Bobbi Campbell

Newsweek cover, August 8, 1983, showing Bobbi Campbell and Bobby Hilliard

Bobbi Campbell (January 28, 1952 – August 15, 1984) was an American nurse and AIDS activist. He was one of the first people in the United States to publicly identify as having AIDS and became a prominent figure in the early fight against the disease.

Early Life

Bobbi Campbell was born on January 28, 1952, in Columbia, South Carolina. He grew up in Seattle, Washington, where he later attended the University of Washington and earned a degree in nursing.

Career

After completing his education, Campbell moved to San Francisco, California, where he worked as a nurse. He became involved in the local LGBT community and was an active member of the Metropolitan Community Church.

AIDS Diagnosis and Activism

In 1981, Campbell noticed purple spots on his skin, which were later diagnosed as Kaposi's sarcoma, a type of cancer often associated with AIDS. He was one of the first people in the United States to be diagnosed with AIDS and decided to go public with his diagnosis to raise awareness about the disease.

Campbell wrote a column for the San Francisco Sentinel, a local gay newspaper, under the pseudonym "The Kaposi's Sarcoma Gay Man." He used his platform to educate the public about AIDS and to advocate for better medical care and research funding.

Legacy

Bobbi Campbell's activism played a crucial role in the early AIDS movement. He co-founded the People With AIDS Self-Empowerment Movement and was a member of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation. Campbell's efforts helped to destigmatize the disease and brought much-needed attention to the AIDS crisis.

Campbell passed away on August 15, 1984, due to complications from AIDS. His legacy continues to inspire AIDS activists and healthcare professionals.

See Also

• AIDS
• Kaposi's sarcoma
• San Francisco AIDS Foundation
• LGBT rights in the United States
• Metropolitan Community Church