December 1 is recognized around the world as as World AIDS Day.
This date was established in 1988 by The World Health Organization. It represents a way for communities to unite to fight against the HIV/AIDS stigma, commemorate those who have lost their battle with AIDS, and to also show support for those who are living with the disease.
The World AIDS Day theme for 2015 in the United States is - “The Time to Act is Now” and while new infections have fallen by 35 percent and AIDS-related deaths have fallen by 24 percent since 2000, HIV continues to be a major global public health issue. It continues to claim hundreds of thousands of lives each year.
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My own personal interactions within the HIV/AIDS community date back to the early 1980’s when the situation was first being whispered about. The fact that I had briefly dated actor Rock Hudson, one of the first high profile individuals to die from AIDS in October of 1985, made my life during the 80’s one of wondering not whether I’d become infected but when. Two false positive diagnoses sent my life and health, due to being on medication I should not have been taking, into a downward spiral. Eventually more definitive testing found that I was actually HIV-negative, a status I maintain to this day. However, that brief sojourn gave me an insight and view into a hell that can only be imagined.
As I noted in an interview with Foster’s Daily Democrat on July 23, 2003, the 80’s and 90’s virtually eradicated my entire address book, as dozens and dozens and friends and acquaintances lost their battles. I was often shell-shocked as I attended one funeral service after another, something you shouldn’t be doing with such regularity while in your 30’s. I finally recognized that I needed to do something beyond sitting on the sidelines.
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Elizabeth Taylor was, from the mid-80’s, a passionate crusader on behalf of HIV/AIDS, donating large portions of the profits from her fragrance line to AIDS Programs and research. A meeting with her in the early 90’s at her beautiful home on Nimes Road in Bel-Air helped me find my place in the fight.
In the decades since I have done everything from the delivery of food to those unable to leave their homes to grant writing, education, prevention and awareness events. I also produced a series of fundraising concerts and performances featuring the likes of Greg Louganis, Patti Page, Jack Jones, Carol Channing, Jim Bailey and others, that raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for those living with HIV/AIDS in NH.
A little over 20 years ago while visiting a friend in Springfield, Massachusetts, I was urged - actually it was more of a dare - to try-out for a musical production of ”Peter Pan”. I laughed that I was a bit “long in the tooth” to be playing such a role. “Besides”, I noted, “it’s usually played by a woman - Mary Martin, Mia Farrow, Sandy Duncan, Cathy Rigby - take your pick!”. However, never one to not take someone up on a dare, I went to try-outs, bringing music with me and fully expecting to be laughed off the stage.
Before starting my tryout song, I closed my eyes for just a second and silently dedicated the song I’d chosen, to all those individuals who would never realize their own dreams because AIDS had snatched their lives.
The song - “Neverland” - contained lyrics that I felt could very well have referenced the AIDS battle that so many were fighting and I had, in fact,sung it to several friends as I held their hand and they took their last breath.
“I know a place where dreams are born, and time is never planned,
It’s not on any chart, you must find it with your heart, Never Neverland”
I sang it as I had never sung before or since, believing every word and obviously making the Director believe too, because two days later they offered me the role.
Today, World AIDS Day, I’ll sit down at the keyboard and sing it once again as I have so many times before, remembering all those brave warriors who fought the good fight and all of those who continue to face a battle in getting through each and every day. Please stop for a moment and remember them too.
