Ray brothers explained

Ricky (January 28, 1977 – December 13, 1992), Robert David (January 27, 1978 – October 20, 2000), and Randy Ray (June 3, 1979 – May 18, 2023) were three hemophiliac brothers who were diagnosed with HIV in 1986 due to HIV-infected infusions of Factor VIII.

Biography

Ricky, Robert, and Randy were hemophiliacs who contracted HIV from infusions of Factor VIII when they were less than 8 years old. Born to Arcadia, Florida, natives Louise and Clifford Ray, the family was exiled from Arcadia as community members feared contracting the disease. Memorial Elementary School, in DeSoto County, would not allow them to attend school due to their diagnosis. In March 1987, they moved to Bay Minette, Alabama, to stay with Louise's mother. The brothers were enrolled in public school there but their medical records were later revealed. They were put out of school again, and after six weeks, the family relocated back to Arcadia.^[1] As a compromise, the DeSoto County School Board 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 United States federal court 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.^[2]

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.^{[3] [4]} After the arson, the Ray family settled in nearby Sarasota. The brothers attended Gocio Elementary School in spite of opposition from groups like Citizens Against AIDS.^[5]

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 Bill Clinton spoke to him and thanked him for his work raising awareness on AIDS.^[6] 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 illness. At the time of Ricky's death, they had broken up but remained close friends.^{[7] [8]}

Robert died of AIDS-related causes in 2000 at the age of 22.^[9] Shortly thereafter, their father, Clifford Ray, attempted suicide but survived.^[10]

Randy Ray married in 2001 and lived in Orlando, Florida. He managed his HIV through medication.^[11] He died May 18, 2023.^[12]

See also

• Contaminated hemophilia blood products
• Ryan White

External links

• The Ray Brothers

Notes and References

1. News: The Outcasts for the Ray Brothers, Facing AIDS isn't the Worst Part. Living in Arcadia, Fla. Is. . Sun-Sentinel . August 23, 1987 . March 1, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240301064908/https://www.sun-sentinel.com/1987/08/23/the-outcasts-for-the-ray-brothers-facing-aids-isnt-the-worst-part-living-in-arcadia-fla-is/ . March 1, 2024 . live.
2. News: Ray family on talk show circuit . June 1, 1991 . UPI . Sarasota, Florida . March 1, 2024.
3. Web site: Hammit . Bob . The Ray Brothers, A sad story about ignorance and intolerance . The Unfinished Pyramid . 27 January 2019 . 18 November 2019 . 18 November 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191118032607/https://theunfinishedpyramid.com/2019/01/27/the-ray-brothers-a-sad-story-of-ignorance-and-intolerance/ . dead.
4. News: Family in AIDS Case Quits Florida Town After House Burns . The New York Times . August 30, 1987 . March 1, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221109232009/https://www.nytimes.com/1987/08/30/us/family-in-aids-case-quits-florida-town-after-house-burns.html . November 9, 2022 . live.
5. News: Arson Cause of Fire at Rays -- Boys Start School Today. Orlando Sentinel. September 23, 1987. https://archive.today/20240301060611/https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1987/09/23/arson-cause-of-fire-at-rays-boys-start-school-today/. March 1, 2024. live.
6. News: Basse . Craig . Frederick . Lisa . December 14, 1992 . Ricky Ray dies of AIDS . Tampa Bay Times . 24 September 2023.
7. News: Donnelly . John . Ricky Ray loses AIDS battle . https://web.archive.org/web/20060210001147/http://www.aegis.com/news/mh/1992/MH921205.html . . December 14, 1992 . February 10, 2006 . dead.
8. News: Norton . Wilma . Ricky Ray, AIDS patient, to wed . Tampa Bay Times . June 3, 1991 . March 1, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201126050054/https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1991/06/03/ricky-ray-aids-patient-to-wed/ . November 26, 2020 . live.
9. News: Basse . Craig . Brassfield . Mike . Robert Ray, 22, succumbs to longtime AIDS struggle . . October 21, 2000 . https://web.archive.org/web/20010514044454/http://www.sptimes.com/News/102100/TampaBay/Robert_Ray__22__succu.shtml . May 14, 2001 . dead.
10. News: Cox . Bill . Remembering the Rays: A story of intolerance, acceptance and dignity . Herald-Tribune . September 9, 2007 . March 1, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240301055519/https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/2007/09/09/remembering-the-rays-a-story-of-intolerance-acceptance-and-dignity/28575891007/ . March 1, 2024 . live.
11. News: Buckley . Stephen . Slow change of heart . St. Petersburg Times . September 2, 2001 . https://web.archive.org/web/20010906122353/http://www.sptimes.com/News/090201/State/Slow_change_of_heart.shtml . September 6, 2001 . dead.
12. News: Mesmer. Aaron. 'We'll see them again': Last living Ray brother diagnosed with AIDS in 80s passes away. 18 May 2023. FOX 13 Tampa Bay. https://web.archive.org/web/20230519031420/https://www.fox13news.com/news/well-see-them-again-last-living-ray-brother-diagnosed-with-aids-in-80s-passes-away. 19 May 2023. live.