The outbreak of the AIDS epidemic was an unprecedented event for LGBT communities: our lovers and friends got sick and died, and our sexual identity was vilified like never before. When the gay community was at its most vulnerable, educators, activists and artists stepped up to protect their community and loved ones. At a time when sex was fraught with fear and confusion, methods to make it “safer” were urgently needed.

Sex in an Epidemic is the story of the safer sex movement in the United States, with a clear and vivid history of the epidemic and the community’s response to halt the spread of the misunderstood disease. Through interviews with many of the leaders who championed safer sex, it’s evident that saving lives depended on two vital questions: How could they get gay men to change their behavior, even if it curtailed the sexual freedom they’d fought so hard for? And how could they retain their sexual identities in the face of a frightening and deadly epidemic?

To tackle the over-whelming cultural stigmas around sexuality in the social and political establishment turned out to be the biggest barrier in defeating the disease. Sex in an Epidemic is a profound look at the mobilization that started the ongoing effort to save lives.

Preceding the feature is Last Address, a simple, touching reflection on the many wonderful artists we’ve lost to the disease. — PHILIPPE GOSSELIN