A Time of Change: Confronting AIDS

[@NickanM]

I was there, and I saw it. I'm a flamboyant heterosexual woman, and my best friend was gay. Not easy for him in a small town. So I was his "girlfriend" from we were 15 to 20 years old. In the 80's it was dangerous to be a gay man in certain places, so we were very much in "love" then. He catched this disease from hell and he passed away in 1994 at age 28. I held his hand when he died. Young people today will never understand. Never. Rest in peace Andy, I know I will see you again, I miss you so much, and I wish that you had seen my two sons grow up. ❤️

[@rhodabrands3469]

7.756.935 im sorry for your loss ill say a prayer for you .

[@donsang5976]

😥😥😥😥😥😥

[@geoniko3031]

Sad so many people died . I am straight but no one deserves thus disease

[@maxlegend1374]

I think it's just as scary in a way these days the fear is just numbed by our advancement in technology which has given us prevention medications and self preserving medicine

[@frankchambers3042]

The part about your sons just made me cry. I'm sorry

[@lorrieturner4800]

I am a 60 year old heterosexual woman that was only diagnosed HIV+ four years ago. So believe me when I say, this fight is not over, in fact it has only begun. I am now on meds that have rendered my disease undetectable for the last 3 1/2 years, but the stigma of this disease still remains. And because of this stigma, the spread of this disease continues. People must continue to work to educate people and everyone should take precautions and NEVER have unprotected sex!

[@thatgirl9759]

Bless your heart Lorrie. I'm so glad that you are doing good! Love you sister!

[@thatgirl9759]

Ashu Ku, that is inappropriate and very hurtful.

[@ceilesmammy]

Prayers with you 💜💜💜

[@jjsjjs93]

It's kind of hard to populate earth if everyone only has protected sex.

[@MickeyMorandini1]

you have a lot of years left. stay positive

[@StripesOverCheck]

Princess Diana would shake hands and hug infected people, and I remember my mom saying "God bless her soul" for being human and compassionate

[@booth2710]

Yes - she really was The Queen of Hearts'

[@dondamon4669]

And then look what happened to her

[@dollymadison2397]

❤️ Princess Diana ❤️One of the biggest blessings God ever dropped on the planet! ❤️

[@dollymadison2397]

@@dondamon4669 Princess Diana was too good for this world/for us. That's what I have to tell myself to not get furious & bawl-y all over again. Even after all these years- I love her forever. What an amazing mother &. Humanitarian.

[@sarahchristopher436]

My mother admired Princess Diana as well.

[@Wolfsky9]

As an RN in The City, in 1980, I saw the start of the holocaust . I'm hetero---------my Brother was Gay. ---------I saw it begin & I watched my brother die , holding him as he did. It was on my 40th B-Day, 9/24/1986, at 0515 hrs. -------------My heart, goes to all who suffered this terrible disease, & their sexuality never mattered at all, to me. --------------------------------Wolfsky9, 73 y/o

[@thatgirl9759]

I'm sorry for your loss. He was lucky to have you. 💗

[@ownSystem]

RIP handsome fly high with the rainbows. 🌈

[@PaoloMeidrano]

Sorry for your loss. Thank you for being there for him and holding him while he passed. 💕💙

[@soft_serve_666]

I'm so very sorry for your loss. Thank you for being there for those that had no one.

[@wordscontrolminds]

Holocaust isn't an exaggeration, it was a wilful ignorance of Reagan and the Republican party, the bigotry of their evangelical representatives. Seems they have the same attitude today in the midst of Covid.

[@neasacoyne2706]

Imagine turning your back on your child after he disclosed he had a terminal illness. Just so sad 😢

[@shayekisitu]

I could never do that to my own child. It would kill me from the inside.

[@Shahjahan951]

I think ,she mainly hated her son because of his homosexuality.

[@neasacoyne2706]

Jannah Bint Al Yusuf aka Jannah225 Neither would I , I have two children whom I could never see myself turning my back on them. It was a terrible time, families turning their backs on their children because of their sexual preference and then this awful disease.

[@---jv4ke]

@Brett R did you come out as gay to him?

[@golddustwoman4993]

@Brett R that's so sad to hear. I would love my son no matter what. My sweet sweet boy. Brett you deserve love no matter what!

[@brittneybrisbin744]

I'm happy that videos like this exist, and that they've been preserved and posted online. They're important pieces of history. It's so easy to look at black and white photos, or read words on an internet article, and not really fully get the impact this illness had (and still has) on the world. Seeing things like this, where you can see the fears and hopes of these people, listen to their experiences and how their lives differ so much from the stereotypes of the time, really leaves a greater impact. I truly feel so bad for the people whose families didn't want to see them, and I applaud them for keeping smiles and positivity on. I also applaud the activists who were pushing for change, and the families and friends who were kind, loving, and helpful. RIP to all the beautiful souls we lost.

