Living
Surviving Oscar
Gay writer scores Academy nomination for debut film about AIDS


A scene from David Franceās harrowing documentary āHow to Survive a Plague.ā The film has its Oscar rendezvous Sunday night at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood where its up for Best Documentary. (Photo courtesy Sundance Selects)
It sounds so straightforward ā the New York Public Library had a collection of videotapes AIDS activists made decades ago with vintage camcorders back when they were heavy behemoths you had to rest on your shoulder with full-size VHS or Beta tapes inside. Filmmaker/journalist David France combed painstakingly through the clips to compose his powerful 2012 documentary āHow to Survive a Plague.ā
But how this was achieved ā what format was the footage stored in? What condition was it in? Could anyone go in and check these out with a library card? How did France pull this off?
In some ways, itās the least interesting part of the filmās story, which is told via a sobering chronology of video footage shot by angry protesters ā the kind the Religious Right calls āmilitant homosexual activists.ā
The film has been almost universally praised. The New York Times called it āinspiringā and crackling with ācurrents of rage, fear, fiery determination and finally triumph.ā It has a 100 percent freshness rating among critics on Rotten Tomatoes (a film quality-ranking site), several awards including ābest documentaryā from the Boston Society of Film Critics. This weekend itās up for both an Independent Spirit Award and an Oscar. Gold Derby, a site that predicts entertainment industry awards, gives it a 4/1 chance at winning the Oscar (behind āSearching for Sugar Manā which it gives 13/8 odds). ā5 Broken Cameras,ā āThe Gatekeepersā and āThe Invisible Warā (made by the āOutrageā team of Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering) are also nominated.
For āPlauge,ā France took footage ā some of which was housed at the New York Public Library ā shot by 31 videographers and paces it chronologically to the story of the formation of ACT UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power), a group that formed in March 1987 in a spirit of extreme frustration during a speech activist (and āNormal Heartā playwright) Larry Kramer gave at the Lesbian and Gay Community Services Center in New York.
France, during a lengthy phone interview last weekend before he was scheduled to fly to Los Angeles on Tuesday, gladly shares the logistics behind āPlagueāsā formation.
A veteran investigative journalist, author and GLAAD Media Award winner (for a GQ piece on gays in Iraq) whoās had his work published in everything from the New Yorker to Ladiesā Home Journal, France says he was a graduate student during the time AIDS hit in the early 1980s and having written about it extensively over the years, he knew activists had brought cameras to their protests. And yes, the process of crafting āPlagueā was a lot more involved than simply checking tapes out of the library.
āThe tapes from the library are actually just a small portion of the footage you see in the film,ā France, whoās gay, says. āThatās really the first door I went through, this archive of AIDS activism video thatās housed in the Manuscript Division of the New York Library, where you go if you want to read Lincolnās letters. Itās an exclusive corner of the library thatās not accessible to the general public and everybodyās going around wearing white gloves and handling antiquities. In one corner, they have a television and a VCR and you watch the AIDS footage recorded in those early days. Itās just raw footage, not really ever intended for public view. Some of it youāll be watching and all of a sudden it will go to a gay porn video, which just happened to be on the same tape they recorded on.ā
France says the library kept all the tapes ā recorded in every home video format on the market in those years as one might imagine ā but had transferred them all to the Betacam SP format, a higher resolution tape on larger cassettes that for years was the broadcast standard and is still in use today. France convinced the library to let him take select footage to a nearby production lab and have it digitized. He ended up with about 100 hours and says the process became difficult as the project moved along.
āTheyāre really not accustomed to working on a film production schedule, so trying to get them to hurry got more and more difficult as we went along,ā he says.
And that was just the starting point ā in the library footage, France saw other people holding video cameras. He started tracking them down one by one and eventually found a group of people, many long-time AIDS survivors themselves, who had videotape footage they had never revisited. Again, formats remained a challenge.
āWe had all this stuff in so many different formats from private collections,ā he says. āWe were constantly scouring Craigslist and eBay for decks that would play these old tapes. We ended up with about 800 hours and that really became the building blocks of the film.ā
And yes, France says it did take some persuasion to get these individuals to hand over their footage.
France says, āA lot of these people had moved on but I think now have started to see the real value in this footage. I think they gradually started to realize, that yes, enough time has passed and now is the time to really use it and this is the project.ā
France said his project is timely and important because many of the other landmark AIDS pieces, from Kramerās play to Randy Shiltsā āAnd the Band Played Onā were written before the era of anti-retroviral therapy when HIV morphed into a more manageable condition.
He says the film is important for anyone interested in the AIDS fight to see.
