Just one week in June, brought me the World Premier of the Upstairs Inferno at the Prytania Theater AND the SCOTUS passage of Marriage Equality across the nation. With such a banner week, I couldn't have planned the dinner party on Columbus Street at the end of that week any better.
Although I've already written about the World Premier of the Upstairs Inferno; I realized that the documentary is so rich and profound that one post just doesn't do it justice. From time to time, something will hit me out of the blue that needs to be shared. This morning is one of those mornings. Expect there to be more.
My social work career has run the gamut from Criminal Justice to HIV/AIDS volunteering and services, to private practice, and teaching. The point was subtle in the film, but its importance didn't escape me...mobilizing in the aftermath of this horrific event in 1973 prepared our community to mobilize for what we would face during the AIDS pandemic less than 10 years away.
Nation-wide networks were already in place, thanks to a large degree to the Metropolitan Community Churches. Allies and supporters in New Orleans had come forward, albeit at times under duress. We had a place from which to start our work, which is HUGE!
As the face and reality of HIV/AIDS continues to change, it is easy to become complacent. I don't have to worry anymore that three of my friends will die during the week that I go home on vacation. People I love who I expected to lose decades ago, are still with me because of the advances in medication and treatment.
We owe a debt to those victims, survivors, victims' families and friends; and, to Robert L. Camina and team for bringing us their story.
It must become "our" story.
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