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Overview
Jesse Helms was known as "Senator No "for opposing civil rights, AIDS funding, LGBT rights, and art. He blocked AIDS research during epidemic, saying victims "brought it on themselves."He used racist "hands "ad against Black opponent and opposed MLK holiday.
Key Affiliations
Controversies & Concerns
AIDS BLOCKING: Blocked funding during epidemic
RACIST ADS:"Hands "ad against Harvey Gantt
MLK OPPOSITION: Opposed MLK holiday
NEA ATTACKS: Led attacks on art funding
LGBT OPPOSITION: Career-long anti-gay crusade
Related Investigations (1)
Known Associates & Connections
Strom Thurmond
Fellow segregationist senator and political ally
Trent Lott
Fellow Southern conservative senator
Sources & Documentation
2 documented sources from official records, investigations, and reports
Personal Information
- Born
- October 18, 1921
- Birthplace
- Monroe, North Carolina
Education
- •Wingate Junior College
Key Timeline
October 18, 1921
Born in North Carolina
1973-2003
U.S. Senator
1983
Opposed MLK holiday
1987
Amendment blocking AIDS education
1990
Racist" hands" ad against Gantt
2008
Died