History+Detectivesdk

**David Kirby**

In the Spring of 1992, Benetton embarked on an extremely controversial ad campaign that focused on one of the most widely-recognized taboos in the world: the AIDS virus. David Kirby, an AIDS activist and sufferer, was photographed on his death bed, surrounded by his family, for LIFE magazine. Benetton was given permission from David's parents to show it all over the world in this campaign. In some countries, such as Paraguay, this was the first advertising campaign to publicly discuss AIDS and in most countries it was the first to show the actual victims of the disease. Of course, the fact that David happens to somewhat resemble Christ, and became known as a 'pieta' only added to the success for this campaign. Other AIDS activists include, Ryan White, who was one of the first Americans younger than 21 to be infected with the disease, Magic Johnson, who is HIV positive, and Edwin Cameron, who is also HIV positive. 