21 frightening photos of the 80s, when the world learned about AIDS

On June 5, 1981, an American scientist from the Center for Disease Control, M. Gottlieb, described for the first time a new virus that deeply affects the human immune system. In 1982, it was named Aquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) – acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

And by the end of the 80s, according to WHO, 400 thousand people had already been infected worldwide.

Source: Buzz Feed

Gay pride parade on the streets of New York in June 1983. The poster of the marchers reads: "AIDS: we need research, not tantrums."

Correctional officers guard the prisoners' ward at the hospital, June 15, 1983. They are dressed in special protective suits, as they knew little about the origin of AIDS and the ways of infection.

Meeting 36-year-old Priscilla Diaz with her children, seven-year-old Jasmine and five-year-old twins Saul and Christian, at their home in the Bronx. Hospital officials said Priscilla had contracted HIV from her drug-addicted husband, who had died of AIDS a few months earlier.

Christians are protesting against the consideration of a bill that will guarantee equal rights regardless of sexual orientation.

Therapists examine an AIDS patient who will later die from complications.

Concerned parents went to a rally, New York, September 12, 1985. On the poster: "I want my child to get an education, not AIDS."

16-year-old HIV-infected Ryan White smiles at new friends in the lobby of Hamilton Heights High School, Indiana. Ryan would die of AIDS in 1990 a few weeks before graduation.

From left: Patrick and Lauren Burke with their children, one-year-old Dwight and four-year-old Nicole, in their trailer, Pennsylvania. Patrick became infected with HIV after a blood transfusion, which he was given because of hemophilia. He passed HIV on to his wife, who in turn passed it on to their son.

Right: Debbie, a child care worker, plays with an HIV-infected child.

Little brother and sister among other HIV-infected people in a Harlem hospital, March 10, 1987. Their mother abandoned them after birth.

Reverend Fred Tondalo distributes condoms and brochures with information about AIDS in Fort Lauderdale.

Jewish and Christian religious Protestants during the gay pride parade in New York, 1985.

HIV-infected Michael Callen (right) is comforted by his partner Richard Duorkin, 1989.

The gay nightclub Mineshaft is closed by the authorities of New York, November 7, 1985.

Samples of literature that was supposed to educate people about AIDS.

An AIDS detection kit was presented in Boston on December 14, 1988. The test was created by Cambridge Bioscience Corporation. It allowed you to get results faster.

A huge quilt dedicated to those who died of AIDS, in Washington, October 1988.

Will Hutchinson saw a friend's name on the list of the AIDS Memorial, 1988.

People write their names in support of those who are fighting AIDS.

Demonstrators are protesting in front of St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York, demanding that the country pay attention to the problem and conduct research. 111 people were arrested.

A protester is led away from a demonstration at the headquarters of the Food and Drug Administration, October 11, 1988.

A woman walks past graffiti in New York that reads: "Dead due to insufficient funding for AIDS research."