[@Auroraeevee-m1q]

My uncle worked in an AIDS hospice in the early 90s. This was at a time when a lot of people didn't want to provide care to AIDS patients. Whenever anyone asked him why he was willing to work in the hospice, his answer was, "These people need healthcare, just like anyone else. If I don't help them, who will? Someone has to do it, so why not me?" I think that my uncle did God's work in that hospice. He provided compassionate, non-judgmental care to people who needed it. Diseases don't discriminate. ANYONE can get AIDS, lupus, cancer, muscular dystrophy, depression, or any other illness. Diseases don't care about your religion, sexuality, income level, ethnicity, educational level, etc. They just don't care. They can happen to anyone. Think of how YOU would want to be treated if you had AIDS (or cancer, or herpes, or any other disease). If you feel that AIDS is a punishment from God, I want you to consider how God or Jesus (or whoever you believe in) would treat an AIDS patient. Would they hate them, or help them? Would they comfort and care for them, or curse them? Would they show mercy, or judge them?

[@KyleDrummond-bd4rl]

God bless your uncle, I lost my brother to Aids in 91 and he was gay

[@Auroraeevee-m1q]

@@KyleDrummond-bd4rl So sorry for the loss of your brother. My uncle has also passed away. I hope that he and your brother are at peace in the Hereafter.

[@yellyman5483]

R.I.P. to all of these beautiful people...It`s so sad to see this documentary..

[@BabsLongfellow]

I grew up and lived in the Bay Area when this was filmed. I was 21 then. My brother's companion of 14 years (couldn't get married back then) died of AIDS in 1995 after a six year battle. My brother was also diagnosed and I'm happy to report he is still here, 2021. I am beyond grateful for the progress that has been made . . . you can now "live with AIDS" . . . back then it was an absolute death sentence. SO many beautiful lives lost.

[@co9971]

did your brothers have a lot of friends dying? im 36 and seems like all the guys i talk to in their mid 50's to 70 had friends that were dying left and right. its an unbelievable thing to go through.

[@BabsLongfellow]

@@co9971 yes, he lived in the heart of San Francisco and as he said to me during the worst of the AIDS crisis “everyone is dying“. It was a horrible time.

[@beanj580]

You cannot live life with AIDS, but you can manage HIV today

[@BabsLongfellow]

@@beanj580 AIDS varies from person to person. Some people die soon after getting infected while others live relatively normal lives for many years, even after being officially diagnosed with AIDS.

[@JJ-iq8mi]

You can live with HIV, not AIDS

[@krapug11]

There is a special place in Heaven for people like Rita Rocket and all those who provided care and compassion for those suffering from AIDS. There is also a special corner of Hell reserved for those parents who abandoned their sons suffering from AIDS.

[@smittyk6888]

So sad. I grew up in the 80s. We heard of it and looking back we were kind of oblivious to the danger. This documentary helps to shed light on how HIV was unfolding in the early 80's. I had classmates that started dying in less than ten years after graduation. To date I know more than thirty people that have died. Thank god for the new treatment therapies that are available.

[@peggyreid9927]

OR you might 999⁹

[@charliebarrow7086]

Abandoning my children, no matter what, is unthinkable. I love them so deeply, they are the most precious people in my life and not loving them is beyond my imagination.

[@michaellazzeri9439]

I was in SF when it hit , beginning in the summer of 1980--------young men began coming to the ED at SF General --------young men with fever, shortness of breath, weight loss & there was no common thread, except that they were Gay. As an RN, I took extra cautions , but truthfully, never feared for my own safety in doing what I was educated to do as a Nurse. Being hetero, I remember, the loose sex of the 70's, was gone. but still, I never feared to care for a patient with AIDS--------Not ever. -----------MJL< 74 y/o

[@ApothecaryGrant]

Sexual Liberation did not understand the adaptibility of the viruses that are sexually transmitted . Evolution beats antibiotics eventually . At this time people were sure that whatever they might catch could be cured with pennicillin .

[@US_ARMY_25_INF._DIV.]

it is crazy that gay men kept getting sick even if they knew the dangers...the male sex drive is the most powerful and destructive force in the universe....my brother is gay and had been with about 1500 sexual partners....he has hiv now...as with a lot of gay men after he had zero conversion he did not test or get treatment and almost died from full blown aids....i love him but in many ways he is just pathetic...

[@ted1091]

It was a hellish 15 years. I worked 18 hour days most of it pro bono. It was a never ending stream of need. I was healthy, thank God, but I never recovered from the trauma, not even 25 years later.

[@LostInThisGardenofLife]

Thank you, and bless you for all that you did.

[@mickeymouse2able]

Hero❤

[@soft_serve_666]

Thank you so much for being there for these scared men. I can't imagine the fear of catching HIV/AIDS in the early days.

[@JBeauregard-no6rh]

My cousin died of AIDS at Beth Israel hospital in NYC, in August of 1992. I never knew him, as he moved to Florida when I was a baby. From what I can tell, he did not have an easy life. His mother had severe mental illness and his father was never in his life. He was raised by my very Catholic grandparents until he was a teen, when he then moved back with his mother. I doubt they were very accepting of him being gay. At some point he moved to NYC. My father and uncle went to visit him when he was near the end, they recalled him standing at the window, watching them leave. I hope he did not die without any loved ones near, however I suspect he did. He was only 27. I don’t have any photos of him and don’t ever remember anyone talking about him when I was growing up. It’s like he never existed. It’s so horrible how so many people have stories similar to his. I hope somewhere there is someone who remembers him with love. RIP Glen Halpin

[@TomikaKelly]

By 1992, AIDS had been around for over 10 years and it was fairly clearly understood how the virus was transmitted and which populations were at greatest risk. It's really quote a shame that your Cousin Glen didn't take the proper precautions to safeguard his life.