āThere were even people in ACT UP who didnāt know the outcomes of many of these things,ā he says. āIf you think you know the story of AIDS, this film will surprise you and that goes for just about everybody.ā
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwhFS1mUaVY
WASHINGTON BLADE: Will this be your first time at the Academy Awards?
DAVID FRANCE: Yes. Iāve never gotten any closer before than my television screen.
BLADE: Have you watched very often over the years?
FRANCE: Oh yeah. My boyfriend and I always have an Oscar party. With ballots and everything. Iāve never won.
BLADE: Whatās your favorite Oscar memory?
FRANCE: Tom Hanksā acceptance speech when he won for āPhiladelphia.ā Thatās really seared in my memory.
BLADE: What did you think of Michael Mooreās controversial speech when he won the category youāre up for? Ballsy or inappropriate for the occasion?
FRANCE: I think if youāve got an audience of a billion people and youāve got something to say, you need to say it. Thatās not to say Iām intending any surprises should I have that opportunity.
BLADE: Have you seen the competition?
FRANCE: Of course. Theyāre all brilliant films.
BLADE: If you win, where will you put Oscar?
FRANCE? Iām not sure. I keep the other awards weāve won in the production office so everyone on the crew can enjoy them and hopefully see their own contribution but if we get this little gold thing, Iām not sure. I have no idea.
BLADE: Do you feel AIDS, as horrible as it was and is, put gay issues on the national radar and that ended up being a silver lining to the cloud or is that an absurd oversimplification?
FRANCE? No, itās absolutely true. Before that, gay people were entirely disenfranchised and we were not seen as being contributing members to the culture at all. We had no role whatsoever in civic life ⦠From those ashes (of AIDS), now we have a president who acknowledges us as human beings and Stonewall is mentioned in the same breath as Seneca Falls.
BLADE: How did you feel when Dustin Lance Black won for āMilkā?
FRANCE: I felt it was incredible. He gave a great speech and I thought it was a very, very good movie.
BLADE: Did you plan all along to submit it for a nomination? Whatās the process like?
FRANCE: There are all kinds of rules about it playing in New York and L.A. and being reviewed by the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times and thatās just the first threshold. I was lucky I had a distributor who saw the potential for the film early on and made sure we did everything we needed to do for both the Oscars and the Independent Spirit Awards. ⦠Anytime you make a film, sure, you fantasize about getting an Oscar nomination and itās really just because you want more people to see it. An Oscar bump is a tremendous thing.
Real Estate
Maximizing your homebuying strategy amid changing interest rates
Consult an expert when navigating unpredictable market

The Federal Reserve’s recent decision to pause its rate hikes and signal potential reductions in 2024 has sparked a wave of interest among prospective homebuyers. As the housing market remains dynamic, many are wondering if now is the right time to connect with a LGBTQ Realtor and embark on the house hunting journey.
In today’s real estate landscape, where factors like interest rates, market conditions, and personal financial readiness intersect, making informed decisions is key. Letās explore the considerations involved in maximizing your homebuying strategy, even in the face of potential interest rate reductions down the road.
Assessing the Current Market
Before diving into the homebuying process, it’s crucial to understand the present real estate market conditions. Key factors include housing prices, inventory levels, and local real estate trends. These factors vary widely by location, and what may hold true in one area may not in another. The availability of homes, their affordability, and the demand for properties all play a role in shaping your homebuying experience.
Interest Rates and the Fed’s Actions
While the Federal Reserve’s influence on interest rates is substantial, it’s essential to remember that mortgage rates are influenced by various factors, including market forces, economic conditions, and global events. Predicting the exact timing and extent of rate reductions can be challenging. It’s wise to stay informed about financial news and seek guidance from experts when making rate-related decisions.
Your Financial Preparedness
Homeownership requires a solid financial foundation. Assess your readiness by considering factors such as your credit score, down payment savings, and debt-to-income ratio. Lenders scrutinize these aspects to determine your eligibility for a mortgage. It’s vital to have a stable income and job security, as this will impact your ability to handle homeownership costs.
If youād like to get pre-qualified for a mortgage, ask your real estate agent for a referral.
Long-Term Plans
Think about your long-term plans and how they align with homeownership. Are you planning to settle in the area for an extended period, or is this a short-term investment? Evaluate your financial flexibility and whether you can comfortably manage homeownership expenses like maintenance, property taxes, and insurance.
Consulting with a Realtor
Connecting with a Realtor who understands your goals and the local market is invaluable. Realtors from platforms like GayRealEstate.com can provide insights into market conditions, housing options, and potential investment opportunities. They can help you assess whether now is the right time to start the house-hunting process based on your unique circumstances.
