The film “How to Survive a Plague” is a documentary based film that documents the early years of the AIDS epidemic and how several activist groups worked to advocate for the research of a cure to be developed against it. The film went on to cover such activist groups as ACT UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) and TAG (Treatment Action Group) who raised awareness about AIDS, eventually leading to the development of modern medication to tackle the disease and decrease death rates across the nation. Along with these activist groups were also some prominent figures who helped in spreading the word as much as possible. Such people like Larry Karmer, co-founder of GMHC (Gay Men’s Health Crisis) and Mark Harringotn, a member of ACT UP and TAG, committed acts of acknowledgement to criticize the government for its stance during this health crisis and to advocate for pharmaceutical companies to produce these life saving medications.
Throughout this horrible health crisis, the gay community were negatively affected by it the most as they were the prime suspect for discrimination and were rejected for any medical aid because of it. A harmful stigma arose against them in which anyone apart of the gay community was a bearer of AIDS and any contact with them can lead to contamination and sickness. Obviously, not only the gay community were affected by this disease, but with these harmfuls stigmas being placed on them, it was harder for them to seek treatment and have to confine within one another for solidarity. With inspiring figures like Larry Kramer who were closely associated with the gay community, it gave them the determination to link each other hand by hand to push against this stigmatization and reshape the public's perception of their community, challenge the government to take action, and urge medical establishments to do something about this epidemic.
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