[@rtweeddancy7155]

@@TomikaKellyAIDS has a gestation period of up to 10 years…sometimes longer. If Glen died in 92, he could very well have contracted the disease in 82 or earlier when NOTHING was known about AIDS. What I find very sad, is that people like Glen Halpin and my own cousin who died of AIDS in 88 are gone…but people like YOU are still here! I find that to be absolutely TRAGIC and most REGRETTABLE!!!!!!

[@krazykdon]

Every time I watch something about aids during the early years it breaks my heart. People were treated so badly. If you could just go back and at least hold their hand. Many people refused to even look at them.❤i wish i just say youre not being punished. This was during a time if you came out gay your parents would kick you out after they beat your ass, and never speak to you again. I can only imagine how they felt going to their parents, and letting them kno they had aids during this time. Gays nowadays have no idea what it is to struggle. These were pioneers.

[@Jasmine-ju2yf]

I was diagnosed last week with hiv I have not stopped drinking since I have already start taking my medicine I am 26, I have no one to talk too about it really I told my parents and my dad broke down I just have to take a pill every day but I don’t want to die of cancer but sometimes I just want to die hits a sad world after u are diagnosed

[@juliekulatunga4188]

@@Jasmine-ju2yf God Bless you. We are all here for you. You are not alone pet xx

[@Denidrakes69]

I have watched my son struggle with gender identity since he was 2yo. Often I worry that it will be terminal for him. My uncle is gay, didn't come out officially until 59yo, and talks about gender dysphoria in the same way people used to speak about homosexuality. When I listen to the internal struggles these men had in their younger years, they sound remarkably like my son, and he's only 8yo. We haven't come that far.... And, I tell you what, if he grows up and enters a city, like these men did, where everyone is just like him, and he feels a sense of inclusion and belonging and of being wanted that he's never felt, I would certainly understand why he might equate sex with love and closeness. I'd wish that he didn't have to feel that way - but I'd absolutely understand why he did.

[@deependofshallow]

Please upload this on other sites and make sure it always works on youtube. This should be mandatory viewing. We have come so far from this that now there are drugs available to treat AIDS but drugs are not a cure. The people who fell from this disease before a viable treatment deserve our rememberance and we as a people need to be forced to remember that there was a time when this disease was a death sentence. Thank you from the depths of my soul for putting this up. Please make sure it is available always. It is that important.

[@pierluigimatteiparis]

Amen !

[@lorie1482]

Amen and I agree ☝️

[@lorie1482]

Now we got a new virus 🦠.. When will this end..😞😭

[@BoardroomBuddha]

Thank you very much for posting this video. It was a very scary time I remember. So sad and strange how random it was that some PWAs survived and other perished. Thanks for the reminder of the tens of thousands of souls that were lost. It was also interesting to see how things like alternative medicine, patient's rights, same-sex marriage rights, and even the concept of defining your own family in the face of rejection, were borne out of the AIDS crisis.

[@ds8290]

I remember my mom’s friend died of AIDS in the 90s. He was a gay man and his partner died of AIDS before he did. This man loved me as if I was his own daughter, especially when I didn’t have my father around. His kindness was neverending. I will never forget going to see him in the hospital in San Francisco and how skinny and emaciated he looked. We knew he was dying and I didn’t want him to. Even in his pain and suffering, he still managed to smile and tell me how much he loved and cared for me. RIP Roland, you’re not forgotten.

[@abhilashnair-mx1hu]

😢😢me hiv positive

[@MariaSanchez-tn9zp]

​@@abhilashnair-mx1huJesus loves you🙏

[@abhilashnair-mx1hu]

@@MariaSanchez-tn9zp 🙏

[@ShamrockParticle]

I've seen a lot of drama shows and movies but nothing comes close to these 100% real documentaries. thank you for posting this

[@patr70]

Fantastic Upload. This is one of the better films done on the Aids crisis in the 1980s. It was VERY Inspirational. A True Gem!! ✨✨

[@markgiordonello6710]

you know these men are stronger and more courageous in the face of death than anyone I've seen and anybody who says their being punished by god for their lifestyle are the real cowards

[@keashiadantzler9801]

Rip Phil shippy you had such a wonderful smile so young only 28 I cried even googled you may u sleep in peace

[@halliganful]

Thank you so much for putting this incredibly powerful piece of living history on your channel. Just devastated right now. Such sweet souls. Thank you for keeping their memories alive.

[@bernadettelouise5735]

so sad these men all died :( may they rest in peace

[@rellman85]

Gary Walsh is one of the most beautiful human beings I've ever encountered.

[@yellyman5483]

You knew him personally? He seemed to be a very beautiful human being.

[@stuartlee6622]

So is Hillary Clinton.

