It is not an urban legend that the Reagan administration contributed to the AIDS crisis by its lack of attention to the issue, as well as its general uncomfortable relationship with LGBT Americans. Thanks to the Mattachine Society of Washington D.C., an organization that performs archival research related to gay and lesbian history, and the law firm McDermott, Will & Emery, the nation can get a glimpse of the way that inappropriate attitudes at the highest levels of government can negatively affect the lives of American citizens.
Gary Bauer was chief domestic policy advisor in 1987 as President Reagan formed the Presidential Commission on the HIV Epidemic. Bauer felt the need to advise president reagan on the dangers of appointin a homosexual to the commission. While most would agree that having representation on the commission by a member of the community most affected by HIV, Bauer vehemently disagreed. In a memo concerning the potential appointment of a homosexual member, Bauer wrote:
If the above does not illustrate the need and importance of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, I don’t know what does. I will not hire you because you are homosexual. Good strategy to approach a national crisis, fill the room with “yes” men not the best people to address the problem. Bauer continues:
So some Americans are believed to be immoral and don’t deserve the same respect that socially conservative Americans get. After all, homosexuals are sexually promiscuous and AIDS is the retribution for their lifestyle. Bauer finishes with what the Reagan administration actually thought about the AIDS crisis, and then suggests appointing “reformed” homosexuals to the commission:
Can’t you imagine what we will find out about LGBT rights concerning marriage equality through the Freedom of Information Act in 25 years? I am sure that the Clinton and Bush administration documents concerning LGBT rights will be just as eye opening.
To his credit, President Reagan did appoint an openly gay member to the Presidential Commission on the HIV Epidemic; geneticist Frank Lilly. Subsequently, Gary Bauer served as president of the conservative anti-LGBT Family Research Council and ran for president in 1999. Bauer continues to be a voice in the Republican Party.
