National AIDS Memorial Releases Surviving Voices Mini-Documentary "Substance Users, the Recovery Community & AIDS"

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The National AIDS Memorial Surviving Voices storytelling initiative is being recognized for its powerful work in helping tell the story of AIDS through the voices of survivors of the pandemic, now in its 40^th year.  More than 700,000 U.S. lives have been lost since the first cases of AIDS were first reported in 1981. Today, more than 1.2 million people are living with HIV, with a disproportionate impact in communities of color and in southern U.S. states.

The Memorial has officially released its most recent mini-documentary, "Substance Users, the Recovery Community & AIDS" following exclusive screenings at two LGBTQ+ film festivals – Frameline45 and SF Queer Film Fest 2021.  The mini-documentary, along with deep dive personal interview segments with survivors and advocates, can be viewed on the Memorial's website at www.aidsmemorial.org.

"The National AIDS Memorial is honored to have our Surviving Voices mini-documentary featured at these influential film festivals," said Chief Executive John Cunningham. "It speaks to the important work our organization is doing to share these powerful personal stories of hope, resilience and the journey of survivors around the issue of HIV/AIDS and addiction in an authentic and powerful way."

"Substance Users, the Recovery Community & AIDS" focuses the camera on the unique challenges of HIV/AIDS faced by this community. Through personal stories of survival, the film powerfully captures the journey of AIDS advocates and those of individual survivors living with HIV/AIDS who have struggled simultaneously with the disease of addiction, in raw, honest and forthright conversations.  It depicts their individual strength, power, hope and resilience, the importance of community, spirit, self-respect, and the will to live with dignity and pride.  It also shows their vulnerabilities, the shame, denial, stigma, and hopelessness they have experienced. 

As Queer Chaplain Bonnie Violet Quintana shares, "I can be as I am. Me getting HIV. Me being in recovery – all of that is a big part of Me." 

The National AIDS Memorial's Surviving Voices mini-documentaries are produced and directed by Jörg Fockele and funded through a grant by Chevron, a long-standing partner of the National AIDS Memorial. Community partners include the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, The Elizabeth Taylor 50-Plus Network, Stonewall Project and the Castro Country Club.

"We believe in the power of storytelling and the lessons it can teach current and future generations," said Huma Abbasi, General Manager, Health & Medical at Chevron. "Our long-time support for Surviving Voices is part of our commitment to sharing the very human experiences that have shaped 40 years of the AIDS epidemic. At Chevron, our success is tied to the progress and prosperity of the communities where we operate. In line with the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals, we believe that healthy, educated communities are critical to that success."

Surviving Voices is a program of the National AIDS Memorial created to ensure the myriad stories and lessons of the epidemic are captured, curated, and retained for current and future generations.  "Substance Users, the Recovery Community & AIDS" is the sixth film produced in this multi-year oral history initiative, which also includes "The Transgender Community & AIDS," "The A&PI Community & AIDS," "Women & AIDS," "The National Hemophilia Community & AIDS," and "The San Francisco Leather Community & AIDS."

"I hope that these mini-documentaries will be as inspiring for current and future generations confronting their own challenges as they were for us when we filmed them," said Fockele.

Learn more about the Surviving Voices, the National AIDS Memorial, its mission, programs and how to provide support at www.aidsmemorial.org.

Media Contacts:          

Kevin Herglotz
415-963-2601
[email protected] 

Espe Greenwood
619-993-1673
[email protected] 

SOURCE National AIDS Memorial