Web Extra with 'ACT UP' Activist Peter Staley
In a web exclusive video, AIDS activist Peter Staley discusses the various life-changing drugs that are now available for people with AIDS. He also notes that these drugs should be made available to more people living with AIDS.
Staley, who helped form ACT UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) in 1987, is the subject of a powerful new documentary, "How to Survive a Plague." The film recounts the struggle that Peter and the other founding members experienced in becoming the most effective health care activists in history; pressuring drug companies, government agencies and other bigwigs to find better treatments for people with AIDS.
Peter, a former bond trader, is also involved with improving the way drugs are tested and approved in the US.
For more information about the film, visit SurviveAPlague.com.
Comments
Thank you so much Anderson, for having Peter Staley on your show. Unfortunately I count four family members of mine who have died of AIDS. Understandably, I appreciate any efforts made to stem this plague. I recall all too well, the difficult early times in the fall of 1985 through June of 1988, dealing with hospital workers who were too afraid to provide care, luckily, my family had no problem taking over, but I know that there were many who did not have family and friends to care for them. I will definitely support this documentary.
In memory of;
My brother Joel Tornabene, b. 1-22-1949 – d. 10-29-1993.
My cousin Donald Erickson, b. 7-5-1952 – d. 1-5-1989
My Uncle James (Erik) Erickson, b. 2-11-1935 – d. 5-30-1986
My Uncle’s Partner, and my very dear friend, Keith Cocanig, b. 5-9-1940 – d. 5-12-1988.
Thank you,
Fran Tornabene
Dear Mr. Cooper,
Thank you for you segment w/'ACT UP' Activist Peter Staley. It was wonderful to have a subject that is now rarely discussed presented w/respect. My partner and I have been together for over 26 years and we lives thru the 80's and early 90's. A time when we lost many friends. I would love to see you do a show about that time in America. Where are people like Larry Kramer, Harvey Fierstein, Jan Rosett and others that lead the fight. How did people like Nathan Lane who played Buzz on Love, Valour and Compassion handle the losses - the change in the community. How are others who survived dealing w/the lost. Even though it has been many years I still wonder what it would be like to have my friends here w/me. What would they think of our new world, our new freedom?
Thank you for giving time and respect to a subject that still carries great pain and loss for so many of us.
Sincerely,
Randy Thomas
Atlanta, GA
Dear Mr. Cooper,
Thank you for your segment w/'ACT UP' Activist Peter Staley. It was wonderful to have a subject that is now rarely discussed presented w/respect. My partner and I have been together for over 26 years and we lived thru the 80's and early 90's. A time when we lost many friends. I would love to see you do a show about that time in America. Where are people like Larry Kramer, Harvey Fierstein, Jan Rosett and others that lead the fight? How did people like Nathan Lane who played Buzz on Love, Valour and Compassion handle the losses - the change in the community? How are others who survived dealing w/the lost? Even though it has been many years I still wonder what it would be like to have my friends here w/me. What would they think of our new world, our new freedom?
Thank you for giving time and respect to a subject that still carries great pain and loss for so many of us.
For anyone who has not yet seen "How to Survive a Plague",go get a copy. It's also available on Netflix. It is brilliant! It is an opportunity to open your minds and your hearts. Whether you are male or female, gay or straight, positive or negative, it is a vehicle that will help you reexamine what your life means to you, and to those around you. It is astounding just how many barriers that Peter Staley, the members of ActUp and all of the other concerned citizens had to hurdle. And how many they did hurdle. I, along with millions of people, owe our lives to the amazing efforts of those courageous individuals who dedicated themselves to a seemingly impossible cause. I hope that President Obama will recognize Peter and those who worked with him with the COngressional Medal of Honor.
Jane,
Hi! Great that you're on the show so guickly again. I must tell you what I have seem on DATELINE,48 HOURS! & I believe even 20/20 recently It's in reference
To the Moron guy who was murdered. She is as guilty as sin She manipulates from
The minute she finds out he has money. She became a Morman for him,plays up to his family, Plays the I'm Leaving U game, uses sex to get him back.His friends all know what's she up too. They were happy when she left. The stories &plots lines she developed were amazing in detail. I think it was 20/20, who did an exclusive jail
House interview. She is a sociopath.He had such a great life ahead if evil hadn't come beckoning in sexually addictive patterns/her.
Dear Anderson, I watched your show today with the segment on the AIDS activist, Peter Staley and info on the Aids documentary film as well as the segment on the drug sniffing dog helping concerned parents. Both of these presentations were superior and so very important for people in today's America to think about and learn from. I am a 70 year old woman immigrated from Catholic, traditional Bavaria in 1966 but learned about both issues in my life here. Your expose on both these issues was superior and so important! Thank you sincerely, Anderson
I am constantly being Shamed and Ostersized, when i disclose my status men dissapear its very sad we have come so far yet Still so so many ill informed ignorant men alive and well in Los Angeles Calif. So many will not even talk to me when found out where i live what i do etc. I am treated still like i am a lepper. I am hot i run 8 mi a day 6 ft 2 190# tan hot and have not had a date sense 1997 shame i have so much to offer
We Are still ostersized by Public Try to Date no one wants to date an h i v poz guy though i am healthy and hot ignorance is alive and well in Los Angeles guys who are neg will not even talk to me its a huge problem to be hiv poz shame and more shame its awefulllllll
Great Story, I was told I had Hiv back in 1984. All my friends were dying, and I planned my Funeral. But with new meds and a great doctor which i still have,I'm still kicking 29 years later.....