Overcoming Silence: World AIDS Day Remembrance

World AIDS Day is a moment to remember, reflect, and recommit. In Overcoming Silence, we revisit the early days of the AIDS epidemic, an era marked by fear, misinformation, and heartbreaking silence. From uncertainty and stigma to advocacy and progress, this episode honors those we lost, uplifts the communities who fought back, and reminds us that this fight is not over.  Join me as we reflect, learn, and continue breaking the silence together.

If you want to learn more about sexual health, sexual dysfunction, or how to improve your sex life, follow me on Instagram at @thepgspot or check out my website at doctorpattyj.com for blogs and resources related to sex positivity and real talk about sexuality.  As as always, stay curious, stay empowered, and stay you.

Transcript

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Welcome to the PG spot, where our goal is to take the X out of sex by breaking down the barriers that prevent open communication about sexual health. I'm Dr. Patty Omo, a dual certified nurse practitioner, pelvic floor therapist, and certified sexual counselor. I'm here to provide expert insights, debunk myths, and empower you to embrace your sexual wellbeing. Whether you're looking for answers or simply curious, join us as we open up the conversation around sex, intimacy and everything in between. I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge that some content may not be appropriate for all listeners. I'm a huge proponent of honest and accurate information regarding sexuality. But I'm also mindful that this should be age appropriate. Therefore, if you are under 18, this may not be the podcast for you. Additionally, some of the language used in this podcast may be offensive to some listeners. Please take these things into consideration before going forward with your consensual participation in this podcast. The opinions expressed by myself or my guests are just that, and these opinions are neither expected or required to be shared by all listeners. The information that is provided is for educational and entertainment purposes only, and should not be mistaken for individual medical advice if you do find the information that we cover in the PG spot. Helpful. Interesting or informative. Please rate and review the podcast wherever you're listening from. If you think this information is important, I would love for you to share it with your friends or family. This is a great way to get the information out to more people. So thank you for listening and let's get on with the show. Hey everyone. Welcome to the PG spot. I'm your host, Dr. Patty Jalomo. On this day in 1988, world's AIDS Day was first observed. The focus was to raise awareness about the global epidemic of HIV aids. Encouraged testing, support those living with the virus, and remember those who have died. While great strides have been made since the first known cases of AIDS were reported in 1981, the disease remains a public health challenge. World AIDS Day is an opportunity for individuals and communities to honor the more than 32 million people worldwide who have died from AIDS related illness, and to remind the general public that HIV remains a global public health concern. In today's episode, we'll dive into how many of the same challenges still exist as we explore stories, lessons, and the ongoing journey of overcoming disruption and transforming the AIDS response. There's a lot to discuss, so let's get into it. When I think of the 1980s, a lot of great memories come to mind. Big hair leg warmers, Walkmans, Nintendo, MTV. That was before MTV became a reality show network, and it was nothing but videos, Well, at least until midnight when all of the networks shut down and the screen went snowy. Journey Madonna, prince Michael Jackson. I loved everything about growing up in the eighties. It seemed that life was definitely simpler then when the main concerns were football games, cruising Maine, or whether the keg party was at the river or the North Hill. But being a teenage wannabe rebel in small town Kansas, my world was limited. The impact of what was going on in the world didn't make its way into our quiet corner of America. While I was teasing my hair and making cassette tape recordings of Casey Kasem counting down the top 100 songs each week, a very different story was unfolding in cities like New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. A mysterious illness was emerging. One that was taking lives quickly and terrifying communities. But back then, most of us in small towns didn't even hear about it. Or if we did, it felt distant like it belonged in another world. The truth is the 1980s was a time of contrast. On one hand, there was optimism, technology, music, culture, excess on the other, there was silence, especially when it came to aids. The fear, the stigma and the lack of understanding created an environment where an entire generation suffered quietly while the rest of us danced to Billie Jean and like a virgin unaware of what was happening just beyond the headlines. Looking back now, it's hard not to see how disconnected we were, how easy it was to live in our own bubble, Untouched by global events that would one day shape history, and shift our collective compassion At this time, America was riding a wave of confidence. Ronald Reagan was in a White House promising a return to traditional values and national pride. The Cold War still loomed large, but the economy was booming. Wall Street was thriving, and the cultural message was clear. If you worked hard and looked the part, you could have it all, but beneath that glossy