33:03,750 --> 01:33:05,085 (group clapping) 1730 01:33:05,126 --> 01:33:06,795 {\an8}- [Group] George Bush, you can't hide! 1731 01:33:06,836 --> 01:33:08,380 {\an8}We charge you with genocide! 1732 01:33:08,421 --> 01:33:10,298 George Bush- - Mr. President, yesterday, 1733 01:33:10,340 --> 01:33:13,968 10s of thousands of people paraded past the White House 1734 01:33:14,010 --> 01:33:17,222 to demonstrate their concern about the disease AIDS. 1735 01:33:17,263 --> 01:33:20,684 {\an8}- I am very much concerned about AIDS. 1736 01:33:20,725 --> 01:33:22,102 {\an8}We've got to care. 1737 01:33:22,143 --> 01:33:24,396 We've got to continue everything we can, 1738 01:33:24,437 --> 01:33:26,815 and all of us are in this fight together. 1739 01:33:26,856 --> 01:33:27,941 All of us care. 1740 01:33:27,982 --> 01:33:29,609 Do not go to the extreme. 1741 01:33:29,651 --> 01:33:32,862 - [Group] 150,000 dead, where was George? 1742 01:33:32,904 --> 01:33:34,322 - I don't think President Bush 1743 01:33:34,364 --> 01:33:37,701 {\an8}is doing anything about AIDS either. 1744 01:33:37,742 --> 01:33:41,287 {\an8}I'm not even sure he knows how to spell AIDS. 1745 01:33:42,539 --> 01:33:44,124 - Most of us have preferred to believe AIDS 1746 01:33:44,165 --> 01:33:47,335 is not our problem, but the truth is, 1747 01:33:47,377 --> 01:33:49,170 it is everybody's problem. 1748 01:33:50,296 --> 01:33:52,465 We don't have a person to waste in our country, 1749 01:33:52,507 --> 01:33:55,427 and viruses do not discriminate. 1750 01:33:55,468 --> 01:33:56,845 I know how it hurts. 1751 01:33:56,886 --> 01:33:58,763 I've got friends who died of AIDS, 1752 01:33:58,805 --> 01:34:00,348 and that's why I'm running for president 1753 01:34:00,390 --> 01:34:01,433 to do something about it. 1754 01:34:01,474 --> 01:34:02,434 (group chattering) 1755 01:34:02,475 --> 01:34:04,853 I feel your pain. 1756 01:34:07,230 --> 01:34:11,234 - When Clinton became president things started to change. 1757 01:34:12,527 --> 01:34:15,155 {\an8}There was more talk in government about the issues. 1758 01:34:15,196 --> 01:34:17,198 {\an8}- Every person who's living with AIDS 1759 01:34:17,240 --> 01:34:20,910 {\an8}deserves not only our compassion but our respect. 1760 01:34:22,328 --> 01:34:25,957 {\an8}- Bill Clinton said something which he probably didn't mean, 1761 01:34:25,999 --> 01:34:28,418 but it didn't matter, we needed to hear it. 1762 01:34:28,460 --> 01:34:33,131 {\an8}He said, "If I had a magic wand and I could get rid of AIDS, 1763 01:34:33,173 --> 01:34:35,967 I would give all this up." 1764 01:34:37,052 --> 01:34:38,511 We had been waiting for a president 1765 01:34:38,553 --> 01:34:42,349 to say something like that to us for years. 1766 01:34:43,391 --> 01:34:45,727 - We are part of the American family. 1767 01:34:46,770 --> 01:34:48,355 We are not a special interest group. 1768 01:34:49,064 --> 01:34:50,357 {\an8}We are men and women. 1769 01:34:50,398 --> 01:34:51,858 {\an8}We are old and young. 1770 01:34:51,900 --> 01:34:54,861 {\an8}We are gay and straight, we are Americans, 1771 01:34:54,903 --> 01:34:57,405 {\an8}and we want an end to this epidemic. 1772 01:34:58,531 --> 01:35:01,076 - Yeah, I think your time will be soon. 1773 01:35:02,327 --> 01:35:03,161 What do you think? 1774 01:35:03,203 --> 01:35:04,537 - I hope. 1775 01:35:04,579 --> 01:35:06,164 - You hope so. - He hopes. 