BBC Two - Aids: The Unheard Tapes, Series 1, Ignorance (original) (raw)
Ignorance
1982. In London, whispers begin of a mysterious ‘gay plague’. As men contract Aids in alarming numbers, the community rallies to protect others from infection.
Show more
London, 1982. Thirteen years after the partial decriminalisation of homosexuality, the largest gay club in Europe opens its doors, and Heaven is packed. Whispers begin to circulate of a mysterious new disease, a ‘gay cancer’ from New York, and Terry Higgins becomes one of the first people in Britain to die from what will become known as an Aids-related disease.
Activists and doctors come together to discover what they can about this new virus as the number of infected starts to rise. Fear and stigma spread across the nation, contributing to a culture of extreme homophobia and ignorance. Gay activists take charge of trying to spread educational messages about safe sex for the first time.
The stories of men including David, Pete, John and Tony, recorded at the time, bring these experiences to life. Their real voices are lip-synced by actors, giving first-hand insight into their lives at the time. They try to understand what they are hearing about Aids and cope with discovering their diagnoses at a time of heightened stigma and fear, when there is no cure.
As 1985 arrives, and with it the first HTLV-3 antibody test, the numbers of those infected with HIV gradually become clear, and the true scale of the epidemic begins to emerge.
Show less
Last on
Clip
Music Played
Divine
Native Love (Step By Step) (Alternative Remix)
Donna Summer
Love to Love You Baby
Diana Ross
No One Gets The Prize
The Clash
The Magnificent Dance
Depeche Mode
Leave In Silence
The Teardrop Explodes
Reward
Jean‐Michel Jarre
Oxygène Part IV
Jean Michel Jarre, Jean-Michel Jarre
Oxygene 8
Jean‐Michel Jarre
Oxygene, Pt. 4
Frankie Goes to Hollywood
Relax
This Mortal Coil
Song To The Siren
David Sylvian, Ryuichi Sakamoto
Forbidden Colours
David Sylvian & Ryuichi Sakamoto
Forbidden Colours
Pet Shop Boys
In The Night (2018 Remastered) Show more / Show less
Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Director | Mark Henderson |
| Series Producer | Morgana Pugh |
| Executive Producer | Leanne Klein |
Broadcasts
Featured in...
Landmark Documentaries
Bold, brave storytelling, setting the nation's conversations.
Behind the Medicine
The latest developments in the medical world uncovered.
Celebrating LGBTQ+ History Month
Powerful stories that shaped us - a celebration of identity, pride and community.
The Stories That Changed Us
Watershed events from the past that made the world we live in now.
LGBTQ+ Voices
A celebration of distinctive perspectives and powerful voices.
Discover more about the reality of living with HIV, by watching personal stories from The Open University
Visit The Open University website to learn more about HIV and AIDS.