surface, there were cracks. The me decade of the 1980s was built on image, ambition, and consumption, and it often left little room for compassion, Especially for those who didn't fit neatly into mainstream America's ideal. When AIDS began to spread, it was seen by many as a gay disease, something happening to other people far away from suburbian families and small town life. And because of that stigma, the government stayed quiet for years. The Reagan administration barely acknowledged the growing epidemic. There were no national addresses, no urgent funding, no compassion from the country's leadership, only silence. It wasn't until 19 85, 4 years after the first reported cases that President Reagan even mentioned AIDS publicly. By then, thousands of Americans had already died. The silence wasn't just political, it was cultural. The media avoided the topic, and many people who were sick felt invisible, ashamed, or alone. Families didn't talk about it. Schools didn't teach about it. Churches didn't pray about it. And for a while the rest of us didn't wanna see it. But out of that, silence came a powerful movement. One built on love, grief, and resilience. Activists, artists, and everyday people began demanding attention, compassion, and justice. It was a turning point in how we as a society understood illness stigma and what it truly means to care for one another. While activists were demanding attention for those affected by aids, another cultural movement was quietly teaching the world a lesson about empathy, connection, and collective responsibility. In 1985, a group of the biggest names in music, Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, Diana Ross, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Tina Turner, and many others came together to record. We Are The World. I recently watched the documentary, the Making of We Are The World. It was so nostalgic to see the footage of the 1985 American Music Awards and remember all of the most popular musicians and bands. I remember when the song came out, but I had no idea how incredible it was to get all of those artists in one room for one night with a bigger purpose in mind. For me, at that time, it was just a song. But seeing the documentary and the behind the scenes footage of just what it took to pull that off was incredible. Not to mention for maybe the first time really understanding the magnitude of how that moment created a shift from me. To us, the song was more than a hit single. It was a statement. It said in no uncertain terms that human suffering anywhere was everyone's concern. The artists used their fame to shine a light on famine in Africa, but the larger message resonated with everything. The decade was struggling to face illness, inequality, and injustice. It was proof that culture could push society to care, that visibility and voice could make people act, and that compassion could be contagious. For the first time, pop culture and activism were working hand in hand, showing that even in a decade of obsessed with image and consumption, it was possible to harness fame for empathy and change Just as the musicians demanded that the world noticed famine aids activists demanded that the world noticed the lives being lost, the people being silenced, and the communities being ignored, and slowly the message began to take hold awareness spread. Funding increased research, accelerated laws changed. Most importantly, the world started to see that crises like AIDS weren't other people's problems. They were all of our problems demanding collective action, compassion, and transformation. But this didn't happen overnight. So let's go back and take a look at that timeline on June 5th, 1981. The C'S Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report published an article describing five cases of a rare pneumonia in young gay men in Los Angeles. This was the first official report of what would later be known as aids. Similar cases of these rare infections and cancers like Kaposi Sarcoma were reported in previously healthy young men, mostly gay men in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York. These early cases marked the first recognized signs of what would become known as AIDS or acquired immune deficiency syndrome. The disease was initially called the gay cancer or grid standing for gay related immune deficiency, reflecting the widespread homophobia and misinformation of the era. Government response was minimal. There was no dedicated funding and the Reagan administration did not publicly acknowledge the disease. His administration promoted a conservative family values agenda that often marginalized the LGBTQ plus community, much like the administration of today. In 1982, the CDC formerly named the disease Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome or AIDS public health officials started to recognize that AIDS was not limited to gay men as cases appeared more in heterosexual people, infants and transfusion recipients, Gay men's organizations began creating community-based responses like the gay men's health crisis in New York. By the end of 1982, over 700 cases and 300 deaths were reported in the US in the White House. President Reagan still remained silent When asked in a 1982 press briefing press Secretary, Larry Speaks jokes about AIDS drawing laughter from reporters reflecting the stigma and lack of seriousness at the federal level. In 1983, researchers discovered that AIDS could be transmitted through blood leading to warnings about the safety of the blood supply. the first congressional hearings on AIDS took place largely due to pressure from gay rights activists and a few