The original statement was from the Bible, and the death it is referring to is not the physical death of the body, but the death of the immortal soul and exclusion from eternal life.
It was a little tongue in cheek. He was saying that AIDS is not a punishment, and that homosexual sex is not a sin. But I would disagree with both points. AIDS is not a direct punishment, but when you sin you lose your way and bad things result in greater frequency. Sort of like when you drive off the road, and you find that the ride is not nearly as safe.