Doctor DILF Episode 2.4: What is the legacy of the AIDS epidemic?

Why you should listen to this episode…

Doctor DILF is the health and wellbeing podcast for older gay and bisexual men, unpicking what it means to be us in the 2020s. Every episode, Dr. Simon Fox (a specialist in LGBTQ+ healthy aging) talks with experts about the topic of the week, seeking answers and providing food for thought regarding our health and well-being.

Trigger warning: This episode has content which some listeners may find distressing. As such, listener discretion is advised.

In this poignant and emotional episode, Simon is joined by Dr. David Woodhead, the Associate Director of the Centre for Mental Health and a researcher for Durham University. David tells Simon all about his current academic study where he interviews survivors of the AIDS epidemic and asks them about personal objects of significance. Through these objects, from pictures to pamphlets, stories of the 1980s and 1990s emerge of one of the largest public health events of modern times.

Together, David and Simon consider the limits of inclusivity at the time regarding racism and misogyny, the unsung lesbian and trans heroes of the AIDS epidemic, what the survivors carry with them to this day, how HIV is seen now, aging with HIV, and what may come in the future. For anyone interested in LGBTQ+ history, the AIDS epidemic, or the human cost of public health events, this is an unmissable episode.