Imagine a World Without

Phillyist has been known to run with an older crowd, maybe because inexplicably we were/are the youngest by at least 10 years at most of our places of employ. A fun game to play if you have a good decade to work with is “what was different?” This sometimes devolves into discussions of Slinky (yes, we are old enough to remember when they were exclusively made of metal). When working with a more serious bunch, though (sexual health clinics can be trying), we realized that, perhaps more than anything else, the fact that we do not remember a world before AIDS informs our perspective and marks us as belonging to a particular generation, one that doesn’t really remember a world without crack, either. Growing up in the thick of the early days of the epidemic, back when most people were still worried about sharing a water fountain with a positive person, made us appreciate the enormity of the crisis. It did not, however, have the same devastating impact upon us that it had on many people who had to watch as staggering numbers of friends and colleagues succumbed to the mysterious syndrome. Harvey Fierstein commented once that AIDS nearly killed Broadway—and he wasn’t kidding.

In remembrance and honor of those artists and performers lost to HIV/AIDS, the Smoke, Lilies and Jade Arts Initiative hosts a performance and panel discussion entitled “The Genius Generation Lost to HIV/AIDS” this Sunday at the Gershman Y. SLJ was founded by Zane Booker in 2006 as a socially conscious, multimedia, dance theater company that promotes the experiences of African-American Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual and Transgender communities and HIV/AIDS awareness through performance. Sunday’s event features dance and musical performances by company members and guest artists from Philly and New York, as well a special exhibit by the Black Gay Archivists Society and a panel discussion. Panelists include George Faison, Obediah Wright, Jaye Allison, Howard Lucas, and others who will share personal stories of artists and loved ones lost to the disease. There will also be free HIV testing and condom distribution. This is the second year of the event, and if last year’s attendance is any indication, get there early before all the good condoms are gone. Let’s end it people.

The Genius Generation Lost to HIV/AIDS
The Gershman Y, 401 S. Broad St.
Sunday, January 13, 6-8PM
Free