SMU to Host Talk on 'The Life and Death of Ryan White: AIDS and Inequality in America'

Historian Paul Renfro will discuss his new book examining Ryan White's legacy and the ongoing impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

On February 19, 2026, the Center for Presidential History at Southern Methodist University will host historian Paul Renfro to discuss his new book 'The Life and Death of Ryan White: AIDS and Inequality in America.' Renfro will explore how Ryan White's story as a straight, white teenager diagnosed with HIV through contaminated blood products forced the American public to reckon with misconceptions about the AIDS epidemic, while also reinforcing harmful stigmas that continue to impact HIV/AIDS policy and cultural understandings today.

Why it matters

Ryan White's story became a touchstone for the HIV/AIDS crisis in the 1980s, bringing national attention to the epidemic. However, Renfro's analysis examines how White's 'innocent victim' narrative was sometimes used to blame other, more marginalized populations for the spread of the virus, underscoring the deep inequalities at the heart of the crisis. Understanding this complex legacy is crucial for addressing the ongoing impacts of HIV/AIDS stigma.

The details

In 1985, Ryan White, a teenager with hemophilia, was barred from attending his Indiana middle school after contracting HIV through contaminated blood products. As White's story gained national attention, he was embraced by celebrities and athletes, becoming a household name that forced the public to confront misconceptions about AIDS. However, Renfro argues that White's 'innocent victim' status was also sometimes used to blame other, more marginalized groups for the spread of the virus, reinforcing harmful stigmas.

  • Ryan White was diagnosed with HIV in 1984.
  • In 1985, White was barred from attending his middle school in Indiana.
  • White's story gained national attention and he became a prominent figure in the HIV/AIDS crisis throughout the 1980s.
  • Paul Renfro's book 'The Life and Death of Ryan White: AIDS and Inequality in America' will be discussed at the SMU event on February 19, 2026.

The players

Paul Renfro

A historian who has written a new book examining the life, death, and legacy of Ryan White, and how his story reflects the broader HIV/AIDS epidemic and the inequalities at its core.

Ryan White

A teenager with hemophilia who contracted HIV through contaminated blood products in 1984 and became a prominent figure in the HIV/AIDS crisis of the 1980s after being barred from attending his middle school.

Center for Presidential History (CPH) at Southern Methodist University

The organization hosting the event where Paul Renfro will discuss his new book on Ryan White and the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“As HIV/AIDS ravaged queer communities and communities of color in the United States and beyond, a straight white teenager named Ryan White emerged as the face of the epidemic.”

— Paul Renfro, Historian (The Life and Death of Ryan White: AIDS and Inequality in America)

“Because the 'innocent' Ryan had contracted HIV 'through no fault of his own,' as many put it, his story was sometimes used to blame presumably 'guilty' populations for spreading the virus.”

— Paul Renfro, Historian (The Life and Death of Ryan White: AIDS and Inequality in America)

What’s next

The event at SMU on February 19, 2026 is free and open to the public. Attendees can register for the event online.

The takeaway

Ryan White's story brought national attention to the HIV/AIDS crisis in the 1980s, but Renfro's analysis reveals how his 'innocent victim' narrative was also used to reinforce harmful stigmas that continue to impact HIV/AIDS policy and cultural understandings today. Understanding this complex legacy is crucial for addressing ongoing inequities in the fight against HIV/AIDS.