June 4th, 1991. In this stock footage we meet 14 year old Ricky Ray and 16 year old Wenonah Lindbergh, hearing of their plans to marry.
“…people are gonna be on our side and think this is the neatest thing in the world then there’s gonna be others that want to criticize us..”
Ricky and his 2 brothers were infected with the AIDS virus after exposure to tainted equipment during Haemophilia treatment. The segment recounts their struggles with adversity; house being burned down, a fight to attend school despite having HIV.
After an overview segment the interview beings and we hear from Ricky, Wenonah and their mothers. Ricky would require parental consent to marry as he is two years below the legal age.
Ricky Ray was an early AIDs activist, receiving direct accolades from then-president Bill Clinton. He did not marry Winona but they remained close friends. Ricky passed away a year after this interview, in 1992.
This day, Geraldo’s television history.