and the Power of Standing Up and Being Loud
By John Perse
Gil Kudrin has refused to adhere to an age-old admonition to “sit down and shut up.”
In fact, as a leading force and voice in Cleveland’s gay community and with an impact far beyond Ohio, Gil has embraced and demonstrated the slogan for Act Up (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) which is “Silence = Death.” Kudrin has been and continues to be an extraordinarily strong voice and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community in Northeast Ohio.
Activists in the 1980s developed the slogan during the height of the AIDS crisis and it became a rallying cry for the organization’s work. The idea? Ignoring the AIDS epidemic and staying silent in the face of government and societal inaction was costing lives. And as an advocate for life-affirming medical treatments and community-building social activities, particularly during this current time of uncertainty and political pressures on the LGTBQ+ community, Gil has refused to “sit down and shut up.”
Born in March 1958 in Lorain, Ohio, Gil was first diagnosed with HIV in 1981. Gil has spent much of his adult life courageously and vigorously fighting on behalf of people living with HIV and has played a pivotal role in local and statewide activism.
In 2010, he co-founded the Ohio ADAP Crisis Committee in response to cuts in the state’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP). The committee organized town halls, launched a Facebook campaign, and coordinated a statewide call to action that resulted in nearly 500 calls to Governor Ted Strickland, leading to the allocation of $12.8 million in new Medicaid funding to restore the program. In April 2025, he addressed nearly 100 attendees at the group’s first public meeting in over two decades, emphasizing the urgency of action in the face of proposed federal funding cuts to HIV/AIDS programs. He called on younger LGBTQ+ individuals to revive ACT UP’s mission, warning that the current political climate posed a significant threat to the community.
In a recent interview with me, Gil emphasized that 44 years after the first HIV diagnosis, America is still not treating HIV/AIDS as an infectious disease. He stressed that it is a biological and physiological issue, not just a “social” one confined to the gay community. In fact, according to Kudrin, the disease is a function of poverty and race and the lack of resources and available options for marginalized segments of the general population. Yet, without access to medications and health care, the domino effect on the overall health care system will be monumental. Those who are infected will have no recourse other than to overwhelm health care facilities. HIV/AIDS is a community issue like the Covid pandemic and the subsequent reality of a “viral load.” The focus of medical care and legislation must highlight the undeniable fact that this is science. Yet, much of our “community memory” of the impact of Covid seems to have already evaporated.
Beyond his activism, Kudrin co-founded Nightsweats & T-Cells, an organization that employs HIV-positive individuals, providing them with work skills and experience. He continues to take the first HIV medication, Retrovir (zidovudine), and remains a steadfast advocate for those affected by HIV. Kudrin’s enduring commitment to the fight against HIV/AIDS and his leadership in ACT UP underscore his pivotal role in advocating for the rights and well-being of those living with the virus.
Kudrin does not consider himself heroic or courageous for his role in speaking out. He simply believes he is exhibiting basic human kindness and care for those who are more likely to be marginalized in today’s social and political milieu. While Kudrin is part of our series called “Forgotten Voices,” his work – and his voice – cannot afford to be forgotten.