1776 01:35:06,206 --> 01:35:09,501 - I think your hope is gonna be realized real soon. 1777 01:35:09,542 --> 01:35:11,294 (birds chirping) 1778 01:35:11,336 --> 01:35:16,383 - HIV came into our understanding in the early '80s 1779 01:35:17,175 --> 01:35:20,387 {\an8}and from the early '80s to 1995, 1780 01:35:20,428 --> 01:35:23,306 {\an8}we did not have effective treatments. 1781 01:35:23,348 --> 01:35:25,141 All we had was hope. 1782 01:35:25,892 --> 01:35:27,894 (gentle music) 1783 01:35:27,936 --> 01:35:29,938 - I don't feel like I'm dying. 1784 01:35:31,272 --> 01:35:33,942 If anybody stands a chance of surviving this thing, 1785 01:35:33,983 --> 01:35:35,360 I think I do. 1786 01:35:36,236 --> 01:35:38,530 Maybe I'm overly optimistic, 1787 01:35:38,571 --> 01:35:40,782 but I would much rather be hopeful 1788 01:35:40,824 --> 01:35:43,076 in the face of hopelessness 1789 01:35:43,118 --> 01:35:47,247 and continue to believe in my life today. 1790 01:35:50,041 --> 01:35:52,585 - The next big breakthrough on drugs 1791 01:35:52,627 --> 01:35:56,923 {\an8}came through in 1995 with the protease inhibitors. 1792 01:35:58,299 --> 01:36:02,345 Dr. Ho, who became Time Magazine Man of the Year, 1793 01:36:02,387 --> 01:36:06,558 and others showed that using three drugs together 1794 01:36:06,599 --> 01:36:11,271 from the get-go, the viral load went to undetectable. 1795 01:36:11,312 --> 01:36:16,568 - It has been a long, tiring, and often uphill struggle, 1796 01:36:17,944 --> 01:36:22,532 but I have to tell you, we have made progress. 1797 01:36:23,867 --> 01:36:26,578 {\an8}- I was at the International Conference on AIDS in Vancouver 1798 01:36:26,619 --> 01:36:30,123 that summer where it was announced 1799 01:36:30,165 --> 01:36:33,376 that they had found that the cocktail treatment, 1800 01:36:33,418 --> 01:36:37,422 the combination of protease inhibitors and antiretrovirals 1801 01:36:37,464 --> 01:36:40,508 were actually helping people live. 1802 01:36:40,550 --> 01:36:43,261 {\an8}- I look upon this as another step 1803 01:36:43,303 --> 01:36:45,180 {\an8}in the direction of trying 1804 01:36:45,221 --> 01:36:48,516 to completely suppress or get rid of the virus. 1805 01:36:50,018 --> 01:36:53,188 - It was just the most amazing thing, 1806 01:36:53,229 --> 01:36:58,526 and I wept for joy that it was going to change now. 1807 01:37:01,780 --> 01:37:05,700 - In 1996, I got very sick 1808 01:37:05,742 --> 01:37:11,206 {\an8}and my doctors thought that I was not going to survive. 1809 01:37:13,833 --> 01:37:18,546 I was an intensive care with less than 24 hours to live. 1810 01:37:19,673 --> 01:37:21,966 Protease inhibitors had been discovered, 1811 01:37:22,008 --> 01:37:24,719 but they weren't widely distributed. 1812 01:37:24,761 --> 01:37:29,349 All the calls went out and I was able to get my meds. 1813 01:37:30,392 --> 01:37:32,227 I nearly died, 1814 01:37:32,268 --> 01:37:35,397 but I was on the new cocktails and I was getting better, 1815 01:37:35,438 --> 01:37:38,733 and in fact, I was feeling better than I had ever felt 1816 01:37:38,775 --> 01:37:43,321 at any time in the previous 10 years probably. 1817 01:37:43,363 --> 01:37:45,198 - One of the great good news stories 1818 01:37:45,240 --> 01:37:47,909 in the last couple of years has been the dramatic reduction 1819 01:37:47,951 --> 01:37:50,370 in AIDS related deaths. 1820 01:37:50,412 --> 01:37:52,205 Thanks to a new generation of drugs, 1821 01:37:52,247 --> 01:37:55,834 AIDS deaths dropped by nearly half last year. 1822 01:37:55,875 --> 01:37:56,918 - How you feeling? 1823 01:37:56,960 --> 01:37:59,129 - Oh, much better today. 