“Sex in an Epidemic”… was Orgasmic!

The screening of Jean Carlomusto’s “Sex in an Epidemic” documentary evoked an enthralling array of feelings amongst many in the room last night . An emotional roller coaster transversing a course of pain, anguish, delight, gratification, wonder, amazement, respect, reverence, anger and frustration, was unleashed by the chronological truisms in the documentary that highlighted the, panic, fears and challenges surrounding sex in the early days of the AIDS epidemic, specifically faced by Gay Men.  The frequent gasps breaking the dark silence of the room was evidence that Jean had done an excellent job of preserving a portion of history that need never be forgotten.

The film brilliantly marked the period where women activist would fight their way to the front of the AIDS movement staging a giant “No Glove, No Love” banner waving action during the 7^th inning stretch at a baseball game at Shea Stadium, demanding honest accurate information about women’s risks for contracting HIV, in an epidemic that had been unsubstantiated to only affect men who slept with other men.

With lovers, partners, family members, friends and spouses dying from lack of health care and a lack of political will to do anything about it Jean offered live footage of ACT–UP, the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power taking it to the streets to the mantra of “Health Care is a right, Health Care is a right!!”

The Prevention Justice Alliance would also emerge from the screen as Jean’s time machine of a documentary moved us into the present with vivid images of the 2007 National HIV Prevention Conference Action where the PJA would introduce the now, infamous National HIV/AIDS Strategy Puzzle laying the framework for a comprehensive national plan to reduce rates of HIV in the U.S.

It was apparent from the weighty testimonies of the experienced activists, and lengthy revelations of the next generation of activist that …”Sex in an Epidemic” was a smokin' hot Orgasm!