Sense Sonnet - Steamer

Gay Bash

The former New York Mayor, Ed Koch,
Passed away at age 88.
The New York Times obit - a botch?
The AIDS epidemic dire fate
Took off and spread throughout his term.
His "no rush" stirred controversy,
The city's death toll did confirm.
Closeted gay some said he be.
Is an alleged gay branded more
Than other humans who did err,
In knowing what AIDS had in store
For gay and non gay ev'rywhere?

AIDS unawareness at the start -
Most obits would include that part.