1824 01:37:59,170 --> 01:38:00,755 - For the vast majority of people, 1825 01:38:00,797 --> 01:38:04,217 as we put them on these drugs, their health got better 1826 01:38:04,259 --> 01:38:07,012 {\an8}pretty quickly and pretty dramatically. 1827 01:38:08,346 --> 01:38:11,224 {\an8}And when you started seeing the death rates drop 1828 01:38:11,266 --> 01:38:16,563 {\an8}in '96, and '97, and '98, the world changed on us. 1829 01:38:17,814 --> 01:38:20,567 - The drug regimens themselves are very complicated. 1830 01:38:20,608 --> 01:38:24,029 These are the medications I take in an average day, 1831 01:38:24,070 --> 01:38:26,656 nine of these a day three with meals, 1832 01:38:26,698 --> 01:38:30,035 {\an8}one of these twice a day, 1833 01:38:30,076 --> 01:38:31,745 one of these once a day, 1834 01:38:31,786 --> 01:38:34,122 and you can't take a drug holiday from this routine. 1835 01:38:34,164 --> 01:38:35,582 If you stop even a few times 1836 01:38:35,623 --> 01:38:37,250 over the course of a couple of days, 1837 01:38:37,292 --> 01:38:38,668 the drugs might lose their effectiveness. 1838 01:38:38,710 --> 01:38:40,962 And then you're back to square one. 1839 01:38:42,380 --> 01:38:44,966 - People would have their pill carrier with a timer, 1840 01:38:45,008 --> 01:38:46,217 {\an8}and you'd go to dinner with people 1841 01:38:46,259 --> 01:38:48,553 {\an8}and the buzzer would go off, 1842 01:38:48,595 --> 01:38:51,931 and it was time for them to take all of these pills. 1843 01:38:51,973 --> 01:38:53,933 - When I thought I was dying, 1844 01:38:53,975 --> 01:38:56,978 I didn't have to worry about the future. 1845 01:38:57,020 --> 01:38:59,481 And so when suddenly you're gonna live, 1846 01:38:59,522 --> 01:39:03,068 {\an8}what do I do now that my credit card is maxed out 1847 01:39:03,109 --> 01:39:05,653 {\an8}and I don't have a job to pay it off with? 1848 01:39:06,738 --> 01:39:09,366 And so there was a lot of, oh boy, 1849 01:39:09,407 --> 01:39:14,621 I'm gonna live as well as, oh God, I'm gonna live. 1850 01:39:15,705 --> 01:39:18,083 - We also didn't know if these treatments 1851 01:39:18,124 --> 01:39:19,542 were gonna last forever, 1852 01:39:20,585 --> 01:39:24,422 so we couldn't dismantle what we had built, 1853 01:39:24,464 --> 01:39:27,884 but we eliminated our buddy program. 1854 01:39:27,926 --> 01:39:29,803 It wasn't needed anymore. 1855 01:39:29,844 --> 01:39:33,014 We changed our Necessities of Life program. 1856 01:39:34,349 --> 01:39:37,602 Our goal is to get you in and out of an APLA NLP site 1857 01:39:37,644 --> 01:39:39,646 in 30 minutes or less. 1858 01:39:39,688 --> 01:39:42,941 We wanted them to get on with their lives. 1859 01:39:42,982 --> 01:39:45,694 (gentle upbeat music) 1860 01:39:45,735 --> 01:39:49,447 - As this disease turns another corner 1861 01:39:49,489 --> 01:39:52,784 from life killing to life sustaining, 1862 01:39:53,827 --> 01:39:56,746 {\an8}tonight, maybe this last night 1863 01:39:56,788 --> 01:39:58,498 that we do Commitment to Life. 1864 01:39:59,874 --> 01:40:04,838 - This evening is dedicated to the millions of beings 1865 01:40:04,879 --> 01:40:06,965 who we have lost. 1866 01:40:07,007 --> 01:40:09,801 {\an8}And to those millions who continue 1867 01:40:09,843 --> 01:40:13,346 {\an8}to demonstrate awe inspiring courage 1868 01:40:13,388 --> 01:40:16,725 in their valiant struggles to survive, 1869 01:40:17,392 --> 01:40:20,353 we cannot let them down. 1870 01:40:20,395 --> 01:40:23,857 We will not let them down. 1871 01:40:23,898 --> 01:40:26,735 (group cheering) 1872 01:40:27,902 --> 01:40:29,696 From the bottom of my heart, 1873 01:40:29,738 --> 01:40:34,492 I thank you tonight for your commitment to life. 1874 01:40:41,583 --> 01:40:42,959 - [Barack] Good morning, everybody. 