APB Speaker Cleve Jones’ Memoir Inspires New ABC Mini-Series ‘When We Rise’
28 Feb 2017
During the 1970’s, APB speaker Cleve Jones pioneered the gay liberation movement alongside such historical figures as Harvey Milk. He recounts his life-long experience with human rights activism in his memoir When We Rise, the book that inspired ABC’s new mini-series of the same name.
ABC’S highly anticipated show premieres on February 27 at 9PM ET and sheds light on the lives of multiple LGBTQ men and women who fought for the rights of their community. Written by Academy Award-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, this series tells the stories of courageous individuals such as Cleve Jones, whose activism made the advancement of gay rights a reality.
Author, activist and lecturer are just some of the terms used to describe Jones, but in reality, his contributions to the gay liberation movement and the LGBTQ community have made a distinctive impact. His creation of the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt in 1985 has inspired thousands to commemorate those who have died of AIDS-related causes. In addition, his books and speeches have raised social awareness about issues that wouldn’t have been transformed into action if it weren’t for visionaries like him.