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October marks LGBTQ History Month, and this week on At Liberty we are honoring the legacy of LGBTQ activism throughout the AIDS epidemic. Throughout the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, AIDS claimed the lives of thousands of New Yorkers per year, with city, state, and national governments doing little to address the crisis. In response to government inaction and homophobia, a group of New York City activists founded ACT UP, a grassroots, queer-led protest movement to urge action, call for change, and stand in the gap as thousands of queer people died. Due to their dogged persistence, steadfast unity in diversity, and pointed demonstrations, ACT UP achieved lasting victories in medical treatment, health care access, and more. Today, in classrooms across the country, this history has largely gone untold. In our broader public discourse, the AIDS epidemic in the U.S. and the subsequent movement that rose to fight for LGBTQ lives is often overlooked. Enter Sarah Schulman, a novelist, journalist, playwright, and AIDS historian, who is fighting to ensure that we remember. Schulman is the author of 20 books, her latest being “Let the Record Show: A Political History of ACT UP, New York 1987-1993,” which documents the people and tactics behind ACT UP's success. Sarah is also the co-director of the ACT UP Oral History Project. She joins us today to share her expertise and remember the movement.
In May, writer and activist Sarah Schulman published Let the Record Show: A Political History of ACT UP New York, 1987-1993, to widespread acclaim. In a https://jewishcurrents.org/what-the-record-doesnt-show (review) for the Fall issue of Jewish Currents, Vicky Osterweil argued that the book, despite offering invaluable insight into the history of AIDS activism, is marred by structural elisions—especially of trans people—and is ultimately hagiographic rather than appropriately critical of the movement it chronicles. While Schulman's https://www.gawker.com/media/sarah-schulman-conflict-is-sometimes-abuse-actually (response) to the review provoked a controversy, Osterweil's critique also ignited a discussion about the book itself, sometimes tied to broader disagreements about the theory and practice of both queer history and movement strategy. In a https://jewishcurrents.org/letters/on-what-the-record-doesnt-show (letter to the editor), writer and organizer Kay Gabriel contested Osterweil's assessment of the book, arguing that it stands as a sober account of what took place. In this episode, Culture Editor Ari M. Brostoff convenes a discussion between Osterweil and Gabriel about Let the Record Show, the dangers of nostalgia, and the challenges of reckoning with our political forebears. Books, Articles, Talks, and Projects Mentioned: Let the Record Show: A Political History of ACT UP New York, 1987-1993 by Sarah Schulman “https://jewishcurrents.org/what-the-record-doesnt-show (What the Record Doesn't Show)” by Vicky Osterweil https://jewishcurrents.org/letters/on-what-the-record-doesnt-show (Letter on “What the Record Doesn't Show”) by Kay Gabriel https://actuporalhistory.org/ (ACT UP Oral History Project) “https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mINM1fB8bm4 (Being Street: The Trans Woman of Color as Evidence)” by Jules Gill-Peterson “https://www.nat.org.uk/blog/trans-awareness-week-celebrating-role-trans-people-fight-against-hiv (Celebrating the Role of Trans People in the Fight Against HIV)” by Michelle Ross https://partybottom.tumblr.com/post/133388562948/so-ive-been-diagnosed-with-hiv-around-2-3-years (Untitled blog post) by Bryn Kelly “https://brynkelly-blog.tumblr.com/post/20162901452/diving-into-the-wreck (Diving into the Wreck)” by Bryn Kelly Thanks to Jesse Brenneman for producing and to Nathan Salsburg for the use of his song “VIII (All That Were Calculated Have Passed).”
Forty years ago this month, the CDC reported on patients with HIV/AIDS in the United States for the very first time. In the years since, LGBTQIA+ Americans have been fighting for treatment and recognition of a disease that was was understudied, under-reported, and deeply stigmatized. On this bonus episode of Up First, Sam Sanders, host of It's Been a Minute, talks to Sarah Schulman. Schulman is the codirector of the ACT UP Oral History Project, and the author of Let The Record Show: A Political History of ACT UP New York, 1987-1993.Schulman draws from nearly 200 interviews with ACT UP members to document the movement's history and explore how the group's activism transformed the way the media, the government, corporations and medical professionals talked about AIDS and provided treatment. She and Sam discuss this transformation and its relevance to social movements today.
