LGBT History Month: I've watched It's A Sin - what next?

Channel 4's new hit drama It's A Sin has catapulted writer Russell T Davies back into the spotlight, along with his ridiculously talented cast. The light, warmth and humanity that pours through even this most desperately sad of stories is a testament to all of the creators involved. Perhaps because of its parallels to the current unknowability of the Covid-19 pandemic, the series (set during the early years of the AIDS outbreak in the 1980s and 90s) has been watched by over 6.5 million people in its first month of release. In terms of awareness of a disease which still affects many today, and as a chapter in an often overlooked part of queer history, the show has a distinctly British lens. This makes it a rare example in television on this side of the pond, but there are still many stories about this time period which feel forced or played out for shock value. So where to start when looking for other honest, interesting depictions of this illness?

For my performing arts degree dissertation back in 2016 I wrote about the different representations of HIV and AIDS in theatre and live art, and it is an area that I still find absolutely fascinating. So, from theatre to TV I decided to compile a list of 'further reading' in this area. Whether It's a Sin opened your eyes to a previously silenced era or you just want to find out what other depictions are out there, hopefully there'll be something in this list for you. And if you've managed to find your way here without watching the series, it's important to note that these can be life affirming, resilient and beautiful takes but due to the subject matter they can also be really tough to absorb. This is by no means an exhaustive list, and specifically focuses on the queer communities' relationship with the illness. So if you have questions or concerns surrounding HIV/AIDS or just want to see how you can support research into the conditions please visit the Terrence Higgins Trust at https://www.tht.org.uk/.

The Musical Juggernaut: Rent

One of only a handful of musical Pulitzer Prize winners, Jonathan Larson's Rent is a rock operetta that premiered in 1996 and tells the story of a group of friends living in New York during the height of AIDS epidemic. Revolutionising what could be done with musical theatre, the show spoke to whole generation who finally saw themselves represented not only in the creative found family that the plot centres around, but in the rock music that better reflected what younger people were listening to. Deftly balancing between heartbreak, loss, humour and love - the show spans a year in the lives of the eight central characters who run the spectrum of the LGBT community and kick started megastar Idina Menzel's career. Also known for popularising the idea of discounted on-the-day rush tickets for audience members, if you haven't yet watched this in one of its many guises, be prepared to have more than one of the songs stay on loop in your head for days. Though with differing subject matter, the musical inspired the design, vibe and structure of many successors including American Idiot, Next to Normal and current global hit Hamilton. There's a filmed version of its last Broadway performance available, as well as a (sanitised but still great) 2005 film adaptation featuring most of the original cast. Music books, the script and new productions (such as Hope Mill Theatre's recent stream) are also in circulation.

The Autobiographical Take: The Normal Heart

Larry Kramer's The Normal Heart is a largely true to life play about activists fighting to have their voices heard in a political climate which ignored and repressed marginalised voices which was first performed in 1985. Passionate and filled with rage against the system, in its original run infection and death rate statistics were updated on the blackboard at the back of the stage at each performance, along with informational leaflets being handed to audience members. As much a rallying cry as it was educational, the story still feels urgent and vital. Centring on journalist Ned Weeks, it details the formation of the ACT UP movement and was adapted into an HBO movie in 2014 by showrunner extraordinaire Ryan Murphy. Featuring the starriest cast on this list including Mark Ruffalo and Julia Roberts - the film is a tough watch but one that I would highly recommend for its powerful performances and basis in reality. The play is also available as a text, and was followed up by Kramer's prequel of sorts The Destiny of Me.

The 7 Hour Epic: Angels in America

Premiering in 1991, Tony Kushner's Angels In America is a long play - there's no getting around that. Told in two parts (each with three acts) it is a look at several disparate characters during the 1980s who are each dealing with the outbreak of AIDS in varying ways. Encompassing politics (a fictionalised Roy Cohn makes for a fascinatingly complex character), love, marriage and religion, the play is set in New York City and contains more than its fair share of fantastical elements in the form of angels who appear in visitations to various characters. There is a lot to take in with this, but you'll be sure to find something to relate to - whether its the masterful writing, performances (many of which are multi-rolled by the same actors) or concept of a groundbreaking theatrical experience like nothing that had come before. Known widely for its awards sweeping, Meryl Streep helmed HBO adaptation from 2003, for my money the best version of this available is National Theatre's recent revival with Russell Tovey and Nathan Lane which has landed on their At Home streaming service, though both serve as strong examples of the work as originally written. Additionally, not only is the play available as a text, but you can pick up an entire book of essays on the work called Approaching the Millennium.

