In partnership with Georgia Equality, the Tubman Museum is featuring a new photography exhibit entitled African Americans Responding to AIDS: 1981-1991. The exhibit honors historical African American heroes and their responses to the AIDS crisis of the 1980s and 1990s in Atlanta, GA. The display will be open for viewing through June 30, 2021.

“Not only does this exhibit have photos of each activist or ally, but an audio clip accompanies each photo, relating their direct experience in the HIV advocacy movement,” Georgia Equality’s Administrative Manager, Dani Quesenberry explains. “We'd like to encourage the visitors to read each quotation, as it illuminates how each individual responded to the HIV epidemic in their community. And we would like them to also enjoy the carefully curated audio samples from each photo's subject.”

According to Georgia Equality, the goal is to preserve the memories and the work of those who were often directly affected by AIDS. This history may help challenge ongoing thoughts on the past and current state of HIV/AIDS, its treatment and prevention. Each photograph, which is coupled with an audio recording, includes the personal stories being told directly by the individuals.

The exhibit, originally sponsored by The Center for AIDS and Humanity, is a collaborative project of AIDS Survival Project, AIDS Treatment Initiatives and Positive Impact, and works to give voice to the individuals and groups who contributed to raising awareness about HIV/AIDS among African Americans and the general population.