1875 01:40:43,001 --> 01:40:44,544 - Good morning. 1876 01:40:44,586 --> 01:40:46,796 - It has been nearly three decades 1877 01:40:46,838 --> 01:40:49,299 since this virus first became known, 1878 01:40:50,675 --> 01:40:53,386 {\an8}but for years we refused to recognize it for what it was. 1879 01:40:53,428 --> 01:40:56,181 {\an8}It was coined a gay disease. 1880 01:40:57,515 --> 01:40:59,267 A number of events have broadened our understanding 1881 01:40:59,309 --> 01:41:01,311 of this cruel illness. 1882 01:41:01,353 --> 01:41:04,898 {\an8}One of them came in 1984 when a 13-year-old boy 1883 01:41:04,939 --> 01:41:09,402 {\an8}from central Indiana contracted HIV/AIDS from a transfusion. 1884 01:41:09,444 --> 01:41:12,238 - I became known as the AIDS boy. 1885 01:41:13,365 --> 01:41:15,408 - It would've been easy for Ryan and his family 1886 01:41:15,450 --> 01:41:19,371 to stay quiet and to fight the illness in private. 1887 01:41:19,412 --> 01:41:22,457 But what Ryan showed was the same courage and strength 1888 01:41:22,499 --> 01:41:25,168 that so many HIV positive activists 1889 01:41:25,210 --> 01:41:26,878 have shown over the years. 1890 01:41:26,920 --> 01:41:31,257 And because he did in 1990, the year Ryan passed away, 1891 01:41:32,258 --> 01:41:33,635 Congress came together and introduced 1892 01:41:33,677 --> 01:41:36,888 the Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency Act, 1893 01:41:36,930 --> 01:41:41,518 the CARE Act, which was later named after Ryan. 1894 01:41:42,560 --> 01:41:44,437 And over the past 19 years, 1895 01:41:44,479 --> 01:41:47,357 {\an8}this legislation has evolved from an emergency response 1896 01:41:47,399 --> 01:41:49,025 {\an8}into a comprehensive national program 1897 01:41:49,067 --> 01:41:53,113 {\an8}for the care and support of Americans living with HIV/AIDS. 1898 01:41:53,154 --> 01:41:54,656 {\an8}It's often the only option 1899 01:41:54,698 --> 01:41:57,242 {\an8}for the uninsured and the underinsured, 1900 01:41:57,283 --> 01:41:59,536 and it provides life-saving medical services 1901 01:41:59,577 --> 01:42:02,247 to more than half a million Americans every year 1902 01:42:02,288 --> 01:42:04,749 in every corner of the country. 1903 01:42:04,791 --> 01:42:06,126 But let me be clear, 1904 01:42:06,167 --> 01:42:08,044 this is a battle that's far from over 1905 01:42:08,086 --> 01:42:10,005 and it's a battle that all of us 1906 01:42:10,046 --> 01:42:12,382 need to do our part to join. 1907 01:42:12,424 --> 01:42:15,802 What we can do is keep fighting each and every day 1908 01:42:15,844 --> 01:42:19,597 until we eliminate this disease from the face of the earth. 1909 01:42:19,639 --> 01:42:22,600 So with that, let me sign this bill. 1910 01:42:22,642 --> 01:42:25,520 (group clapping) 1911 01:42:26,938 --> 01:42:29,816 - In 2010 and with Obamacare, 1912 01:42:29,858 --> 01:42:31,901 Medicaid was expanded from a program 1913 01:42:31,943 --> 01:42:34,696 that served primarily women and children 1914 01:42:34,738 --> 01:42:36,823 {\an8}to a program that served everyone 1915 01:42:36,865 --> 01:42:39,576 {\an8}as long as your income was low enough. 1916 01:42:39,617 --> 01:42:42,620 So that meant for AIDS Project Los Angeles, 1917 01:42:42,662 --> 01:42:45,707 we realized that we could expand into healthcare 1918 01:42:45,749 --> 01:42:48,752 and begin by enrolling many of our clients 1919 01:42:48,793 --> 01:42:50,462 into our own services. 