So, look, no one wants to talk about AIDS anymore. I get it. We have rushed headlong into Marriage Equality and Adoption and probably soon will thankfully be raising the issues of what it means to Retire as a gay person in the 21st century- particularly troubling for those us without families to be there for us when we fall into eventual disrepair (although my partner declared last night after a particularly troubling evening with his elderly parent, that we'd have to start looking for some hot 20something to "adopt" now so that we'd have someone to take care of us in our dotage... I am totally on board for this, by the way).
But, there are still people with AIDS. There are still people living with HIV. And, there is still a need for HIV/AIDS services especially now that the sequester has upended funding for crucial programs keeping our friends alive. You probably know many people that depend on these services, but they will never let you know. It's one area of gay-shame that no one wants to talk about - that many of our friends are struggling financially and fall below the poverty line and the only thing keeping them alive is ADAP (that's AIDS Drug Assistance Program for those of you not in the know).
But it's events like the New York AIDS Walk that help keep case workers employed at GMHC to give HIV positive men and women the access to services that literally keep them alive.
And so, on February 27th when Candy Samples joined us, she was raising money for her Walk ... and as usually doesn't happen at our event, Candy told a very personal story about why she walks.
And I have to admit. It made me uncomfortable. Not because I get uncomfortable hearing stories about sad things - Candy's story about how her father died of AIDS nearly 20 years ago was heartbreaking but moving and motivational - but because we go out to the bars to escape the problems of our days, not to confront them.
And yet that is the very heart and soul of P*rno Bingo - to look at causes in the eye and greet them with mature understanding while raising money to support those causes through .. well, Bingo. And our regular supporters understand this and come back to help out week after week. And I was happy to say that my fear was unfounded - everyone appreciated her telling her story to us. And I did too.
We have a lot of fun playing Bingo, but after all the porn prizes and booze is consumed, we can't forget the reason why we do this in the first place - to help people fundraise for a variety of causes - and there's no one better than people involved in each cause to show us their commitment and passion.
And hearing Candy's story reminded me why I have been fundraising for AIDS organizations for nearly 20 years - for my friend Jeff whom I loved like a brother who died of AIDS in 1993 (20 years ago this Memorial Day).
It's not often (anymore) that anyone gets worked up publicly about how the deaths we've all tragically had to face have affected us. And in this age where HIV is manageable, it's easier to avoid talking about it.
Thanks Candy for reminding us why we're doing this in the first place.
Unfortunately, AB had to be out that particular evening and I didn't bring on another photographer, so we only have <blush> two photos from the night. LOL But here's the gallery (such as it is) anyway. :)
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