Introduction

Silverlake Life: The View From Here is a personal video diary-style film following the lives of a gay couple Tom Joslin and Mark Massi after they tested positive for AIDS. The HIV/AIDS epidemic in the US first started in 1981 when the first case was confirmed, to which a death sentence was constituted. Organizations like ACT UP (The AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) fought long and hard for the rights of AIDS victims. However, Tom and Mark did not live through a time when their disease was properly treated. They had no sources that allowed them to maintain their health. Instead, they had to wait until their sickness took over and eventually, their inevitable death. This exhibit will take you through Tom and Mark’s journey to illustrate AIDS as well as some of ACT UP’s activism.