[1] On October 9, 1984, he ordered the immediate closure of fourteen bathhouses and sex clubs, arguing that their permissive attitude to on-site sexual contact was "fostering disease and death" because of the potential to spread AIDS.
[2][3] Leaders of the gay community, such as Cleve Jones, were unable or unwilling to back him in this effort because of potential backlash.
That backlash did happen, with heated debate over public health concerns versus the civil rights of homosexuals.
Two months later, a "superior court ordered reopening on the condition that sexual activities be policed by the bathhouse management.
"[4] At the same time, Silverman was using organizations like the RWJ Foundations to fund grants for community-based programs to meet local needs.