The Other Streets of Philadelphia: The Early AIDS Crisis in the City of Brotherly Love

The Other Streets of Philadelphia: The Early AIDS Crisis in the City of Brotherly Love

por Nic John Ramos
Historia
Temporada 2
Season 2, Episode 5 "One Meal at a Time"
In this episode of The Other Streets of Philadelphia, hosts Summer, Michael, Brionne, and Ryan explore the intersections of politics, religion, and compassion during one of the most stigmatized public health crises in American history—the AIDS epidemic. We begin with a critique of recent political decisions threatening food security, juxtaposing them against the Christian values often invoked by those in power. From there, we journey through the unexpected activism of televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker, whose empathy toward PWAs challenged evangelical norms, and spotlight MANNA, a Philadelphia-based organization born out of the Presbyterian Church in 1988. Through archival news clips, personal reflections, and interviews with MANNA founding member Kay Keenze, we uncover how a small group of churchgoers quietly redefined what it meant to live Christian values—not through judgment, but through direct service. We examine how MANNA, rooted in apolitical compassion, helped bridge the gap between faith and marginalized communities in crisis, and how their model of care continues to thrive today. This episode is a testament to the radical power of showing up, one meal at a time. Timecode Guide: Podcast Host Introduction [00:00 – 04:26] Introduction [04:26 – 07:46] Founding MANNA and Tackling AIDS [07:46 – 12:03] Religion Vs. Politics [12:03 – 16:29] Presbyterianism’s Political Alignment [16:29 – 30:45] For extended show notes For bibliography For transcript
T2 · E5
10 jun 2025
32:08
Season 2, Episode 4 "Faith in Action: Sister Bernadette's Story"
In this episode of “The Other Streets of Philadelphia” we follow Sister Bernadette Kinniry, a Catholic nun who formed the spiritual wellness group Siloam. Our hosts, Mia and Mariel, help share Sister Bernadette’s story, as well as her words on prejudice, the Catholic Church, and spirituality. In this episode, we use Bernadette’s own words to illustrate her journey of quiet feminism and education to help those affected by the HIV/AIDs crisis by giving care to their spiritual needs. Using the Oral History Testimony of Sister Bernadette Kinniry from the John J. Willcox Jr. Archives, as well as outside sources, our hosts place Sister Bernadette within the larger context of not only the HIV/AIDS crisis but also the faith-based community that formed to support those affected and their families. Time Guide: 00:00 – Intro by Summer and Michael; reflection on gender, patriarchy, and recent news involving Carmelite nuns 04:49 – Transition to Sister Bernadette’s story and the founding of Siloam 05:30 – Segment 1: Bernadette’s early religious formation, awareness of her own biases, entry into the Sisters of Mercy, and pivotal experiences at Project HOME08:26 – Segment 2: Overview of faith-based organizations in Philadelphia’s AIDS response; collaborative ethos of ActionAIDS, Philly FIGHT, and St. Luke’s 11:47 – Segment 3: Bernadette’s advocacy for compassionate care, challenges to Church doctrine, and the story of "Christ with AIDS" 15:02 – Segment 4: Creation and continuation of Siloam, the importance of holistic wellness, and community efforts to keep the center open during funding threats For extended show notes For bibliography For transcript
T2 · E4
10 jun 2025
21:08
Season 2, Episode 3 "Faith, Love, and Healing: Pastor Carlice Harris Jackson's Legacy"
In this episode, we follow Pastor Carlice Harris Jackson, a Black clergy leader in Philadelphia. The podcast situates Pastor Carlice's ministry within a wider political landscape marked by abandonment and struggle around public health initiatives. Her efforts reveal how Black women in the church have played a fundamental role in creating community and how Black activists have fought against stigma to create life affirming services for the poorest of the poor. Carlice drew upon both her expertise as a faith leader and trained healthcare worker to create a unique ministry tailored to meeting the needs of the poorest Black neighborhoods in North Philadelphia. Timestamp Guide: [00:00] to [05:27]: Present Day Philadelphia AIDS Intervention with IV Drug Users [05:28] to [10:01]: Historical Context of the Relationship Between the Gay and Black Communities [10:02] to [13:44]: A Background on Carlice: Upbringing, Medical Knowledge, and Early Days as a Pastor [13:45] to [19:41]: Carlice’s Work with AIDS Support and End-of-Life Care: The Calcutta House and the 800-number [19:42] to [23:26]: An Exploration of Grief For extended show notes For bibliography For transcript
