Abby Hildebrand

AMST 198
Free Write
March 2, 2010

a) Most of what I know about AIDS I learned in sex education, as early as elementary

school. We made an AIDS quilt and vaguely remember learning that origin of AIDS was

a German pilot. I don’t remember this as much but I’m sure I learned about AIDS from

TV and film, although I may have been too young to pick up on all of it. In more recent

years, fund raising efforts and things like charity concerts have raised awareness about

AIDS.

b) There was a backlash against queer/homosexual culture as a result of infecting the

“general population.” There was also a big movement toward awareness about the

disease in more recent years. E.g: ProdcutRED, Starbucks, etc. more for AIDS in Africa,

not in the US.

c) The 1970s? I think there would be a very different view of queer/homosexual culture

in the US if AIDS had not happened. The sexual revolution may have continued but there

is no way to say that with any certainty. For gay men and lesbian women, the cultural

ramifications of AIDS would not be felt. Also, I think the awareness and tolerance of

queer culture would not be as prominent as it is today.