Tag: AIDS

AIDS in the Age of Reagan

In October 1982, when I was a sophomore in high school, this conversation transpired at a press briefing conducted by Larry Speakes, spokesman for Ronald Reagan. Journalist: Larry, does the President have any response to the announcement [from] the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta that AIDS is now an epidemic and have over 600 cases? Speakes: What’s AIDS? Q: Over a third of them have died. It’s known as the “gay plague.” [Laughter] No, it is. I mean it’s a pretty serious thing that one in every three people that get this have died. And I wondered if theĀ  President is aware of it? Speakes: I don’t have it. Do you? [Laughter] Update (November 10, midnight) A reader just […]