"Vick thought about a private blood fund run by one of her former employers and the many conversations she's had with other club members about how to support people with AIDS. A new thought emerged: What if Vick and her peers organized their own blood drive and created a fund for folks with AIDS to ensure their continued access?"
"We honestly thought if we could get 30 people to show up, it would be a success. We didn't have grandiose plans, and we certainly weren't thinking of making history."
"Nevertheless, the organization that came to be known as The San Diego Blood Sisters is now embedded in American LGBTQ+ History through both its own work and the advocacy efforts it inspired across the country."
In 1983, Barbara Vick discovered a ban on blood donations from men who have sex with men at the San Diego Blood Bank. Concerned about the impact on AIDS patients, she proposed organizing a blood drive with her LGBTQ+ group. Initially hoping for 30 participants, the effort grew into The San Diego Blood Sisters, which became significant in American LGBTQ+ history. Their legacy emphasizes the importance of community advocacy during crises, particularly in supporting those affected by the AIDS epidemic.
Read at LGBTQ Nation
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