Thank you Dan. We must never give up hope. Each of us can so our part ie desert landscape for our yards in Arizona(we have one). One step at a time. Encouraging the young brilliant minds to lead us.
"LITLE RICHARD: I AM EVERYTHING" is a new documentary. He had a lifelong struggle with his homosexuality, which was at odds with his Christian beliefs. He inspired Michael Jackson and The Beatles, among other famous musical artists. Paul McCartney said that when the Fab Four visited Little Richard in his dressing room in 1962, he spoke in a sermonizing manner. Thats because Richard had studied theology and in 1958, he had taken a break from secular music to be a travelling preacher. Jackson bought ATV Music in 1985,. The following year, he returned to Little Richard his song publishing rights, which he had naively sold for a pittance.
Thank you so much for writing this article. I volunteered at an AIDS support organization from 1987-1992. It was heartbreaking to see the devastation wreaked by the virus. The, mostly, young men who had been cut off by family, friends, workplaces and much of the world, experienced the loss of love and acceptance while going through horrific illnesses and almost certain death was more than heartbreaking. It was depressing and enraging that so many thought the worst of them and abandoned them, even their own government. The desperation for something as simple as human touch and kind words was palpable. I will always remember Bill, Tom, Ben, Dave, Ash, Bobby, Kim, Ed and so many more.
RYAN WHITE was a hemophiliac, who contracted AIDS from a blood product transfusion at age 13. His school barred him because initial research reported that the virus might be transmitted in the environment. His brave legal challenge was successful. Elton John financially helped the family to move. Children at White's new school welcomed him! Michael Jackson also befriended White. He died April 8, 1990, at age 18. Jackson recorded a soaring tribute, "Gone Too Soon" (by Grossman and Kohan) in December, 1992. Jackson then performed it at Bill Clinton's inaugural gala in January, 1993. These two videos (on YouTube) are tear-jerkers, even more than originally because the singer is also gone too soon.
Dan, thank you for calmly stating the facts about those who have different orientations. I believe one
of the cruel things that came about for those with different orientations was the concept that they could be "cured." They might as wall have said that people of a different colour could be cured! We are what we are from birth. Nobody wakes up one day and says, "Oh, I want to have a different orientation." Of course, people realize at different stages of their lives that they are indeed different. This does NOT change the essential being of a person. If they are cruel, kind, compassionate people they will remain that way towards others. I have lost theatre friends to Aids and others who are living with HIV. Look at people who die and/or live with cancer. We do not shun them because they have a "disease!" Personally, I don't care about those who are "different" in some way - I care about whether or not they are good people - kind, compassionate, empathetic - these are the people I want to be around. Enough ranting for today - you get my drift!
We are all human and our makeup in terms of DNA is different, btw we don’t know everything about DNA as of this writing, add on top of that the pre and post natal experiences that contribute to our uniqueness. We’re all so different… even between me and my siblings..we are very different….and we were raised together.
All this means to me is why can’t we enjoy the differences between intently good and different people - it really makes for a more interesting life with diverse perspectives….
I realize sometimes these diverse perspectives are so diverse, it’s hard to conceive how they got to this point, but guess what? They feel the same way about you. This is where respect and love for humankind must kick in. It seems so simple, yet it can be so difficult.
Dan thank you . In our small town the congregation church made it known that they opened their arms to everyone. The church was awash in colorful balloons and at night lit up with rainbow colors. They hosted a drag show and had pride week masses. During one of those masses two men sat and did not participate . They suddenly jumped up and hurled cruel words and Bible verses to the congregation. They yelled and were so hateful during mass. Later we found out they were not from our town. The pastor did not let this stop him. Two days later they had a love stronger mass. They whole town came out in support. So sad to have that much hate that you interrupt mass with hate. So nice of my town to show love is stronger than hate .
How well I remember those terrible days! I was doing an Internship in Neurology when an emaciated young Black man was admitted to our service in 1983. He had been in prison for drug use. He had a rare kind of pneumonia and difficulty walking. No one knew what was wrong with him. I remember sitting with my Chief Resident as he sat thinking. He said, "I wonder if he could have that new disease I've read about..." Indeed, he did. A few years later, as a Psychiatrist, I had patients with AIDS. I won't go into Don's story, but it was one of the most remarkable encounters I've ever had with a patient. (P.S. I made sure to always hug my AIDS patients goodbye when they left my office. No one else wanted to touch them. And only one Internist in our city was willing to treat them.)
As a relatively new nurse at a county hospital connected to experimental protocol for treatment of AIDS I have memories of scared lonely patients- their suffering and despair. I wish I could have been more present and had better tools to give to these folks. The best I could was never enough.