The TV Trailblazer: Pose

Another of producer Ryan Murphy's projects, this series takes a deep dive into the underground ballroom culture of the 1980s and 90s, and has been lauded for its casting of trans performers. Scoring multiple awards (mainly for cis actor Billy Porter but that's another article), the show is still running and will culminate in its third and final season once filming is allowed to resume. A little bit fabulous, a little bit real - this deals with the long term effects of an AIDS diagnosis at a time when so little information was known about the disease. Besides documentaries like Paris Is Burning or the glossy RuPaul's Drag Race, this is a rare example of a show which seeks to highlight previously unheard voices in the trans and drag communities. Buoyed by astonishing performances from a largely unknown cast, you'll be hard pressed to find a group of characters who you fall for quicker than those in this show. Available on various streaming platforms, or to buy.

The Modern Masterpiece: The Inheritance

The most up to date take on the issue, Matthew Lopez' The Inheritance is in many ways indebted in its structure to Angels In America (this is another long one with multi-rolling folks!). But this is set in Trumps America, and takes a deep dive into what gay men owe to their predecessors. It tackles ideas of fame, truth, politics, love and friendship and is in fact loosely based on classic novel Howard's End, with E.M. Forster appearing as a guide of sorts through the varying narrative strands of the play. Notably, though the cast is mainly made up of men, the largest monologue (and a highlight) is given to a female character as she looks back on the last days of her sons life, shaping her for the rest of hers. Like Jill in It's A Sin, its important to remember the allies that fought to change not only their minds but others too. This is an essential look at how what has come before has shaped the rights, communities and lives we as queer people enjoy today. Not only this, but it shows us the importance of remembering these pioneers, and honouring their legacy. After transferring to Broadway in 2019, this has unfortunately not made the leap to screen yet - though I would bank on it happening at some point in the next few years. Until then the play is available and well worth a read, once you get your head around so many characters.

The Live Artist: Ron Athey

By far the most left-field option on this list, body modifier Ron Athey's work is definitely not for everyone. His particular brand of performance art is built from the ground up in order to shock and provoke conversations. An HIV positive artist, he often looks at the different things we put our bodies through, with an emphasis on extreme performance art. This area isn't for everyone, but if it makes you angry, or confused then sometimes that's the point. Of particular note is the book Pleading in the Blood which is a comprehensive look at his work in the ways it explores gender, sexuality, queer activism and radicalism emerging in the 80s at the beginning of the AIDS epidemic. His work also has strong themes of religion and ritual and to see the way his performances have educated and inspired people in such an unconventional way is fascinating.

The Novel: The Great Believers

With a narrative split between 2015 and 1985, this book by Rebecca Makkai is a fantastic view on how living through something as intense as the AIDS crisis can change everything. It's also a vital look at the role of allies during this time and how much they contributed to a community that oftentimes didn't have a voice. It raises questions around documentation of a specific time and how trauma can rear its head years after the fact, as central characters Fiona and Yale struggle to find meaning amongst all the chaos. For something a little lighter but still hard hitting, pick up Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan, which celebrates how far we have come with intertwined stories of pride, as told by those who died before they could experience them.

The Largest Piece of Community Folk Art in the World: NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt

This one is somewhat self explanatory, but as it says on the tin this memorial quilt has 48,000 separate panels which all honour victims of the illness. When not on display, it is stored in a warehouse and weighs a massive 54 tonnes. If you are lucky enough to see it in a physical capacity, then go for it! Until then, the website (www.aidsmemorial.org/interactive-aids-quilt) acts as a great interactive guide to the memorialisation of those that have been lost. Originally conceived as a way to commemorate those that couldn't afford a proper burial, this is a creative and beautiful celebration of those at the front line of AIDS, who sadly had their voices taken away too soon.