What was yesterday again?

[beldar]

Yesterday was World AIDS Day. I don’t think most people knew that; I nearly missed it myself. I remember when it was a much bigger deal, though.

It was about 20 years ago, I was part of what some called a stupid stunt, others called a brave, ingenious act to spread awareness. I was on staff of the Traveler, the University of Arkansas student

Comments

[tigrkittn]

This is a phenomenal piece. Please post it again every year.

[beldar]

Thanks. I was hoping it would have impact.

[tigrkittn]

I think those of us who were around in the 80s and remember the utter devastation of the gay community... we "get it". I'm terrified for this younger generation who's gotten cavalier about it- but at the same time I'm kind of happy for them to have *not* seen what we saw, you know? It's *good* that it's manageable now.

[beldar]

It is a different world now. It's like how we who came of age afterward can't quite comprehend what it was like during the Civil Rights era, how bad it was for some; the hateful opinions accepted as mainstream.

I'm not sure how to make today's youth "get it"

[fallconsmate]

once upon a time, a long time ago (ok, 16 years ago. i remember it.) an absolutely wonderful gay man of my acquaintance was diagnosed with full blown AIDS. i happened to run into him about a week after he had found out and outed his diagnosis.

and i asked how he was doing, and gave him a large hug. he was shocked, then started crying. "no one has touched me since they found out." my heart was breaking for him. you STILL cannot catch AIDS from a hug, unless you're hugging during unprotected sexual activity. the last time i looked, i wasnt gay-man bait.

he's since moved on to the next world, because he fell so deeply into depression at the lack of human touch that he stopped taking his meds untill he had "enough", then took them all. i still hurt for him. i still remember him, his face, his gift with drumming, all i've forgotten is his name and i forget everyone's name. but his smile still lives in my heart.

[beldar]

Remembering him smiling is probably the best tribute.

I treasured my first red-ribbon pin because it was given to me by a man living (at the time) with AIDS. I never forget that these are real people.

[robertlyon]

I took my first HIV test about a year ago. Although I was always careful, I was still really scared and luckily I came back negative. That shit is so fucked up. Aids is shit, and I wish we could find a cure or vaccine.

[ghost_light]

Thank you for posting this

[the_dark_snack]

When our Vampire club was hosting a quilt project showing, as I was walking around looking at the various panels I suddenly stopped with a shock as I saw one made for a friend of mine that I hadn't seen in a few months and didn't know he had succumbed.

I am glad that this is not the case so much anymore.

[ghost_light]

So am I.

Someday I am going to write up my ideas/observations/rant about how AIDS was handled in plays during the 80's and 90's vs. now.

[spirited_grace]

Wonderful piece! Perfect use of the prompt. (IMHO) I wish there was a consistent place to put the home game entries. Glad you're on my flist so that yours are readily available.

[beldar]

Thanks! I had actually planned on doing something in this vein for Dec. 1 (I started my first draft on Wednesday) but Gary had given such an appropriate LJI topic that I made this my Home Game piece as well.