Tag Archives: AIDS

Poz.com blogger and renowned activist Peter Staley tips us that closeted former NYC Mayor Ed Koch has reviewed the AIDS documentary, How To Survive A Plague. Staley notes that Koch fails to mention his own detestable role in thwarting the early response to what would become a global pandemic. From Koch’s review: While demonstrations were necessary to keep the issue …

“The idea—and not just the idea, the actual life of homosexuals—changed immeasurably because of the acceptance of homosexuality. And that was because of AIDS. No one ever says that. Or how AIDS caused gay marriage. I mean, it would never have existed. You could pretend to your family that you were straight, but you couldn’t pretend you weren’t dying. And …

My pal and longtime JMG reader Steve Schalchlin is earning raves for the London production of his award-winning AIDS-themed musical, The Last Session. HIV-positive US songwriter Steve Schalchlin’s musical is a beautiful cry of pain with a surface smoothness that conceals an honest and heartfelt engagement with the messy realities of intolerance, artistry and terminal illness. Its familiar themes and …

“As anyone close to me knows, I always have been and always will be a huge supporter of the gay community. I am so sorry and so upset that I caused pain to my gay friends, fans and their families with the comments heard this morning. I was having this private conversation with a friend of mine who is gay …

The first anniversary of the Occupy Wall Street movement is this week. In addition to today’s concert in downtown Manhattan, there will be a march tomorrow morning. ACT UP will be there. Via press release: ACT UP NY (AIDS Coalition To Unleash Power) announced plans to endorse the Sept 17 demonstration celebrating Occupy Wall St.’s first anniversary. Members of ACT …

I forgot to mention Sylvester’s 65th birthday, what with all the DNC hullabaloo. Here’s some disco-gay education for the tender ones.

Opening September 21st in NYC, SF, LA.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is in Uganda today to discuss U.S. funding to address that nation’s burgeoning HIV/AIDS pandemic. Via White House press release: Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, joined by Uganda’s Minister of Health Dr. Christine Ondoa, on August 3, 2012, in Kampala, Uganda, highlighted the additional $25 million the U.S. government recently committed to help Uganda …

Two House Democrats have introduced a bill that would direct $100M in federal funds specifically to the search for an AIDS cure. Representatives Jim Himes (CT-4) and Barbara Lee (CA-9) announced today that they have introduced the Cure for AIDS Act (H.R. 6187), a bill that would fund research and development of a cure for HIV/AIDS. Currently, the majority of …

Live-streaming right now on C-SPAN. I’ll have the video here once it becomes available.

The final design seems to lack the appropriate solemnity, but at least it looks like an inviting place to sit and reflect. The design for the future New York City AIDS Memorial at St. Vincent’s Hospital Park was approved by Manhattan Community Board 2. The coalition will now work to seek approvals from the Department of City Planning and the …

Clip description: “The American Bowie,” “The True Fairy of Rock & Roll,” “Hype of the Year.” Known as the first openly gay rock star, Jobriath’s legacy delves deeper than the labels hung upon him. His reign was brief—two years and two albums. Sabotaged by a publicity machine run amok, shunned by the gay community and dismissed by critics, Jobriath was …

Courtesy of SUNY Press, today’s Swag Tuesday prize is the new book by Bryant University’s Dr. Tom Roach, Friendship As A Way Of Life, which is now available at online booksellers. Friendship as a Way of Life explores the vital role friendship plays in gay history and community. Emphasizing the openness and richness of gay friendships, Roach contends that friendship …

“One of my biggest fears as a gay kid was that I wouldn’t find that ‘special someone,’ that one person who was supposed to complete me, fulfill me. We’re all in one way or another trained to believe this is the apex of human relationships. After learning more about gay history and politics, after reading brilliant feminist and queer critiques …

Opening next week at NYC’s Quad Cinema. UNITED IN ANGER: A HISTORY OF ACT UP is a unique feature-length documentary that combines startling archival footage that puts the audience on the ground with the activists and the remarkably insightful interviews from the ACT UP Oral History Project to explore ACT UP (the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) from a grassroots …

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Rep. Carolyn Maloney, and a galaxy of Broadway, Hollywood and television stars crowded the main stage in Central Park early this morning to help kick off the GMHC’s 27th Annual AIDS Walk New York. Stars on hand included Wendy Williams, Grammy nominee Keri Hilson, NCIS: Los Angeles star Barrett Foa, Tony winner David Hyde Pierce, Glee’s Dot …

We cannot properly memorialize Donna Summer without mentioning Paul Jabara, the late gay songwriter and performer who won the Academy Award for Best Original Song after his Last Dance was performed by Summer in the pitiful disco movie, Thank God It’s Friday. Jabara had a bit part in the film and his own track, Trapped In The Stairway, was included …

Today would have been Keith Haring’s 54th birthday.