[@soft_serve_666]

I'm so sorry. What a tragedy.

[@salahnasser1056]

Why is he the most beautiful man? I dont understand.

[@joelles.9327]

It us you in the documentary?

[@rolltide_rhiannon]

The interview with Phil Shippy broke my heart. All those 'Christian' family members and none of them offered a kind word or support. Jesus said take care of the sick not crucify them. It breaks my heart that these people were soo judged and alone.

[@FrightNight1980]

Those are "good" and "caring" Christians for ya. It's pretty much the same nowadays, nothing has changed - just the topics that get them wound up.

[@blondespitfire]

@@FrightNight1980 What we now call “Trump supporters.”

[@DiscoMatty79]

I have to take a break halfway through. This is gut-wrenching. I was born in 82, so I have 0 memories of the early years. It took me years to finally look into all of this. I knew it was going to be tough, but wow. I can't stop crying. Friends and loved ones are dying weekly, I can't imagine.

[@amandasinelli139]

When Mrs Rodriguez started talking about unconditional love, that touched my heart and got in the feels so much. It made me tear up.

[@gingermiller436]

It is inconceivable to me that any mother or father could turn their back on their children.

[@candycoatedcyanide3267]

Im so proud of Mrs Rodriguez that’s a real mother loving, compassionate and non judgmental.. need more humans like her ❤️

[@wordscontrolminds]

Here here! The boundless nurturing and compassion of the female spirit is the only thing that will save the planet.

[@skipeastport5529]

Mrs. Rodriguez was like my mom. Every parent should be like them. My heart goes out to kids who get rejected by their parents for the stupidest reasons.

[@beritter]

the mother to Jess Rodriguez...now that is love, that was beautiful, to see how she embraced his partner as well. made me cry.

[@Chris-ln6so]

It’s beautiful. Unconditional love as she says and that is exactly how it should be. Heartbreaking to think so many died without that.

[@Truename586]

🤢🤢🤢🤮🤮🤮🤮

[@jeanv1352]

@@Truename586 Charming.

[@fernandomazzini4718]

i am so impressed by gary walsh, his message and words of introspection. what a loss. i wish i had known him. rip. and all my love.

[@walking5760]

Felt so sad to see those struggling for being alive. Also so proud for those who put their lives to give them some dignity. I am devastated. Thanks for sharing.

[@lionellambert5118]

This kind of documentary is a good thing to remember all these good, beautiful, courageous people gone too soon.

[@focusonu9668]

Yes, 💗

[@Brenko69]

My uncle died of AIDS in 1994. His parents, my grandfather, never fully accepted that he was gay and when he got sick my grandfather lied to my mother about his diagnosis. My mom, who was a nurse, had cared for hundreds of AIDS patients and figured out quite quickly what the truth was. My grandfather swore her to secrecy, a pact my mom never intended to uphold. When I got a little older, into my teens, my mom told me the truth. She said there was no shame that he was gay and certainly no shame in how he died. My uncle died 2 months after his 30th birthday. He, along with so many others, deserved so much better. RIP Uncle Ken, you're never forgotten.

[@jdmmg4904]

❤

[@liberoAquila]

I was too young to remember the 80s but I heard it was big, an automatic death sentence. Therapy became widely available in 1996.

[@rthelionheart]

If only he had been straight as he was expected to be... he may well still be around.

[@acstair]

My condolences to you.

[@FMP177]

Blame Fauci

[@madoak5597]

44.07 that physician is wonderful. Also great seeing Rita Rocket. God bless them both for their kindness and humanity.

[@lyndaburn6428]

Thank you for uploading this. I’m going to make sure my son watches this. We should never forget what these wonderful people had to endure and the discrimination they faced.

[@jondishmonmusicandstuff2753]

For those of us that did not catch the disease in the 80's let me tell you something, it was hell to always be looking over your shoulder. Every time I go a sore throat or a cough. A normal bruise. I wasted so many years being afraid. Just waiting for the other shoe to drop. It was exhausting.

[@walking5760]

True. I felt just like that in the 80s. I was also afraid of kissing... Dark times...

[@crocodile1313]

@@geoniko3031 Umm, it can be transmitted between man and woman during heterosexual sex. Don't believe me? Ask Magic Johnson about it.

[@geoniko3031]

@@crocodile1313 it happens but its rare..extremely rare

[@finessejenkins6061]

Geo Niko I was thinking he caught it from a dude too. I mean he was in La

[@dawn112170]

@@geoniko3031 It is not rare

[@travelingdude1621]

I’ve met two actors from that movie. It’s hard to believe that movie came out over 30 years ago.

[@AdamJurewicz91]

Who were they?

[@katiee4396]

My mom went to medical school in the middle of the AIDS epidemic (early 90s) and they had just started the AZT trials and treatments. It's interesting to see how far we have come to treat the disease now.

[@catharperfect7036]

AZT is straight poison. Luckily the science has moved on from that.

[@kevinprior3549]

AZT was almost a pointless drug to so-called help people with AIDS.

[@shannonludden8283]

God bless all of these beautiful, brave men. The one that pulls at my heart the most is Phil. He just seems like such a gentle soul, he's not bitter even when he talks about his family and how they blame him for being sick.

