Before the COVID-19 pandemic propelled Dr. Anthony S. Fauci into the public eye, he faced fierce criticism from Larry Kramer, an influential writer and activist in the gay rights movement. Kramer passed away in May 2020 at the age of 84, and a memorial was held for him at the Lucille Lortel Theater in the West Village. Dr. Fauci was among the speakers, and as he took the stage, he was met with applause.
During his speech, Dr. Fauci shared the complex relationship he had with Kramer, which began with Kramer’s scathing words in The San Francisco Examiner in 1988. At the time, Kramer accused Dr. Fauci of not doing enough to address the AIDS crisis during the Reagan administration. Despite this initial confrontation, the two eventually developed a deep connection that culminated in a brief but heartfelt conversation in May 2020, where Kramer whispered, “I love you, Tony,” and Dr. Fauci tearfully replied, “I love you, too.”
Even as their relationship grew, Kramer continued to criticize Dr. Fauci. One incident involved Kramer urging Dr. Fauci to chain himself to the White House fence in protest of the government’s mishandling of the AIDS epidemic. Dr. Fauci explained that such an act would only result in a fleeting moment of attention and loss of access to the White House, but Kramer persisted in his belief that Dr. Fauci should take a stand.
Despite their disagreements, Kramer invited Dr. Fauci and his wife to the New York opening of his play “The Destiny of Me,” which was a semi-autobiographical account of Kramer’s life during the AIDS epidemic. Dr. Fauci acknowledged that he was depicted as a cowardly doctor in the play but admired the artistry and did not take offense.
Dr. Fauci’s ability to forgive and understand Kramer’s confrontational nature stems from his belief that it was a manifestation of Kramer’s background as a screenwriter and playwright. Kramer’s fiery personality allowed him to break down barriers between patients and the medical establishment, which Dr. Fauci recognized as an essential contribution.
Despite Kramer’s unconventional methods, Dr. Fauci admired the insights, rationality, sensitivity, vulnerability, empathy, and even humor that underlined Kramer’s actions and believed that they were driven by a selfless goal to address the plight of the gay community.
At the memorial, attendees were reminded of Kramer’s strong personality through an excerpt from an HBO documentary called “Larry Kramer in Love and Anger.” In the documentary, Kramer expressed his disdain for the word “epidemic,” preferring to use “plague” to depict the severity of the AIDS crisis.
Kramer was a co-founder of the Gay Men’s Health Crisis, but he eventually left due to conflicts with his colleagues. In 1987, he played a pivotal role in establishing Act Up, an advocacy group known for its bold actions and use of theatrics to raise awareness about AIDS. Kramer and other activists famously protested at the New York Stock Exchange, demanding affordable access to the experimental AIDS drug AZT. They even suggested that Dr. Fauci should face the consequences for the government’s inadequate response to the epidemic.
Despite his volatile personality, Kramer’s fellow activists loved him, even though they often found themselves embroiled in petty disagreements with him. The memorial included speeches from other Act Up veterans, who praised Kramer’s tenacity and passion.
Calvin Trillin, a friend of Kramer’s from their time at Yale, shared an anecdote about Kramer boycotting a Christmas dinner, disappointed in his straight friends’ response to AIDS. Trillin’s wife referred to Kramer’s absence as an “odd sort of RSVP.”
Playwright Tony Kushner, who had also faced public criticism from Kramer, delivered an emotional speech. Although their friendship had been shattered, they eventually reconciled. However, Kushner admitted that his love for Kramer was not the same as before, showing the lasting impact of their falling out.
Sheila Nevins, the producer of the documentary about Kramer, recounted her experiences with him, which seldom involved his wrath. She humorously described his lukewarm reaction to her memoir and witnessed how he defied all odds, consistently refusing to succumb to his illnesses.
Kramer faced numerous health challenges, including complications related to HIV and a liver transplant. Despite his deteriorating condition, he continued to fight for his causes. His marriage to David Webster took place in a hospital room, and he struggled to even say “I do,” but managed to share a kiss with his partner when they were declared husband and husband.
In 2014, HBO released a film adaptation of Kramer’s play “The Normal Heart,” which shed light on the AIDS crisis. Kramer’s declining health prevented him from participating fully in the production, but his impactful legacy lives on.
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