Ian Johnson, Out Now
November 10, 2007
TOPICS: Dr Scott Hitt -- LGBT community hero dies aged 49.
Some years back I had the good fortune to meet Dr Scott Hitt - a pioneering AIDS physician and a true hero for the gay community.
Dr Hitt was speaking at a client dinner our company organized and part of my role was to liaise with Dr Hitt during his visit to Sydney, a task that I found to be most enjoyable as Dr Hitt was articulate, intelligent, interesting -- and highly passionate about the importance of lesbian and gay equal rights in a civil society.
As an openly gay professional he was impressive on many levels, not least of which he was an advisor to the Clinton administration on AIDS policy. At a time when there were few openly gay role models, Dr Hitt became one by working at the highest levels of influence in US health policy and doing so with an openly pro-gay agenda. His leading role helped to dramatically improve the social and political situation faced by those living with HIV and AIDS.
Sad news came this week that Dr Hitt died of colon cancer aged 49 on Thursday.
Here is news sent to us from his Foundation's publicist:
Hitt, advocate, doctor, friend and exceptional fundraiser who is best known as the Los Angeles-based AIDS doctor who served as Chair of the President’s Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS during the Clinton administration, died November 8, 2007 in West Hollywood. He passed away from metastatic colon cancer.
In addition to his work in the Clinton administration, Dr. Hitt also co-founded Access Now for Gay and Lesbian Equality (ANGLE); founded the American Academy of HIV Medicine; and has served on the boards of numerous AIDS and LGBT organizations, including AIDS Project Los Angeles, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation and Equality California
“Scott Hitt was a pioneer in the battle against HIV/AIDS. Working with President Clinton, Scott was responsible for creating policy that saved thousands of lives,” said David Mixner, author, political strategist and civil rights activist. “He fought discrimination and was a powerful force within the Democratic Party. We shall miss his voice.”
Within the last eight years of his life, Dr. Hitt made a commitment to help foster the next generation of advocates. In the summer of 2007, he founded the R. Scott Hitt Foundation www.hittfoundation.org which strives to advance the development and training of socially conscious individuals interested in becoming the future leaders in LGBT community activism.
It was his belief that the LGBT community must continue to develop individuals from within their community who can articulate LGBT positions, stand up against the radical right and help see to it that America is not duped into believing that there is any group that should ever be treated differently than how they would have their own sons and daughters treated.
With much passion and valor Dr. Hitt made a monumental decision to try and focus his last years toward doing what he could to assist the next generation until the LGBT community is finally on the same playing field as everyone else. Throughout his illness which was diagnosed in 1999, Dr. Hitt courageously helped develop, mentor and train the next group of leaders in the LGBT community. Empowering and transforming the lives of young LGBT members was his life mission and until his death was one of the things that brought him the most fulfillment.
He often wondered when he looked at community-based organizations and sat at their board meetings, “Who will replace the leaders I have had the honor of meeting and working with? Who will pick up the mantle and do what needs to be done to ensure future LGBT generations won’t be whitewashed from the pages of history?”
Dr. Hitt always felt that individuals do not leave a single legacy -- it is a lifelong body of work. And his included his true partnership with a wonderful man named Alex Koleszar; the patients he lovingly cared for over the years, determining what combination of therapies would help them survive to the next level; and the organizations he humbly served.
Dr. R. Scott Hitt was born in Tucson, Arizona. He is survived by his long time companion, Alex Koleszar; he is also survived by his two sisters Alana Hoffmann and Heather Martin.
A private service and burial will take place in Phoenix, Arizona. A memorial service will be announced and to be held at All Saints’ Parish in Beverly Hills presided by Pastor Altagracia Perez.
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