1920 01:42:50,503 --> 01:42:53,256 (upbeat music) (group cheering) 1921 01:42:53,298 --> 01:42:58,553 - And so in 2016, APLA Health was born. 1922 01:42:59,846 --> 01:43:02,390 It's a federally qualified healthcare center 1923 01:43:02,432 --> 01:43:04,809 with locations across Los Angeles. 1924 01:43:05,727 --> 01:43:07,354 Our mission is to provide care 1925 01:43:07,395 --> 01:43:10,523 to underserved LGBTQ populations 1926 01:43:10,565 --> 01:43:13,234 and to people living with HIV. 1927 01:43:13,276 --> 01:43:16,571 {\an8}But we serve patients with all diagnoses. 1928 01:43:20,533 --> 01:43:23,745 Of course, there are cure strategies in the works, 1929 01:43:24,829 --> 01:43:27,582 and there're interesting case studies of people 1930 01:43:27,624 --> 01:43:30,543 who have been cured of HIV. 1931 01:43:30,585 --> 01:43:32,379 {\an8}- I'm cured of HIV. 1932 01:43:33,463 --> 01:43:36,883 {\an8}I had had HIV, but I don't anymore. 1933 01:43:36,925 --> 01:43:38,551 (machine whirring) 1934 01:43:38,593 --> 01:43:42,263 - However, the idea of having medicines 1935 01:43:42,305 --> 01:43:45,225 that will be globally available 1936 01:43:45,266 --> 01:43:50,397 to cure people who have HIV is a bit of a pipe dream. 1937 01:43:50,438 --> 01:43:52,023 (brooding music) 1938 01:43:52,065 --> 01:43:55,402 Fortunately, this evolution of therapy 1939 01:43:55,443 --> 01:43:59,447 has been fine tuned to be compact. 1940 01:43:59,489 --> 01:44:02,534 We have single pill regimens 1941 01:44:03,952 --> 01:44:06,037 and of course people with HIV would rather live without it. 1942 01:44:06,079 --> 01:44:08,915 But the point is that they can live well with it. 1943 01:44:12,085 --> 01:44:13,753 - I'm a long-term survivor. 1944 01:44:15,088 --> 01:44:19,467 I am undetectable and I surpass the life expectancy 1945 01:44:21,094 --> 01:44:22,595 {\an8}of a trans woman. 1946 01:44:24,222 --> 01:44:27,308 Because of the treatment, I had the opportunity 1947 01:44:27,350 --> 01:44:31,604 to leave the world of drugs behind 1948 01:44:31,646 --> 01:44:35,233 and dedicate myself to support those communities 1949 01:44:35,275 --> 01:44:37,527 who have been left behind. 1950 01:44:39,112 --> 01:44:42,490 And so I felt that I had a purpose. 1951 01:44:43,575 --> 01:44:46,036 - The goal of putting somebody on medications 1952 01:44:46,077 --> 01:44:49,581 {\an8}is to reduce the amount of virus in a CC of blood 1953 01:44:49,622 --> 01:44:51,374 to an undetectable level, 1954 01:44:52,709 --> 01:44:55,462 which then allows the immune system to recover. 1955 01:44:56,838 --> 01:44:59,424 As we know now, if you have an undetectable viral load, 1956 01:44:59,466 --> 01:45:02,344 the likelihood of transmitting to somebody else 1957 01:45:02,385 --> 01:45:05,013 is as close to zero as possible. 1958 01:45:06,097 --> 01:45:07,515 How far have we come, 1959 01:45:08,975 --> 01:45:11,936 and what a great testament to the people that died, 1960 01:45:11,978 --> 01:45:15,273 that we live our lives as fully as we possibly can. 1961 01:45:15,315 --> 01:45:16,983 It's a great blessing. 1962 01:45:17,025 --> 01:45:20,695 But I really want to make sure that we don't forget 1963 01:45:20,737 --> 01:45:23,114 that the treatments we have today 1964 01:45:23,156 --> 01:45:24,866 came on the backs of the lives 1965 01:45:24,908 --> 01:45:28,119 of 10s of thousands of people before them. 1966 01:45:29,412 --> 01:45:34,542 {\an8}- The core of the embracing of marriage equality, 1967 01:45:35,710 --> 01:45:40,632 it was really a legacy of losing your partner 1968 01:45:41,549 --> 01:45:43,551 in life to AIDS. 1969 01:45:44,636 --> 01:45:47,263 And we all knew that there's no way 1970 01:45:47,305 --> 01:45:49,474 we're ever gonna be equal 1971 01:45:49,516 --> 01:45:53,019 if our relationships are not seen as equal. 