Queer Serial: American LGBTQ+ History “GIVE ‘EM HELL” E5: "Epicenter"
Jun 4, 2022
Harry Britt, a longtime San Francisco supervisor and LGBTQ leader who succeeded Harvey Milk, shares his pivotal experiences during the AIDS epidemic. He discusses the struggles of public health messaging, debates on bathhouse closures, and the evolution of domestic partnership legislation. Britt reflects on the emotional toll of activism and the critical need for candid education about sexual health. He also explores the impact of the 1985 HIV test on community organizing, shaping a movement that prioritized both survival and freedom.
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Mortality Reshaped Gay Community Life
- The HIV epidemic forced gay men into an acute consciousness of mortality that reshaped community behavior and priorities.
- Harry Britt says this awareness revealed courage, wisdom, and deep care among young people facing death.
Meetings That Sparked Community Response
- Harry convened a small meeting of arts leaders and then a larger emergency meeting at Leah Belli's Pacific Heights home after Dr. Moss warned about high infection rates.
- Participants reacted with fear, denial, and determination to figure out a community response.
Be Honest About Health Risks
- Tell the full, honest medical truth about AIDS to protect vulnerable people even if it makes others uncomfortable.
- Balance defending sexual freedom with responding as intelligent adults to medical guidance to save lives.
