Sexuality and politics, some of the most universal yet polarizing aspects of the human experience were integrated into Tony Kushner’s Angels in America, in a remarkable and provocative way. Not only does he present these themes in an interesting and confusing play, but challenges his audience, us, to think about these human conditions differently. He connects these human conditions (politics and sexuality) in relation to the HIV/AIDS epidemic of the 90’s but also embeds an important component of justice: compassion.
The HIV/AIDS epidemic marks a time of widespread indifference/blame, civil unrest and polarizing distrust; it was a time in which our differences made more sense than our similarities. One of the most appalling and disturbing instances of indifference and polarization lies within the political scene. President Ronald Reagan and his administration, are notorious and infamously known for a lack of action concerning the epidemic. Scott Calonico’s, documentary short, When AIDS was Funny, reveals the Reagan administration’s initial response to the outbreak. Larry Speakes, the White House Press Secretary was first posed with questions concerning AIDS by reporter Lester Kinsolving in 1982. His response was one filled with laughter and mockery, claiming that he’d never heard about it and that he didn’t have it. As Lester continues to ask questions, drawing and urging the seriousness of the situation, both Speakes and the press pool continue with laughter. President Ronald Reagan didn’t address AIDS until 1985 when about 5,600 people had died. The Reagan administration and later on the Republican Party and supporters, became a symbolic and discriminatory enemy to the gay community.
Such differences between politics and sexuality is deeply embedded in the play, especially between Roy, Joe, Louis and Belize. Roy and Joe’s political decisions are appalling to Louis and Belize, some in which there is no justice to individuals simply based on their sexuality. Roy Cohn is notorious for his homophobic remarks and insults and is sure to communicate his thoughts with Belize. Belize and Louis find themselves deeply offended and disgusted by Roy; a man who has not only dehumanized and degraded gay men, but does not have the courage to admit his own reality. In John Brown’s Body, Act 4, Scene 7, Louis confronts Joe on his 1981-1984 decisions, highlighting them to be the Reagan years. He accuses him of making a decision based on a “technicality, not because it is unconstitutional to discriminate against homosexuals” (pg. 240). Kushner made sure to address the Reagan years, supporter’s indifference and blatant violation of human rights in the play, which remains a central, historical aspect of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
The HIV/AIDs epidemic was a time in which people not only needed policy change and people to act, but needed people who cared, people who had compassion. The polarization and controversy sparked people to distrust, offend and neglect one another. Yet, there were individuals, who despite it all, remained kind and compassionate towards others. Belize embodies this compassion. Despite his experiences, he remains considerate of others; one of the most perplexing yet beautiful demonstrations of compassion is when Belize not only advises Roy with his medication proceedings but when Belize asks Louis to say the Kaddish for Roy. Despite all that Roy did and said to him, Belize thought that he was worthy of forgiveness; considering it to may be “the place were love and justice finally meet” (pg. 255-56). As Belize suggests, forgiveness cannot stem from compassion; realizing that Roy had a hard death and also acknowledging a point of comradeship. Kushner, makes an important point with Belize; despite circumstance and experience, everyone remains human and is deserving of acknowledgment, respect and forgiveness.
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