Scroll To Top
Here To Inspire

The Castro vs. AIDS: The '80s in Pictures

The Castro vs. AIDS: The '80s in Pictures

01-allemanx400

On World AIDS Day, the San Francisco Public Library debuts a collection of photographs from Thomas Alleman chronicling the Castro during the worst days of the epidemic.

Nbroverman
Support The Advocate
LGBTQ+ stories are more important than ever. Join us in fighting for our future. Support our journalism.

San Francisco's gay-centric Castro was equal amounts thrilling and frightening in the 1980s. While the neighborhood attracted LGBT people from around the world, AIDS was decimating the population. Even as the residents fought back, protesting for research and education, life went on, and the Castro's 24-hour party never abated. In the following pictures by Thomas Alleman, part of the "Dancing in the Dragon's Jaws: Gay San Francisco, 1985-1988" exhibit at the San Francisco Public Library that opens on World AIDS Day, you can see the men and women who lived, loved, and fought for their lives during that heady time.

01-allemanx633

02-allemanx633

03-allemanx633

04-allemanx633

05-allemanx633

06-allemanx633

07-allemanx633

08-allemanx633

09-allemanx633

10-allemanx633

Nbroverman
The Advocates with Sonia BaghdadyOut / Advocate Magazine - Jonathan Groff & Wayne Brady

From our Sponsors

Most Popular

Latest Stories

Neal Broverman

Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.
Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.