Ryan White

Description: (Activist)

Ryan Wayne White was an American teenager who fought AIDS-related discrimination and helped educate people in the U. S. He was amongst the first faces for AIDS/HIV in America. In fact, his diagnosis demonstrated for the first time that AIDS was not exclusive to gay, minority, and poor people. His case started to gain national importance when his middle school in Indiana expelled him for contracting the disease. Subsequently, his family filed a lawsuit against the school authorities, which they eventually won. At the time when Ryan White contracted the virus, not much was known about the disease and people acted out of ignorance, which doubled his struggle as he not only had to fight the disease but also against the social stigmas related to it. His cause gained national importance and many celebrities came forward to help White spread the information on AIDS through his story of discrimination. He became the face for AIDS/HIV and took part in the fundraising and educational campaigns for AIDS until his death. Congress passed the ‘Ryan White Care Act’ in his honor, immediately after his death and the act still remains the largest provider of services for people living with HIV/AIDS in the United States.

Overview

Birthday December 6, 1971 (Sagittarius)
Born In United States
Alternative names Ryan Wayne White
Height 152 cm
Died on April 8, 1990
Parents Hubert Wayne White
Jeanne Elaine Hale
Relatives Andrea White

Did you know

What legal battle did Ryan White face regarding his HIV/AIDS diagnosis? Ryan White faced discrimination and was initially barred from attending school due to his HIV status, leading to a high-profile legal battle that ultimately resulted in legislation protecting the rights of individuals with HIV/AIDS.
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