World AIDS Day 2012

Picture it 1985: Regan was in the Oval Office. The Cold War was still pretty hot, and AIDS was killing all the right people – black men, intravenous drug users, faggots, and all the other undesirables. Or at least that’s what one felt coming from certain blocks of the American electorate. While I’ve lived in the Ville my entire life, I was new to the urban setting and living on the edge of the Gay Ghetto. I’d reached deep  within, screwed my courage to the wall and was ready to come bursting out, but Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome kept me on the threshold between the light of the world and the familiar, if smothering, darkness of the closet. I went into a sexual limbo – at least semantically.

After the initial national scare, AIDS became kinda hip — well supporting AIDS awareness anyway. Celebrities wore red ribbons on their lapels and gowns at awards shows, and everyone felt a sense of pride that we were on the right track. World AIDS Day was the Day Without Art when we’d darken the gallery and play dirges. We, too, wore red ribbons, and since we were not ignoring the problem it felt like maybe this would be the last year without a cure or vaccine. We gained hope, and it really did outshine the mistery. They weren’t like the very early days when Gay Cancer was God’s scourge.

Somewhere along the way, we got complacent. A new cause celebre came of the scene, and people continued to die. Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (cause by the human immunodeficiency virus) doesn’t just kill gays, or intravenous drug users, or black men on the down low, or prostitutes. It kills children, wives, fathers. It’s estimated that 88% of the population of Africa is infected with the virus, and there are more AIDS deaths in Africa than anywhere else on the planet.

I let myself be scared into the closet when the Regan Administration, essentially, ignored the problem. I stayed in a sexual identity limbo while the Clinton Administration got on with the business of creating Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell. I got vocal in Bush II’s administration. I started putting my checkbook and my shoe leather to various AIDS causes. There’s an AIDS remembrance tattoo on my left hip, and an Until There’s a Cure bracelet on my wrist.And while I’m happy to donate and take part each and every year, I’ll be fuckin’ glad when we no longer need the Louisville AIDS Walk because we’ve cured the disease. I will gladly tear the black stripe from the Victory Over AIDS rainbow flag, and toss that bracelet into the OHIO — or maybe I’ll keep it as a symbol of what we’ve overcome.

Again this year, I adorn my blog, with the AIDS Ribbon. I remember those who lost the battle against AIDS and those who live with the disease daily. And I pray, in on my own time and in my own space for an end to the pandemic. May it be so.

World AIDS Day 2010

I remember the days without art when we’d darken the gallery and play dirges. We wore red ribbons and felt like maybe this would be the last year without a cure or vaccine. Those were years of when hope outshone misery. They weren’t like the early days when Gay Cancer was killing all the right people. Star wore red ribbon on their lapels and gowns at awards shows, and everyone felt a sense of pride that we were on the right track.

Then we got complacent. Some new cause celebre came of the scene, and people continued to die. Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (cause by the human immunodeficiency virus) doesn’t just kill gays, or intravenous drug users, or black men on the down low, or prostitues. It kills children, wives, fathers. It’s estimated that 88% of the population of Africa is infected with the virus, and there are more AIDS deaths in Africa than anywhere else on the planet.

I let myself be scared into the closet when the Regan Administration, essentially, ignored the problem. I stayed in a sexual identity limbo while the Clinton Administration got on with the business of creating Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell. I got vocal in Bush II’s administration. I started putting my checkbook and my shoe leather to various AIDS causes. And while I’m happy to donate and take part each and every year, I’ll be fuckin’ glad when we no longer need the Louisville AIDS Walk because we’ve cured the disease.

Again this year, I adorn my blog, with the AIDS Ribbon. I remember those who lost the battle against AIDS and those who live with the disease daily. And I pray, in on my own time and in my own space for an end to the pandemic. May it be so.

Folsom Street Fair 2010

I don’t argue that there’s a lot happening where Folsom meets Dore, but I’m hanging in the Ville and doing the AIDS Walk. In no way am I judging who’s a saint and who’s a sinner — Lord, it’s tough enough to trudge from brunch to dinner. But I will say that in both cases, we’re people who got their asses off the bar stools and into the streets. Come (or cum) join us. This day’s for living life.

Louisville AIDS Walk

Yes, it’s that time of year. The Louisville AIDS Walk is September 26th, and I’m looking for sponsors. Andy Amount will be greatly appreciated and go to helping those living with AIDS and HIV in the Louisville area. Click Here to donate.