lawmakers like Representative Henry Waxman. The US Public Health Service issued its first official recommendations for preventing sexual transmission and scientists in France, identified a retrovirus later named HIV as the likely cause of AIDS Government response, still cautious, fragmented, and underfunded. in 1984, US researcher Dr. Robert Gallo, announced the discovery of the virus that causes aids what became known as HIV. Health and Human Services. Secretary Margaret Heckler predicted a vaccine within two years, which was a promise that proved to be overly optimistic. and federal funding for AIDS research was increasing, but politically will remain weak. In 1985, rock Hudson, a well-known Hollywood actor and friend of the Reagans, died of aids, shocking the nation and making the epidemic real for many Americans. The first HIV blood test was approved allowing screening of the blood supply, and at that time, AIDS cases surpassed 10,000 in the us. Ryan White, a 13-year-old hemophiliac, was barred from attending school after contracting HIV from a transfusion. His story became a turning point for compassion and awareness, but Reagan's response, still no direct public mention of aids, although pressure was mounting in 1986. Surgeon General, Dr. C Everett Coop, who was appointed by Reagan, but previously sidelined. Released a landmark report calling for comprehensive sex education and condom use to prevent HIV. This report was mailed to 107 million US households, which was a groundbreaking public health communication effort. Coop's courage earned him both praise and criticism, but it marked the first clear federal acknowledgement of the crisis. Finally, in 1987, president Reagan addressed AIDS publicly. Six years after the first cases, he gave a speech at an American Foundation for AIDS research dinner promising to make AIDS research a priority. Though critics noted that his speech lacked urgency or empathy, A ZT. The first antiretroviral drug was approved by the FDA, the first glimmer of hope for treatment And in 1988, the first World AIDS stay was observed on December 1st. Initiated by the World Health Organization, the LGBTQ plus community artists and allies had been using protest art and public education to humanize the epidemic. Activist groups like ACT Up, which is the AIDS Coalition to unleash power rose to prominence, demanding faster drug approvals, more funding, and an end to discrimination. They staged powerful protests at the F-D-A-N-I-H and on Wall Street Activists accused the administration of deadly silence ignoring the epidemic because it was perceived as affecting undesirable groups, including gay men, sex workers, and drug users, religious conservatives, framed aids as divine punishment or a moral issue rather than a public health emergency. It was in this year that the AIDS Memorial Quilt was displayed on the National Mall in Washington dc. In an attempt to humanize the scale of loss, this became a symbol of love loss and activism. By 1989, AIDS had become the leading cause of death for men, ages 25 to 44. In some US cities, activists continue to pressure the government for a coordinated national strategy, and the Reagan's administration successor President George. HW Bush inherited a still growing epidemic with over a hundred thousand US cases reported. People living with AIDS in the 1980s faced intense discrimination, losing jobs, homes, and medical care. Some hospitals refused to treat aids. Patients families were shunned, and the media often sensationalized the disease. fueling fear, and moral panic. The grassroots movements that arose in response to the AIDS crisis fundamentally changed how patients, scientists, and governments interacted. They paved the way for community driven health advocacy practices that continue today. Unfortunately, there are still many similarities between what was happening during the era of the AIDS crisis, And the challenges of today just as the government silence and moralizing slowed public health action in the era of AIDS Today, polarization and misinformation undermines public trust in science, as seen with COVID-19 vaccines and even ongoing HIV prevention, The stigma towards marginalized groups still persists, especially around sexuality, race and poverty, which influences who gets care and funding. Fragmented health systems and political gridlock still limit comprehensive health responses and political battles over sexuality, reproductive rights and gender identity echo similar moral framing Justice activism led to FDA reform and patient inclusion and research. Community advocacy remains vital for HIV, reproductive justice, racial health equity, and more. The AIDS epidemic forced the US and the world to confront the politics of compassion. It taught us that silence costs lives, and that marginalized voices must be central to public health responses. today with new political divides, funding challenges, and renewed attacks on the LGBTQ plus and reproductive rights. Those lessons are strikingly relevant. Just as activists in the 1980s demanded a transformation of how governments respond to the crisis. The modern challenge is to protect truth, equity, and science from being eroded by ideology. On this World's AIDS day, the theme is overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response. The theme was announced by UN aids and states that December 1st, 2025 is an opportunity to highlight how funding cuts service disruptions, and shifting political and social context are jeopardizing decades of progress in the global HIV response. UN AIDS stands for the Joint United Nations Program on HIV aids. It is a coordinated UN