Throwback Thursday: Chris Bartlett Remembers Philly In the Heat of 1990s AIDS Protests

By Josh Middleton· 11/20/2014, 4:31 p.m.

Outside City Hall in 1990, Chris Bartlett (left) and Dominic Piccirelli (right) hold a stretcher with a body at an ACT UP die-in. ACT UP die-ins were used to highlight the huge numbers of gay men still dying from AIDS due to government inaction. (Photo by David Acosta)

From time to time William Way Executive Director Chris Bartlett and I meet for a rummage through the John J. Wilcox Jr. Archives, a veritable treasure trove of relics from gay Philadelphia’s past. This week we opened a box of photos from one of Philadelphia’s first gay news weeklies, Au Courant, to find a host of photos of Philadelphia in the midst of AIDS protests in the early- to mid-1990s. The above photo from the era, showing a young Bartlett protesting outside City Hall in 1990, hangs in the Archives. It’s one of Bartlett’s prized possessions. (Seriously, you should see him beam when he talks about it.)

Check out some of our favorite snaps from the bunch, with captions by Chris Bartlett.

Au Courant

On September 12th, 1991 hundreds of AIDS activists from ACT UP Philadelphia blocked the streets in front of the Bellevue Stratford when President George H. W. Bush visited during his reelection campaign. The demonstration led to a police riot and ACT UP was subsequently vindicated. Bush was not re-elected.

More scenes from the September 12, 1991 demonstration outside of the Bellevue Stratford -- targeting the first President Bush in order to deny him reelection.

Au Courant

ACT UP Philadelphia fought for many issues related to ending the AIDS epidemic. Gregory Smith was a New Jersey citizen imprisoned for having HIV. ACT UP took up his cause and frequently led demonstrations to remind people of this injustice.

Au Courant

Lesbians for Peace at a demonstration against the Gulf War in 1990.

Au Courant

Gay Pride marchers, mid-1990s.

Another ACT UP die-in. Kiyoshi Kuromiya and Scott Tucker, among others, are on the floor.

Au Courant

Kiyoshi Kuromiya, Unknown, Dominic Bash (in ACT UP Silence=Death dress), Scott Tucker, Dominic Piccirelli This photo shows some of the original members of ACT UP Philadelphia at the Cha Cha Ball- an early fundraiser.

Au Courant

The AIDS Quilt Panel for Joe Beam, world-renowned author and activist from Philadelphia. He also worked at Giovanni's Room. Beam died in 1988.

Au Courant

The AIDS Quilt frequently visited Philadelphia to honor the many gay men and others who had died during the 1980s.

The Philadelphia Lesbian and Gay Task Force was a big political force in Philadelphia from the 1970s to the 90s. Seen here are Temple University Professor Ray Bentman (left), Penn Professor Larry Gross (center), and PLGTF Executive Director Rita Adessa (right.)

Au Courant

Woody's founder Bill Wood (Woody) and friends in the 1980s. Woody is one of the heroes of the fight against AIDS in Philadelphia. He funded many early efforts to stem the spread of the disease and he supported many people living with HIV.