Fiasco The AIDS Crisis: Episode 3 - The Baths
13 snips
Jun 9, 2023 
In this engaging discussion, activist Cleve Jones, dermatologist Marcus Conant, and public health director Mervyn Silverman delve into the contentious debate over the closure of San Francisco's bathhouses during the AIDS crisis. They explore the crucial role these spaces played in the LGBTQ+ community, offering sanctuary and solidarity amid panic. The guests share insights on navigating civil liberties versus public health, the community's emotional turmoil, and the broader implications of activism as they battled the epidemic. Their experiences illustrate resilience in the face of adversity.
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Cleve Jones' Journey
- Cleve Jones, growing up gay in Phoenix, faced fear and isolation, even contemplating suicide.
- Finding a Life magazine article about gay liberation gave him hope and a new direction, leading him to San Francisco.
Bathhouses as Sanctuaries
- San Francisco became a haven for the gay community, with a thriving gay scene including bars and bathhouses.
- Bathhouses offered a safe space for men to have sex, avoiding the risks of public spaces and offering a sense of community.
Early Awareness of AIDS
- Cleve Jones, working in the California State Assembly, became aware of the emerging AIDS crisis through a CDC report.
- Dr. Marcus Conant, a dermatologist, shared his concerns with Jones, emphasizing AIDS as a sexually transmitted virus affecting gay men.