Jasmine Cannon | Queer People And HIV And AIDS

Jasmine Cannonlitr21810122022queer People And HIV And Aidsthe Societ

Jasmine Cannon LITR/12/2022 Queer People and HIV and AIDS The society has passed through a period of lack of understanding when it comes to the AIDS pandemic. The two articles Rent and 1,112 and Counting are a representation of the myths that existed about AIDS and how the knowledge of this disease resulted to marginalization of the people due to lack of cure. However, the people living with the disease were accommodating to each other and could fall in love. These two articles analyze the disease that was associated with a particular group of people and caused lack of understanding even in the medical team. However, they help to demystify the myths that surrounded the people and increase knowledge sharing.

The analysis will compare and contrast the themes of stigmatization and support for people living with AIDS. AIDS was a disease that caused massive deaths in different places. However, in 1,112 and Counting the highest levels of discrimination were on the gay people. The disease was shown to be killing this group more and spreading faster. It is due to the spread of the disease that the hospitals saw a decline in efficient care for the patients.

There was also lack of understanding of how the disease was spread. The gay people were thought to have been greatly affected due to their sexual behaviors as the straight people were shown to be less affected. Due to this statistic, the interventions on research were limited and many gay people continued to face a threat to extinction with little interventions (Larry 15). In Rent, there was indefinite discrimination with some people preferring to commit suicide when they were diagnosed with AIDS. However, amongst the major characters, there was an effective living with knowledge of the disease.

Roger and Mimi know that they have AIDS but they choose to fall in love with each other. With the knowledge of the disease, Roger decides that it is best to avoid the relationship with Mimi in order to prevent burdening her with his baggage (BroadwayInHD). Thus, in Rent, there is reduced stigmatization of the people living with HIV and AIDS compared to 1,122 and Counting. Supporting people living with AIDS is one way of making them believe in a just society. The 1,122 and Counting shows a situation where the society is not supporting in actions of enhancing the understanding of the disease and how it can be prevented since it was affecting the gay people negatively.

Kramer explained that since majority of the people who were affected by AIDS were gay, there was limited response from the government. The Mayor of New York was also silent as the disease was increasingly killing the gay people (Larry 18). The exception however, would have been made in the case of the straight people having been affected. However, in the case of Rent, the support the people get from around them is massive even after learning they are HIV positive. The characters held together to the end even after knowing some were infected and bisexual.

Schulman presents the problem she has which is the recycling of ideas on HIV and AIDS with people presenting them as their invented ideas. She believed that Rent did a poor depiction of AIDS and does not get it right with the queer people (Schulman 17). Although Rent tries to show the societal aspect of HIV and AIDS there are many instances that show these people as distinguished or bisexual. Mark and Roger however, commands most musical focus and the latter is straight. However, it is Roger and two other queer characters that have HIV but it is Angel who is a Trans who dies while Roger lives on.

The bias represented is that the queer community is majorly at a higher risk of death from HIV.

Paper For Above instruction

The presentation of HIV/AIDS within cultural narratives, such as musical theatre and literature, plays a significant role in shaping societal attitudes, understanding, and policies regarding the epidemic, especially as it pertains to marginalized communities like queer people. This essay explores two pivotal works—"Rent" and "1,112 and Counting"—to analyze how themes of stigmatization and support manifest in these portrayals and how art influences societal perceptions of HIV/AIDS among queer populations.

Stigmatization and Misconceptions in Society

Historically, HIV/AIDS was cloaked in misinformation and fear, which fueled stigmatization, particularly toward gay men. The article "1,112 and Counting" by Larry Kramer encapsulates this reality through a stark recounting of the early years of the AIDS crisis, predominantly affecting gay communities. Kramer vividly describes the widespread societal fear, government negligence, and the prejudice that marginalized infected individuals, rendering them invisible and undeserving of care or compassion. The narrative emphasizes how misconceptions about transmission—such as the false belief that HIV spread solely through gay sexual activity—led to the overwhelming discrimination faced by queer communities (Kramer, 1983). This stigmatization reinforced social exclusion, deepened psychological trauma, and hindered efforts for effective research and intervention.

