Last modified on July 22, 2021, at 11:22

ACT-UP

ACT-UP was a militant gay organization which was known for its confrontational actions. The group was founded in 1987 by the gay writer Larry Kramer to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic, lobbying for research looking into HIV/AIDS cures or treatments. In December 1989, the group disrupted Mass at St.Patrick's Cathedral, New York. The group was protesting the Catholic Church's teachings against homosexual acts and abortion. Many protesters were arrested and Catholics alleged that protesters had committed sacrilege.[1] Some people from ACT-UP founded Queer Nation in 1990.

In 1991, Eric Pollard, co-founder of the Washington D.C. branch of ACT-UP, in an interview with Washington Blade, a major homosexual newspaper, admitted that he and other group members learned to apply subversive tactics, drawn largely from the voluminous Mein Kampf, which some of them studied as a working model. They struck "intently and surgically" into whatever institutions they believed to stand in their way.[2][3]

ACT-UP's terrorist actions, including raiding and holding up doctors meetings, was cited to be an inspiration for Anthony Fauci when attempting to push AZT as a treatment. However, his wording ambiguously implied that he either decided to do so due to ACT-UP's actions and his sympathizing with them, or saw them as an excuse to push through with it.[4]

See also

References

  1. Kevin Jones/CNA (5 Sep 2014). Concerns, Confusion Over ‘LGBT’ Group in St. Patrick’s Parade. National Catholic Register. Retrieved on 05 Feb 2017. “In December 1989, the group ACT UP led a notorious “Stop the Church” protest at New York City’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral that resulted in several dozen activists disrupting the church during Mass. Most activists laid down in the church aisles, while others threw condoms, chained themselves to pews or loudly harangued the Mass’ celebrant, Cardinal John O’Connor. One activist desecrated the Blessed Sacrament. More than 100 were arrested in the incident.”
  2. Jeffrey Satinover (1999). "Neither Scientific nor Democractic". The Linacre Quarterly 60 (May 1999): 87. https://books.google.com/books?id=ldMJAQAAMAAJ&lpg=RA1-PA87. 
  3. Eric Pollard (31 January 1992). Letters to the Editor. "Time to Give Up Fascist Tactics". Washington Blade: 39. 
  4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wy3frBacd2k