When AIDS hit, lots of people banded together to take care of each other and do what the government wasn't doing. When you grow up Jewish, as I have, you learn that everybody hates you, no one's going to help you, and you have to take care of yourself. That's a great maxim to the gay community, and we took it to heart; we took care of our own.

The quote by Bruce Vilanch reflects his belief in the power of community and self-reliance, particularly within the context of the AIDS crisis. Vilanch points out that when the AIDS epidemic began to affect the gay community, there was a lack of support from government institutions, leading many individuals to come together and take care of each other. He compares this experience to his upbringing as a Jewish person, where he learned the importance of self-reliance in a world that often felt hostile. Vilanch suggests that this mindset, which is deeply rooted in his cultural background, helped the gay community respond to the crisis by providing mutual care when the government failed to act.

Vilanch’s reference to growing up Jewish adds a personal layer to his understanding of community solidarity. He notes that being Jewish often comes with a sense of persecution and a realization that, in times of difficulty, one cannot rely on others to help but must instead focus on self-preservation and mutual support. This perspective, according to Vilanch, was crucial in how the gay community dealt with the AIDS crisis, where members took it upon themselves to provide the care and attention that was often lacking from public institutions.

The origin of this quote is linked to Vilanch's experiences during the early years of the AIDS epidemic, a time when the response from government agencies was slow, and many people in the LGBTQ+ community felt abandoned. As a comedian and activist, Vilanch was involved in the entertainment industry, which saw a significant number of individuals affected by the disease. His statement reflects the collective effort of individuals and grassroots organizations within the gay community that worked to support one another, often in the face of widespread stigma and government neglect.

In essence, Vilanch’s quote highlights the importance of community and self-care in times of crisis, particularly for marginalized groups. It underscores the idea that when external support is absent or inadequate, communities must come together to take responsibility for their own welfare. His words reflect both the resilience of the gay community during the AIDS crisis and the lessons of self-reliance he learned from his Jewish upbringing.