Sarah Schulman is a novelist and playwright as well as a well-known activist and documentarian. She was an early member of the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power, and, for twenty years, she and the filmmaker Jim Hubbard have run the ACT UP Oral History Project, interviewing surviving members of the group. Out of that work comes a new history of ACT UP in its early days, “Let the Record Show: A Political History of the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power, New York, 1987-93.” Schulman talks with David Remnick about the group's successes, its lessons for young activists, and also its greatest failing. “We were able to defeat H.I.V.,” she said. “But we couldn't defeat capitalism. And we still don't have a workable health-care system in this country.”
A sword is a weapon, and weapons are used in armed conflicts. So we wanted to bring Sarah Schulman, author of the book CONFLICT IS NOT ABUSE: OVERSTATING HARM, COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY AND THE DUTY OF REPAIR, on the show to discuss the nature of conflict and what we can do to resolve it. Turns out, Sarah has been practicing tarot for decades, and rather than seeing the Suit of Swords as being about conflict, she sees it as being about truth and realization. In this episode we have a lively discussion about how the suit of swords works; how people in positions of power (like some police officers and "President" Tr**p) like to see themselves as victims even when they're being abusive and why that is; and how the Suit of Swords calls us to take an honest look at ourselves and our communities. This is one of those episodes we SO WISH we could listen to with you in person, because it's challenging and invites a rigorous dialogue. Listen to it with your quarantine buddy and discuss. We're sure it will give you a lot to talk about. Let us know what you think!More on our guest: Sarah Schulman has written over 18 books, plays, and screenplays. She’s an lgbtqia+ activist, and AIDS historian. Has been awarded a Guggenheim, among many other awards, is the Co-Founder of MIX: NY LGBT Experimental Film and Video Festival, Co-Director of ACT UP Oral History Project, and the US Coodinator of the first LGBT Delegation to Palestine. Sarah Schulman is also on the advisory board of Jewish Voice for Peace, and is a fellow at the NY Institute for the Humanities at NYU. *********************************Find out more about our special guest, Sarah Schulman: writer, activist, and historian.... Visit her wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_SchulmanCheck out her book Conflict is Not AbuseOr her latest book Let the Record Show: A Political History of Act Up New YorkFollow her on Twitter feed: @SarahSchulman3*********************************AVAILABLE WORKSHOPS*Cutting the Cord with 2020 - a Banishing and Welcoming Ritual Workshop*In this workshop we’ll be processing through some of the teachings of 2020 so that we can use them to move forward in the new year. We’ll be releasing our sorrows and clearing our wounds. Then, we’ll welcome in the ways we’d like to grow and flourish in the coming year. CLICK THIS LINK TO FIND OUT MOREWe hope you join us for this beautiful ceremony, our magic is more powerful when we do it together! (But if you can't be there with us, you'll also receive a download you'll have access to forever). This is a Between the Worlds workshop and can be purchased as a one off, or is included in your Jupiter level subscriber membership. Click here to register.**********************************Learn More About Your Host Amanda Yates Garcia, & Buy Her BookTo sign up for Amanda's newsletter, CLICK HERE.To order Amanda's book, "Initiated: Memoir of a Witch" CLICK HERE.Amanda's InstagramAmanda's FacebookTo book an appointment with Amanda go to www.oracleoflosangeles.com**********************************MIND YOUR PRACTICE PODCASTMind Your Practice - Carolyn's new podcast with author and arts consultant, Beth Pickens - is geared towards artists and writers looking for strategies and support to build their projects and practices (plus loving pep talks).There’s even a club - “Homework Club” - which offers creative people a framework for keeping their projects and practices a priority with *actual homework* and optional accountability groups made up of other artists and writers!You can visit MindYourPractice.com for more details or listen wherever you stream Between the Worlds.**********************************Original MUSIC by Carolyn Pennypacker Riggs**********************************Get in touch with sponsorship inquiries for Between the Worlds at betweentheworldspodcast@gmail.com.**CONTRIBUTORS:Amanda Yates Garcia (host) & Carolyn Pennypacker Riggs (producer). The BTW logo collage was created by Maria Minnis (tinyparsnip.com / instagram.com/tinyparsnip ) with text designed by Leah Hayes.
