I was about 20 years late getting into the fight for Gay Rights, but when I got on board I gave it my all. Stonewall was nothing to me in 1969. I did not know any gay people because there were not any in my world of western Kansas at that time. Little did I know that my 4 year old son would open my eyes and make me see the injustice of discrimination. Little did I know that less than 20 years later I would be not only waving the flag, but it would be one I stitched with care. I knew nothing about PFLAG in 1969, but by 1973 I was a whole lot wiser. By then I was single and working at the Red Rooster Restaurant with a little guy named Gibby. Gib was a very good friend of my mother, so of course he was a friend of mine. Gib was gay.
I had never to my knowledge ever even seen a gay person, but now I was friends with one. And it was nice to have a male friend that I could go dancing with, or hang out with and not have to worry about a romantic involvement. Then I started my journey that has led me to where I am today. I moved to Colorado in 1977 leaving Gib and my mother and siblings behind. Soon after the "gay disease" reared it's ugly head. In June of 1981 the CDC published a paper about a strange disease that was affecting gay men. And thus began the AIDS epidemic. I am not here to give you a history lesson, only to tell you why I am where and who I am today.
Gibby was one of the first to die. He is buried in an unmarked grave somewhere in central Kansas. He is only one of many that received the same treatment. Fear held us in it's paralyzing grip. There was talk at one point of isolating the "victims". The CDC scrambled to set up guidelines and finally succeeded in calming the fears, approving new meds and I am happy to say that now it is not even
mentioned as AIDS, but is HIV and it is a manageable condition. I speak of HIV only because it led me to the gay rights movement.
In 1983 I married Kenneth and for the next 8 years I lived a fairly mundane existence. This all ended when the religious right groups headquartered in Colorado Springs put forth Amendment #2 for the Colorado Constitution that basically stated that gays and homosexuals were to be denied civil rights protection. This was on the ballot for the November 3, 1992 election. It was known as the "Hate State Amendment 2".
It was worded in such a way that it was confusing to say the least and it passed. Barely, but it did pass and the gay community was devastated. At that time there was a catering business on Elizabeth and for some reason we congregated there. We were all so disappointed because what this bill did was basically declare open season on gays. The place was filled to overflowing and that night "Pueblo After 2" was born. We knew that as gay and straight we had to band together. As a straight person I could advocate for my gay friends. Warren, David, Joe, Carolyn, and the list goes on. Along with Nancy and Jalia, PFLAG was born in Pueblo. Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. It was the local chapter of a national group.
Events and times become confused in my little mind and I think I should have kept a journal. But I did not. I did what needed done with the help of my colleagues. Westboro never stood a chance with us. Pueblo After 2 morphed in Southern Colorado Equality Alliance. Southern Colorado AIDS Project was borne of the need to take care of our afflicted children.
At some point in time I conceived the Pueblo AIDS Memorial Quilt which is hung at the Rawlings Library the end of November through most of December. World AIDS day is observed on the 4th floor every December 1 and I am guest of honor.
We have come a long way, but there is still work to do. I was given a lot of awards over the years, but none as prestigious as the mother who thanked me recently for giving her son the strength to acknowledge who he is! That is called "coming out" in case you wondered.
Kinda' makes it all worth it.
No comments:
Post a Comment