03/06/2018
Sir Norman Fowler, now Lord Fowler, one of the unlikeliest of HIV heroes, has been beaten as the UK's longest standing Health Secretary by Jeremy Hunt, according to a report aired on ClassicFM. Lord Fowler served as the Health Secretary in several governments of Margaret Thatcher, between 1981 and 1987. Despite opposition from other Conservatives, he was determined that the unfolding HIV pandemic amongst gay men, latino, African people and people who used IV drugs should be met with assistance and compassion by the state. He opened channels of negotiation with the then radical group the Terrence Higgins Trust, and the Gay Switchboard. He advocated sexy, safer harm reduction messages, and his autobiography, “Don't Die of Ignorance” was published several years ago. He remains an ally of the LGBTQ communities as well as an active member of the House of Lords.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Fowler,_Baron_Fowler
