When We Rise

When We Rise is a memoir by LGBTQ activist Cleve Jones chronicling his life from his 1950s childhood through decades of social movements. Jones traces his path from a closeted youth in Arizona to San Francisco, where he became involved in the emerging gay rights movement of the 1970s. The narrative follows Jones's close relationship with Harvey Milk and his experiences during the AIDS crisis of the 1980s. His creation of the AIDS Memorial Quilt serves as a central thread, connecting his personal story to a broader historical moment. The book documents major events in LGBTQ history through Jones's firsthand perspective as both participant and witness. His roles as organizer, activist, and survivor place him at key turning points in the movement's evolution from local advocacy to national prominence. This memoir speaks to themes of personal transformation and collective resistance, showing how individual lives intersect with social change. The text serves as both historical record and testament to the power of community organizing.

Readers find this memoir provides firsthand accounts of LGBTQ+ activism in San Francisco from the 1970s through the AIDS crisis. The book gives valuable historical context through personal stories and chronicles the creation of the AIDS Memorial Quilt. Readers appreciated: - Details about lesser-known activists and events - Raw, honest portrayal of both triumphs and struggles - Clear writing style that balances personal and political - Behind-the-scenes look at organizing movements Common criticisms: - Some sections feel rushed or underdeveloped - Later chapters lose momentum - Focus shifts away from activism in final third Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (3,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (380+ ratings) "A crucial first-person account of the fight for gay rights" - Goodreads reviewer "Sometimes jumps between events too quickly" - Amazon reviewer "The early chapters about 1970s San Francisco are the strongest" - LibraryThing reviewer

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🏳️‍🌈 Cleve Jones conceived the idea for the AIDS Memorial Quilt in 1985 while planning a march honoring Harvey Milk and George Moscone. He first created placards with the names of those lost to AIDS and was struck by how the arrangement resembled a patchwork quilt. 📺 The memoir inspired the ABC miniseries "When We Rise" (2017), starring Guy Pearce as Cleve Jones, though the show expanded beyond Jones's story to include other LGBTQ+ activists. 🏛️ Jones was a close protégé of Harvey Milk and worked as his student intern while Milk served on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, becoming one of the first openly gay political figures in the United States. 🧵 The AIDS Memorial Quilt, which Jones founded, has grown to become the world's largest community art project, with more than 48,000 panels memorializing over 100,000 individuals. 🎯 The book details Jones's role in establishing the San Francisco AIDS Foundation in 1983, one of the first organizations to respond to the AIDS crisis and still a major force in HIV/AIDS advocacy today.