Act+Up+VisualAIDS+Homepage-+Jenny+Findel+and+Alden+Freed



Quick Summary of HIV/AIDS:

In 1978, gay men in the US and Sweden, and heterosexuals in Tanzania and Haiti, begin showing signs of what will later be called AIDS. In 1984, after 7673 deaths in the United States alone, Dr. Robert Gallo (US) claimed he discovered the virus that causes AIDS; however, this is about a year after the French discovery. At this point, US President Ronald Reagan has not mentioned the word "AIDS" in public yet. In 1982, The Mens Health Crisis is founded in New York City. In 1985, The FDA (US) approves the first HIV antibody test. Blood products begin to be tested in the US and Japan. In 1987, AZT (zidovudine, Retrovir®) becomes the first anti-HIV drug approved by the FDA. The recommended dose is one 100mg capsule every four hours around the clock. Also in 1987, ACT UP is founded in New York City in March. In 1989, after two years of intense ACT UP protests over the price of its drug, AZT, Burroughs Wellcome lowers AZT's price by 20%. By 1991, 10 million have HIV worldwide and more than a million are in the US (CDC).

Two major social organization that take part in the fight agains HIV/ AIDS are ACT UP and VisualAIDS:

ACT UP is a diverse, non-partisan group of individuals united in anger and committed to direct action to end the AIDS crisis.

To learn more about this organization, [|click here].

VisualAIDS is an organization that works to increase public awareness of AIDS through the visual arts, creating programs of exhibitions, events and publications, and working in partnership with artists, galleries, museums and AIDS organizations. By activating the visual arts communities, Visual AIDS raised money to provide direct services to artists living with HIV/ AIDS.

To learn more about this organization, [|click here].

Those who have taken and are taking part in the fight against HIV/AIDS have utilized multiple forms of expression to make their ideas public. The following links explore these means of expression.

HIV/ AIDS in Pop Culture

HIV/ AIDS Red Ribbon

HIV/ AIDS Memorial Quilt