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#ItsASin is an absolutely beautiful piece of TV. Brings out so many difficult memories and emotions. My uncle (and godfather) died of complications of AIDS in the late 80s. At the time being gay was so stigmatised that few in my family knew of his sexuality.
When he contracted an infection (I guess PCP pneumonia) in Hong Kong he was brought back from his friends so that he could die in Wales nearer his family. But even then few people spoke about what was actually going on, talking largely in euphemism, and covered up his sexuality.
I never got to know my uncle (I was 4 when he died), and have only heard his stories filtered through the few in the family that knew what was going on at the time. But he sounded like an incredible, interesting man who traveled the world and lived life to the full.
When I knew I was gay (around 12) this made coming out to my family in the Welsh valleys even harder, because in their mind being gay was so wrapped up in dying of AIDS. They also spent so long covering up my uncle’s sexuality that the idea of me being open about it was alien.
Thanks to Thatchers delightful education policy (section 28) preventing discussing homosexuality in school, I also came out thinking that even admitting to myself I was gay meant I was destined to die of AIDS complications.
One of the few glimmers of hope at the time, making me think that there might be a better way forward, was @russelldavies63 #QueerAsFolk, so it’s very appropriate to have him bringing us this gem of TV during a very different type of pandemic.