As a nurse, ICU, in the 80’s I witnessed the first AIDS patients. No, I was never afraid(, at a Catholic Hospital i n upstate NY)I knew I entered the Profession regardless of disease cause. Caring for the
the patients was not only a privilege but a part of being a Nurse. Compassion, care and love of the patients and families is the most important part of being a Nurse. One of my patient’s family started a
support group for families and friends. That family kept in touch with me for years. I was so Blessed
Just what do you mean? I worked for 34 years as an ICU nurse and moonlighted as an
Organ Coordinator for Albany Medical College in NYS, in addition to running an ICU. Then in Mesa, Az, I was a co-chair on a Medical Ethics Committee with an MD for 10 years. Now retired am Blessed to have a wonderful career. When I retired I studied for 2 years to be a
Grief Counselor and now volunteer at a Catholic Church in a Grief Support role. I never charge for any of my Counseling. I give back for the wonderful life I have had.
Just recently, the StarTribune reported that the incidents of HIV/AIDS have risen in a northern Minnesota county. I hope that those who are ill will be treated with dignity and respect.
To those who strongly disagree with homosexuality, bisexuality and so forth, it is not for us to pass judgment on these people. I suppose we need to let God judge these people since God knows all things.
Beautifully written, in that so much of the feelings experienced during these times come back as palpable sensations within the body. The fear of the unknown. The claims of "divine retribution" when, in fact, EVERYONE was at risk, as became even more evident with hemophiliacs and pregnant women. The revelation of Rock Hudson's cause of death. The heartbreaking tributes of the tribute quilts, lovingly stitched. Laid side by side and end to end, the AIDS Memorial Quilt exhibit covered acres. Babies were included seemingly everywhere. It was a gut punch. It was a reminder not to look away. It was an opportunity for science to aim for treatments and cures. It was the impetus for ACT UP! to demand the government stop hiding the truth from the public.
I also remember the film "PHILADELPHIA" with Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington providing examples of how to start talking about individual cases, and Bruce Springsteen's hauntingly memorable title track The Streets of Philadelphia. It was like hearing a heartbeat.
Thank you Dan. We must never give up hope. Each of us can so our part ie desert landscape for our yards in Arizona(we have one). One step at a time. Encouraging the young brilliant minds to lead us.
"LITLE RICHARD: I AM EVERYTHING" is a new documentary. He had a lifelong struggle with his homosexuality, which was at odds with his Christian beliefs. He inspired Michael Jackson and The Beatles, among other famous musical artists. Paul McCartney said that when the Fab Four visited Little Richard in his dressing room in 1962, he spoke in a sermonizing manner. Thats because Richard had studied theology and in 1958, he had taken a break from secular music to be a travelling preacher. Jackson bought ATV Music in 1985,. The following year, he returned to Little Richard his song publishing rights, which he had naively sold for a pittance.
Thank you so much for writing this article. I volunteered at an AIDS support organization from 1987-1992. It was heartbreaking to see the devastation wreaked by the virus. The, mostly, young men who had been cut off by family, friends, workplaces and much of the world, experienced the loss of love and acceptance while going through horrific illnesses and almost certain death was more than heartbreaking. It was depressing and enraging that so many thought the worst of them and abandoned them, even their own government. The desperation for something as simple as human touch and kind words was palpable. I will always remember Bill, Tom, Ben, Dave, Ash, Bobby, Kim, Ed and so many more.
RYAN WHITE was a hemophiliac, who contracted AIDS from a blood product transfusion at age 13. His school barred him because initial research reported that the virus might be transmitted in the environment. His brave legal challenge was successful. Elton John financially helped the family to move. Children at White's new school welcomed him! Michael Jackson also befriended White. He died April 8, 1990, at age 18. Jackson recorded a soaring tribute, "Gone Too Soon" (by Grossman and Kohan) in December, 1992. Jackson then performed it at Bill Clinton's inaugural gala in January, 1993. These two videos (on YouTube) are tear-jerkers, even more than originally because the singer is also gone too soon.
Well said. Bravo!
💕 💕 💕
Dan, thank you for calmly stating the facts about those who have different orientations. I believe one
of the cruel things that came about for those with different orientations was the concept that they could be "cured." They might as wall have said that people of a different colour could be cured! We are what we are from birth. Nobody wakes up one day and says, "Oh, I want to have a different orientation." Of course, people realize at different stages of their lives that they are indeed different. This does NOT change the essential being of a person. If they are cruel, kind, compassionate people they will remain that way towards others. I have lost theatre friends to Aids and others who are living with HIV. Look at people who die and/or live with cancer. We do not shun them because they have a "disease!" Personally, I don't care about those who are "different" in some way - I care about whether or not they are good people - kind, compassionate, empathetic - these are the people I want to be around. Enough ranting for today - you get my drift!