1972 01:45:53,061 --> 01:45:55,855 {\an8}- In one of the most momentous civil rights decisions 1973 01:45:55,897 --> 01:45:58,858 {\an8}in its history, the Supreme Court of the United States 1974 01:45:58,900 --> 01:46:01,027 found that gay and lesbian Americans 1975 01:46:01,069 --> 01:46:03,780 have a constitutional right to marry. 1976 01:46:06,282 --> 01:46:10,370 - I believe that marriage equality is the phoenix 1977 01:46:10,412 --> 01:46:12,247 that grew from the ashes of HIV. 1978 01:46:12,288 --> 01:46:13,915 There's no question about it. 1979 01:46:15,667 --> 01:46:17,460 - There are a lot of things 1980 01:46:17,502 --> 01:46:20,380 {\an8}that as a result of the AIDS pandemic, 1981 01:46:20,422 --> 01:46:23,425 {\an8}that I am grateful that they exist today. 1982 01:46:24,801 --> 01:46:29,597 But I'm not sure there's one of them that I wouldn't trade 1983 01:46:30,432 --> 01:46:31,516 for getting all my friends back. 1984 01:46:32,600 --> 01:46:34,269 (melancholic music) (group vocalizing) 1985 01:46:34,310 --> 01:46:38,106 Chris died in November of 1989. 1986 01:46:38,940 --> 01:46:43,486 That was over 30 years ago now. 1987 01:46:44,988 --> 01:46:45,947 Wow. 1988 01:46:47,323 --> 01:46:50,910 The way I dealt with the worst days of the pandemic 1989 01:46:50,952 --> 01:46:53,538 when Chris was actually dying 1990 01:46:53,580 --> 01:46:58,460 was to decide that I had to focus 1991 01:46:58,501 --> 01:47:02,630 on the next thing that needed to be done 1992 01:47:03,923 --> 01:47:07,177 and that I would get back to this grief later. 1993 01:47:08,261 --> 01:47:13,475 And I am discovering that that grief 1994 01:47:14,309 --> 01:47:14,809 actually doesn't go away, 1995 01:47:15,977 --> 01:47:19,564 and that there is always a day of reckoning. 1996 01:47:20,899 --> 01:47:24,235 And I think for a lot of us over the last few years, 1997 01:47:25,362 --> 01:47:27,947 that day of reckoning has started to happen. 1998 01:47:30,241 --> 01:47:32,410 {\an8}(leaves rustling) 1999 01:47:32,452 --> 01:47:34,788 {\an8}- My name is Ty Gaffney-Smith. 2000 01:47:34,829 --> 01:47:38,041 {\an8}I am a outreach coordinator here at APLA Health. 2001 01:47:39,042 --> 01:47:40,335 I work in our Baldwin Hills location 2002 01:47:40,377 --> 01:47:42,462 in the prevention department. 2003 01:47:42,504 --> 01:47:43,421 (door clicks) 2004 01:47:43,463 --> 01:47:44,881 Steven. 2005 01:47:44,923 --> 01:47:47,926 {\an8}I love talking to people about their HIV status, 2006 01:47:47,967 --> 01:47:50,970 {\an8}their STD status, their knowledge about PrEP and PEP. 2007 01:47:51,012 --> 01:47:52,972 (upbeat music) (graphic whooshing) 2008 01:47:53,014 --> 01:47:55,850 These are the tools that we have now. 2009 01:47:56,893 --> 01:47:59,979 PrEP, P-R-E is pre so beforehand. 2010 01:48:00,021 --> 01:48:01,815 Say you're going out tonight 2011 01:48:03,108 --> 01:48:04,484 and you know you might engage in some risky activity. 2012 01:48:04,526 --> 01:48:05,735 You might get laid. 2013 01:48:05,777 --> 01:48:07,487 You want to take your PrEP 2014 01:48:07,529 --> 01:48:09,989 and make sure that you are on your PrEP continuously 2015 01:48:10,031 --> 01:48:12,951 to protect you from getting an HIV diagnosis. 