During the week following Reagan's death, I found the the tributes and near sainthood status lavished by the media an appalling example of historical revisionism. One shameful failure that your piece neglected is how Reagan ignored the bourgeoning AIDS crisis. The disease was well known by 1983, over 1000 gay and bisexual men had already been infected. Prompted by friend Jerry Falwell: "AIDS is the wrath of God" and speechwriter Pat buchanan: AIDS is "nature's revenge on gay men," Reagan ignored this medical crisis until 1987. By this time it was scourging the world, over 20,000 had died in the U.S. and there were 50,000 cases world-wide.

I walk in the AIDS walk in San Diego each year to raise money to replace support services threatened because of Bush administration cut-backs. This year I dedicated my fundraising to Mauricio, a wonderful man, community organizer (and dedicated salsa dancer). Mauricio was one of the first people to die in Boston from AIDS. Whenever the subject of Ronald Reagan comes up, I can't help remembering Mauricio and many more good people who might still be alive if St. Ronald had not abdicated his responsibility to protect all of us, even gay and bisexual men.

I can't help thinking that each and every pandering allusion to Ronald Reagan salted through the Republican debates lose McCain and Romney more LGBT votes, or at least they should.