[@thatgirl9759]

There is a little bit of a back story to him. His family belonged to The Followers Of Christ Church in Idaho. They believe in faith healing only and not doctors. Several children have died from very curable diseases and illness. It's a cult. He was very brave to break away from them. If you google "Shippy children Idaho" several stories come up.

[@thisspace7183]

@@thatgirl9759 Thank you for the background. I'd love to learn more about some of the individuals featured here. Gary Walsh is quite well known but what about those like Sean Rendely or Matthew Congelosi?

[@thatgirl9759]

@@thisspace7183 --Not to sound like a stalker, but according to Rita Rocket's facebook, it appears that she is all smiles and happy.

[@crocodile1313]

@@thatgirl9759 He was a male stripper or porn star from what I understand. His stage name was Beau Matthews I think.

[@timmarkell402]

Sean Rendely died in April 1986

[@kenallan2049]

If there was ever an Angel on Earth, it's Rita Rockett, and she is still doing her part to this day !

[@effinyu9554]

It's so strange watching this knowing the people talking about having it are dead. This was before they even knew what it really was and there was nothing to offer any hope.

[@ceilesmammy]

How brave all these people are. My heart goes to all people living with HIV or aids. You all are so courageous 💜💜

[@Mr.Majestic77]

ms connolly hey I'm just now seeing this. Very sad. Im heterosexual and now in 2020 this virus has turned it ugly head to the Black male gay & bi-sexual community and Black female community. I think this COVID 19 pandemic has the same type if feel, which every time you turn around someoone is infected with COVID 19 for the gay & straight community.

[@jocekhiy626]

The saddest thing was many died alone because their families/freinds ect were afraid to even have them around or touch or be near them. They would say you can't come here(at this point they were near death) and we can't come see you I'm sorry. It was like you're on your own bruh. A guy on one of these videos said so many of his freinds then had family members say well I'll come when its near the end or just not even contact them again. It's was sad reading it .

[@US_ARMY_25_INF._DIV.]

it is crazy that gay men kept getting sick even if they knew the dangers...the male sex drive is the most powerful and destructive force in the universe....my brother is gay and had been with about 1500 sexual partners....he has hiv now...as with a lot of gay men after he had zero conversion he did not test or get treatment and almost died from full blown aids....i love him but in many ways he is just pathetic...

[@blondespitfire]

@@US_ARMY_25_INF._DIV. That’s very sad. There is no reason for a gay man to not practice safe sex or get tested when there are medications to control the disease today.

[@jaydepalma1071]

Such beautiful men and so courageous - rest in peace, gentlemen.

[@elly1523]

Thank you for sharing this video. I found the personal testimonies very moving and thought provoking. It has opened my heart to a greater depths of compassion as I became involved with each person's struggle.

[@Gooneress]

Thank you for the invaluable public service of uploading this hugely powerful documentary. I can't imagine how traumatic the 1980s and 1990s were for everyone with full-blown AIDS - back when it was a certain death sentence. This excellent documentary gives us a very clear picture of the horror. Kudos to those who cared for the sick and dying and thank you to the brave men featured, long gone but speaking to us from beyond the grave. May they continue to rest in peace.

[@stevesims5729]

As a healthcare provider, I love seeing all of the good medical professionals taking care of the people with AIDS. And once a year, I try to read "And the Band Played On." It's both heartwarming and heartbreaking to see some faces to put with names. God bless all of them and their loved ones.

[@freddiemercury4evr]

Outstanding book. The movie And the Band Played On is also great.

[@GregShieldsOutdoors]

A lot of great men on here that I would have liked to known personally.....Gary in-particular. What a strong person......all of them. Rest in peace brothers....you all now know that death was only the beginning.

[@JoeyNYSDnomad]

Dr .Volberding has always been a steady, rational voice of reason during this tragedy.

[@gracequreshi5952]

So sad 😭😭😭 for everyone who died from aids I lost my friend Corey and Claudia to aids she was 30 and Corey was 20 rest in peace 😢 to all the ones who died from aids.

[@carlawilliams5-26-27]

So young... praying for your peace of mind and heart...

[@drew5988]

This is heart breaking. May we never forget the angels who died from this horrendous disease.

[@KimPhilby203]

God bless all those suffering this illness

[@seand67]

Amazing documentary. R.I.P. to everyone who passed

[@OtomoTenzi]

Yes, rest in pieces... ☠💀☠

[@itsnice420]

I really wish some of you would stop comparing HIV/AIDS and COVID….They are nowhere near comparable.

[@jackwatson3944]

Covid kills way more in a much short time.

[@anothernumber9753]

Both are viruses so both are unable to reproduce without a host. People can limit their exposure to both by making appropriate lifestyle modifications like condom use or mask wearily for HIV or Covid respectively. People have managed to make the vaccines for Covid so quickly because of our improved understanding of the genetic nature of viruses a lot of this reader has has its origins in hiv research sure they’re have different routes of transmission and different pathologies but actually there are some important similarities between them.

