december first

What's so special about December 1st? It's World AIDS Day.

My friend Randy died of the disease almost 8 years ago, after a long horrible struggle fighting for every last breath, experience, and marrow he could suck out of life. When I talk about Randy and tell people he died of AIDS, they usually respond with "Was he gay?" This always strikes me as an odd response.

When a person suffers through a protracted illness, does it matter how or where they contracted their illness? Human suffering is human suffering and it doesn't need to be qualified through any set of moral parameters in order to be validated by society. This used to really bother me, but now I look at it as an opportunity to educate people on HIV/AIDS.

The World Health Organization reported last week that women are among the highest risk for infection. In South Africa, where AIDS/HIV is rampant, many people believe that having sex with a virgin will cure you of the virus. As a result thousands of children are raped by men infected with HIV. And so the cycle begins. We need to get rid of the stereotypes associated with this disease.

AIDS is not a respecter of fame, social status, or wealth.

Randy was a warm, kind person who was always happy and smiling. He was also a gifted photographer, and a good husband and father who contracted HIV/AIDS through a blood transfusion. Even at the end, when his immune system had all but failed, weak from the fight, his body covered with chicken pox like sores, Randy had a smile on his face. So on December 1st, I too will have a smile on my face. Remembering Randy and the exceptional life he led.

I look forward to the time when December 1st becomes a day that we honor the memory of those that died, secure in the knowlege that the ravages of AIDS/HIV are in the past.

A day with art, music, love, joy, laughter, and most importantly--our family and friends.