The AIDS activist project includes 62 powerful and stunning black and white portraits of AIDS activists taken during the years 1989 through 1998. It is inspired by the work of photographers like Dorothea Lange and her portrait “Migrant Mother.” Roman Vishniac’s “A Vanished World”, the portraits of Yousuf Karsh as well as Richard Avedon and Diane Arbus.
Capturing the emotions, the personality of the subjects in this book was the ultimate goal. There is no need for props, make up or styling. The people photographed in this book took to the streets and used direct action to call attention to the AIDS crisis. These are the people who took it upon themselves to fight back, fight against bigotry hatred and ignorance. These are the people that fought for a cure to end one of the deadliest epidemics in history. They fought for infected or affected by AIDS, they fought for their friends, they fought for their lives.
This project and the book were a long time in the making, over 30 years. In the AIDS activist project, I share my experience and the people I met along the way. In the book you will get to know the people, the activists, who fought and made a difference in the book, Anne, Moises, Tom, Kate, Floyd, Mona, Tigger, and so may other amazing activists.
the AIDS activist project remembers and honors the people who fought and changed the course of the AIDS crisis. The desperation felt in the ’80’s created the in-your-face activism and brought us where we are today. AIDS activism changed things for the generations that have come since, who didn’t have to live through the nightmare of the AIDS Crisis.
It’s been over 50 years since the Stonewall Riots, 49 years since the first Pride March, 38 years since the first AIDS cases were reported, and 32 years since ACT UP began.
That’s a lot of history. We fought hard and made tremendous progress in LGBTQ Rights and the fight against AIDS.
Some people in the book are no longer with us, but their activism and spirit paved the way and lives on today. This book is a beautiful and moving tribute to all the people who we lost to AIDS and to those who continue the fight today. History will remember this activism, and we will remember the ones we lost to AIDS.
This book is dedicated to the power of activism, a tribute, a celebration of the spirit and the people who grace its pages.
