About the Exhibit

HIV/AIDS continues to be a significant global public health issue since its emergence in the 1980s, claiming more than 33 million lives so far. Thanks to the increased access to effective HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care, HIV has become a manageable chronic health condition, enabling people living with HIV to lead long and healthy lives according to the World AIDS organization. In the early 1980s, when education and resources for those infected with HIV was scarce and fear was high, local Baltimore LGBT activists responded to the HIV/AIDS crisis through health education resources and local AIDS organizations.

This exhibit features archival photographs and records documenting the work of HIV/AIDS activists in Baltimore and nationally from the 1980s through the 2000s. The images and documents are from the following archival collections held by the University of Baltimore Special Collections & Archives:

• Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center of Baltimore and Central Maryland (GLCCB) Collection
• Baltimore City Public Schools Social Work Services Records (BCPS)
• Baltimore Neighborhoods, Incorporated Records 

Credits:

This exhibit was curated by Angela Koukoui in collaboration with the Baltimore City Health Department's HIV/AIDS Museum in spring 2021. It was published online in June 2021 by Laura Bell.