In the summer of 1995, AHF advocates fought and won a battle for AIDS funding threatened by a bigoted U.S. Senator. Today, that victory serves as a reminder that we, the people, can always fight for what’s right.
Protesters march along a sidewalk, holding signs that condemn Senator Jesse Helms for blocking AIDS funding.
The Ryan White Care Act of 1990 (or CARE Act), at the time the largest U.S. health care program for AIDS patients, was up for renewal in 1995. Its continuation was critical, as it would provide nearly $700 million in funding for the prevention and treatment of HIV over the next five years—during a time when AIDS was the leading cause of death among people aged 25 to 44.
However, Senator Jesse Helms (R-North Carolina), a man “obsessed with homosexuality,” stalled the renewal efforts. He proposed an amendment to the CARE Act that aimed to limit organizations from using funding in any way that might “promote” homosexuality. This meant that straight men could be educated about safer sex measures, like condom use, but gay men could not.
A line of demonstrators holds large letters spelling “STOP JESSE HELMS!” during a street-side protest.
That year, AHF was one of the largest single recipients of CARE Act funding. The $9 million it received was used to run the Chris Brownlie Hospice, Carl Bean House, and five clinics. Without the Act’s renewal, thousands of patients would lose access to affordable and dignified treatment.
To fight back against Helms’ discriminatory measure, AHF and fellow AIDS organizations staged a protest in front of the Republican Party Headquarters in Burbank, CA. Advocates held signs reading, “Jesse Helms Has No Heart,” and massive letters spelling out, “STOP JESSE HELMS!” They chanted, “Hey, hey, ho, ho, Jesse Helms has got to go”—a rallying cry AHF still uses at protests today. The demonstration also denounced Helms’ hateful and wildly untrue claims that AIDS was contracted via “deliberate, disgusting, and revolting conduct.”
A focused view of protesters holding large, bold letters that spell out “STOP JESSE HELMS!” in a powerful display of activism.
The loud and impactful rally opposed Helms’ homophobia and called upon Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole (R-Kan.) to act quickly in support of the CARE Act. Dole had the power to move the act to the Senate floor, where it had bipartisan support and was expected to pass. The protesters saw victory the same day, as Dole decided to schedule a vote. Thanks to their efforts, the CARE Act was successfully renewed, and Helms’ amendment was denied.
“We went into the protest this morning believing the bill was stalled because Bob Dole was acquiescing and pandering to the right wing,” said AHF President Michael Weinstein. “That was a specter to us that was quite scary. The concerns we expressed this morning are still valid, but we’re relieved the wait’s over.”
Photo of protesters holding a sign that says “Helms Blocks AIDS Funding”.
The Jesse Helms protest stands out in AHF’s history as a major achievement in the fight against AIDS, bigotry, and HIV stigma. It showed Congress that advocates would not concede in the campaign for affordable and accessible HIV/AIDS health care.
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