[@crocodile1313]

Dr. Synapsis-- As a physician myself, I completely agree. People can talk all day about both COVID and HIV being viruses, but the similarity ends there. In my career I have never seen an infectious agent as lethal as HIV. Before the modern medicines came out in 1996, HIV was almost 100% fatal....CV-19's mortality rate in the USA is under two percent. With the exception of untreated rabies, there has been NO virus in human history that kills almost everyone it infects like HIV did pre-1996.

[@chrissimpson6701]

@@crocodile1313 I agree with you. AIDS make COVID look like a joke. And it's still killing, and there is no cure.

[@blondespitfire]

@@crocodile1313 The difference between COV19 and HIV is the total numbers of infections and deaths. While HIV may be more lethal, it’s not as infectious, and the transmissibility is profoundly lower than with COV19. Since 1981, 675,000 have died in the US from AIDS vs 1.02 million deaths from COV19 in just 2 1/2 years. Thank God for the current vaccines for COV19, because without them we could’ve easily wound up with a billion deaths worldwide.

[@KimPhilby203]

These guys are so inspiring..as a str8 person who cant comprehend the terror of epidemic and to carry this much suffering on their shoulders is beyond me

[@applejellypucci]

My first time seeing this documentary. Thank you for sharing, Thomas.

[@Mysterywhiteboy78]

Sad to think that they are almost certainly dead now. But today people can live a normal life. I wish Freddie Mercury was still here.

[@lorie1482]

Mysterywhiteboy78 Me too .. I believe the movie helped people especially young people understand what Aids is about and how difficult it was during those times for so many people 😢

[@roseolson4262]

RIP sweet Freddie…😔♥️

[@Mr.Majestic77]

By the early 1980, HIV infections crossing the threshold to AIDS was already an epidemic, in areas in the United States, such as New York and California, as people unfortunately serio-converted with HIV, in the United States, as far back as the mid 1960s. Those early clusters of documented AIDS defining illness, in California, was a direct result of initial HIV infections, in California, in the 1970s (1973-1977). Initial documented AIDS cases was in New York even earlier, in the early 1970s.

[@wilfordfraser6347]

All these guys who should still be with us taken in the prime of life. It's like seeing the faces of a lost generation.

[@kendrawood3910]

Y friend died of AIDA at 18 hemophiliac. Any loss to this is a tragic loss..Who cares how you got it REALLY COMPASSION PEOPLE!!

[@Lucenaomi]

Always be a stigma around getting it sexually. It’s shitty but the truth unfortunately

[@dariusanderton3760]

you know a lot of years have gone by when the past starts to feel like a different country.

[@MrJerryjweis]

RIP Dr Joseph Brewer October 2019

[@ApothecaryGrant]

Imagine coming down with a deadly disease and being told by your own mother that you are on your own with it ? How terrible were these pre- boomer parents ? I cannot imagine thinking lower of a person than of those who would turn away their own dying sons . Lowest of the low . I knew some and I never found it easy to hold my tongue . Sometimes I failed

[@blondespitfire]

Good for you…always call it out!

[@lawrencemaweu]

Yeah, if your parent warned about going to mess with other dudes rear-ends in bath houses and you failed to listen to her, why would she take you back if you came back with ailments that not even the best doctors understand...

[@ApothecaryGrant]

@@lawrencemaweu Did your parents warn you about exposing your ignorance in public ?

[@crocodile1313]

Pood De Screwch-- I agree with you (I think) on all except the "pre-boomer parents" part. Unfortunately, some parents have been rejecting their homosexual children since the beginning of humanity...and it continues even today.

[@US_ARMY_25_INF._DIV.]

it is crazy that gay men kept getting sick even if they knew the dangers...the male sex drive is the most powerful and destructive force in the universe....my brother is gay and had been with about 1500 sexual partners....he has hiv now...as with a lot of gay men after he had zero conversion he did not test or get treatment and almost died from full blown aids....i love him but in many ways he is just pathetic...

[@husseinm.4723]

Rest in peace to these brave souls.

[@carriegordon1290]

Are they deleting content because a couple years ago there was so much content from the 80s on the aids pandemic this sucks hope I can find the old videos I watched .. this is apart of history no one can understand what these people went through

[@Le15432]

Yeah, they got rid of a video of Bobbi Campbell's speech at the democratic convention in 1984, and all that remains now is a part of it.

[@US_ARMY_25_INF._DIV.]

Yeah I feel so bad for these Dudes....I knew it was getting bad when there was some type of pain meds at the drug stores back then called Aids....they changed the name to something else...

[@veevintage2619]

The callousness of some of the so called “mothers” that are capable of ostracizing their own sons because of religion is mind blowing. These guys are already dealing with a devastating diagnosis and the depression that ensues, to also be dealing with bigotry and rejection from the people that are supposed to be the ones that would live them no matter what?? Unbelievable.

[@shebbs1]

Not just parents, I work throughout Asia, and the attitude is generally either heads-in-the-sand or callousness. The governments generally claim there is no HIV infection I their countries, conspicuous signs in Myanmar are most memorable. This disease is used for propaganda purposes, and not just in the communist ones but they are the worst.

