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We, America's gay children of the 70s and 80s, had started off with such promise and so much hope. We honestly convinced ourselves we would be the generation who gave the world gay rights. Instead, we became the generation obliterated by AIDS.
When my best friend Stevie was dying of pneumonia, but his nurses were not allowed to give him oxygen, I vowed to join the struggle and became an activist.
Reagan and his Press Secretary openly joked about fags dying of AIDS, as did most American's. Europe and the civilized world looked on in utter shock and disgust at America's response to AIDS.
While the LGBTQ community and our few allies tried to get America to take notice, Reagan's policy was to do nothing until the first heterosexual was diagnosed with HIV. Only then was AIDS declared a national emergency and millions of dollars were finally allocated to find a cure.
We, America's gay children of the 70s and 80s, had started off with such promise and so much hope. We honestly convinced ourselves we would be the generation who gave the world gay rights. Instead, we became the generation obliterated by AIDS.
When my best friend Stevie was dying of pneumonia, but his nurses were not allowed to give him oxygen, I vowed to join the struggle and became an activist.
Reagan and his Press Secretary openly joked about fags dying of AIDS, as did most American's. Europe and the civilized world looked on in utter shock and disgust at America's response to AIDS.
While the LGBTQ community and our few allies tried to get America to take notice, Reagan's policy was to do nothing until the first heterosexual was diagnosed with HIV. Only then was AIDS declared a national emergency and millions of dollars were finally allocated to find a cure.