HIV/AIDS 101

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), is a virus that infects the important and vital cells that make up the immune system and are responsible for reducing the efficiency of the immune system and making it more susceptible to infection. If left untreated over time, HIV can develop into acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV is not a death sentence and many individuals living with HIV have long, healthy lives thanks to medication and treatment.

For more on the basics of HIV/AIDS, check out this page from HIV.gov, and this page from AIDSInfo.

The HIV/AIDS awareness ribbon.

HIV/AIDS HISTORY

The history of HIV/AIDS is often overlooked and misunderstood, leading to ignorance and hate. HIV/AIDS has also played a major role in the LGBTQ+ community for decades. These resources explain the history of HIV/AIDS as a whole, and its key moments in LGBTQ+ history.

HIV/AIDS Timeline

ACT UP Time Capsule

'We Were Here' Documentary ⋄

A picture of some of panels on the AIDS quilt, made in 1985.

Explore all 48,000 panels of the AIDS quilt from your own computer here!

A large crowd of ACT UP protesters in 2004. One of them holds a sign that says "Americans are dying on waiting lists for AIDS drugs" and another says "the war against AIDS can be won!"

TAKING A STAND

Ever since the beginning of the AIDS Crisis in the '80s, activism relating HIV/AIDS has been a critical part of LGBTQ+ history. Even today, we still work to advocate for those living with HIV/AIDS, who are still treated unfairly by oppressive systems.

The History of ACT UP (documentary) ⋄

'Nothing Without Us' (documentary) ⋄

History of Protest and Resistance in America

How to Demand a Medical Breakthrough: Lessons from the AIDS Fight

Social stigma plays a major role in the accessibility of care, the criminalization of HIV status, and interaction of people living with HIV (PLWH) in society. This stigma is incredibly harmful, and contributes to the systems of oppression that are affecting individuals living with HIV.

For more information on what stigma is and how you can help fight it, check out the links below!

A infographic with "HIV/AIDS" in the center. Surrounding it are the words "Stigma","Discrimination","Silence","Ignorance", and "Fear" organized in the shape of a circle, with arrows connecting them.

HIV/AIDS, while better understood now than it once was, is still deeply misunderstood and there is still much misinformation spread about it. Some of this misinformation comes from a place of care, and some, from more malicious places.

A graphic with the words "MYTHS" and "FACTS" in text bubbles.

HOW TO ACCESS VIDEOS

The logo for Kanopy.

Most, if not all of the videos linked here come from Kanopy, a streaming service used by both IUPUI's library and many local libraries.

If you are having issues accessing films, i.e. IUPUI does not currently have them, they may be available through your library. In order to see if your library does have it, you will have to go to the Log-In screen at the upper-right hand corner of Kanopy. Once there, you should be able to add a log-in from another library branch, besides IUPUI.