In this special episode, Bryan, Christina, and Rumaan interview activist and writer Sarah Schulman about ACT UP and the legacy of Larry Kramer. They discuss how Kramer’s tactics helped and hindered the organization, the ways white gay men played an outsize role as a public face of the movement, and what lessons we should take from ACT UP’s past successes. Schulman and Jim Hubbard coordinated the ACT UP Oral History Project, and her forthcoming book is Let the Record Show: ACT UP and the Enduring Experience of AIDS. This podcast was produced by Daniel Schroeder. Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this special episode, Bryan, Christina, and Rumaan interview activist and writer Sarah Schulman about ACT UP and the legacy of Larry Kramer. They discuss how Kramer’s tactics helped and hindered the organization, the ways white gay men played an outsize role as a public face of the movement, and what lessons we should take from ACT UP’s past successes. Schulman and Jim Hubbard coordinated the ACT UP Oral History Project, and her forthcoming book is Let the Record Show: ACT UP and the Enduring Experience of AIDS. This podcast was produced by Daniel Schroeder. Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Let’s Do It is a podcast focusing on the practical aspects of sex education and sexual health. In this episode Liz and Alex are talking with health promotion specialist Teddy Cook about HIV, the AIDS2018 conference in Amsterdam and what the global HIV research landscape looks like. We’re looking forward to talking about the history of HIV in the future, but this time we’re focusing on the present and the future! For more information, sexual health links or to submit anonymous questions, visit our website. You can also follow the podcast on Twitter, as well as both Liz and Alex. References and links: AIDS2018 Conference linkThe Institute of Many - Australia’s largest grassroots movement for people living with HIVPrep Access NowGrunt Campaign HIV history links: ACT UP Oral History Project - an extraordinary resource of transcribed interviews with surviving members of the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power, New York.Lessons from the history of HIV/AIDS in Australia – how activism changed the image of an illness - Jennifer Power, The ConversationSilence = Death: It’s Time To Teach AIDS History - Dan Royles, historians.org, also with a bibliography that’s worth working your way through. A lot of great texts, documentaries and books listed.The fears of Australia's HIV crisis have faded. The laws of that time should too - Nic Holas, The GuardianStaying Positive: Condoms, stigma and HIV advocacy in the age of PrEP - Dean Beck, Archer Magazine
Let’s Do It is a podcast focusing on the practical aspects of sex education and sexual health. In this episode Liz and Alex are talking with health promotion specialist Teddy Cook about HIV, the AIDS2018 conference in Amsterdam and what the global HIV research landscape looks like. We’re looking forward to talking about the history of HIV in the future, but this time we’re focusing on the present and the future! For more information, sexual health links or to submit anonymous questions, visit our website. You can also follow the podcast on Twitter, as well as both Liz and Alex. References and links: AIDS2018 Conference linkThe Institute of Many - Australia’s largest grassroots movement for people living with HIVPrep Access NowGrunt Campaign HIV history links: ACT UP Oral History Project - an extraordinary resource of transcribed interviews with surviving members of the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power, New York.Lessons from the history of HIV/AIDS in Australia – how activism changed the image of an illness - Jennifer Power, The ConversationSilence = Death: It’s Time To Teach AIDS History - Dan Royles, historians.org, also with a bibliography that’s worth working your way through. A lot of great texts, documentaries and books listed.The fears of Australia's HIV crisis have faded. The laws of that time should too - Nic Holas, The GuardianStaying Positive: Condoms, stigma and HIV advocacy in the age of PrEP - Dean Beck, Archer Magazine
