The AIDS Crisis and LGBT+ Rights at Union County College

In 1981, an unknown but deadly virus was spreading across America, disproportionately affecting the gay community. It wasn’t until late 1982 that Acquired Immunodeficiency Disorder (AIDS) would get its name. That year, a campaign was started to promote safe sex and condom use to curb the uncontrolled spread of AIDS. Despite this and a rapidly increasing death toll, discussion of the topic was deemed taboo, which minimized dialogue, especially in print. The lack of explicit discussion lent itself to disinformation, and the ostracization of the LGBTQ+ community from society, ultimately hindering proper care for AIDS patients. In 1987, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention ran the “America Responds to AIDS” campaign and focused on spreading the message that everyone is at risk. In 1989, the death toll reached a staggering 27,408 people.

AIDS activism and organized demands for LGBTQ+ rights proliferated on college campuses. By the mid-to-late 1980s, coverage of AIDS picked up at Union County College (today UCNJ Union College of Union County, New Jersey.) The student newspaper, The Scroll, published dozens of articles discussing AIDS and provided informational resources. Many of these articles and polls included topics such as condom use and student attitudes regarding sexuality and sexual behavior. In the pages of the college newspapers, students condemned homophobic rhetoric on campus. AIDS awareness efforts included the Center for Adults Returning to Education (C.A.R.E.) publicizing conferences, nursing students distributing condoms, and memorials to those lost to AIDS. Additionally, local newspapers published articles featuring Union County College, many covering AIDS and LGBTQ+ Rights.

This project draws on newspapers and documents from the UCNJ Archives alongside reporting in local newspapers to create a comprehensive timeline of the evolving student climate concerning AIDS and the LGBTQ+ community. Our research is enhanced by oral histories from students who attended the college in the 1980s. Our poster presentation will situate college culture and student activism, including its impact on the broader community, within the general history of the AIDS epidemic and growing awareness of LGBTQ+ rights within the United States.

Our research is centered around the community college environment, which highlights the often-overlooked perspectives of a more marginalized and diverse student body in comparison to most 4-year colleges. Additionally, UCC students were more likely to live locally, share similar socio-economic backgrounds, and maintain a connection with their local communities. UCC is also in close proximity to New York City, one of the areas most impacted by the AIDS crisis. Examining the dialogue among UCC students, our presentation will contribute to expanded research on how local communities reacted and responded to the AIDS crisis and calls for recognition of LGBTQ+ rights. Despite growing acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community and the impact of AIDS, there is more work to be done. We hope that this research contributes to this much-needed dialogue.