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Written by Rory Herbert, Gale Ambassador at the University of Portsmouth
I am a second year History student and President of the History Society at the University of Portsmouth. I enjoy trying to grapple with the vastness and complexity of this subject, and the challenges it can present. On the rare occasions that I have free time, I can be found playing hockey or researching historical facts and events.
Homophobia surrounding the 1980s AIDS crisis
During the early 1980s, AIDS became an ever-growing concern in the minds of Americans, and brought to the fore the deep-seated tensions and homophobic tendencies that plagued the nation’s media and political institutes. Gale’s Archives of Sexuality & Gender provides access to a wealth of sources that help us to understand the issues and struggles experienced by these long-oppressed and ignored members of society during a particularly trying period.
Initially dubbed ‘GRID’ (Gay-Related Immune Disorder) within scientific communities, AIDS was largely attributed – and in some cases blamed – on the homosexual male community within the US. As the virus seemed to affect mainly this vulnerable minority, there was a reluctance in the media to report on the growing epidemic and, unsurprisingly, the outbreak was initially largely ignored. This highlights the media’s reluctance to portray, and at times deliberate omission of homosexuals from press coverage. The New York Times, for instance, was criticised for its refusal to acknowledge, or at least positively portray this lifestyle, publishing only negative stories related to the community.
Consequently, newspaper stories detailing the lives and experiences of AIDS sufferers were few and often their portrayal was heavily driven by prejudice. Picking up on the contrast, congressman Gerry Studds highlighted the difference between the portrayal of homosexual and non-homosexual sufferers of the disease. The former were dismissed and labelled as liable, whilst the latter were considered innocent victims and true sufferers.
With media coverage offering such negative and slanderous depictions of homosexuals within society, it is unsurprising that this social group experienced increased homophobia related to the AIDS crisis. The lack of scientific understanding of the disorder fuelled increased hatred towards the community who found themselves increasingly under attack from all fronts.
Homophobia would go on to encroach into the politics of the time as well. Republican politician Jim Courter, for instance, exploited the AIDS crisis during his campaign; directly attacking the community, and threatening to dismiss gay individuals even if they did not have the disease. What is most shocking was his ability to make such statements and actively promote discrimination and prejudice in official campaigns, as it indicates the sheer lack of protective rights granted towards homosexuals at the time in the US. Even his rival, who challenged such statements, refused to make guarantees to the gay demographic.
Many gay activists and pressure groups began to fear the repercussions of the increase in homophobic politics and media, and worry about the impact it would have on dealing with the AIDS crisis. Just as the media had been slow to respond, the gay community found government efforts (such as arranging research funding) were reluctant, delayed and half-hearted.
So, while the 1980s AIDS crisis proved to be little more than a scare produced by sensationalist elements within the media, it highlighted the truly toxic attitudes within American society towards the homosexuality community.