A Cultural History of Aids
Using the framework of activism and mourning, this half-day course will look at how the Queer community responded to the Aids pandemic. Looking at performance activism through history, we will study the ACT UP protest and the Aids quilt.
We will move to theatrical responses, including memorials, fundraisers, and other channels for grief. Finally, we will look at film and television responses, from Philadelphia to It’s a Sin, and how the community has reclaimed the telling of its own stories.
Who is this course for?
This course is for anyone with an interest in Queer history, activism, art, and culture. No prior knowledge is required.
What can I expect?
This course is taught through presentations (PowerPoint on shared screen) video clips and discussions. Discussion sections are optional, but allow participants to reflect on the material and their own experiences. There is also a reading list and youtube playlist provided after the session.
Joining via Zoom
This course or event will be held via Zoom. You need a computer/laptop or mobile phone to access the Zoom website, and a reliable internet connection. For further information on how to join a Zoom meeting, you can watch the joining video here.
You will need a computer or other device to connect with Zoom and a notebook/paper and pen/pencil, or digital equivalent.
Image: Gordon Rainsford Archive
Need to Know
You will learn
- The history of the AIDS pandemic, in particular British perspectives
- The use of art as activism in a response to AIDS
- Links between older Queer performance and actvism and responses to AIDS
- Key works of literature, performance film and TV about AIDS
Meet the Tutor
Dr Emily Garside
Emily Garside is a writer and professional nerd based in Cardiff. She has a PhD in theatrical responses to the AIDS crisis and is a leading expert on LGBTQ+ theatre. Emily regularly writes for journals such as The Queer Review, American Theatre, and Wales Art Review. She published her first non-fiction book ‘Love That Journey For Me: The Queer Revolution of Schitt's Creek’ in 2021 with 404ink. This was followed by ‘Angels in America at the British National Theatre’ in 2022 (McFarland). While 2023 sees ‘Seasons of Love, why Rent Matters’ (Applause), ‘Schitt’s Creek and the Rise of Queer TV’ (Applause), and ‘From Queer as Folk to It’s A Sin; Russell T Davies and Queer TV’ (Calon Books). She is also a journalist, a regular contributor for The Queer Review and has written for American Theatre, Slate, BBC, and The Stage. She also uses her research and lived experience to tell queer stories through fiction, having had several plays performed in London and nationally.
Dates and Times
A Cultural History of Aids
, 4:47 - 8:47
This course will take place online.
