ABOUT
Raising Generation HIV (formerly An American Family: An AIDS Legacy) is an upcoming documentary photography book that chronicles the extraordinary journey of a gay couple in Florida who became pioneers in the fight against stigma during the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
In 1988, while working as nurses in a Miami hospital’s pediatric AIDS unit, Steven Lofton and Roger Croteau faced a life-changing request. A terminally ill mother battling AIDS-related complications asked them to care for her eight-month-old son, Frank, who was also living with HIV. Saying yes would forever alter the course of their lives.
At a time when fear and misinformation surrounded HIV/AIDS, Steven and Roger became one of the first couples in the United States to foster infants born with the virus—children who were often abandoned or orphaned.
What began as an act of compassion grew into a profound and lasting commitment. Over the years, they welcomed four more children—Tracy, Ginger, and Bert among them—each facing serious health challenges. Steven left his nursing career to become a full-time caregiver, receiving specialized foster care training and licensing, while Roger continued his work as a nurse. Together, they built a home defined not by illness but by love, resilience, and unwavering devotion.
Part of this story first appeared in Ginger’s Book: An AIDS Primer, published by Into the Light Press in 1995. Ginger’s Book took readers on a journey with the family through their early years, concluding with their move to Oregon in 1998. During this period, the family endured profound heartbreak. Ginger tragically succumbed to measles, a consequence of her severely weakened immune system. Her loss was devastating.
Soon after, Bert’s legal adoption status was challenged, drawing significant media attention and igniting heated public debate. Supporters rallied around the family, while anti-LGBTQ+ Christian fundamentalists and certain political figures sought to use the case to question their right to parent. The controversy became a flashpoint in broader national conversations about LGBTQ+ adoption and family rights.
In Oregon, the family’s story continued to unfold. They once again opened their home and hearts, welcoming two HIV-positive brothers: Wayne, age five, and Ernie, age two. Through every challenge—medical, legal, and social—their commitment to family never wavered.
Family Portrait, (2003)
Now, Raising Generation HIV incorporates the original Ginger’s Book material while expanding into the Oregon chapter and bringing the family’s journey forward to the present day. Through sensitive and intimate documentary photographs, Tomás Gaspar honors this remarkable and courageous family. The book not only captures the realities of raising children living with HIV but also affirms the dignity and legitimacy of LGBTQ+ parents who choose love in the face of stigma.
More than a portrait of one family navigating a devastating epidemic, Raising Generation HIV is a testament to unwavering dedication, faith, and the transformative power of chosen family. It challenges persistent myths and assumptions, underscoring that LGBTQ+ adoption is a legal right—and that loving, committed parents come in many forms.
I’m thrilled to share that I have partnered with Wise Ink to publish Raising Generation HIV, with a planned release in Fall 2026. A Kickstarter campaign will launch soon to support the book’s production, along with additional updates and behind-the-scenes news in the months ahead.
Stay tuned—there is much more to come.