CONTENT WARNING: Homophobia and Mature Topics
“If you don’t have the gays you wouldn’t have the culture. The gays open the world of freedom. The gays always push things.” -Joey Arias, Performing Artist
The 1980s were a traumatic and hard time for the LGBTQ+ community due to the Reagan administration’s refusal to even acknowledge the HIV/AIDS epidemic, causing many gay nightclubs and bathhouses to close. This administration failed its citizens to protect them against a deadly disease. Reagan didn’t publicly speak about AIDS until 1987 (Abbott)
For context, in 1981 there were a reported 225 cases of AIDS in the United States, in 1983 there were 1,400 cases, in 1985 there were 15,000 cases, and 40,000 cases by 1987 (Abbott). Cases were spreading and this administration did nothing to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. The epidemic became so dire that “in five to seven years the gay community may be depleted by three-fourths its present size” (Abbott).
Throughout the epidemic, as cases began to rise in mostly gay and bisexual men, many bathhouses (a type of spa targeted towards queer-identifying men) and gay nightclubs either voluntarily closed or were forced to by their local government. For example, In November 1985, the State of New York forced the closure of the gay bar, the Mine Shaft attempting to stop the further spread of HIV/AIDS (Purnick). There was fierce opposition to the decision considering that HIV/AIDS spreads through intimate contact and is not an airborne diease (Purnick).
Image: Exterior of the Mine Shaft nightclub in New York City Image Source: http://www.back2stonewall.com/2017/09/nyc-mineshaft-835-washington-st.html
However, during this dark decade for the LGBTQ+ community, gay nightclubs reacted to the spread of HIV/AIDS by creating sexual educational material for their patrons and they still managed to fill the world with music and joy. The gay nightclubs that were able to stay open during the 80s, provided a variety of resources for safe sex practices to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. Said photographer Melissa Hawkins who photographed gay nightclubs during the epidemic,
“Drag queens would hand out safe sex kits with condoms...and hotline numbers for people who needed anything. Posters for street actions would be up at the club door, and there was always a big bowl of condoms at the bar. There would often be tables with safe sex information…There was a real sense of community in the face of the epidemic, even though people had their differences. It was a vital social network for getting information out there.”
These nightclubs were a refuge and community center for the LGBTQ+ community where they could feel less isolated during this time. Testaments about this night-time culture reveal that these clubs offered a space for LGBTQ+ people to have a good time during this very dark moment in their history. The following quotes are antidotes about the gay nightclub scene during the 80s.
“In flamboyant acts of resistance and excess, the nightlife community responded to the devastation of the AIDS crisis and intense national homophobia that followed by becoming even more visible, colorful, outspoken, and outrageous.” (Bieschke)
“It was filled with vibrant music, unique dance moves, and extravagant style. There were no rules or norms, but rather the trend was to be your true and authentic self and to embrace differences and uniqueness.” (Lawrence)
“Every week you would read pages of obituaries. Then, at night, you would go to the most fantastic parties” (Hawkins)
Another positive aspect that came out of the gay community was the rise of prominent gay figures such as Elton John and the Village People. The original members of the Village People include Victor Willis (Cop/Admiral/Athlete/Gigolo), Felipe Rose (Native American), Alex Briley (GI), Lee Mouton (Biker), Mark Mussler (Construction worker), David Forrest (Cowboy). Their most prominent songs include "Macho Man" and "Y.M.C.A" which is about "cruising for sex" at the national chain of men's health clubs (White). The music group is best described as, “Village People are universally known for: tongue-in-cheek gay innuendo, sparsely covered by a flimsy veneer of hyper-macho drag. But they’re not ‘just’ gay. They’re almost overtly (homo)sexual” (King).
Image: The original Village People, Image Source: https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20200804-the-gay-ecstasy-of-the-village-people
During the start of this group's career, their songs had overtly political messaging and unabashed pride in their identities. Songs such as "You've Got Me" which has blatant themes of gay liberation. However, as they hit mainstream success, their overtly gay political messaging was soon muted to appeal to a border base of consumers.
Another prominent gay figure in the music industry is Elton John. In 1976, Elton John formerly came out as bisexual (Jahr). John remained quiet about the HIV/AIDS epidemic throughout the 1980s and then in 1992, the Piano Man came out as a gay man (Radio X) and founded the Elton John AIDS Foundation. He is also known for his large ostentatious and campy attire was highlighted during his concerts and when John began producing music videos in the 80s.
Overall, while the 1980s were a very dark time for members of the LGBTQ+ community, there were still celebrations of their identities and there was an ability to still build a community despite their government carelessly disregarding their duty to protect their citizens.
Works Cited:
Abbott, Steve Beautiful Aliens Nightboat Books, Dec. 3 2019 978-1643620152
Bieschke, Marke "At the Height of AIDS, San Francisco's Queer Nightlife Became a Refuge" Them Feb. 15, 2019 https://www.them.us/story/san-francisco-queer-nightlife-80s-90s
Jahr, Cliff "Elton John Comes Out as Bisexual in Rolling Stone’s 1976 Cover Story" Rolling Stone Oct. 07, 1976 https://www.rollingstone.com/feature/elton-john-lonely-at-the-top-rolling-stones-1976-cover-story-238734/
King, Jack "The Gay Ecstasy of the Village People" BBC Aug. 4, 2020 https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20200804-the-gay-ecstasy-of-the-village-people
Lawrence, Kylie "70s and 80s Club Culture" Prism Oct 14, 2020 https://www.prismfl.org/post/club-culture
Margaritoff, Marco "New York Disco Clubs In The 1970s: When Exclusivity Was About Inclusivity" All That's Intresting, April 05 2019, https://allthatsinteresting.com/disco-history
RadioX, "How Elton John Became an LGBTQ Advocate and Icon" June 12, 2021 https://www.radiox.co.uk/features/how-when-elton-john-came-out-gay-lgbtq-icon/
Pitillo, Angelo "A Gay Old Time" New York Magazine Jan 4, 2013 https://nymag.com/nightlife/features/gay-bar-history-2013-1/
Purnick, Joyce "City Closes Bar Frequented By Homosexuals, Citing Sexual Activity Linked To Aids" New York Times, Nov. 08 Nov. 1985 https://www.nytimes.com/1985/11/08/nyregion/city-closes-bar-frequented-by-homosexuals-citing-sexual-activity-linked-to-aids.html
White, Abbey "The Story Of The YMCA That Inspired The Village People's Gay Anthem" Gothamist Dec 21, 2018 https://gothamist.com/arts-entertainment/the-story-of-the-ymca-that-inspired-the-village-peoples-gay-anthem