T2 · E3
10 jun 2025
23:26
Season 2, Episode 2 "Bridging the Gap Between Communities During the AIDS Pandemic"
In this episode of "The Other Streets of Philadelphia," we follow Guy Weston, a Black and gay advocate during the HIV/AIDS pandemic. In his extensive background in public health, he worked closely with churches in the black community to help AIDS patients from marginalized backgrounds. We share his message and beliefs that the church was a valuable resource when dealing with such a crisis. Throughout this podcast, we intend to highlight Guy’s impressive career as he landed a reporting job for Philly gay news, which kickstarted his activism. Our hosts, Nathan and Emory, using a variety of sources, as well as Guy Weston’s oral history, are bringing on a journey of his life before working in AIDS prevention, activism, and his life after as a black man living in Philadelphia connected to the church. Our hosts make an attempt to contextualize the experiences of Guy Weston during the AIDS Pandemic. Timecode Guide: Series Intro [00:00 – 03:59] Episode Intro [03:59 – 05:44] Segment 1: AIDS in the Black Community [05:44 – 11:26] Segment 2: Guy and the Church [11:26 – 16:58] Segment 3: Activism and PGN [16:58 – 21:52] Segment 4: Guy and Science [21:52 – 25:03] For extended show notes For bibliography For transcript
T2 · E2
10 jun 2025
25:06
Season 2, Episode 1 "Exploring Gay Conservatism"
AIDS activist and lifelong Catholic, Micheal Flynn, is the subject of this episode of “The Other Streets of Philadelphia.” Flynn was an early member of Dignity USA’s Philadelphia chapter and among some of the first people to respond to the AIDS epidemic, establishing ways for gay Catholics and people with AIDS to feel at home within their religion. Through his words on early AIDS advocacy and his tactics for his own activism, we take a broad look at gay conservatism and moderate ideology in the United States. We examine the ways in which the ideas of religious freedom and the right to privacy have been used both by more conservative gay activists and the mainline Church in varying ways to justify their positions, with these arguments being weaponized by the Church against gay people and PWA’s to ignore mass death and reinforce homophobic oppression. Comparing and contrasting the tactics and goals of liberal and “acceptable” activism and the more disruptive tactics of organizations like ACT UP, we set the societal context for different kinds of activism, defining the ways in which liberal, conservative, and ‘radical’ AIDS activists all played into the response to AIDS. Timecode Guide: Series to Episode Introduction: [0:00-5:43] Introduction: [5:44-8:50] Broad Context/Early AIDS: [8:51-18:32] Religious Position: [18:33-24:10] Conservative/Moderate Activism: [24:11-30:40] Radical Activism: [30:41-36:12] For extended show notes For transcript For bibliography
T2 · E1
10 jun 2025
36:12
Season 2, Episode 5 Trailer "One Meal at a Time"
Trailer
Join Celeste, Brionne, Ryan, Adreanna, and Laila as they explore the life and activism of Kay Keenze, a founding member of MANNA, an AIDS service organization born out of her faith work with the First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia.
T2
10 jun 2025
1:29
Season 2, Episode 4 Trailer "Faith in Action: Sister Bernadette's Story"
Trailer
Join Summer, Mia, Mariel, Katernya, and Lauren as they explore the life and activism of Sister Bernadette Kinniry, a Catholic nun who co-founded Siloam, a spiritual wellness center serving people with HIV/AIDS in Philadelphia.
T2
10 jun 2025
1:06
Season 2, Episode 3 Trailer "Faith, Love, and Healing: Pastor Carlice Harris Jackson's Legacy"
Trailer
Join Aki, Onisha, Soiree, Quinn, Khongor, and Izzy as they explore the life and activism of Pastor Carlice Harris Jackson, a church leader whose ministry included, amongst many other things, work at the Calcutta House, a hospice care center for people with HIV/AIDS, the creation of an 800 number hotline, and a Black gay men's choir called Rapture.
T2
10 jun 2025
1:48
Season 2, Episode 2 Trailer "Bridging the Gap Between Communities during the AIDS Pandemic"
Trailer
Join Michael, Nathan, Emory, Ryleigh, and Bailey as they explore the activism of Guy Weston, a Black gay public health journalist and writer.
T2
10 jun 2025
0:57
Season 2, Episode 1 Trailer "Exploring Gay Conservatism"
Trailer
Join Morgan, Cameron, Tais, Spencer, and Valeriya as they explore the life and activism of Michael Flynn, an AIDS activist from Dignity USA, a gay catholic organization.
T2
10 jun 2025
1:27
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