Focus on Living: Portraits of Americans with HIV and AIDS

Focus on Living: Portraits of Americans with HIV and AIDS is a powerful photography exhibition by San Francisco-based photographer Roslyn Banish.

The exhibition features 16 portraits from Banish's larger project, Focus on Living, published by the University of Massachusetts Press and includes 40 photographs paired with first-person testimonies. The people she photographed--young and old, gay, straight, bisexual, and transgender--come from diverse racial, cultural, and economic backgrounds. The portraits and interviews reveal the universal truth that HIV knows no boundaries, impacting people across all walks of life.

"Roslyn Banish's unadorned portraits provide a window into the day-to-day struggles and triumphs of people living with HIV," said GLBT Historical Society Executive Director Roberto Ordeñana. "This exhibition reminds us of the enduring impact of the epidemic and the importance of preserving and sharing these personal stories as part of LGBTQ history."

Focus on Living provides an opportunity to reflect on the impact of HIV/AIDS, bringing those experiences into focus through the deeply personal lens of Banish's photography. From 1997 to 2002, Banish interviewed and photographed Americans living with HIV or AIDS, capturing their stories of survival, resilience, and transformation. Her work transcends statistics to reveal the human experience of the epidemic, emphasizing themes of stigma, community, and advocacy.

The stories represented in Focus on Living are both heartbreaking and hopeful. Some subjects share experiences of stigma, loss, and survival, while others reflect on the ways medical advancements have extended their lives. These narratives challenge stereotypes and foster a deeper understanding of the epidemic's human impact.

"My goal has been to humanize HIV/AIDS, to get beyond the stereotypes and statistics," said Banish. "In the end, I hope we are all more knowledgeable about the disease. I especially hope we are more compassionate and understanding of those brave souls who, despite enormous challenges, have managed to stay focused on the business of living."