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AIDS is first reported.

1981

AIDS
QT
EPD
HR

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) publishes an article in their Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report describing five cases of a rare lung infection–pneumocystis pneumonia–in young, otherwise healthy gay men in Los Angeles. The New York Times prints the first public story of a rare pneumonia and skin cancer found in 41 gay men in New York and California.

The CDC initially refers to the disease as Gay Related Immune Deficiency Disorder (GRID), creating immense discrimination and hate violence against gay men and the broader LGBTQ+ community.

The epidemic will lead to millions of deaths around the world in the coming decades, as well as massive grassroots organizing efforts and community care programs fighting for advocacy and the decriminalization of people living with HIV/AIDS.

AIDS will also later cause a shift in harm reduction strategies, from reducing substance use to adding an additional focus on needle exchange programs to reduce the transmission of blood-borne infections amongst substance users.