The Boy Next Door Documentary

The Boy Next Door Documentary's Fundraiser

At it's most harrowing peak, the queerest town in America responded to the AIDS crisis in a way most other places hadn't even considered. image

At it's most harrowing peak, the queerest town in America responded to the AIDS crisis in a way most other places hadn't even considered.

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During the AIDS crisis, many gay men diagnosed with the then-untreatable and deadly disease were outed by this stigmatized illness and subsequently rejected by their families, friends, and employers. With nowhere left to turn, they sought refuge and community in a small coastal town at the tip of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. In the absence of government action, the first responders in Provincetown were largely women, many of whom were part of the LGBTQ+ community. The film explores how these women formed the Provincetown AIDS Support Group in 1983, rallying the community of Portuguese immigrants, artists, and LGBTQ+ residents to care for their neighbors in peril. "The Boy Next Door'' sheds light on the strength and determination of a community that refused to turn its back on those most in need during a time of mass hysteria and fear. It offers an inspiring message of unity and compassion that resonates today.

At a time of deep social and political division, "The Boy Next Door" offers a timely and urgent reminder of the power of community in times of crisis. Through the lens of Provincetown's remarkable response to the AIDS epidemic, the film highlights the importance of compassion, care, and hope in the face of adversity. As we continue to confront new health crises and social challenges, the lessons of Provincetown's response remain as relevant as ever. The film's themes of community, resilience, and collective action provide a much-needed antidote to the cynicism and isolation that often dominate our public discourse. By shining a light on the stories of those who came together to care for their neighbors during one of the most harrowing periods in American history, "The Boy Next Door" offers a powerful reminder of the difference we can make when we stand together.