2016 01:48:12,992 --> 01:48:14,577 What happens if I, you know, 2017 01:48:14,619 --> 01:48:16,746 slip up and have sex without a condom? 2018 01:48:16,788 --> 01:48:18,665 That's where PEP comes in. 2019 01:48:18,707 --> 01:48:20,333 This is a tool for us to make sure 2020 01:48:20,375 --> 01:48:21,710 that we are protecting ourselves 2021 01:48:21,751 --> 01:48:23,712 from anything that could possibly happen. 2022 01:48:23,753 --> 01:48:25,422 (camera snapping) 2023 01:48:25,463 --> 01:48:29,884 - I noticed the ad that if you have been undetectable, 2024 01:48:30,969 --> 01:48:33,138 {\an8}it's safe to have sex, unprotected sex. 2025 01:48:34,597 --> 01:48:37,267 That blew my mind when I heard the first time, 2026 01:48:37,308 --> 01:48:40,603 just thinking where we came from to where we're at. 2027 01:48:41,896 --> 01:48:43,940 - In this era of PrEP, 2028 01:48:45,025 --> 01:48:48,111 {\an8}it changed so much that nobody remembers. 2029 01:48:49,446 --> 01:48:54,868 Folks that take PrEP, they take it to prevent a disease, 2030 01:48:56,202 --> 01:48:58,913 but they don't realize what is actually preventing. 2031 01:48:59,956 --> 01:49:02,625 They weren't around during this time 2032 01:49:02,667 --> 01:49:05,295 so they can't picture AIDS. 2033 01:49:05,962 --> 01:49:07,922 It's lost somewhere. 2034 01:49:09,049 --> 01:49:11,885 And then you have folks that do remember. 2035 01:49:12,927 --> 01:49:15,430 I still cry. (chuckles) 2036 01:49:15,472 --> 01:49:19,309 I still cry because I remember. 2037 01:49:20,393 --> 01:49:23,730 (slow tempo piano music) 2038 01:49:23,772 --> 01:49:25,648 - Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles 2039 01:49:25,690 --> 01:49:28,401 are the angels of our community 2040 01:49:28,443 --> 01:49:32,489 {\an8}because we sang at so many funerals and memorial services 2041 01:49:32,530 --> 01:49:34,949 for people throughout the epidemic. 2042 01:49:35,617 --> 01:49:38,870 * There is a light * 2043 01:49:38,912 --> 01:49:42,374 * In the darkness * 2044 01:49:42,415 --> 01:49:47,837 Probably 150 of this chorus died of AIDS 2045 01:49:48,630 --> 01:49:49,964 in the worst of the AIDS years. 2046 01:49:50,006 --> 01:49:52,425 * There's a light * 2047 01:49:52,467 --> 01:49:54,469 {\an8}* Burning bright * 2048 01:49:54,511 --> 01:49:59,808 {\an8}* Showing me the way * 2049 01:50:00,642 --> 01:50:04,562 * But I know where I've been * 2050 01:50:04,604 --> 01:50:06,022 (group cheering) 2051 01:50:06,064 --> 01:50:07,732 - [Reporter] Over 30,000 people turned out today 2052 01:50:07,774 --> 01:50:10,485 to walk the six miles through Los Angeles. 2053 01:50:10,527 --> 01:50:11,986 The first AIDS walk in the world 2054 01:50:12,028 --> 01:50:15,115 started here in Los Angeles in 1985. 2055 01:50:15,156 --> 01:50:18,284 The fight for a cure is more urgent than ever. 2056 01:50:18,326 --> 01:50:19,911 (woman vocalizing) 2057 01:50:19,953 --> 01:50:21,705 - For me, it starts with honoring the people who died. 2058 01:50:21,746 --> 01:50:22,831 * A light * 2059 01:50:22,872 --> 01:50:24,791 I won't ever quit grieving that. 2060 01:50:24,833 --> 01:50:26,960 I learned lessons that have changed my life 2061 01:50:27,002 --> 01:50:28,795 and been a blessing. 2062 01:50:28,837 --> 01:50:34,050 * There's a road we've been travellin' * 2063 01:50:36,469 --> 01:50:41,725 * Lost so many on the way * 2064 01:50:43,810 --> 01:50:49,065 * But the riches will be plenty * 2065 01:50:50,942 --> 01:50:52,610 * Worth the price * 2066 01:50:52,652 --> 01:50:56,239 - In the past four decades an estimated 36 million people 2067 01:50:56,281 --> 01:50:59,159 have died of AIDS related illness. 