I started a big long blog that entailed the history of how and why I became involved in the Gay Rights movement back in the early 80's , but that is irrelevant. What is relevant is the death of Larry Kramer. If you do not know who he is, you need to Google him. He was a writer, a playwright, a military man. He tried to commit suicide at one point. But most importantly, he was the man who sounded the alarm for the disease that was killing gay men. It was a phenomenal event back then. No one knew why gay men were dying, but they were and in greater numbers.
In 1981 he published an article calling attention to this in a gay periodical. Two years later he published again, this time calling it "1,112 and Counting". It was about this time that I may have shaken myself out of the lethargic cocoon within which I was wrapped. I had a good friend back home named Gilbert who fell victim to the disease about that time. He was the first friend I lost, but he would not be the last.
I began to follow the news and Larry Kramer. It was staggering statistics for sure. And it just kept going. Does any one remember when Colorado passed Amendment 2? We worked very hard to get that overturned. We were fighting for Gay Rights and we were fighting the AIDS epidemic. I think Larry Kramer and I were fighting the same battles, but on different ends of the country, but for the same reasons.
I wish I could have met him. Some of my best friends are in the gay community and I have always championed their cause. I see I am rambling, so let me just sum this up and get back to life.
Larry Kramer was a giant among men and his legacy will live forever. Our world is a better place for him having passed through it. In 2002, he said: "I put the truth in writing. That's what I do: I have told the fucking truth to everyone I have ever met."
And that, my friends is why Larry Kramer holds a special place in my heart.
In 1981 he published an article calling attention to this in a gay periodical. Two years later he published again, this time calling it "1,112 and Counting". It was about this time that I may have shaken myself out of the lethargic cocoon within which I was wrapped. I had a good friend back home named Gilbert who fell victim to the disease about that time. He was the first friend I lost, but he would not be the last.
I began to follow the news and Larry Kramer. It was staggering statistics for sure. And it just kept going. Does any one remember when Colorado passed Amendment 2? We worked very hard to get that overturned. We were fighting for Gay Rights and we were fighting the AIDS epidemic. I think Larry Kramer and I were fighting the same battles, but on different ends of the country, but for the same reasons.
I wish I could have met him. Some of my best friends are in the gay community and I have always championed their cause. I see I am rambling, so let me just sum this up and get back to life.
Larry Kramer was a giant among men and his legacy will live forever. Our world is a better place for him having passed through it. In 2002, he said: "I put the truth in writing. That's what I do: I have told the fucking truth to everyone I have ever met."
And that, my friends is why Larry Kramer holds a special place in my heart.
Lawrence David Kramer, writer and activist, born 25 June, 1935: died 27 May 2020