[@veevintage2619]

Robert Ward And THIS is what I mean by callous.

[@abhisek2091]

I am a gay Hindu Bengali ... a Biotechnologist from India 🇮🇳 ... this video caused tears rolled my ears ... my condolences goes to our seniours who suffered ... 😞

[@nicolo296]

Another Biotechnologist here! from italy

[@SassyUnicorn86]

Breaks my heart we lost almost a whole generation of young gay men. :(

[@audreyabdo7719]

Abhishek Ray , I know how you feel. I cried tears for loved ones and friends and a singer I adored. In India are they still prejudiced against gay people? I know some countries still are and I guess it is here. Stay strong and stay safe. I am proud of you for being you. Take care.

[@abhisek2091]

Audrey Abdo Well currently am living in Australia with my Australian Husband who I joined last year... well in India I would say there is no institutionalised homophobia.. but accepted of a same sex couple is kinda taboo people don’t talk about it ... marriage laws being extremely confusing (although marriage laws don’t state marriage is an union between man and women )but still people of same sex can’t marry mostly except special circumstances. Workplace discrimination protections were legislated last year but don’t know how much its implemented although there are openly lgbtq people being made head of government institutions but they are rare. people in general have become a bit more accepting but then again they would always want their children to br straight. All these in urban don’t much know about rural areas.

[@Julianakun]

Rita Rockett is the sweetest thing. A complete saint. 💗

[@ShannonNfromCT]

The strength and bravery displayed here still resonates 30+ years later.

[@MikeSmith-ve2qu]

Wow I had a uncle who passed in 92 from this and it was the worst thing i have ever seen as a strait guy it's so sad to see all these people wiped out like that.

[@luceean]

Brynne-Elisabet Carlisle *you're

[@Katy_Bug89]

Brynne-Elisabet Carlisle maybe if you weren't such an idiot, you would understand. He is saying as a straight male, he sympathizes with what many in the homosexual community have endured because he himself had an uncle who passed away from this disease. If you can't be nice and supportive, sit the fuck down.

[@mickeybowmeister1944]

Shit, he did good getting to 92, must have been some bad ass anti viral meds.

[@mg5679]

Mike Smith sorry for your loss.

[@Randompotatoes-qs7bm]

Mike Smith my aunt passed from complications also. Her husband was an iv drug addict (I was only months old when he died ) and she was infected by him. People didn’t know much about aids/hiv then. My mom tells me she saw the KS spots on his skin when he came to visit and she mentioned it to my dad. But they didn’t know what it was.

[@Voytasss]

When I realise that all these men probably didn’t survive - 2021… beautiful souls. I wish the medicine had the same pills back then as we do have right now prep pep and tasp

[@rubydawn1]

the mothers are so amazing to stand by their sons. It must of been so hard for them and the way they supported each other is amazing. I love doing butterflies too I think this documentary is great for all things that we don t know about.

[@mazesavage3239]

These men was filled with love and they was all brave x

[@timwarcloud]

BAAAHHHAAA 😂 They were filled with something alright...

[@dpb8780]

30 years on we are applauding athletes when they come out and make a ton of money off of it while not supporting AIDS research or having any good causes, we have really short memories!

[@paulo0e]

I guess that’s just how humanity works. After reading Leonard Mlodinow’s “Subliminal”, I got the certainty the human kind is, at best, doomed

[@geoffdb9638]

When news reports first aired in 1981 I remember being so confident that our government would quickly find a vaccine/cure and we would bid farewell that this terrible disease. Then, the reports began to grow widespread and globally...then we knew that it was much worse. My God...this has hurt our whole country. I am African-American Christian Democrat and I have so much love for gay people. The Bible does not teach us to hate people and we do live in a free democracy. The words are respect, compassion and understanding...the main word is love.

[@countrygirlcopenhagen5095]

GEOFF - what a beautiful comment. Love and respect from Denmark.

[@panfu4944]

Take care of yourself. Wise words. Greetings and love from Poland

[@michaeltnewyorknights8413]

You could count on one hand who was writing about this unyet named disease in 1981 so not sure what "news reports" you're referring to

[@vortexworld4806]

I wish these people did not have to go through this

[@ApothecaryGrant]

This was both an awesome and equally scary time for me . I was a hetero teen but I knew that viruses do not descriminate . I had brakes on my libido I might not normally have had .

[@marciusnery1284]

Excellent heartfeling and upfront documentary showing us pretty accurately and with dignity the multitude of feelings and complex experiences that those heroic souls had to endure in the most scary times of contemporary history. So many young beautiful creative lives lost in the most excruciating manner. It's heartbreaking just to think about it! Those beautiful souls will be forever missed and remembered. Gratitude for teaching us the fragility of being human and the importance of love in our lives. 🙏🙌

[@KendraWood-s8e]

People really need to learn compassion...

[@Shegosushimi]

SHOW COMPASSION FOR WHO ??? GO TO GOD STOP DEPENDING ON PPL.

[@thecajunphoenix]

Agreed. Nobody deserves to be infected with HIV and eventually die of AIDS. Ignore the trolls who claim otherwise because they don't know what they're talking about and have nothing to offer except bullying and hate speech.

