Cleve Jones and Heather Cox Richardson Reflect on LGBTQIA+ History, Activism and the Work Ahead
05 Jun 2026
In a recent American Conversations interview, historian Heather Cox Richardson sat down with legendary LGBTQIA+ activist and bestselling author Cleve Jones for a powerful discussion on activism, public health, the AIDS crisis and the importance of remembering the movements that brought us here.
Richardson, known for helping millions of readers and viewers understand current events through the lens of American history, brings valuable context to the conversation. With Jones, that lens becomes especially meaningful: his life and work are woven into some of the most defining chapters of the LGBTQIA+ rights movement.
For more than 50 years, Cleve Jones has been a voice for civil rights, LGBTQIA+ equality, public health and human dignity. From his early days in San Francisco working alongside Harvey Milk to co-founding the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and founding the AIDS Memorial Quilt, Jones has helped turn grief, outrage and hope into lasting action.
At a time when conversations about LGBTQIA+ rights, public health, inclusion and democracy remain urgent, Jones and Richardson offer a timely reminder that history is not abstract. It is shaped by people who organize, speak out and refuse to let others be forgotten.
Cleve Jones’ work continues to inspire audiences because it is both deeply personal and historically significant. His perspective helps people understand the power of activism, the importance of remembrance, and the ongoing need to stand up for human rights.