Contrastingly, in the musical "Rent," although the epidemic's impact on queer characters is palpable, a more nuanced approach to stigmatization and support emerges. The characters, such as Roger and Mimi, openly confront their diagnoses with honesty and resilience. Despite societal prejudice, these characters choose to love and support each other, challenging stereotypes and advocating for acceptance. For example, Roger's decision to pursue a relationship with Mimi, even after knowing both are HIV-positive, signifies a rejection of societal fear and demonstrates a form of personal activism against stigmatization (BroadwayInHD, 2016). While the societal environment remains fraught with prejudice, the characters' choices highlight individual acts of support and community solidarity.

Societal and Political Responses

The response of societal institutions and governments to the AIDS crisis further exemplifies the contrasting portrayals. In "1,112 and Counting," Kramer criticizes the silence and inaction of political leaders, particularly spotlighting the neglect from authorities like the mayor of New York City. The political apathy reflected a societal tendency to overlook or dismiss the plight of gay individuals affected by AIDS. This neglect compounded the suffering and hindered resource allocation for research and care, cementing the disease as a source of criminalization rather than compassion (Kramer, 1983).

In "Rent," however, there is a clear depiction of community-based support systems that emerge amid adversity. The characters embody resilience by supporting one another emotionally and practically. This stance underscores the importance of social acceptance and peer support rather than institutional intervention alone. Such portrayals advocate for communal responsibility and challenge existing biases, fostering a more inclusive perspective on managing HIV/AIDS.

Depictions of Queer Identity and Risk

The narratives also reflect differing perspectives on queer identity and risk. Schulman (1998) critiques "Rent" for its portrayal of AIDS and the queer community, suggesting it perpetuates stereotypes or oversimplifies experiences. For instance, Schulman argues that the focus on characters like Angel, a transgender individual, and other queer figures may reinforce narratives of higher risk among these groups, potentially contributing to further stigmatization. Conversely, the depiction of characters like Roger and Mimi, who are heterosexual but also HIV-positive, broadens the conversation about the epidemic’s reach beyond queer communities.

Furthermore, these works depict the tension between individual agency and societal structure. In "1,112 and Counting," the lack of targeted intervention for gay populations epitomizes systemic neglect. In "Rent," characters exercise agency by making informed choices about love and living with HIV, demonstrating resilience despite societal barriers.

Impact of Art on Societal Attitudes

Artistic representations serve as powerful platforms for raising awareness, fostering empathy, and challenging stereotypes. "Rent" exemplifies how theatre can humanize AIDS patients, illustrating their hopes, fears, and love, thus combating dehumanization rooted in fear. By portraying multi-dimensional queer characters confronting their diagnoses, the musical humanizes the epidemic and advocates for compassion and support.

Similarly, Kramer’s "1,112 and Counting" functions as a documentary-like account that exposes societal failures, urging policy change and societal reflection. Such works underscore art’s capacity to bridge knowledge gaps, influence public perceptions, and mobilize action. In both cases, art acts as a catalyst for social change by making the invisible visible and the stigmatized human.

Conclusion

The contrasting portrayals in "Rent" and "1,112 and Counting" elucidate the complex interplay between stigmatization and support for queer people affected by HIV/AIDS. While early narratives like Kramer’s depicted society’s neglect and prejudice, later artistic works like "Rent" promote themes of resilience, community, and acceptance. Art remains an influential tool in dismantling myths, fostering empathy, and advocating for social change concerning marginalized populations. Ultimately, these narratives underscore the importance of compassionate understanding and collective responsibility in addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic among queer communities.

References

  • Kramer, L. (1983). Historic Essay: AIDS At 30: 1,112 and Counting. New York Native, Issue 59, March 14.
  • BroadwayInHD. (2016). Rent. Retrieved from https://broadwayinhd.com
  • Schulman, S. (1998). Stagestruck: Theater, AIDS, and the marketing of gay America. Duke University Press.
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