In this episode of Q+A, GCN’s Queer and Alternative podcast, we meet the legendary American novelist, historian, playwright, and early chronicler of the AIDS crisis, Sarah Schulman. The author of 11 novels, six non-fiction books, and two plays, as an activist and organiser, Schulman joined ACT UP in 1987. She co-founded the Lesbian Avengers, was a key organiser for the Irish Lesbian and Gay Organisation's efforts to march in the New York Saint Patrick's Day Parade; and with Jim Hubbard created the ACT UP Oral History Project. “I’m super jet-lagged but maybe that will make me freer,” Sarah says as she sits down in our podcast studio with GCN editor, Brian Finnegan, to discuss (among a lot of other things) how coming from a holocaust family fused her love of writing and passion for activism together, the problem with religious fundamentalism in Trump’s America, activism in the age of the hashtag and the t-shirt, the growing criminalisation of HIV positive people across the world, and the possibility that her 30 year-old her lesbian detective novel, After Dolores may become a movie. Music by Will St Leger and Faune
After a hiatus of more than eight months, the Didactic SynCast is back. Join me for a conversation with legendary author and activist Sarah Schulman. We discuss her new novel The Cosmopolitans (based on La Cousine Bette by Honoré de Balzac), the ACT UP Oral History Project, the Boycott/Divest/Sanctions Movement, writing, politics, life, and a dozen other topics. As always, get in touch through Twitter ( @DukeSkath ) or email ( esp(at)fbesp.org ). Here are links to events and resources we discussed: The Cosmopolitans at GoodReads Conflict is Not Abuse at GoodReads Lambda Writers Retreat for Emerging LGBTQ Voices Feminist Press Movement for Black Lives: Platform Mix NYC Queer Experimental Film Festival Geri Allen: Lush Life Nelson Algren on sentimentality Sara Ahmed: The Promise of Happiness Teaser for Jason and Shirley Trailer for Portrait of Jason Amy Goodman and DemocracyNow! BDS Movement ACT UP Oral History ProjectUnited In Anger: A History of ACT UP on iTunes
Author, activist Sarah Schulman, cofounder of the Act-Up Oral History Project, is out with a new novel, The Cosmopolitans, in which a group of mid-century East Villagers pull together to survive gentrification and modern life. Meanwhile, musician Lupe Fiasco is starting a tech entrepreneur program in one of New York City's poorest neighborhoods - we have an exclusive report. And with so much to spend public money on, asks Flanders in her weekly commentary, why are tax payers subsidising church?
http://www.andystreasuretrove.com/andystreasuretrove.com/Media/ATTSF%20Episode%2016%20-%20Sarah%20Schulman.mp3 ()Episode 16 features an interview from 2009 with the noted writer Sarah Schulman, the author of After Dolores, Shimmer, People in Trouble, Rat Bohemia, Stagestruck, and many others. Andy chats with Sarah about, among other things, her keen interest in Wilhelm Reich, her self-admitted graphomania, the film festival she co-directs every year in New York with Jim Hubbard, and the documentary that she and Jim made about the activist organization ACTUP called United in Anger, a History of Act Up. Appearing in some of Sarah's anecdotes are Woody Allen, Richard Nixon, James Baldwin and Alexander Kerensky. Who was Alexander Kerensky? Listen and find out. Call the listener call-in line to leave a message for Andy and/or his audience: 415-508-4084 When you call, please say “This is [your name] and I’m on Andy’s Treasure Trove!” Listen & Subscribe to this podcast (it’s free!) via iTunes: click https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/andys-treasure-trove-podcast/id1109564030?mt=2 (HERE) Also GooglePlay: click https://play.google.com/music/listen?gclid=COiv18CfvMwCFQfYfgodkycPFg&gclsrc=ds&u=0#/ps/Ib5z2gtohpbdtclqchr4l33wn7q (HERE) Keywords and links: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Schulman (Sarah Schulman), After Dolores, Shimmer, People in Trouble, Rat Bohemia, Stagestruck, Jim Hubbard, ACT-UP, http://www.unitedinanger.com/ (United in Anger: A History of ACT-UP), Woody Allen, Richard Nixon, James Baldwin, Alexander Kerensky, Petit Versailles, Yaffa Cafe, Wilhelm Reich, Sexpol, sexual politics,The Mass Psychology of Fascism, Orgone, Wilhelm Reich Observatory, William Burroughs, Jeffrey Skoller, Orson Bean, Me And The Orgone, Esalen, To Tell the Truth, Fury On Earth: A Biography Of Wilhelm Reich, Loon Lodge, graphomania, The Child, Diamanda Galas, Nan Goldin, Martin Luther King, Letter from Birmingham Jail, http://www.actuporalhistory.org/ (ACT-UP Oral History Project), President Obama, Shopwell, Dark Shadows, Bob & Ray, Bob Elliot, Dr. Andrew Weil. Sarah’s Amazon page: http://www.amazon.com/Sarah-Schulman/e/B000AP923G (http://www.amazon.com/Sarah-Schulman/e/B000AP923G) Her facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/sarah.schulman.56 (http://www.facebook.com/sarah.schulman.56)