Following is a statement from NMAC Executive Director Paul Kawata on the passing of Larry Kramer.
“I was a kid when I started in the HIV/AIDS movement in the 1980s. Larry Kramer changed my life. Larry’s writings moved me and inspired me to take action. When he said ‘if you’re not mad as hell right now, we’re in trouble,’ he motivated me. He was able to put in writing what I needed to hear in order to stand up and fight. It was okay for me to be part of something that was bigger than I was. And I thank him for that.”
“Larry has been a leader, a mentor, a friend, and a hero to me from the very start. His advocacy, his activism, and his unrelenting willingness to fight for what was right have inspired so many in the U.S. and around the world. His voice, so eloquent, so passionate, and so determined, whether when he was speaking or writing were unparalleled in their impact. And he maintained that spirit until the end. He will be deeply, deeply missed by all of us at NMAC, not just professionally but personally.”
Since 1987, NMAC has
advanced their mission through a variety of programs and services,
including: a public policy education program, national
and regional training conferences, a treatment and research program,
numerous electronic and print materials, and a website: www.nmac.org.
NMAC also serves as an association of AIDS service organizations,
providing valuable information to community-based organizations,
hospitals, clinics, and other groups assisting individuals and families
affected by the HIV epidemic.
