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Contrary1

(12,629 posts) Thu Apr 9, 2015, 12:24 AM Apr 2015

Ryan White (1971-1990)

Ryan lived here in Indiana. Given this state's well-deserved negativity from the last couple weeks, it makes me wonder...have we progressed at all?

"Compassion and understanding often gave way to terror and scorn."

Rest in peace, sweet boy.

Reprinted from Apr 8, 2010.

"All Ryan White ever wanted was the one thing he could never have — the chance to be a typical kid.

In 1984, the soft-spoken Indiana schoolboy was diagnosed with a new disease that had modern medicine stumped and America simmering on the verge of panic.

Communities drained swimming pools. Grocers tossed out produce. Anything or anyone that might come in contact with a person who had this deadly disease known by the strange acronym — AIDS — was feared to be potentially contaminated.

Compassion and understanding often gave way to terror and scorn, in great part because AIDS was most closely associated with gay sex and IV drug use. Some even saw it as a punishment from God.

Into this climate of confusion and fear entered a shy, reluctant 13-year-old boy from Howard County. His fresh-faced innocence provided a different perspective — an eye-opening realization that anyone could fall victim to the disease, and a call for the world to help, rather than shun, those afflicted with AIDS..."

Edit to add link: http://www.indystar.com/story/news/history/retroindy/2014/04/08/ryan-white/7458579/

4 replies

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Highlight:

Ryan White (1971-1990) (Original Post) Contrary1 Apr 2015 OP

He put a face to the disease that many didn't want to see. Behind the Aegis Apr 2015 #1

do you remember Elizabeth Glaser Skittles Apr 2015 #2

I sure do. Her and Paul had so much grace. zonkers Apr 2015 #3

Thanks for posting this. /nt AtomicKitten Apr 2015 #4

Behind the Aegis

(53,980 posts)

1. He put a face to the disease that many didn't want to see.

Reply to Contrary1 (Original post)

Thu Apr 9, 2015, 12:33 AM

Apr 2015

While it did bring more attention to HIV/AIDS, there was also a backlash against gay men (IDK if it was against IV drug users too) because we were seen as being responsible for murdering him and other "innocents" through our "wicked ways." By the mid-90's that started to change some, and now, sadly, we see ourselves almost back to square one with awareness of the disease.