Refinancing as a Future Option
While securing a lower interest rate in the future is a possibility, it’s not guaranteed. Refinancing depends on your creditworthiness at that time and market conditions. Additionally, there are costs associated with refinancing, so it’s essential to calculate whether the potential savings outweigh the expenses.
The decision to buy a home should be a well-thought-out process that considers multiple factors, including interest rates. While the prospect of rate reductions is enticing, it should be evaluated alongside other crucial elements that shape your homeownership journey. Consulting with real estate professionals at GayReaEstate.com will empower you to make informed decisions, ensuring your homebuying strategy is optimized to your advantage.
Jeff Hammerberg is founding CEO of Hammerberg & Associates, Inc. Reach him at 303-378-5526 or [email protected]. You can also visit GayRealEstate.com.
Advice
Gay clone wonders if heās part of an ant colony
Why do we cede control of our social lives to others?

Michael,
Looking at some photos from my weekends at the beach this summer, it struck me that me and my friends (gay men in our 30s-40s) all pretty much look alike. Practically the same haircut, gym body, swimwear, smile.Ā I almost couldnāt tell who was who.
This got me thinking. I live in the same apartment building as a lot of my friends. We all have similar furniture and watch the same shows and eat at the same restaurants and go to the same clubs and dance to the same music and drink the same drinks and vacation in the same places and work out at the same gym and belong to the same sports leagues and go to the same concerts and have the same routines.
Iām not even sure who makes the decisions about what to do.Ā Something is popular, or becomes popular, and it seems like fun and weāre all doing it.Ā Then itās on to the next thing.Ā But who is deciding what all of us are doing, not doing, or no longer doing?
I think Iām happy, generally, having fun, but I have this strange feeling like Iām part of an ant colony instead of being an individual.
Is this just the way it is? We find our tribe and then weāre all going through life together like this?
Michael replies:
I think you are facing an unavoidable dilemma that comes with being human. How much do you give up your own individuality to fit in? Put differently, what price are you willing to pay, to live an honest life and be known as the person you really are?
Did you come outāwhich takes great effort and brings some risksāto live a life that is right for you? Or to live pretty much the same life that your friends are living?
If you are happy doing all the same things as your friends, without even knowing for sure why youāre spending your time (that is, your life) doing these things, no problem.
But you feel like youāre part of an ant colony. So clearly, this way of living doesnāt sit all that well with you.
What would you be doing if you werenāt following the group agenda? How would you cut your hair? Would you go to the gym as much? What shows would you like (or not like) to watch? Where would you vacation? Do you like the drinks youāre ordering?
And some more important questions: What do you deeply care about?Ā What are your values? What are the sorts of things you want to dedicate your life to? Are you living in a way that reflects any of this?
This may be the only life you get. Using it well (in my view, at least) means deciding for yourself who you want to be and how you want to live.
Sometimes people are afraid to be different out of fear that they wonāt fit in with their friend group. People often tell me theyāre worried they will be criticized or viewed negatively for wanting to do things that are different from what āeveryoneā likes to do. No one wants to be left out of parties or dinners or vacation plans.
Do you think your friends would still want to spend time with you if you werenāt always on board with āthe plan,ā or suggested some new ideas for activities that you were genuinely interested in?
Itās possible that if you start developing more of an individual identity, you might fit in less with some (or even all) of your friends. Feeling lonely or unpopular is not fun.Ā You may have to decide if thatās better or worse than putting on a persona to fit in and be accepted.
Itās also possible that you can be more thoughtful about what you do, sometimes say ānoā and still be part of your friend group.
Even if your friends arenāt always on the same page, Iām hopeful you can continue to have close relationships with at least some of them. A real friendship should be able to tolerate different views and different interests. How could it be otherwise, when all of us are different in some big ways, even from our closest friends?
Thinking about your dilemma through this lens, you could view sharing more of yourself with your friends and letting them know you better as an invitation for greater closeness.
If you make any moves along these lines, perhaps you will find that some of your friends have similar feelings. You might be less alone than you think.
In any case, you will be choosing a more honest life and the opportunity to be known for whom you really are.
(Michael Radkowsky, Psy.D. is a licensed psychologist who works with couples and individuals in D.C. He can be found online at michaelradkowsky.com. All identifying information has been changed for reasons of confidentiality. Have a question? Send it to [email protected].)
Financial
New Workforce Program Aims to Help Expand Economic Opportunity for the Trans Community
Finding inclusion while pursuing sustainable careers.

It was only a few years ago that Sudhesna Kusulia would travel 10 kilometers (about 6.21 mi) from her rural village in India to be able to connect to the internet.
