In New Documentary, Reagan Admin Laughs Off AIDS Crisis

A new documentary is shedding light on Ronald Reagan and his administration's lack of respond to the early days of the HIV/AIDS crisis in the 80s, Gay Star News reports.

The new film, "When AIDS Was Funny," was released on World AIDS Day Tuesday via Vanity Fair's website and reveals Reagan's administration's indifference to the deadly epidemic. The footage the short film obtained shows recordings of press conferences in 1982, 1983 and 1984, where White House Deputy Press Secretary Larry Speakes can be heard joking about the AIDS crisis.

When reporter Lester Kinsolving asked Reagan if he was aware of the crisis in 1982, Speaks said: "I don't have it, do you?"

"In other words, the White House looks on this as a great joke?" Kinsolving asked.

A year later, Speakes said: "If we come up with any research that sheds some light on whether gays should cruise or not cruise, we'll make it available to you."

In 1984, when the 4,200 Americans died from the AIDS epidemic, Speaks admitted he did not raise the issue with Reagan, who first acknowledged the existence of AIDS in 1985.

You can watch "When AIDS Was Funny" by clicking here.