team.apocalypse ...when you ride through hell, just keep riding
I came out in NY in the summer of 1984. I saw these AIDS pamphlets on the cigarette machines and people 'disappearing' right away counterbalanced by dancing till 4am to Cindy Laupper, Tina Turner, Madonna, and Billy Ocean/Idol. Message - party till you die cause it will probably be tomorrow.
I do not know how many friends and acquaintances I have lost, I could not bring my self to keep track. But I know it is a high number cause I travel in the kinky and recovery circles while living in NY, Boston, LA and SF during the last 19 years. Drag Queens and Daddies have always been my closest friends. I have been helping with fundraising for various AIDs and Women's Health organizations since 1985. Back then I felt like one tiny voice in shouting women can die of this too. I stopped everything after my brother died in 1997 because I was no longer living myself. Just as death made me finally retreat, Death woke me up. His first CAR and a series of other events brought me back to the living and back to fundraising. ALC 1, 2, 3 & 4 have seen my participation, laughing and crying. I pray for the day when there is no more need.
With Pride I am a Moto Scummer, a member of Team Apocalypse, and a member of Team Ursa.