[@philcoleman7569]

Rita, you certainly need a mention. For being there for them and for cheering their life up, even though some days may have appeared doubtful and depressive.

[@AmundBlixAaeng]

Heartbreaking to watch this, no cure at that time, now you can pretty much live out a full lifetime with the right medication.

[@madesimple101]

What an excellent video!! If we all could look upon suffering without turning away, thus become more compassionate. No one gets out of this alive so why not learn from those who are facing their death with dignity in order to face our own morality.

[@jstcarmn2623]

Thank you for sharing. One of the best documentaries I have watched.

[@jpeopolis]

I remember seeing "And the Band Played On" when it premiered, I BELIEVE on HBO. Could be wrong. I would've been about 8, but was familiar with AIDS living in the DC metro area. We'd go to museums every weekend and see the oldest young men you could ever imagine being pushed around by their equally-young companion. Anyhow, when I was a little older, probably around 11, my parents let me read the book. I learned all about Walsh, Brewer, the various doctors, Krauss. It's weird to see the faces of these individuals I've admired for decades staring back at me. I wish I'd had an opportunity to meet them.

[@nilecrocodileRobyn]

Deeply moved by this. May they rest in peace.

[@em-or7qc]

Thanks for this. I read and the band played on a couple years ago. All these people are in the book.

[@seand67]

Amazing documentary. It's a shame today's generation is still reckless....smh

[@pamelaboswell9715]

You know, babies, hemophiliacs, and folks with bad surgeries all caught it. It's wrong and inaccurate to stigmatize this illness as something that occurred because of young recklessness. Viruses don't discriminate.

[@thatgirl9759]

@@pamelaboswell9715 --Wrong! The vast majority of people that got HIV were the ones who were acting recklessly. The ones who practicing unsafe sex and shooting up drugs were warned. and continued the unsafe activities. Today's generation are carrying on with the same reckless behavior.

[@spetersontheone]

You are telling the truth, and it can be proven by the CDC statistics that it's not only the ever mutating HIV virus but other sexually transmitted diseases that are on the rise.

[@ownSystem]

Prep thank God exist.

[@protectyourself33]

@@pamelaboswell9715 the greatest percentage of newly diagnosed HIV cases are from unprotected sex, or IV drug use. With the meteoric rise in opiate addiction, and it's relationship to IV drug use, new cases of hepatitis and HIV are sharply increasing for that community. Those diagnosed with HIV through any type of transfusion, or maternal infection, are the vast minority. You help no one by claiming that HIV indiscriminately infects regardless of lifestyle or personal choices. There are ways to prevent infection, and decisions the average person can make to minimize their risk down to effectual zero. I know it's trendy to discount personal responsibility these days. But the only person that can prevent you from contracting HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases, is yourself. I can have 100% sympathy and solidarity with people who are suffering from this horrible disease, while simultaneously stating that people need to make smart choices for their health and future. These are not mutually exclusive ideas. I can educate and remind people of their own responsibility, without dehumanizing victims. Today we no longer have plausible ignorance. HIV is out there, and everybody is educated on its transmission routes, as well as safer sex techniques. To imply that it can happen to anybody, is to also imply that the choices one makes have no bearing on your chance of infection. This is not true. And it should not be treated as such.

[@mazesavage3239]

its sad what happened to these lovely men in the 1980's such a great loss of life

[@yaraviera4444]

Well said unconditional love.. that's truly being a parent. To support them through what that hard moment they are going through.

[@funkyflights]

I respect viruses, they’re part of life, but I hate what some viruses can do to us, HIV has been an absolute tragedy... RIP to all who we’ve lost ...

[@killjoy4540]

I was a child and taken on AIDS ward’s I saw a young boy i could hear him some nights he was mostly alone I was told hardly anyone came I met so many kind handsome young men I’ll never forget them all

[@louiesamclavel314]

That’s a thing to cherish forever

[@barneyronnie]

Why?

[@kevinprior3549]

Jim Henry's partner's deterioration was scary. Really scary!

[@wilfordfraser6347]

RIP beautiful men. May videos such as these keep your memories alive forever.

[@KimPhilby203]

Thanks for the upload.. Fantastic Doc

[@wickedwonka9155]

Oh my gosh! I have been looking for this documentary forever! Thank you!

[@pearl8661]

Wicked wonka Me too! For a long time on KZbin it was just the very end of this documentary that was uploaded . I couldn't find it anywhere!

[@wickedwonka9155]

Pearl I saw that! So wonderful that the whole thing was posted!

[@pearl8661]

Wicked wonka Me too. As tragic as this epidemic was and still is to this day, I see so much beauty and strength in how the gay community took matters into their own hands after their own government turned their back on them.

[@miker4430]

So sad for so many of our fellow human beings

[@1NationUnderwood]

I wanted to be a doctor so I could help people with HIV/AIDS, after seeing the news of Ryan White passing. Sadly that never materialized due to unrelated social anxiety. Freddie Mercury passed a month before my eighth birthday. To this day, I have so many questions that I doubt will be answered in my lifetime. *MAY THEY ROCK IN ETERNAL POWER*