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He didn't write the documentary - he was living through it and his struggles were captured on videos at the time. Rest in Peace Spencer - you fought the good fight for all of us. Your struggles are over now.
I don't get it. If he's qualified to write "how to survive ..." why did he die of AIDS?
Hi Melissa- I've heard that the film, a must see, is available for legal download on the I-Tunes store. Tom
thank you for the virtual friendship, Spencer. I will miss you.
I just saw "How To Survive a Plague" and was blown away. I'm a couple years older than Peter Staley and lived through those years as a gay man in Portland, Oregon. Back in those days I understood the goals of ACT UP, but I had no idea until seeing this movie how well organized and educated the group was. All we saw in the mainstream press was a bunch of loud and annoying people causing a lot of disruption. It was kind of embarrassing, at the time. Although even before seeing this movie I knew that their actions were one of the reasons I managed to survive through those years. The movie shows how similar the actions of ACT UP were to other large social movements, such as the Civil Rights movement, the Prague Spring, and others. It's very powerful and clearly moves it out of the realm of "a bunch of loud gay men" into something much, much more. Many of us are only here today because of the actions of Peter Staley, Larry Kramer, et al. Sadly, the showing that we went to (in the gay area of Seattle) literally had 10 people in the audience, including my partner and me. The younger generation of gay guys will probably never appreciate what us older guys went through. Just as my generation never really appreciated what our fathers went through in the war. It's ancient history. It's not a very uplifting movie, but it's definitely worth seeing.
I have heard many good reviews about the movie can anyone please help me and tell me if the movie will be playing in Texas close to San Antonio. My niece would love to go with me to watch it.
J
Did he die of AIDS or did Meth kill him? The stigma of being a meth addict, is so great, that it is more acceptable to "die of AIDS." Meth changes the brain permanently. I would venture to say that the schism in ACT UP arose as a result of this brain change in some ACT UP members. And the really sad part is that they didn't even know it. Use of meth is inextricably linked with our plague and it continues to fuel new infections. Any discussion of this topic that leaves out Tina, paints a false picture and leads to misguided and ineffective solutions. Did he use Tina? Let's put the blame where it belongs.
January 2, 2013