LifeCycle

A friend of mine is riding in the AIDS/LifeCycle event. HIV/AIDS remains a serious pandemic health risk, so please give as generously as possible.

Thursday’s Awareness

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World AIDS Day

It’s World AIDS Day —  that time of year when I preach to the choir.

I think we might just be on the verge of getting everyone on the same page about HIV/AIDS. In 1990 Ryan White‘s death started the change, and over the years I think we’re all aware that the disease doesn’t discriminate. It’s like any disease — mindless attacking anyone in its path. Hopefully, we’ve also learned that there’s no such thing as killing all the right people.

In the industrial and post-industrial world, there are medications that help the victims of the pandemic lead full and rewarding lives. That’s not the case everywhere. Fortunately there are ways to help. (RED)  “…is a simple idea that transforms our collective power as shoppers into a financial force that helps those affected by AIDS in Africa. To date, over $135 million has been generated and 4 million people have been helped through Global Fund programs that (RED) supports. When you choose to buy products from (RED) partner companies up to 50% of the profit goes towards eliminating AIDS in Africa.” It ROCKS! Find the retailers. Buy their products. It’s simple.

Closer to home, the Louisville AIDS Walk can help you make a difference right in your own back yard. The walk was in September, but they’ll still gladly take your contribution. While you’re there, check out the information. Who knows, next year you might want to walk with us.

National Latino AIDS Awareness Day

It’s Hispanic Heritage Month, and on October 15th it’s the seventh National Latino AIDS Awareness Day  — an occasion that brings both attention to the disproportionate effect of HIV on American Latinos and renewed hope in the fight against AIDS.

From the Until There’s A Cure Foundation here are: several facts about HIV/AIDS among young Hispanics and Latinos in the United States:

• In 2006, Hispanic and Latino teens aged 13 to 19 accounted for 19% of new teen HIV infections in the United States, up from 17% in 2005.
• 23% of children under 13 living with HIV/AIDS are Hispanic or Latino.
• The rate of decline for Latino youth HIV infection has declined slower than the rate of infection among non-Latino white youth in the United States
• A variety of cultural and familial norms contribute to these higher rates of infection among Hispanic and Latino Americans.

It may be called National Latino AIDS Awareness Day, but we all need to keep AIDS in the forefront of our consciousness.

AIDS Walk Sunday

AIDS Remembrance Ribbon on the Second Street Bridge

Today was one of those glorious days when you remember what keeps you living in the River City. The skies were blue, the temperatures mild, and a light breeze swept across the city. The 16^th Louisville AIDS Walk was today. I got to the Belvedere just before they closed off the Main Street, and I had plenty of time to play anthropologist (i.e., people watch). One of the things that I like about events like it, is that same sex couples can hold hands or have other PDAs that straight people take for granted. I watched the runners start the 5K, saw and talked with some people I knew. I tweeted about the event, and had a wolf’s good time. I even saw a couple of guys worth lusting after, but that’s another tale. It was also impressive that Mayor Abramson and Congressman Yarmuth came to the event. I noticed that  neither of the Commonwealth’s senators were in attendance.

Soon enough it was time to head down to Main Street and get ready to start this year’s walk. We got in place, the count down began, and we were off. The crowd included plenty of people from the LGBTQI community as well as straights and the undeclared. There were drag queens and leather lords, frat boys and women of a certain age, middle aged men and children. There were even a few pups (of both four and two legged varieties) walking the walk. Blacks, Whites, Asians, Jews, Christians, UUs, and people of no particular persuasion all had on their walking shoes. The route led across the Second Street Bridge to Southern Indiana, circled around and came back. I think it’s about a three mile trek. Placed along the route were bins filled with ice and bottles of water, and there were wading pools filled with water for the dogs.

Thanks to some very nice sponsors, I was able to bring $315 to the total. I’m not certain of the total for the Walk itself, but I’m hoping it was huge. I’m already looking forward to next year’s walk, and I’m thinking of doing some volunteer work as well.

Louisville AIDS Walk

Louisville AIDS Walk, Sunday, September 13th, at the Belvedere!

Proving, once again, that I’m more than boys, booze, and barbells.

 There are very few causes that will get me to ask for money. This is one of them. To put it simply, it’s a good cause. I’m walking. Any amount will be greatly appreciated. If you have friends (or enemies for that matter) who would be interested in donating, please let me know, and I’ll be very happy to solicit them. To contribute please, Click Here.