Rarely, if ever, has a mass social movement been born out of a disease process. The systems of prevention and care developed in community settings dealt with the social issues of homosexuality, drug use, etc. These systems were developed by persons living with HIV, their families and friends, and concerned others. Organizations like the Gay Men's Health Crisis in New York and the San Fransisco AIDS Foundation were shaped by a social consciousness and grew up as agencies based in the community. When government, corporate America, and the communities of faith finally became partners in the fight against AIDS, their programs mirrored those established by the community.
Communities of faith stress similar partnerships.
Today, we face a major public policy challenge. Its roots can be found in the unresolved historical intolerance and, in some cases, hostility, mainstream America felt toward AIDS, related social issues the epidemic forced us all to consider, and the social movement developed by community advocates to address the disease and the social issues. This first became apparent in the 1980's when AZT became available. Unfortunately, hopes were raised unrealistically. Medically, AZT had its place, and still does.