ACT UP

ACT UP was the first organized effort to bring attention to the AIDS epidemic in the United States. The organization has dozens of chapters in the United States and around the world whose purpose is to find a cure to AIDS, while at the same time providing accurate information, help, and awareness about the disease by means of education and radical, nonviolent protest.

The organization's birth was in March 1987 at the Lesbian and Gay Community Services Center in Manhattan. ACT UP, or the AIDS Coalition To Unleash Power, carried out acts of civil disobedience in response to the inaction of the U.S. government to act quickly and effectively in responding to the growing number of HIV infection and AIDS deaths in the United States. By 1987, AIDS had killed almost 60,000 people and more than 40,000 were HIV-positive in the United States alone. In 1984, 41 gay men had died of what was called a “gay cancer.” By 1987, the numbers of AIDS deaths in the United States was considered staggering and the gay community was at the center of the statistics. Under the Reagan administration, funding for AIDS-infected patients, research for a cure, and research for drugs to slow down the disease were slow. Due to the homophobic sentiments of many Americans and of the Reagan administration, the gay community felt it [Page 35][Page 36]their responsibility to exert pressure regarding these issues.

Flyer of the first ACT UP action on March 24, 1987, Wall Street, New York City.

Source: http://www.actupny.org/documents/1stFlyer.html

The mission of ACT UP was to carry out daily acts of nonviolent protest, using vocal and visual demonstrations, focusing on critical issues regarding the AIDS crisis. One of their first victories was in June 1987, when activists protested Northwest Orient Airlines for not allowing people with AIDS on their flights. The group brought two suits against the airline, and the policy was reversed. By 1988, the group had gained credibility with regard to “AIDS activism.” They led protests of misguided news articles, films, and news stations reporting on AIDS, some claiming that women could not get AIDS from straight men and that AIDS could be passed through public bathrooms, pools, and drinking fountains. Through constant public protests, open forums, and information sharing, ACT UP was able to reverse these misconceptions and stereotypes and bring attention to the inadequacies of the U.S. government's treatment of people with AIDS.

In 1991, the group led the largest protest in the world against the discrimination of people with AIDS. Declaring a “Day of Desperation,” protesters led mass marches in New York City and delivered coffins to city, state, and federal offices responsible for perpetuating the AIDS epidemic. Many protesters were arrested and throughout the years were subjected to police brutality, as well as anti-gay verbal and physical harassment.

Today, ACT UP has over 70 chapters around the world and has expanded its vision to include a worldwide end to the AIDS crisis. They remain at the forefront of ending the epidemic, and it is argued that their efforts have radically changed the way the world sees the AIDS crisis and the power of the gay rights movement.

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