Editing AIDS Crisis in Philadelphia (section)

== Legacy ==

The AIDS crisis left lasting marks on Philadelphia. A generation of gay men who came of age in the epidemic's shadow carry its trauma; those who lived through the worst years lost friends, lovers, and community. The organizations created to fight AIDS continue, though adapted to different circumstances. LGBTQ health infrastructure that emerged from the crisis serves communities with needs beyond HIV. Public health approaches to disease—including harm reduction, community engagement, and addressing health disparities—were shaped by lessons learned in the AIDS fight. The crisis forced confrontation with sexuality and drug use that, however painful, produced more honest and effective public health approaches.<ref name="epstein"/>

Philadelphia continues to grapple with HIV. New infections still occur, and the virus remains disproportionately concentrated among Black gay men and transgender women. Ending the epidemic remains official policy, with "Getting to Zero" initiatives aiming to eliminate new transmissions. Prevention tools like PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) offer new possibilities. The AIDS crisis is not over—it has become chronic rather than acute, endemic rather than epidemic. The history of AIDS in Philadelphia is a story of tragedy, heroism, institutional failure, and ongoing struggle—a crisis that transformed the city and continues to shape its public health landscape.<ref name="grmek"/>