AIDS AT THE AMBASSADOR HOTEL, San Francisco.

Hank Wilson leased an old hotel in San Francisco and made it a friendly place for gays. He treated his guests as friends.

In the early 80's many of the old time residents were becoming ill and even dying from an myterious disease. AIDS had arrived in S.F. Unlike others Hank did not kick them out into the street but tried to help those who had been stricken. His compassion attracted other sick men and women and his hotel became a refuge.

Doctors and nurses were frequent visitors who came to care for their patients, One nurse, Val Robb, thought that with so many AIDS patients in one place it would be more humane and efficient to bring the medical services to the hotel. Hank agreed with Val and offered space for a medical office in the hotel. Other social service agencies recognized the wisdom of the arrangement and also placed professionals at the hotel.

Now the hotel had full time nurses and support groups working in the hotel. And a medical team headed by a doctor made weekly visits to examine and care for the patients. They no longer had to run to clinics for routine care.

The Ambassador became well known as a safe harbor for anyone with AIDS and attracted them from all over the state and beyond.

More than half of the residents have AIDS. Occasionally someone will die there, but now it is more common for them to be transferred to a hospice or hospital for their final few days. But the Ambassador is still their safe harbor.