| Summary: | The article examines the grassroots HIV-AIDS activism that emerged in the Soviet Union during the late 1980s and early 1990s, particularly in Moscow and Leningrad, against the backdrop of significant social and political changes under Mikhail Gorbachev's reforms. It highlights the International Gay and Lesbian Symposium and Film Festival held in July 1991, which marked a pivotal moment for public discussions on HIV-AIDS, culminating in the first public disclosure of HIV status by a Soviet citizen. The article argues that Soviet HIV-AIDS action was characterized by a blend of liberal and conservative elements, as activists sought to address the epidemic while navigating the stigma surrounding homosexuality and the inadequacies of state health care. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of transnational connections and citizen diplomacy in fostering collaboration between Soviet and North American activists, despite the inherent inequalities in resources and knowledge.
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