In his diaries, David Sedaris reflects on a news report from July 3, 1981, which announced a new type of cancer affecting only homosexual men. This revelation highlights the initial public awareness of what would later be known as AIDS. The mention of this disease in the media underscores the growing concerns surrounding the gay community during that time.

Sedaris's diary entry indicates the fear and confusion prevalent in society as people began to learn about this health crisis. The stigma associated with the disease and its specific impact on homosexual men contributed to a climate of anxiety, illustrating how public perception and individual lives were deeply intertwined during this pivotal moment in history.