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Surviving & Thriving: AIDS, Politics, and Culture

America Responds to AIDS

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Do you talk about AIDS on the first date, 1980s

Without specifying the gender of his partner, Phillip offered an example of how to begin a conversation about AIDS with a potential partner.

  • Publisher(s):
    Centers for Disease Control
  • Type:
    Poster
Black and white photograph of a white man resting his hand underneath his chin, looking at the viewer. Only his head is evident.

The America Responds to AIDS campaign presented a diverse group of people addressing a litany of questions about AIDS. The questions used an unidentified interviewer to present these fictional conversations, all with men in this case, as happening all over America. The posters did not include any actual information on prevention or testing, the campaign encouraged a dialogue about AIDS among peers that diffused some of the shame and anxiety associated with the disease. In this way, the campaign combated AIDS by first addressing the fear.

Choose from the group
  • Blue tinted photograph of a white teenage boy looking at the viewer
  • Black and white photograph of a white man resting his hand underneath his chin, looking at the viewer. Only his head is evident.
  • Blue tinted photograph of a white man holding a hard hat, looking at the viewer.
  • Black and white photograph of White man in sweater looking at viewer to the left of text.
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    Talk About AIDS

    Do You Talk About AIDS On The First Date?

    Phillip: I sure do.

    You’re serious?

    Yes.

    Phillip: Why?

    A lot of people don’t like to talk about AIDS.

    Phillip: Yeah, I think that’s pretty strange.

    Why?

    Phillip: Nobody talks about it. But everybody’s afraid of getting it.

    Are you afraid?

    Phillip: Of AIDS– yes. Of talking about it–no.

    So, how do you start the discussion?

    Phíllip: Well, I wait for a lull in the conversation. Then, I say something like, “So, how do you feel about AIDS?”

    What sort of reaction do you get?

    Phillip: It certainly gets their attention.

    AMERICA RESPONDS TO AIDS
    1-800-342-AIDS
    1-800-AIDS-TTY
    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES / PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES / CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL

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