Pippa Schulman

Pippa Schulman, a current physician who spent her formative years in New York City, describes the culture surrounding gayness and the AIDS epidemic at the time. She talks about the stifling nature of social pressures to conform to gender roles, the prevalence of toxic masculinity and misogyny, and overall homophobia. Yet, Schulman was also able to find a community where she could breathe among those interested in political activism, like her teacher. She juxtaposes the toxic and rigid environment of her educational institution with the overall culture of New York City: a mesh of cultures and lifestyles that allowed her to accept differences more easily.