Body Counts: A Memoir of Politics, Sex, AIDS, and Survival

Body Counts chronicles Sean Strub's journey as an LGBTQ+ activist and founder of POZ magazine during the height of the AIDS epidemic in America. Strub provides a firsthand account of the crisis from its early days in the 1980s through the transformative developments of the 1990s. The memoir traces Strub's path from his Catholic upbringing in Iowa to his involvement in Democratic politics in Washington D.C., and eventually to New York City's gay community. His narrative encompasses his experiences as an HIV-positive man, his work in AIDS activism with ACT UP, and his creation of groundbreaking HIV-focused media projects. Strub documents the intersections of politics, healthcare, social movements, and personal survival during a pivotal period in American history. The book examines power structures, institutional discrimination, and the grassroots response to a public health emergency that initially went unaddressed by government officials. This memoir stands as both a historical record and a testament to the resilience of marginalized communities in the face of existential threats. Through Strub's experiences, readers gain insight into how activism and advocacy can transform both society and individual lives.

Readers describe Body Counts as a detailed firsthand account of the AIDS crisis and gay rights movement. The memoir follows Strub's experiences from political activism to founding POZ magazine. Readers appreciated: - Personal perspective on historical events - Clear writing style that balances emotion with facts - Insights into political organizing and activism - Documentation of losses during the AIDS epidemic - Details about ACT UP and treatment activism Common criticisms: - Too much focus on author's childhood/background - Some sections drag with political minutiae - Occasional name-dropping feels unnecessary Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (500+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (100+ ratings) Notable reader comment: "Strub captures both the devastation of the epidemic and the inspiring response of the gay community." -Goodreads reviewer Another reader noted: "The middle section on fundraising and political campaigns could have been condensed." -Amazon reviewer

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🔹 Sean Strub became the first openly HIV-positive person to run for U.S. Congress when he campaigned in 1990, though he ultimately withdrew from the race. 🔹 The author founded POZ Magazine in 1994, which became a groundbreaking publication for people living with HIV/AIDS, combining lifestyle content with advocacy and medical information. 🔹 Strub was present during the 1981 assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan, and he captured the chaos on his tape recorder while working as a Senate elevator operator. 🔹 The memoir details how ACT UP activists smuggled the ashes of AIDS victims onto the White House lawn in 1992 as a protest against government inaction on the epidemic. 🔹 During the height of the AIDS crisis, Strub kept a memorial list of his deceased friends taped to his refrigerator door; by 1996, it contained over 1,000 names.