Final answer:
While Ali Gertz is not specifically mentioned, her activism likely paralleled that of other activists from the 1980s by using her personal story to raise awareness and press for policy changes in response to AIDS.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ali Gertz became an advocate for AIDS activism after she was diagnosed with the disease at a young age. While she is not directly mentioned in the provided information, the context of AIDS activism in the 1980s suggests that like others who became faces of the disease, such as Larry Kramer and Virginia Apuzzo, Ali Gertz would have used her personal story to raise awareness, fight misinformation and discrimination, and likely would have advocated for better policies and treatments. Her work possibly included public speaking, interviews, and contributing to the changing perception of the disease.
In the context of the provided materials, activists like Kramer and Apuzzo played pivotal roles by organizing groups such as the Gay Men's Health Crisis and ACT UP, spearheading protests, and pushing for policy changes. Their activism included creating the iconic "Silence = Death" image and staging theatrical protests to draw media attention. Similarly, Gertz's contributions would be instrumental in humanizing the disease and pressuring entities like pharmaceutical companies and the government to take action.