Life for me 1982 - 1984

Where my SKF Lab friend took me, in 1982, every event, to keep me sober 😭. He had PCP & passed away. RIP

1984 Robertson Log Cabin, sitting with dying AIDS patients:

In 1982, as AIDS became a public concern, a sense of fear and anxiety spread through the population, particularly targeting gay men. The initial association of the disease with the LGBTQ+ community, along with the lack of understanding and effective treatment, fueled stigma and discrimination. The CDC first used the term "AIDS" in 1982, and the fear of transmission and the potential for the disease to spread in the general population was a major concern. 

Here's a more detailed look at the public perception and reaction to AIDS in 1982:

Initial Fear and Misconceptions:

AIDS was initially referred to as "GRID" (Gay-Related Immune Deficiency), further fueling the misconception that it was solely a gay disease. This misconception contributed to a climate of fear and discrimination against gay men. 

Public Anxiety and Stigma:

The rapid spread of AIDS within the LGBTQ+ community, particularly among gay men, fueled anxiety and fear in the general population. Many people became fearful of contracting the disease, and discrimination against those with AIDS became commonplace. 

Lack of Public Understanding:

The lack of effective treatment and the unknown nature of the disease led to a period of uncertainty and panic. The public was largely uninformed about how the virus spread, leading to widespread fears about casual contact. 

Media Coverage:

News outlets initially struggled to cover the AIDS epidemic, with some avoiding it altogether or using insensitive language. It took almost two years for major newspapers like the New York Times to give the issue front-page attention. 

Government Response:

The federal government's response to the AIDS epidemic was slow and, in some cases, ineffective. This lack of leadership and funding further fueled the sense of fear and isolation among those affected by the disease. 

Community Activism:

Despite the fear and stigma, community organizations like Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) played a crucial role in providing support and education to those affected by AIDS. 

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The West Hollywood Log Cabin has a long history of hosting recovery meetings, particularly for Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and other twelve-step programs.

It was originally a clubhouse for a women's temperance movement, aligning with its later role as a space for sobriety and recovery.

While information specifically on AIDS meetings at the Log Cabin in 1984 isn't directly available in the provided search results, it's highly probable that support groups for people with AIDS and their loved ones would have met there given its role as a central hub for the recovery community and its supportive environment.

West Hollywood was at the forefront of efforts to confront the HIV/AIDS epidemic since its incorporation in 1984.

APLA HealthAIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA Health){Link} was established in 1983 and organized support groups for people with AIDS and their loved ones, suggesting a need for meeting spaces like the Log Cabin. 

Reality in the 80s