The community she grew up in, Dangaria Kondh, had no network, electricity or constructed houses. When Kusulia got a smartphone in 2020, she gained a window to another worldāone where she was able to explore the aspects of her identity she had suppressed since childhood.
“I realized I’m not alone,ā says Sudeshna, who identifies as a trans woman. āI belong in the LGBTQ+ community, there are millions of people like me living life authentically.”
Growing up, Sudeshna had a love for fashion and Bollywood dancing, and recalls carefully selecting dresses and accessories for her sisters, while secretly wishing she could wear them herself. “The disconnect between my soul and the body I was in was very painful to experience,” she explains. Facing these challenges, Sudeshna struggled with depression throughout her journey to self-acceptance. āFrom a young age, people started bullying me. I isolated myself. I would just cry in my bedroom, beating the wall with no one to hear my pain.ā
Social stigma, barriers to opportunities, and lack of family support often push transgender people to the fringes of the society. Though recent policy changes in India have reduced barriers and provided rights to the broader LGBTQ+ communityā Indiaās Supreme Court decriminalized consensual same-sex sexual relations in 2018 ā thereās still a long way to go, especially when it comes to advancing equity and inclusion for the countryās gender expansive (transgender and non-binary) population.
India is the JPMorgan Chaseās second largest market worldwide in terms of number of employees, where is has been providing services to clients since 1945. Today, the bank has expanded its presence in India, growing its corporate centers across the country, which act as strategic hubs for JPMorgan Chase. Here, employees are working at the forefront of cloud computing, machine learning, artificial intelligence, data science, operations and so much more that is used around the world.
At JPMorgan Chase, the Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs is committed to advancing equity and inclusion for the LGBTQ+ community globally. One of the ways the office works to do this is by ensuring all employees and potential employees have an equal opportunity to pursue their full potential and enjoy a fulfilling career. Recognizing both the unique struggles of the trans community in India as well as the immense talent pool that is leading the way for new business and innovation in the region, JPMorgan Chase worked with PeriFerry to create a transgender internship program in 2022. PeriFerry is a first-of-its-kind social enterprise in India that creates upskilling and employment opportunities for the gender expansive community.
āAcross industry, we see that transgender and nonbinary people do not experience equal opportunities to thrive in their careers and achieve sustainable livelihoods,ā says Brad Baumoel, global head of JPMorgan Chaseās Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs. āAt JPMorgan Chase, weāre committed to creating pathways for the next generation of trans and nonbinary leaders to develop and thrive in their careers.ā
Advancing careers in an inclusive workplace
When Sudeshna went to college in 2016 and came out to her parents in 2020, it was a turning point. She finally felt comfortable in her skin and felt ready to pursue her dreams. But while she was ready to enter the workforce, she was worried her identity would hold her back. A friend suggested she connect with PeriFerry.
Sudeshna landed a spot in PeriFerry’s REVIVE program, a residential corporate training program designed for transgender individuals to venture into the workforce with confidence and acceptance, providing training opportunities in professional English communication, digital literacy, financial literacy, aptitude enhancement, resume building, and interview preparation. Thatās how she found JPMorgan Chase.
Through PeriFerryās REVIVE program, JPMorgan Chase creates dedicated internship roles to gender expansive people across the companyās three corporate centers in India. The 20-week program, inclusive of on-the-job training, is made up of eight weeks of classroom training by PeriFerry, followed by a 12-week internship with JPMorgan Chase. The first and the second cohort had 13 and 11 transgender candidates respectively, who interned across different parts of the business and in operations teams. Interns also were able to participate with the bankās internal Gender Expansive Council, which organized sessions where employees shared their personal experiences as trans leaders at the bank.
Since the internship program launched in June 2022, it has resulted in the hire of over twenty full-time employees.
Connecting with the community for support
While her personal journey has been challenging, and despite rising anti-LGBTQ+ laws and sentiment across the globe, Sudeshna wants to inspire other transgender youth to recognize the beauty in themselves. “It’s a struggle for us. It will take decades before we feel complete acceptance, but it needs to be done. It has to be done,” she says.
According to Sudeshna, the two critical areas that the trans community needs support on are finding steady, respectful employment and a good, safe place to live. Across the globe, JPMorgan Chase supports nonprofits dedicated to advancing economic inclusion for the most vulnerable members of the LGBTQ+ community, including transgender youth and elder communities.
Learn more about how JPMorgan Chase is helping expand economic opportunity for the LGBTQ+ community, and advance equality and inclusion for employees globally.
Visit our careers page for opportunities.
Ā© 2023 JPMorgan Chase & Co. All rights reserved. JPMorgan Chase is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including Disability/Veterans.
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