effort established to lead and inspire the world in achieving universal access to HIV prevention, treatment care and support. UN AIDS works with governments, civil society, communities, and other UN agencies to monitor the global HIV epidemic and provide data for decision making. Advocate for political commitment and adequate funding. Support national HIV strategies and health systems and address stigma, discrimination, and the human rights issues related to HIV. It was established in 1996 and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland with offices and partners around the world. According to unaids, the global HIV response is facing a historic funding crisis, which threatens to unravel decades of progress. Services for HIV prevention, treatment and community-led support are being disrupted. While punitive laws and structural inequalities, such as criminalization of same-sex relationships are further blocking access and progress. In short, we are at a critical juncture. The epidemic hasn't ended, and we are being warned that without transformation, things could slide backwards. This is the focus of overcoming disruption, the first part of the 2025 World Aid State theme. The second part, transforming the AIDS response goes beyond just fix the disruptions. To ask for change innovation in a new approach. Some of the key elements include. One, securing sustainable funding and diversifying financing, or in other words, not just relying on past donor models. This means that governments and the international community must step up funding, protect rights, and ensure global cooperation. Number two, strengthening rights-based approaches to ensure that vulnerable and marginalized communities are not left behind. It's imperative to understand that transformation cannot succeed without tackling criminalization, discrimination, gender inequality, and making services accessible to all. Number three, empowering communities and working towards shifting power and leadership to those most affected. It's important to recognize that many services are delivered by community organizations, particularly for marginalized populations, and these must be supported, not sidelined. Number four, adapting programs and policies to the evolving context in regards to the legal, social, and health systems. HIV programs must be revised to fit new financial, social, and epidemiological realities and ensure that prevention and treatment are scaled and sustained. And number five, focusing on eliminating stigma, discrimination, and structural barriers, not just delivering biomedical tools. The message is clear delays or complacency risk, reversing gains. The theme emphasizes that AIDS is not over in the words of UN aids. A new transformative approach is needed. The global HIV response cannot rely on domestic resources alone. Looking back, we are, the world wasn't just a song, it was a symbol of the shift that was happening in the 1980s. A cultural awakening that showed how connection, empathy, and activism could overcome fear, stigma, and indifference. Lessons that are still vital as we face today's challenges in public health, equity and justice. this World AIDS Day is a call to remember the lessons of the past, that silence and stigma cost lives, but activism, empathy, and collective action can change the course of history. So today, let's honor the past, reflect on the present, and commit to a future where compassion drives action for everyone everywhere. That's it for today's episode. Thanks for listening, and be sure to rate and review the podcast on whatever platform you're listening from and share it with your friends. That's a great way to help reach new listeners and make this a more sex positive world. Also, I'd love your feedback and questions, so send me a message. It's at email@doctorpattyj.com, and that's doctor spelled out, D-O-C-T-O-R-P-A-T-T-Y j.com. Until next time, stay curious, stay empowered, and stay you. Welcome to the PG spot, where our goal is to take the X out of sex by breaking down the barriers that prevent open communication about sexual health. I'm Dr. Patty Omo, a dual certified nurse practitioner, pelvic floor therapist, and certified sexual counselor. I'm here to provide expert insights, debunk myths, and empower you to embrace your sexual wellbeing. Whether you're looking for answers or simply curious, join us as we open up the conversation around sex, intimacy and everything in between. I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge that some content may not be appropriate for all listeners. I'm a huge proponent of honest and accurate information regarding sexuality. But I'm also mindful that this should be age appropriate. Therefore, if you are under 18, this may not be the podcast for you. Additionally, some of the language used in this podcast may be offensive to some listeners. Please take these things into consideration before going forward with your consensual participation in this podcast. The opinions expressed by myself or my guests are just that, and these opinions are neither expected or required to be shared by all listeners. The information that is provided is for educational and entertainment purposes only, and should not be mistaken for individual medical advice if you do find the information that we cover in the PG spot. Helpful. Interesting or informative. Please rate and review the podcast wherever you're listening from. If you think this information is important, I would love for you to share it with your friends or family. This is a great way to get the information out to more people. So thank you for listening and let's get on with the show.