I remember hearing Bob speak at the Democratic convention in 1992. It was a milestone in American and GLBT history. His loss is one not only to the GLBT Community in America but world wide.
While Bob was a dedicated AIDS & HIV activist and Democrat, he had no problem with letting Democrats know when they were not being a friend to the community or doing all they should do. He proved that it is possible to be passionately involved but not lower your standards as a member of the party or the community.
I am sending Warm Thoughts of Love and Healing to Bob Hattoy’s Family and Friends.
First Openly Gay Man To Speak At Political
Convention Bob Hattoy Dies
(Washington) AIDS activist Bob Hattoy, the first openly gay man and the first person with HIV/AIDS to speak at a national political convention, died on the weekend of AIDS related complications.In 1992 he was invited by Bill Clinton to address the Democratic National Convention. Hattoy blasted then-President George Herbert Walker Bush accusing him of “moral blindness” and the “politics of denial, division and death” for not doing enough to combat the virus.
When Clinton became president Hattoy was asked to join the administration serving in both Clinton terms as a deputy in the Office of White House Personnel.
President Clinton also appointed him to the Presidential Commission on HIV/AIDS, where he served as Chair of the Research Committee.
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