about the film

zThe Gift

*A Documentary by Louise Hogarth

Special thanks to the AIDS Healthcare Foundation for their donation of office space and a grant in support of this film.

AIDS HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION is the largest specialized provider of HIV/AIDS medical care in the United States. AHF serves thousands of patients in California, New York and Florida regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. In addition, AHF currently also operates three free AIDS treatment clinics in the developing world: in South Africa, the Ithembalabantu (Zulu for "people's hope") Clinic in KwaZulu Natal, Durban, South Africa; Uganda, the Uganda Cares Healthcare Center in Masaka, Uganda; and Honduras, the Siempre Unidos Clinic in San Pedro Sula, Honduras.

Michael Wienstein is the president of AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the nation's largest provider of HIV/AIDS medical care. Before becoming involved in HIV/AIDS related issues in the 1980's, he was a businessman and graphic designer.

Since 1986, Weinstein has been a leader in the fight against HIV and AIDS. As president & cofounder of AHF, he oversees a $90-million organization whose mission is to provide "cutting edge medicine and advocacy regardless of your ability to pay". AHF currently serves over 11,000 patients in California, Florida & New York, and has recently opened treatment clinics in Durban, South Africa and Masaka, Uganda with local African partners.

Under Weinstein's leadership, AIDS Healthcare Foundation has grown from a group of friends dedicated to the creation of dignified care for people in the last stages of AIDS, to the largest AIDS organization in the United States. The Foundation now operates one residential nursing facility; the Carl Bean House in the West Adams District of Los Angeles, and 13 outpatient AHF Healthcare Centers in California, Florida and New York, three of which are named in honor of basketball legend EARVIN MAGIC JOHNSON, JR.

In addition, under Weinstein's leadership, AHF launched Gloabal Immunity, a non-profit, international initiative of AIDS Healthcare Foundation. AHF Global Immunity works in partnership with local stakeholders to establish sustainable and replicable models for HIV/AIDS healthcare service delivery in resource-scarce settings where AIDS patients are receiving care and support services, including anitretroviral therapy. AHF Global Immunity currently has partnerships & AIDS treatment clinics in Umlazi Township, KwaZulu Natal, Durban, South Africa in conjunction with with the network of AIDS Communities in South Africa (NetCom SA) and in Masaka, Uganda, in conjunction with the Uganda Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS (UBC).

In order to help finance some of the many services AHF provides, Weinstein also created the popular fundraising OUT OF THE CLOSET thrift store chain. OUT OF THE CLOSET-the nation's largest AIDS-related retail business which also has been voted L.A.'s best time and again-now boasts eighteen stores throughout California, five of which offer free HIV testing as part of the Foundation's groundbreaking-HIP!-HIV IS PREVENTABLE-alternative HIV testing and prevention program.

Before founding AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Weinstein served as coordinator of the Stop the AIDS Quarantine Committee to oppose Lyndon La Rouche's Proposition 64, and then as executive director of the Los Angeles AIDS Hospice Committee, which led the fight for hospice care in the mid-eighties.

In recognition of his commitment to HIV and AIDS, CHRISTOPHER STREET WEST (the Los Angeles area gay & lesbian pride organization), has twice honored him with the Howard Brown Public Advocate Award; in 1992 & 1995. The City of Los Angeles' Human Relations Commission also honored him with its Human Rights Award in 1991. Under his leadership, the Foundation has been honored Employer of the Year by the Los Angeles Private Industry Council, in addition to being honored by the Los Angeles Conservancy and the City of Los Angeles for the renovation and adaptation of historic property-The Carl Bean House (the former Wells Halliday Mansion)-for residential care.

Weinstein received his Bachelor of Science in Political Science at the University of the State of New York. A native New Yorker, he resides in Los Angeles.

AIDS Healthcare Foundation
6255 West Sunset Blvd., 21st Fl. Los Angeles, CA 90028
323.860.5200