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spoke to him and thanked him for his work raising awareness on AIDS. Ricky Ray died in 1992 at age 15. Prior to his death, at the age of 13, he made headlines when he planned to marry his 16-year-old girlfriend. Although the decision was supported by his parents, it was later postponed due to Ricky's
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Following the court ruling, the Rays' home was burned down in less than a week, forcing the family to leave
Arcadia. At the time of the fire, the family was staying with relatives at an undisclosed location. The cause of the fire was described as "suspicious," and the arsonist was never caught. After
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Ricky Ray became an activist in the fight against stigma surrounding AIDS. In 1992, he allowed camera crews to document his declining health and stated he wanted to educate the public and raise awareness. U.S. President-elect
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offered the brothers a portable, self-contained classroom on campus away from other students. The family turned the proposition down, and in June 1987, they sued the school system, claiming wrongful segregation. A
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ruled against the DeSoto County School Board and allowed the children to attend public school despite their diagnosis. The Rays were victorious in their legal battle, winning a $ 1.1 million settlement.
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Robert died of AIDS-related causes in 2000 at the age of 22. Shortly thereafter, their father, Clifford Ray, attempted suicide but survived.
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61:. Memorial Elementary School, in DeSoto County, would not allow them to attend school due to their diagnosis. In March 1987, they moved to
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Ricky, Robert, and Randy were hemophiliacs who contracted HIV from infusions of Factor VIII when they were less than 8 years old. Born to
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Randy Ray married in 2001 and lived in
Orlando, Florida. He managed his HIV through medication. He died May 18, 2023.
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139:"The Outcasts for the Ray Brothers, Facing AIDS isn't the Worst Part. Living in Arcadia, Fla. Is"
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440:"'We'll see them again': Last living Ray brother diagnosed with AIDS in 80s passes away"
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illness. At the time of Ricky's death, they had broken up but remained close friends.
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386:"Remembering the Rays: A story of intolerance, acceptance and dignity"
196:"The Ray Brothers, A sad story about ignorance and intolerance"
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226:"Family in AIDS Case Quits Florida Town After House Burns"
256:"Arson Cause of Fire at Rays -- Boys Start School Today"
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Recipients of contaminated haemophilia blood products
361:"Robert Ray, 22, succumbs to longtime AIDS struggle"
359:Basse, Craig; Brassfield, Mike (October 21, 2000).
277:Basse, Craig; Frederick, Lisa (December 14, 1992).
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82:the arson, the Ray family settled in nearby
29:(January 27, 1978 – October 20, 2000), and
41:in 1986 due to HIV-infected infusions of
33:(June 3, 1979 – May 18, 2023) were three
25:(January 28, 1977 – December 13, 1992),
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415:Buckley, Stephen (September 2, 2001).
340:from the original on November 26, 2020
111:Contaminated hemophilia blood products
236:from the original on November 9, 2022
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534:American activists with disabilities
303:Donnelly, John (December 14, 1992).
266:from the original on March 1, 2024.
16:American brothers infected with HIV
396:from the original on March 1, 2024
149:from the original on March 1, 2024
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450:from the original on 19 May 2023.
330:"Ricky Ray, AIDS patient, to wed"
175:. Sarasota, Florida. June 1, 1991
169:"Ray family on talk show circuit"
37:brothers who were diagnosed with
519:1987 crimes in the United States
384:Cox, Bill (September 9, 2007).
194:Hammit, Bob (27 January 2019).
499:AIDS-related deaths in Florida
328:Norton, Wilma (June 3, 1991).
59:feared contracting the disease
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529:People from Sarasota, Florida
438:Mesmer, Aaron (18 May 2023).
305:"Ricky Ray loses AIDS battle"
539:20th-century American people
524:People from Arcadia, Florida
494:American HIV/AIDS activists
75:United States federal court
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279:"Ricky Ray dies of AIDS"
509:People with haemophilia
417:"Slow change of heart"
262:. September 23, 1987.
200:The Unfinished Pyramid
427:on September 6, 2001.
317:on February 10, 2006.
20:Richard Duane "Ricky"
421:St. Petersburg Times
366:St. Petersburg Times
63:Bay Minette, Alabama
232:. August 30, 1987.
206:on 18 November 2019
145:. August 23, 1987.
230:The New York Times
544:American children
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465:The Ray Brothers
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55:Arcadia, Florida
31:Randy Devone Ray
27:Robert David Ray
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474:Find a Grave
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92:Bill Clinton
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70:School Board
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210:18 November
43:Factor VIII
35:hemophiliac
483:Categories
122:References
116:Ryan White
470:Ricky Ray
49:Biography
448:Archived
400:March 1,
394:Archived
344:March 1,
338:Archived
264:Archived
240:March 1,
234:Archived
179:March 1,
153:March 1,
147:Archived
105:See also
84:Sarasota
402:2024
346:2024
290:2023
242:2024
212:2019
181:2024
155:2024
472:at
173:UPI
39:HIV
23:Ray
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