Ryan Wayne White

Died April 8, 1990

Ryan didn't live a long life. He hardly reached eighteen.

Living in Indiana, the state flag flew at half staff after his death.

Elton John sang at his funeral. Michael Jackson was there.

The First Lady, Barbara Bush, was there.


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The final years of Ryan's life were contentious.

He wasn't allowed to go to school in Kokomo, Indiana.

"They are fighting this in court hoping I'll die. They've got a long wait."

Courts had ruled that Ryan should be allowed in school. He finally returned to school.

They wrote fag on his locker and on his notebook.

Ryan wasn't gay. He was a hemophiliac taking Factor 8 to aid clotting.

He felt no animosity toward gay men who gave their tainted blood.

Ryan identified with people who were reviled. They were villified. He was villified.

'I know how gay people are made to feel,' Ryan revealed.

The good people of Kokomo yelled, 'Fag, homo,' and worse, when they saw Ryan in public.

Kokomo, Indiana was the source of much anger.

Bullets were fired at the White House.

Kokomo didn't want Ryan. He thought they needed to be educated.

Cicero, Indiana welcomed Ryan. They educated themselves and the students about HIV/AIDS.

When Ryan was asked, "Ryan, do you ever go off to yourself and just cry?"

He replied, 'No, I don't do that. This is the hand I've been dealt. I need to deal with it.'

Ryan's battle to to go to school became a national story and it sped up treatments for AIDS.

While it was the usual suspects who taunted and insulted him, he didn't hold grudges.

Ryan knew his life wouldn't be long and he intended to leave things better.

'And a child should lead them.' Isaiah 11:6

People were watching. Movie stars and pop singers went to meet the courageous lad.

They counted Ryan among their friends. He fought the battle and never surrendered to hatred.

Ryan said, 'I got this thing so someone else didn't get it.'

He got it and his story helped to educate the public about AIDS.

The gay community very much regarded Ryan White as a friend of LGBTQ people.

Ryan White was five feet tall. He had a soft voice.

Ryan's soft voice was heard around the world.

In the fight for HIV/AIDS drugs and treatments, Ryan stood ten feet tall.

Ryan White was a big big man who died too soon.

Peace & Love to you all,
Rick Beck

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