You Did This (and you should be proud)
I’ve been binge-watching “ER” lately and it’s left me in my feels. I grew up in Chicago and turned eight just a week before the show aired. I would visit my parents in their downtown office, and race down the stairs every few hours to feed the parking meters. Our state-of-the-art car phone was in a small briefcase. And it was the height of the AIDS epidemic.
AIDS is a major theme in ER. In just the first few episodes, a young girl dying of AIDS is abandoned by her adoptive parents at the ER. In 1994, AIDS was the leading cause of death for all Americans between the ages of 25 and 44. Now, while HIV continues to disproportionately impact black and brown communities and is certainly still a serious disease, for most of us, it’s not part of our daily experiences or weeknight TV.
Thirty years. We saw a deadly disease emerge, peak, and become manageable. We saw a country turn a blind eye to an epidemic, and we saw relentless activism lead to real change.
In 1981, the CDC asked for $40 million to fight "Gay Related Immune Deficiency" but got $1 million. By 1982, it was AIDS. Groups like the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and NAPWA formed. People with AIDS faced stigma, but the Denver Principles affirmed their humanity. The president didn't speak about AIDS until 1984, four years in which the virus ravaged communities.
30 years ago, gay men - particularly Black men - were dying from an unknown disease with no known treatment, while the mainstream media laughed about the “gay flu.” 30 years ago, people with HIV/AIDS were living - and dying - on the streets because they were rejected by healthcare practitioners.
Today, it feels like we’re reliving the worst chapters of history. Target, coordinated harm comes from the highest offices in the country. And it’s easy to feel helpless.
But watching “ER” is one reminder that change has never come from the top. It’s come because people - people like you and me - have demanded it. It doesn’t happen overnight, but it happens.
Let's not sanitize the past: when the AIDS epidemic first erupted, it was met with governmental denial and inaction. Let's not forget the insidious role of systemic biases – homophobia, racism, and more – which meant that millions of individuals who could have benefited from timely access to treatment tragically perished. Let's not forget how crucial research was shamefully delayed due to this apathy and prejudice. And let's never forget that the hard-won progress we celebrate today stands upon the shoulders and the graves of our ancestors who fought tirelessly and often lost their lives.
But in one generation, much was won. Not by the government, but by advocates, groups, and nonprofits. Researchers discovered AIDS - and eventually meaningful treatments like PrEP. Nonprofits educated and advocated. Individuals and advocacy groups cared for the sick. Communities held memorials. Private institutions funded research. And courageous storytellers bravely portrayed the stark reality of this epidemic in ways that compelled the world to see, to empathize, and to engage in a dialogue that directly challenged the prevailing governmental narrative.
Let’s repeat the history of our ancestors. Let’s keep fighting like hell to name injustice out loud. To fight for each and every one of our neighbors. To tell real stories. And to keep pushing forward.
Community Power In Action
We must lean on each other. Strong community bonds drive meaningful social change. We need collective action where we fight for each other and ensure the most affected lead the way to solutions.We need to reflect on what could have been to remind ourselves that we’re not going back.
The community response to the AIDS epidemic is one of countless reminders that the real engine of progress is movement buildings. When we come together - whether one person helping a neighbor,or a local leader organizing a coalition - we can pool resources, amplify voices, and work towards actual change - the kind so mainstream and accepted it starts showing up on Thursday night TV.
What does movement building look like daily? Remember, you are not alone. Find your people – other organizations and groups already working on mission-aligned issues. Seek fellow nonprofits, community organizing groups, and advocacy networks. Show up: attend rallies, town halls, coalition meetings, conferences (yes, really, the networking is worth it), and anywhere else your people gather. Being in community starts with being together. Seek collaboration, build individual relationships, and work in lockstep with those around you.
So, in a time where helplessness can feel overwhelming, how will you show up and fight? Perhaps you will launch a collaborative project with a mission-aligned organization. Maybe you will share bold stories on behalf of your constituents. Perhaps you will host or attend trainings. Remember that every step forward you take is a step toward collective liberation.
Feeling alone? Here are some places to start….
Community-Centric Fundraising: This emerging approach challenges traditional fundraising models by prioritizing community needs, building authentic relationships, and redistributing power, offering a values-aligned framework for engaging supporters.
The Nonprofit Hive: This online platform provides practical articles, templates, and guides covering various aspects of nonprofit management and fundraising, offering actionable insights for day-to-day operations and growth.
A few articles I found helpful when writing this article were The AIDS Crisis: Our Contribution to Patient Care and HIV/AIDS Protocols in the 1980s-90s and How HIV/AIDS storytelling has evolved in pop culture among many others.
