Distinguished Service Award for Wayne Turner and Steve Michael
Presented by Bob Summergill, GLAA Vice President for Political Affairs
GLAA 28th Anniversary ReceptionCharles Sumner School
Thursday, April 22, 1999
I am honored tonight to be able to present an award to a couple that has done so much good for the community and for democracy in fighting illegal actions by the Federal Government.
The only regret in presenting this award is that Steve Michael is no longer with us.
Wayne Turner and Steve Michael have made enormous gains for the rights, lives and comfort of those impacted by HIV and AIDS through ACT UP and in many small individual ways.
AIDS is not a gentle disease. It wracks the body, causing a host of unpleasant symptoms, diminishes the ability to eat and maintain oneself, and invites numerous -- usually painful -- infections.
Drugs are being developed to slow these effects. But even the treatment is unpleasant, expensive and demanding. There is no cure, and people continue to die, if not as quickly. Steve was only one of many Washington, D.C. activists to die last year.
However, Steve did recognize that there is a drug, illegal and yet openly recommended by doctors and patients alike who understand its pain fighting, nausea reducing and appetite building benefits.
Unfortunately, our Federal Government is bent on a long-term policy of prohibition of marijuana despite the growing body of evidence that it is effective in relieving many symptoms.
Not only for treating the withering symptoms of AIDS, but also for the problems of chemotherapy, glaucoma and numerous other ailments.
The Federal Government, Democrats and Republicans, Congress and the Administration have blocked the development and testing of marijuana's beneficial characteristics, forcing health advocates like Steve and Wayne to by-pass the politicians and bring the issue to the voters.
In state-after-state, voters oppose the legalization of marijuana as a recreational drug, but in equally large numbers support the ability of doctors to prescribe or at least recommend whatever treatments and care their patients need.
Steve and Wayne brought the issue to the voters in DC. Organizing a small army of people -- gay and straight -- to collect signatures to put the issue on the ballot. They further fought off attacks by Administration officials such as Drug Tsar (so named for his lack of popular support) and members of Congress.
Even as Steve fought for this issue, he fought for his own life. Ultimately, he lost that personal battle, but he implored Wayne not to let up in the fight.
Wayne and all of the citizens of Washington won the fight. We still don't know by how much and it still isn't official, but We won and Wayne took up the further fight to free DC of the outrageous violation of our most basic and fundamental right, the right to vote and have our votes count.
That is also part of a larger issue being in the courts in other cases. Nevertheless, it is good to know that Wayne Turner continues to fight for people with AIDS, fight for all of us, and especially fight for democracy itself.
I am pleased for these reasons and many others to be able to present this award to Steve Michael and Wayne Turner for their Herculean efforts, and for Wayne's continuing battles.