Joycelyn Elders
Joycelyn Elders is an embarrassment to her profession and owes the victims of Famy Malak “a great debt and a real apology.”
In 1993 Elders was nominated by President Bill Clinton for the post of U.S. surgeon general. Although her confirmation process was lengthy and controversial—involving criticisms of her financial dealings and her outspokenness on sex education—she was eventually confirmed. However, in December, 1994, Elders caused great controversy, at the United Nations AIDS Day Conference, when she said, “masturbation is something that is a part of human sexuality, and is part of something that perhaps should be taught (as a way to prevent AIDS).” One week later, Clinton asked for her resignation.