We are all human and our makeup in terms of DNA is different, btw we don’t know everything about DNA as of this writing, add on top of that the pre and post natal experiences that contribute to our uniqueness. We’re all so different… even between me and my siblings..we are very different….and we were raised together.
All this means to me is why can’t we enjoy the differences between intently good and different people - it really makes for a more interesting life with diverse perspectives….
I realize sometimes these diverse perspectives are so diverse, it’s hard to conceive how they got to this point, but guess what? They feel the same way about you. This is where respect and love for humankind must kick in. It seems so simple, yet it can be so difficult.
Excellent work Ms Cheng. I hope you continue your study of and work in the field of journalism.
Dan thank you . In our small town the congregation church made it known that they opened their arms to everyone. The church was awash in colorful balloons and at night lit up with rainbow colors. They hosted a drag show and had pride week masses. During one of those masses two men sat and did not participate . They suddenly jumped up and hurled cruel words and Bible verses to the congregation. They yelled and were so hateful during mass. Later we found out they were not from our town. The pastor did not let this stop him. Two days later they had a love stronger mass. They whole town came out in support. So sad to have that much hate that you interrupt mass with hate. So nice of my town to show love is stronger than hate .
How well I remember those terrible days! I was doing an Internship in Neurology when an emaciated young Black man was admitted to our service in 1983. He had been in prison for drug use. He had a rare kind of pneumonia and difficulty walking. No one knew what was wrong with him. I remember sitting with my Chief Resident as he sat thinking. He said, "I wonder if he could have that new disease I've read about..." Indeed, he did. A few years later, as a Psychiatrist, I had patients with AIDS. I won't go into Don's story, but it was one of the most remarkable encounters I've ever had with a patient. (P.S. I made sure to always hug my AIDS patients goodbye when they left my office. No one else wanted to touch them. And only one Internist in our city was willing to treat them.)
As a relatively new nurse at a county hospital connected to experimental protocol for treatment of AIDS I have memories of scared lonely patients- their suffering and despair. I wish I could have been more present and had better tools to give to these folks. The best I could was never enough.
As a nurse, ICU, in the 80’s I witnessed the first AIDS patients. No, I was never afraid(, at a Catholic Hospital i n upstate NY)I knew I entered the Profession regardless of disease cause. Caring for the
the patients was not only a privilege but a part of being a Nurse. Compassion, care and love of the patients and families is the most important part of being a Nurse. One of my patient’s family started a
support group for families and friends. That family kept in touch with me for years. I was so Blessed
Sadly, I do not text
That is an impersonator.
Just what do you mean? I worked for 34 years as an ICU nurse and moonlighted as an
Organ Coordinator for Albany Medical College in NYS, in addition to running an ICU. Then in Mesa, Az, I was a co-chair on a Medical Ethics Committee with an MD for 10 years. Now retired am Blessed to have a wonderful career. When I retired I studied for 2 years to be a
Grief Counselor and now volunteer at a Catholic Church in a Grief Support role. I never charge for any of my Counseling. I give back for the wonderful life I have had.
I told you that the reply you received from supposedly Dan Rather is from an impersonator.
Thank you. I thought you meant me. Sorry, Ariel-no offense.
Just recently, the StarTribune reported that the incidents of HIV/AIDS have risen in a northern Minnesota county. I hope that those who are ill will be treated with dignity and respect.
To those who strongly disagree with homosexuality, bisexuality and so forth, it is not for us to pass judgment on these people. I suppose we need to let God judge these people since God knows all things.
Beautifully written, in that so much of the feelings experienced during these times come back as palpable sensations within the body. The fear of the unknown. The claims of "divine retribution" when, in fact, EVERYONE was at risk, as became even more evident with hemophiliacs and pregnant women. The revelation of Rock Hudson's cause of death. The heartbreaking tributes of the tribute quilts, lovingly stitched. Laid side by side and end to end, the AIDS Memorial Quilt exhibit covered acres. Babies were included seemingly everywhere. It was a gut punch. It was a reminder not to look away. It was an opportunity for science to aim for treatments and cures. It was the impetus for ACT UP! to demand the government stop hiding the truth from the public.
I also remember the film "PHILADELPHIA" with Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington providing examples of how to start talking about individual cases, and Bruce Springsteen's hauntingly memorable title track The Streets of Philadelphia. It was like hearing a heartbeat.
Truly appreciate today's reflection.
Part of PRIDE is saying "we are still here."