The City of West Hollywood is proud to present an evening discussion with Richard A. McKay, author of Patient Zero and the Making of the AIDS Epidemic and former City of West Hollywood Poet Laureate Steven Reigns. Gaétan Dugas was a French-Canadian flight attendant who was widely regarded as responsible for the spread of HIV in the United States. His name and narrative was exposed in Randy Shilts book (and later award-winning film) And The Band Played On. Dugas and the concept of an HIV Patient Zero, the term didn’t exist before the emergence of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, has been loaded with myths, mistruths, and misinformation. Reception and Book Signing to follow the conversation. Books will be available for purchase courtesy of Book Soup. This special community event is co-sponsored by Lambda Literary, Friends Research Institute, Inc., the Los Angeles LGBT Center and ONE Archives.
The event is free, but space is limited and RSVPs are encouraged.
RSVP: https://patientzero.eventbrite.com or call 323-848-6823.
Free onsite parking in the 5 story parking structure with validation.
CONTACT: Larissa Fooks, Community Events Coordinator
323-848-6413, lfooks@weho.org