Pride month in 1997 honored a hopeful turning point in the HIV/AIDS landscape as the first pride month following the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in 1996 as an effective treatment for HIV.
AHF celebrated this landmark pride month at the Christopher Street West gay pride parade with a “dazzling” march led by over 300 advocates that snagged the parade’s prestigious Judge’s Award.
In 1997, the Christopher Street West parade was themed “Equality Through Visibility” which AHF embodied by gathering hundreds of clients, staff, family, and friends of all backgrounds to come together as marchers with the message “Take Your Medicine!” The spirited advocates of all different ages, sexual orientations, ethnicities, and HIV statuses impressed the parade judges who felt that AHF truly exemplified the 1997 theme.
The advocates reflected on the new antiretroviral drug cocktail’s promise of effective treatment with a nearly two-story martini “cocktail” glass, person-sized dancing pills, and massive letters spelling out TAKE YOUR MEDICINE! Teams from AHF hospices, healthcare centers, Out of the Closet, and the recently introduced WeHo Lounge joined to pull off the effort alongside patients and patrons.
AHF launched the “Treatment = Life” in January, 1997 after the start of HAART and in August advocates concluded pride season with a star-studded benefit attended by Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey to invigorate HIV awareness and honor Emile Ardolino, the director of Dirty Dancing, who died of AIDS in 1993.
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