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riversedge

(70,216 posts)
Sun Mar 13, 2016, 02:49 AM Mar 2016

HC: A note on the fight against HIV and AIDS-& the people who really started the conversation.

Glad to see this.


TWEET
Hillary Clinton Verified account
?@HillaryClinton

A note on the fight against HIV and AIDS—and the people who really started the conversation. http://hrc.io/21oLQVS



Hillary Clinton5 hrs ago4 min read


On the fight against HIV and AIDS—and on the people who really started the conversation.


Yesterday, at Nancy Reagan’s funeral, I said something inaccurate when speaking about the Reagans’ record on HIV and AIDS. Since then, I’ve heard from countless people who were devastated by the loss of friends and loved ones, and hurt and disappointed by what I said. As someone who has also lost friends and loved ones to AIDS, I understand why. I made a mistake, plain and simple.

I want to use this opportunity to talk not only about where we’ve come from, but where we must go in the fight against HIV and AIDS.

To be clear, the Reagans did not start a national conversation about HIV and AIDS. That distinction belongs to generations of brave lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, along with straight allies, who started not just a conversation but a movement that continues to this day.

The AIDS crisis in America began as a quiet, deadly epidemic. Because of discrimination and disregard, it remained that way for far too long. When many in positions of power turned a blind eye, it was groups like ACT UP, Gay Men’s Health Crisis and others that came forward to shatter the silence — because as they reminded us again and again, Silence = Death. They organized and marched, held die-ins on the steps of city halls and vigils in the streets. They fought alongside a few courageous voices in Washington, like U.S. Representative Henry Waxman, who spoke out from the floor of Congress.

Then there were all the people whose names we don’t often hear today — the unsung heroes who fought on the front lines of the crisis, from hospital wards and bedsides, some with their last breath. Slowly, too slowly, ignorance was crowded out by information. People who had once closed their eyes opened their hearts..............



And, it is a TWEET:



Amy Chozick Verified account
?@amychozick

.@HillaryClinton apologized again for Nancy Reagan + AIDS comment, in lengthy Medium post

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HC: A note on the fight against HIV and AIDS-& the people who really started the conversation. (Original Post) riversedge Mar 2016 OP
Thank you for posting! LuvLoogie Mar 2016 #1
Also Elizabeth Taylor montana_hazeleyes Mar 2016 #2
After BClinton Her Sister Mar 2016 #3
Those comments Stuckinadeepredstate Mar 2016 #4
 

Her Sister

(6,444 posts)
3. After BClinton
Sun Mar 13, 2016, 09:45 AM
Mar 2016

ended his President I remember him organizing and talking about AIDS/HIV in Africa and worldwide.

This is a great letter. HRC always is so insightful. I enjoy her take on subjects/issues...

4. Those comments
Sun Mar 13, 2016, 11:04 AM
Mar 2016

I have been volunteering and donating to HRC's campaign. But as a gay person, her comments about Nancy Reagan and AIDS were very disheartening. I'm glad she's apologized but wow.

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