Thank you very much, David, for that very generous and warm introduction. There is no one in our community who has done more to advance the cause of lesbian and gay civil rights than David Mixner. David stands alone in terms of his personal sacrifice and life-long commitment to social justice.
As we mark the 25th anniversary since the identification of the first cases of what was then a mysterious immune deficiency, it seems appropriate to take brief stock of where we’ve been, where we are today, and the future of our fight against this worldwide epidemic.
Our past experience with HIV and AIDS is woven from the profound stories of those who have perished as well as those who have fought tirelessly against a disease which, at the beginning, was like nothing else that anyone had ever seen.
Rand Schrader, my former partner, was first a lawyer and then a criminal courts judge in Los Angeles, California, and, along with David Mixner and others, one of the first warriors on the front line of the war against AIDS in Los Angeles.
Rand was a pioneering activist for lesbian and gay civil rights, having been one of the early founders of the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center and other legal and social service groups formed in the late 70’s and early 80’s. He was among the first openly gay judges in the country, and I remember Randy telling stories about policemen staring in disbelief at an openly homosexual man sitting up on the judge’s bench.
Rand was a leader in the pursuit of lesbian and gay civil rights, and a vanguard in the fight against AIDS during a time when it wasn’t easy or popular to take on such challenges. During our ten years together, he taught me that there was no room for compromise when you are fighting for an equal place in society and that one person can make an enormous difference if that person brings to the table a sustained level of passion and commitment to social justice.
I learned from Rand that there is often no ‘someone else’ who will speak up and take action on the problems confronting us all. During his very public struggle with AIDS and with his death in June of 1993, he inspired me and countless others to become that ‘someone else’, in honor of him and the countless number of others who struggled, and ultimately died, with such courage and dignity.
Our challenge today is to maintain our commitment level and energy in the face of the cruelly indifferent policies of our government, and the similar policies and staggering level of denial of other governments around the world that face the increasingly devastating effects of the epidemic. Now, more than ever, we must dig deep and work hard in support of amfAR’s leadership role in the fight against AIDS.
As for today, it is very inspiring to see those who are living with HIV, and fortunate to have access to current drug therapies, lead productive, creative and energetic lives. Those who live with HIV and demonstrate such a hard fought understanding of what is important in life serve as mentors, leaders, and role models for those of us who get bothered by life’s minor daily distractions and forget to appreciate all of the blessings before us.
With regard to our future, we must rely on the leadership and commitment of a younger generation to move the ball forward. On this front, there is great promise. My brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Clare Bohnett, who are here tonight, have raised three children who are representative of the next generation who will lead the fight against AIDS.
Thomas, Elizabeth, and Mary Clare, and select numbers of their peers, have a deep seated commitment to social justice issues such as equal access to health care and global cooperation and commitment in the fight against AIDS. They bring a broad world view and an eye focused on a far horizon that will bring vital new perspectives on research, treatment, funding, and prevention.
We owe parents who have raised such future leaders a great deal of gratitude for instilling in their offspring that our world society is built on a mutual interdependence to work for the common good. It is further the responsibility of each of us to mentor, nurture and support this younger generation, for ultimately they will forge the path forward.
My partner, Tom Gregory, is also here tonight, and I thank him for his love, support and for making my life so full.
Congratulations to my fellow honorees, Florent Morellet and Peter van Rooijen, and thank you again to amfAR for this award. The work that you all do is a tribute to all those we have lost to this disease and an inspiration to me to work as hard as I can in the fight against AIDS. Together, we will ultimately prevail.