Writer Randy Shilts Dies; Chronicled Rise of AIDS CDC Daily UpdateImportant note: Information in this article was accurate in 1994. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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Writer Randy Shilts Dies; Chronicled Rise of AIDS

Washington Post (02/18/94) P. B7 (Smith, J. Y.)

Randy Shilts, a journalist covering AIDS for the San Francisco Chronicle and author of a best-selling book on the disease, died of AIDS on Feb. 17 at the age of 42. Shilts was one of the first openly gay reporters to work for a mainstream newspaper. At the Chronicle, he became a liaison between the homosexual community and the general public for news and opinions about AIDS. He is probably best-known, however, for his book "And the Band Played On: People, Politics, and the AIDS Epidemic." Appearing in 1987, the book was a detailed, well-documented history of America's failure to deal with AIDS. In 1993, it was made into an HBO movie starring Richard Gere and Alan Alda. Shilts also announced last year that he had been infected with HIV in 1987. Related Story: New York Times (02/18) P. D17; Los Angeles Times--Washington Edition (02/18) P. A1; Baltimore Sun (02/18) P. 3A


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