Love Your Asian Body: AIDS Activism in Los Angeles

In the 1980s and 1990s, the AIDS crisis in Los Angeles radicalized a new generation of queer Asian Americans, who created an infrastructure of care that centered the most stigmatized and provided diverse immigrant communities with health resources and information. A community memoir, Love Your Asian Body, connects the personal with the political, detailing the intertwined realities of race and sexuality in AIDS activism and offering a vital portrait of a movement founded on joy.

Format: Hardback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 19 October 2021
Publisher: University of Washington Press

The AIDS crisis had a profound impact on Los Angeles during the 1980s and 1990s, reshaping the lives of individuals and communities. It also sparked a new wave of activism among queer Asian Americans, who sought to address health equity and sexual freedom. Despite the fear and devastation caused by the epidemic, Asian American AIDS activists emerged as leaders, creating an infrastructure of care that prioritized the most marginalized and provided diverse immigrant communities with the resources and information they needed. These young organizers often worked without a formal blueprint, relying on their creativity and agitational tactics to reclaim the pleasure and foster inclusivity, regardless of HIV status.

A community memoir titled "Love Your Asian Body" weaves together the deeply personal with the uncompromisingly political, chronicling the stories of over thirty Asian American AIDS activists. In the early years of the epidemic, these activists took on various roles, including caregivers, social workers, nurses, researchers, and advocates for those living with HIV. For many, the AIDS epidemic marked the beginning of a lifelong commitment to building multiracial coalitions and addressing broader systemic inequalities.

Love Your Asian Body offers a poignant portrayal of the AIDS activism movement, highlighting the intertwined realities of race and sexuality. It sheds light on the experiences of Asian American activists who faced discrimination and marginalization within both the LGBTQ+ and Asian American communities. Through their stories, the book paints a vivid picture of a movement that was founded on joy, resilience, and a collective determination to fight for a better future.

The AIDS crisis not only impacted the lives of individuals but also left a lasting legacy on the broader society. It sparked a renewed interest in LGBTQ+ rights and led to significant advancements in healthcare and research. It also highlighted the importance of community organizing and the power of collective action in addressing social and political issues.

In conclusion, the AIDS crisis in Los Angeles during the 1980s and 1990s was a defining moment in the history of LGBTQ+ rights and activism. It brought together a diverse group of individuals and communities, who worked tirelessly to address health equity, sexual freedom, and systemic inequalities. Through their courage, resilience, and creativity, Asian American AIDS activists paved the way for a more inclusive and equitable future, and their legacy continues to inspire and empower generations to come.

Weight: 544g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780295749327