History of Erie area reaction to the HIV/AIDS pandemic

by Michael Mahler

This was one of the documents written for an exhibit of local LGBT history called A Look Back: LGBTQ+ Community in Erie for the month of June, 2019 at 419 Artifacts, 419 State St, Erie, PA. that had an opening reception on June 1. This was a project of Erie LGBTQIA+ History Project.

Erie's LGBT community first became aware of HIV/AIDS around 1981. It hadn't really hit Erie by that point. Because it was much more difficult to be out, and because the Reagan administration didn't even use the word AIDS until 1985, after his friend Rock Hudson had died from the disease. In 1985, WSEE did a 4-part series on AIDS & the Gay Community. It was probably the first local news series to look at the local LGBT community. No one used their full name or face, and the series kept the subject of AIDS and the gay community intertwined, even though it was known then that the disease was no just hitting gay people, and that lesbians were low risk. The fear that they might be perceived as being carriers of AIDS probably suppressed many area gay men from being open about their sexuality.

In 1987, the AIDS Council of Erie was formed, and it lasted until late 1993, when it closed amidst scandal. In 1989, the HIV/AIDS Ministry of the Cathedral of St. Paul was formed. It would later go on to host World AIDS Day observances in the 90's and early 2000's. Walter Kramer became the first out HIV+ person in local mainstream media around May of 1992. He moved out of the area not long after. From 1993 to the late 90's there was a local group called Friends from the Heart that helped meet the needs of people with HIV and AIDS (like food, transportation, and shelter.) In 1992, Fr. Pat Dunlap, a Roman Catholic Priest established the Hours of Compassion, a home for men dying of AIDS. Fr. Dunlap passed away from AIDS complications in the fall of that year, and House of Compassion closed shortly after. On December 1, 1994, DonPaul Lucal became the first long term openly HIV-positive when he announced his status on local TV news. On that date, the HIV/AIDS Ministry of the Cathedral of St. Paul had also brought ASDS Quilt panels to Erie. DonPaul was straight and had contracted HIV through blood products due to his hemophilia. DonPaul died on December 1, 2004, which was also World AIDS Day.

Currently, the Erie County HIV Task Force has been meeting monthly and has put on World AIDS day observances, an HIV/AIDS Awareness Walk and testing at Erie's Pride Fest and also Drenched Fur. The Task Force meets at the Erie County Department of Health and includes representation of both health providers and concerned local activists.