This course will take place online.
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.
Explore the different collections we hold on LGBTQ+ history through our Archives.
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.
Bursary places
We provide a number of funded bursaries to people who find it hard to pay the full or concessionary rates. Find out more information on how to apply.
Image: Gordon Rainsford Archive
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You will learn
By the end of this course, you will have learnt:
- The history of the Aids pandemic from a British perspective
- The use of art as activism in a response to Aids
- The links between Queer performances through history as activism and responses to Aids
- About key works of literature, film, and performance art about Aids.
Meet the Tutor
Dr Emily Garside
Emily Garside is an academic and writer. She is a graduate of RADA, Kings College London, and University of Nottingham. She wrote her PhD on Theatrical responses to the AIDS crisis. She is also a musical theatre specialist and creative writing tutor. Currently, she is writing a book on Angels in America as well as working on several creative projects as a playwright.
