On September 24, 1982, the CDC used the term “AIDS” (Acquired Immunity Deficiency Syndrome) for the first time in an MMRW (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report). In this report, they released the first case study definition for the disease: “A disease at least moderately predictive of a defect in cell-mediated immunity, occurring in a person with no known cause for diminished resistance to that disease.” 

In November of that same year, the CDC’s “Current Trends Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS): Precautions for Clinical and Laboratory Staffs” provided the first set of precautions for medical staff to go by when working with people with AIDS symptoms. 

The information that the CDC released was critical in identifying AIDS since the previous name for the illness was GRID (Gay-Related Immune Deficiency) because of The New York Times. People had already made the association between gay men and AIDS, but this development took away the awful name that the Times had given the disease. 

Thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of people were diagnosed with AIDS in the 80s, and all of them died. The 80s was a dangerous time for queer people, especially gay men, and AIDS put the queer community into an unwilling spotlight. 

“A Timeline of HIV and AIDS.” HIV.gov, https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/overview/history/hiv-and-aids-timeline#year-1982. Accessed 31 March 2024. 

Haring, Keith. Stop Aids artwork, 1989. https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/facing-death-from-aids-keith-haring-kept-creating/16169/. Accessed 31 March 2024.