Finally, audio of Reagan administrations early AIDS response and it's bad...

Discussion in 'LGBT News and Events' started by RolandG, Dec 16, 2015.

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  1. RolandG

    RolandG
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    I don't remember much about the early 80s since i was only a toddler. All of what I know comes from word-of-mouth and reading. It's also hard to truly understand what AIDS patients had to endure during this time, even though I've seen plenty of documentaries which lay bare the rampant homophobia that persisted at this time. There's always been a debate around whether President Reagan acted with any malice in ignoring the plight of early AIDS patients with members of his administration and supporters arguing that he moved decisively to address the looming crisis. I can honestly say that it was chilling to listen to this audio, recently discovered, of early press conference with the Reagan administration and how crass and unsympathetic the administration AND other reporters were to the looming crisis and it's impact on the health and well-being of this country. Fellas, if we think we have it bad now as black gay men, you should hear the public discourse that took place in the early 80s by our own elected officials concerning gay Americans. Very very disturbing. Relevant today, still, as this reminds me of what a president Carson, Cruz, Trump, Rubio, Christie administration might sound like.

    The Reagan Administration’s Unearthed Response to the AIDS Crisis Is Chilling
     
    #1 RolandG, Dec 16, 2015
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  2. Cyrus-Brooks

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    I remember the 1980s and how the disease was talked about. It was widely believed that AIDS was god's punishment of homosexuals. Most people were not at all sympathetic in fact they were malicious and cruel. I was kid during that time period but it left an impression on me. This is more proof(not that more proof is needed) That Reagan was a heartless POS.
     
    #2 Cyrus-Brooks, Dec 16, 2015
    Last edited: Dec 16, 2015
  3. grownman

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    Yeah, I can definitely see Trump saying something as ignorant and foul as this asshole. I should have not listened to this at work. This got me heated. It's one thing to read and a whole another to listen. I need to see that.. YouTube may have some audio that I can find.
     
    #3 grownman, Dec 16, 2015
  4. Redlove333

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    I remember when AIDS wren't funny, it was a very serious matter. I lost a couple of good friends to the disease and watching them expire was not a pretty sight. The government didn't fully take it seriously until "America's Man's Man" Rock Hudson was diagnosed with it and passed away.
    If some of our younger members wish to see a movie about it please watch either PHILADELPHIA OR AND THE BAND PLAYED ON. These two movies are very moving.
     
    #4 Redlove333, Dec 19, 2015
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  5. jpo

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    Unfortunately I was a grown man and remember distinctly when the first article on what turned out to be AIDS appeared in the New York Times. I lived in NYC at the time and the reaction among some in the community was one of disbelief - that the Times, which in those days - 1980 - was pretty homophobic, was trying to rain on our gay parade. It did not take long for the reality to set in as friends began to disappear week by week. I moved to DC in 1981 and can attest that the Reagan reaction was real and mean. An earlier poster mentioned Rock Hudson and it's true that his story started to change the narrative. But far more important was the fact that the community organized on our own behalf. That proved to be even more important. It's an old tale but one that matters. Today, Black Lives Matter shows the continuing power of witness and organization. But lest we forget where HIV is concerned, there are still battles to be fought here - access to drugs, access to clean needles, legal protections.
     
    #5 jpo, Jan 6, 2016
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