2068 01:50:59,200 --> 01:51:02,328 {\an8}And today, as we look back in the past 40 years, 2069 01:51:02,370 --> 01:51:06,207 we once more raised two story tall red ribbon 2070 01:51:06,249 --> 01:51:08,168 on North Portico, the White House 2071 01:51:08,209 --> 01:51:10,712 to remember how far we've come. 2072 01:51:11,796 --> 01:51:14,674 {\an8}We're gathered today with hope in our hearts 2073 01:51:14,716 --> 01:51:17,385 {\an8}and for the future that's within our grasp 2074 01:51:17,427 --> 01:51:20,388 as we recommit ourselves to finishing the fight 2075 01:51:20,430 --> 01:51:22,807 to end the HIV epidemic 2076 01:51:22,849 --> 01:51:25,643 {\an8}and support all people living with HIV. 2077 01:51:25,685 --> 01:51:27,395 * I've been * 2078 01:51:27,437 --> 01:51:29,773 - I'm so grateful to be alive 2079 01:51:29,814 --> 01:51:32,859 and to have survived all of that. 2080 01:51:33,985 --> 01:51:35,528 And you know, none of us have any guarantees 2081 01:51:35,570 --> 01:51:37,155 about being here tomorrow. 2082 01:51:37,947 --> 01:51:39,908 All any of us have is right now, 2083 01:51:40,950 --> 01:51:44,871 and in this moment, I feel alive. 2084 01:51:44,913 --> 01:51:49,125 * There's a road * 2085 01:51:49,167 --> 01:51:53,004 * We must travel, we must travel * 2086 01:51:53,046 --> 01:51:56,341 - The generation that lived through it never gave up. 2087 01:51:56,383 --> 01:51:57,467 * We must make * 2088 01:51:57,509 --> 01:51:59,135 This fight has to continue 2089 01:51:59,177 --> 01:52:01,971 and there's so much more work to be done. 2090 01:52:02,889 --> 01:52:04,766 I wanna be a part of that. 2091 01:52:04,808 --> 01:52:06,810 We still want to bring an end to this 2092 01:52:06,851 --> 01:52:09,104 and I don't want that fight to die. 2093 01:52:09,145 --> 01:52:12,941 * And the chances we take * 2094 01:52:13,942 --> 01:52:15,819 {\an8}- This is our time! 2095 01:52:15,860 --> 01:52:17,987 {\an8}This is our deciding moment! 2096 01:52:18,029 --> 01:52:20,990 {\an8}Together, we are greater than AIDS! 2097 01:52:21,032 --> 01:52:22,701 * Struggle * 2098 01:52:22,742 --> 01:52:25,495 - There's still people that are suffering with AIDS 2099 01:52:25,537 --> 01:52:28,456 and still those that are contracting AIDS, 2100 01:52:29,749 --> 01:52:32,669 but I think we're as close as we've ever been. 2101 01:52:32,711 --> 01:52:34,087 * Lift us up * 2102 01:52:34,129 --> 01:52:37,090 I would love for it to happen in our lifetime. 2103 01:52:37,132 --> 01:52:39,592 * To sit still would be a sin * 2104 01:52:39,634 --> 01:52:44,389 All they have to do is wait, survive, stay in the moment. 2105 01:52:45,181 --> 01:52:46,766 And as Martin Luther King said, 2106 01:52:46,808 --> 01:52:48,893 "I might not be here to witness it, 2107 01:52:48,935 --> 01:52:51,813 but I kind of feel that maybe, 2108 01:52:52,897 --> 01:52:54,774 maybe we'll get to the mountaintop" 2109 01:52:54,816 --> 01:52:59,112 * Where I've been * 2110 01:52:59,154 --> 01:53:02,574 * Know where I've been * 2111 01:53:02,615 --> 01:53:04,993 * I'll give thanks to my God * 2112 01:53:05,035 --> 01:53:09,330 * 'Cause I know where I've been * 2113 01:53:16,546 --> 01:53:19,966 (gentle upbeat music) 2114 01:53:49,079 --> 01:53:52,624 (fast tempo upbeat music) 2115 01:54:07,555 --> 01:54:10,266 (gentle music) 2116 01:55:12,454 --> 01:55:15,206 (upbeat music) 2117 01:55:37,604 --> 01:55:40,315 (gentle music) 2118 01:55:43,735 --> 01:55:45,695 (gentle dramatic music)