Randy Shilts

Randy Shilts

Name	Randy Shilts
Birth name
Birth date	August 8, 1951
Birth place	Davenport, Iowa, U.S.
Death date	February 17, 1994
Death place	Guerneville, California, U.S.
Alma mater
Occupation	Journalist, Author
Years active
Organization
Known for
Notable works	And the Band Played On, The Mayor of Castro Street
Spouse(s)
Website

Randy Shilts (August 8, 1951 – February 17, 1994) was an American journalist and author, noted for his pioneering work in covering the HIV/AIDS epidemic and the LGBT community. Shilts was one of the first openly gay journalists in the American mainstream press and his work brought significant attention to the AIDS crisis in the 1980s.

Early Life and Education

Randy Shilts was born in Davenport, Iowa, and grew up in Aurora, Illinois. He attended the University of Oregon, where he studied journalism. During his time at university, Shilts was active in student politics and was the editor of the student newspaper, The Oregon Daily Emerald.

Career

Shilts began his career as a freelance journalist, writing for various publications. In 1981, he was hired by the San Francisco Chronicle as a national correspondent, where he covered gay rights issues and the emerging AIDS epidemic.

Notable Works

Shilts authored several influential books:

• The Mayor of Castro Street: The Life and Times of Harvey Milk (1982) - A biography of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official in California.
• And the Band Played On: Politics, People, and the AIDS Epidemic (1987) - A comprehensive account of the early years of the AIDS epidemic in the United States. The book was later adapted into an HBO film in 1993.
• Conduct Unbecoming: Gays and Lesbians in the U.S. Military (1993) - An exploration of the treatment of gay and lesbian service members in the U.S. military.

Impact and Legacy

Randy Shilts' work was instrumental in raising awareness about the AIDS crisis and the challenges faced by the LGBT community. His reporting was characterized by thorough research and a commitment to uncovering the truth, often in the face of significant opposition.

Shilts' book And the Band Played On is considered a seminal work in the history of the AIDS epidemic, providing a detailed chronicle of the early years of the crisis and the societal and political factors that influenced its spread.

Personal Life

Randy Shilts was openly gay and lived in San Francisco, California. He was diagnosed with HIV in 1987, and continued to work and write until his health declined. Shilts passed away from complications related to AIDS in 1994.

Also see

• HIV/AIDS in the United States
• LGBT rights in the United States
• Harvey Milk
• San Francisco Chronicle