Brian was probably one of my very best friends. He is the only person that I have ever witnessed going from perfect health to having full blown AIDS. He worked as a manager for a local bookstore. When he came out to his parents, they disowned him. Even when he told them that he was sick, they wanted to have nothing to do with him. Most of his friends also deserted him. We were great friends and did lots of things together. I made sure he kept his doctors appointments and took his medication. I stopped by to make sure all was ok. We also played LOTS of Nintendo. The disease progressed to where he lost his sight. After a brief stay in the hospital, he took his own life. He was 29 years old. I will never forget him. He tought me not to be afraid of people with AIDS. He also taught me what true friendship is. I have never known a person as loving and giving as he was and I probably never will. I miss you, Brian.

Jamie was my dance partner!!! My twin brother!!! He helped me to get out of one of the worst relationships of my life. I don't know where I would be if it wasn't for him and I mean that seriously. With his blond hair and coffee colored skin and probably the whitest teeth I have ever seen on a man, he always stood out in a crowd. But he was shy; a quiet man that didn't say much, but when he did, you had better listen. He was wise beyond his years. I can still hear him laughing whenever I screwed up a step and helping me to get it right. When he found out he was HIV+, he moved back in with his family. They didn't make what was left of his life easy for him. FInally, he could no longer take the ridicule and the constant badgering from his family so he took his own life. He was 26. I couldn't attend his funeral. His parents didn't want any of his gay friends there. I have yet to venture to New York to visit his grave. Hopefully I will ge there soon. I miss you Jamie. Save a spot on the dance floor for me! :-)

Lil Mo!!! He was a bright young man that I was helping with math. He came from a bad family. His father was a drug addict that contracted HIV who knows how. He was molesting Mo, who in turn contracted the disease from him. He took his life also. Now we'll never know what he could have been... could have discovered... could have changed. Truly a flower in a field of dead grass. It's sad. He was 13 years old.


Chris was a friend during my high school years. We kept in touch but not as much as we should have. I didn't realize he was ill until a week before he died. I didn't realize how much I missed him until he was gone. This happens far too often. A friendship lost over time. He was 29.


Mauralesce was a guy I met last summer. He was fun and probably one of the sweetest guys I have ever met. He had a smile that would light up even the darkest room and a body to die for! :-) He had a wonderfully sunny personality, too. He was HIV+ when I met him and we had lots of long talks about life and things in general. I truly wish I had spent more time with him. I keep forgetting that you can't go back. Love ya Mo.

I also know several other people who are HIV+. I just want them and others that are inflicted with this disease to know that they are not alone. There is help available everywhere. Friends and family will be there for you. And for those who make jokes, cringe, shun, avoid, and harrass people with AIDS - think about what you are doing. They are human beings just like you and me and deserve our love and do not deserve to be treated badly. Learn about HIV and AIDS, for knowledge is the only defense we truly have. And don't forget that AIDS knows no color, race, creed, religion, or sexual preference. The only way to prevent AIDS is to learn about it and act in a responsible way.