ART Horizon Theatre’s Play Marks AIDS Anniversary By Robyn Spizman Gerson
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As COVID dominates the landscape of infectious diseases, a dedicated group that includes Congregation Bet Haverim shared a critical dialogue and awareness that HIV/AIDS persists. On June 26, in keeping with Pride Month, a free community wide event and virtual play, “Love, M.,” reflected on the early days of HIV/AIDS epidemic. Bet Haverim, Positive Impact Health Centers and Horizon Theatre Company partnered on the event to bring attention to the 40th anniversary of the onset of HIV/ AIDS. It’s a disease that persists in Atlanta with some of the highest infection rates in the country. “Love, M.” was the centerpiece of the event followed by a panel discussion featuring those working on the front lines to bring an end to this disease. The event was initially designed for Bet Haverim, founded by members of the LGBTQIA community 35 years
Marjorie Osheroff, board chair of Horizon Theatre, is a member of Bet Haverim. “I am very proud of the powerful play by playwright Clarinda Ross … produced by Horizon Theatre during COVID. This was a perfect vehicle for introducing audiences to life during those early days of the AIDS crisis,” Osheroff said. “‘Love, M.’ is a collection of letters that reveal the stories of two mothers and their sons during those days before AIDS was well understood, as families found out their sons were sick before they even knew their sons were gay. Using the arts to open minds and hearts is very effective.” Playwright Ross, quoted on the Horizon Theatre website, explained “‘Love, M.’ is based on extensive conversations with mothers from the last pandemic, as I wanted to understand those mothers and their stories before we lost them. Ultimately, I came home to a very personal story full of humor, humanity & the healing power of love,
Congregation Bet Haverim members march in the 2018 Pride Parade.
acceptance, and the thing we all crave – connection. This play is able to personalize the HIV/AIDS Epidemic in the way that great stories are able to do.” As a longtime member of Bet Haverim, Osheroff said she learned from such leaders as Joshua Lesser, now rabbi emeritus of the Reconstructionist synagogue, how to best advocate and speak out when folks are marginalized. “I used my voice Horizon Theatre Company’s “Love, M.” is and took action to instreaming through the end of the year. form the community about this issue and the healthcare inequities that were easy to see when the response to spepervasive in the story of HIV care cific health issues can be very politiand treatment. To me Rabbi Josh is cally motivated, creating healthcare a great source of inspiration. Over inequities. I felt outraged when I retime, Bet Haverim has supported the alized it had been 40 years since the Pride movement and the rights of LG- onset of HIV/AIDS and there is no BTQIA people, marching together and vaccine or cure while COVID-19 boasts with the expanded Jewish community four vaccines produced in under one in the Pride Parade when Rabbi Josh year! I wondered why this was the Lesser was chosen as one of the grand case.” ì marshals leading the parade in 2018, “Love, M.” is free to stream through and to this day the march continues.” Osheroff added, “Years of working the end of the year at https://www.horias an oncology social worker made it zontheatre.com/love-m/ 36 | JUNE 30, 2021 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES
