World AIDS Day 2014

Once again this year, as I have done for the past eight years, I am posting an entry written on this day back in 2005 by Christopher for his blog Everything is Not Real.  Christopher stopped posting about a year later and moved on to other things.

If you read his blog occasionally you would have gained the impression that he was an non-stop party boy but regular readers knew that there was an underlying seriousness to much that he wrote.  When I first read this entry I was overwhelmed with gratitude that I too had won the lottery then I called to mind those I loved and cared for who had not been so fortunate.  They were my lovers, my friends and my family and I miss each one of them to this day. 

I have lottery fantasies.

I dream about being able to buy fast cars and designer clothes until they come out of my ears. I want houses in London, New York, East Hampton and Rio. I want to be able to travel first class and work out at The Third Space and get reservations at Annabel's just because of who I am. I want to be able to take hot dates on tours of the National Gallery. When it's closed. Because I'm one of it's biggest benefactors.

Needless to say, twice a week, I am disappointed.

This morning, on the way to work on the tube, I was reading a Times article, written by Annie Lennox, about the millions and millions of people in Africa who are suffering with HIV and AIDS, and dying, and how the governments of the richer nations, such as the one I live in, have pledged support over an eight year period. And how they absolutely must stay committed to this goal.

One of the kids she spoke to on a recent trip to Africa was dying of AIDS. But before he got sick he lost his mother, father, brothers, sisters and pretty much everyone else he cared about to the same disease. He was totally alone in the world. With no hope. And certainly no dreams of fast cars or a nice comfortable house, anywhere. And that shit isn't even near the important stuff.

There are approximately 6,450,000,000 humans on Earth.

Most of them are not 33 year olds who have careers which afford them access to guest lists to the best clubs and bars the city has to offer. They don't have friends who will stick with them no matter what (and slip them Jil Sander dress shirts every now and then.)They don't have housemates who have Thai cuisine prepared and ready to eat when they arrive home. They don't have comfortable beds to sleep in at night.

6,450,000,000.

When I think about it I kinda did win the lottery.

About 33 years ago

EVERYTHING IS NOT REAL - Christopher
December 1, 2005

 Today I am filled with uneasiness and fear when I see a generation growing up - gay and straight - who now seem to be throwing caution to the wind.  We - that first generation that dealt with this disease - often didn't know that we were playing a game of Russian roulette or what the stakes were.   We were not informed or educated - or if we were it was ill-informed or badly educated.  I recall that in those first days  if you went into a room where someone was carrying the "gay disease" you had to suit up almost as if for a hazmat disaster.  I cannot imagine what it must have been like to be surrounded by people who were clothed and masked against contact with you.  We were to learn and over time those fears subsided, if not totally disappeared.  God knows I don't for a minute wish for a return to those days of fear and alienation but in a time where information and education, often based on mistakes of the past, are available I can only hope that people - straight and gay - have and can learn.

December 1 - 1918: The Kingdom of Iceland becomes a sovereign state, yet remains a part of the Danish kingdom.

World AIDS Day 2013

Every World AIDS Day since 2006 I have uploaded this post that first appeared in 2005 on a long-gone blog called Everything is Not Real.  Though anyone who has followed my blog has likely read it every so often I feel the need to remind myself, and perhaps you won't mind being reminded also, of how fortunate most of us are. 

Christopher was a party lad on the London scene who wrote funny, frivolous, bitchy posts about his club and love life but in the midst of it all would suddenly post something that made you realize the man behind the Armani suits, the parties and the trendy bars and clubs.

Each time I reread his entry for World AIDS Day 2005 I am made more aware of the truth of what he wrote: for myself and so many of the people I love and care about.

December 1, 2005
I have lottery fantasies.

I dream about being able to buy fast cars and designer clothes until they come out of my ears. I want houses in London, New York, East Hampton and Rio. I want to be able to travel first class and work out at The Third Space and get reservations at Annabel's just because of who I am. I want to be able to take hot dates on tours of the National Gallery. When it's closed. Because I'm one of it's biggest benefactors.

Needless to say, twice a week, I am disappointed.

This morning, on the way to work on the tube, I was reading a Times article, written by Annie Lennox, about the millions and millions of people in Africa who are suffering with HIV and AIDS, and dying, and how the governments of the richer nations, such as the one I live in, have pledged support over an eight year period. And how they absolutely must stay committed to this goal.

One of the kids she spoke to on a recent trip to Africa was dying of AIDS. But before he got sick he lost his mother, father, brothers, sisters and pretty much everyone else he cared about to the same disease. He was totally alone in the world. With no hope. And certainly no dreams of fast cars or a nice comfortable house, anywhere. And that shit isn't even near the important stuff.

There are approximately 6,450,000,000 humans on Earth.

Most of them are not 33 year olds who have careers which afford them access to guest lists to the best clubs and bars the city has to offer. They don't have friends who will stick with them no matter what (and slip them Jil Sander dress shirts every now and then.)They don't have housemates who have Thai cuisine prepared and ready to eat when they arrive home. They don't have comfortable beds to sleep in at night.

6,450,000,000.

When I think about it I kinda did win the lottery.

About 33 years ago

EVERYTHING IS NOT REAL - Christopher

I look around me and see all the things that truly say I have won the lottery.

For Pierre, Brian, Lawrence, Bill, Don, Andrew and Jim and the others - remembered still.

December 1 - 1420: Henry V of England enters Paris.

World AIDS Day - II

In 2011 the World Health Organization announced that the slogan for World AIDS Day for the next 5 years would be: Getting to Zero.  As I posted last year this has to be more than a theme, or even a hope:  this has to be a goal.  A goal that all countries try to achieve - but one that sadly many countries - including my own -  are ignoring.

There are still nations in the world where people are told that AIDS is a "foreigner's disease"; countries where people are shunned because of the disease; countries where children are forced into prostitution and spread the disease and are discarded when they are too sick to "work"; places where it is preached as a less-than-loving god's punishment for an abnormal life style; and countries where promises are made and then  once the photo-op has passed ignored or given only lip service.  It would be nice to think that these are what were once called "third world" nations but sadly my own country is one of those nations that made grandiose statements and promises and claims to be a "world leader" is really only a bit player.

I made the statement at work the other day that I was ashamed of Canada but was quickly corrected and told that I had no reason to be ashamed of my country - we were still a nation of caring people.  What, I was told in no uncertain words, I should be ashamed of is my government.  And looking at events in the past few days I am in complete agreement with that sentiment.

On Thursday evening C389 an amendment to a bill that would have made generic pharmaceuticals affordable and available in third world countries was defeated.  A bill that would have gone a long way to meeting our commitment to be a nation that cares about AIDS at home and abroad lost by seven votes.  The next day on radio Mike Lake, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry mouthed weak excuses and platitudes about our continued role as a "world leader"in the fight against AIDS - unfortunately he could not give any concrete examples of that "leadership".  And in the interview that followed Stephen Douglas, a strong voice for AIDS advocacy, put paid to the party line as spouted by Mr Lake.  I found it strange that something so centred around health was addressed by someone with the Industry portfolio.  But then that is what it was really all about - protecting the pharmaceutical companies.  It had little or nothing to do with our role in combating AIDS in the world but more to do with making sure the big corporations were happy and protected.

And in our country a whole segment of the population has been, if not neglected, relegated to a minor concern in AIDS education process.  Yesterday figures were released by the Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network; figures that indicate that our First Nations, Métis and Inuit are more at risk than any other group in our country.  According to statistics (2006 census) that though they represent only 3.8% of Canada's population, they account for 7.5% of Canadians living with HIV.

In 2008 aboriginal people accounted for 12.5% of all newly reported cases of HIV infections in Canada.  This was 3.6% higher than the rate for other groups that year.  Research is being carried out to find out why the rate is so high and there is real concern that an alarming number of aboriginal Canadians are engaging in risky lifestyles.  And in most communities the stigma attached to AIDS is ever present and a barrier to working together with the Federal Government to education people.  Families shunning members with AIDS and turning them out of the community is a not uncommon reaction.  And the remoteness of many communities means that treatment - and even diagnosis - is not always readily available.  There is a program in the works to produce educational material in aboriginal languages and groups like the Network are attempting to stem the rise in HIV and AIDS cases among aboriginal people by teaching young people — in a culturally appropriate way — how to protect themselves.  As with all organizations and people concerned with the spread of HIV and AIDS their goal is ZERO.

The Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network programme is an example of what must be done:  to reach that goal of ZERO there must be ZERO fear, ZERO stigma, ZERO discrimination, ZERO risks before we can reach ZERO new cases and ZERO deaths.

 The CBC has published an interactive map charting the global reach of the HIV/AIDS Epidemic.

 02 December - 1763: Dedication of the Touro Synagogue, in Newport, Rhode Island, the first synagogue in what became the United States.

World AIDS Day 2012 - I

From GRC University of Portland

Christopher stopped blogging about five years ago and I must admit I miss the vicarious pleasure I received from reading of his seemingly charmed and good life in London.  But as often as he wrote of the gyms, restaurants, clubs and high life he would post a thoughtful piece that revealed the loving nature behind it all.  When I first read his post on World AIDS Day back in 2005 I was reminded of my own "win" in the lottery that so many of us played so unknowingly back in the day.

Once again this year I am posting his post as a reminder that so many of us have indeed "won the lottery".

December 1, 2005
I have lottery fantasies.

I dream about being able to buy fast cars and designer clothes until they come out of my ears. I want houses in London, New York, East Hampton and Rio. I want to be able to travel first class and work out at The Third Space and get reservations at Annabel's just because of who I am. I want to be able to take hot dates on tours of the National Gallery. When it's closed. Because I'm one of it's biggest benefactors.

Needless to say, twice a week, I am disappointed.

This morning, on the way to work on the tube, I was reading a Times article, written by Annie Lennox, about the millions and millions of people in Africa who are suffering with HIV and AIDS, and dying, and how the governments of the richer nations, such as the one I live in, have pledged support over an eight year period. And how they absolutely must stay committed to this goal.

One of the kids she spoke to on a recent trip to Africa was dying of AIDS. But before he got sick he lost his mother, father, brothers, sisters and pretty much everyone else he cared about to the same disease. He was totally alone in the world. With no hope. And certainly no dreams of fast cars or a nice comfortable house, anywhere. And that shit isn't even near the important stuff.

There are approximately 6,450,000,000 humans on Earth.

Most of them are not 33 year olds who have careers which afford them access to guest lists to the best clubs and bars the city has to offer. They don't have friends who will stick with them no matter what (and slip them Jil Sander dress shirts every now and then.)They don't have housemates who have Thai cuisine prepared and ready to eat when they arrive home. They don't have comfortable beds to sleep in at night.

6,450,000,000.

When I think about it I kinda did win the lottery.

About 33 years ago

EVERYTHING IS NOT REAL - Christopher

For Pierre, Lawrence, Bill, Jim, Don, Andrew, Brian and the many others that we've lost but still love and hold in our hearts.  And for my friends who may have lost the lottery but won the battle.

01 December - 1987: The first World AIDS Day was observed.

World AIDS Day II - A Few Thoughts and Figures

There was a time when the world seemed obsessed with finding a "Patient Zero" - for a time a work colleague of mine was unjustly branded as the culprit  - someone who brought AIDS to the wider world and could be blamed.  Now with this year's theme for World AIDS Day we are looking at "Zero" in a more positive way: Getting to Zero  - Zero new HIV infections. Zero discrimination. Zero AIDS-related deaths.  A theme?  A wish? A hope?  A goal!

In those first frightening and confusing years when the world grappled with the "gay plague" I  lost many friends  and under the most horrendous circumstances.  Visits to one friend - only the second person in Ottawa to diagnosed with AIDS - were carried out with visitors wearing protective face coverings and clothing.  Doctors and even some nurses were reluctant to go into hospital rooms and the atmosphere was one of fear.  And fear was the prevailing atmosphere in many gay - and straight - haunts and homes; sadly there was the odd medical professional who exploited that fear while others became compassionate care givers despite their own battles with the virus.  It was a time of ignorance and ignorance breeds fear.

As time went on we became more aware, better informed of possible causes and precautions and we became less fearful.  We now know that AIDS is not a "gay" disease; that like any disease it knows no sex, sexuality, race or age nor, despite what we hear from some religious groups,  is it "god's punishment".   We know that it is no longer an automatic death sentence and the fear has been replaced with some hope as research continues and advances are made.  Sadly it has also been replaced in some quarters with complacency as drug companies laud their products as a panacea for the effects of AIDS.  And the temptation is there for developed countries to lessen the enthusiastic support they proffered 6 years ago as statistics level off.

Certainly recent reports show a leveling but those levels themselves are still alarming.  In 2009 it was estimated that 3.3 million people were living with AIDS and 2.5 million of them were children.  In that year it is estimated that 1.8 million people died of AIDS or AIDS related diseases and that approximately 16.6 million children were left orphaned.  16.6 million children!  From newborns to teenagers left without mother or father or in some instance any family.  I knew from my association with the Wakefield Grannies that the figure was staggering but that number in one year is beyond comprehension.

Much has been done since those days when a diagnosis was a death sentence but much is left to be done in not only developing ways to live with AIDS but in finding a cure.  Much has been done to educate people about how to control the spread of AIDS but much is left to do in the way of education particularly in developing countries. Much has been done since those first dark days when friends saw fear and ignorance on the faces of those around them but there is still much to do to combat the fear and ignorance that still clouds so many people's perception of the disease and those living and dying with it.  Much has been done but much is left to do before we can reach the goal set out for this year's World AIDS Day.

Getting to Zero  - Zero new HIV infections. Zero discrimination. Zero AIDS-related deaths.  A theme? A wish? A hope? No, a goal!

01 decembre/December - World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day I - The Lottery

 On his blog Christopher had always tended to be a bit on the facile side - lots of things about his good life in London and the odd romantic heartache thrown in.  But just as often as he could "glitter and be gay" he could also touch the heart with a loving and thoughtful essay.  As I read his post on World AIDS Day six years ago I was brought face to face with my good fortune and my own "win".  

Once again this year I am posting this as a reminder that so many of us have indeed "won the lottery".

December 1, 2005
I have lottery fantasies.

I dream about being able to buy fast cars and designer clothes until they come out of my ears. I want houses in London, New York, East Hampton and Rio. I want to be able to travel first class and work out at The Third Space and get reservations at Annabel's just because of who I am. I want to be able to take hot dates on tours of the National Gallery. When it's closed. Because I'm one of it's biggest benefactors.

Needless to say, twice a week, I am disappointed.

This morning, on the way to work on the tube, I was reading a Times article, written by Annie Lennox, about the millions and millions of people in Africa who are suffering with HIV and AIDS, and dying, and how the governments of the richer nations, such as the one I live in, have pledged support over an eight year period. And how they absolutely must stay committed to this goal.

One of the kids she spoke to on a recent trip to Africa was dying of AIDS. But before he got sick he lost his mother, father, brothers, sisters and pretty much everyone else he cared about to the same disease. He was totally alone in the world. With no hope. And certainly no dreams of fast cars or a nice comfortable house, anywhere. And that shit isn't even near the important stuff.

There are approximately 6,450,000,000 humans on Earth.

Most of them are not 33 year olds who have careers which afford them access to guest lists to the best clubs and bars the city has to offer. They don't have friends who will stick with them no matter what (and slip them Jil Sander dress shirts every now and then.)They don't have housemates who have Thai cuisine prepared and ready to eat when they arrive home. They don't have comfortable beds to sleep in at night.

6,450,000,000.

When I think about it I kinda did win the lottery.

About 33 years ago

EVERYTHING IS NOT REAL - Christopher

For Pierre, Lawrence, Bill, Jim, Don, Andrew, Brian and the many others that we've lost but still love and hold in our hearts.

01 decembre/December - World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day 2010 - Part II

I have referred to Roberto Bole occasionally in postings both as a great dancer and as a sex symbol and though he is both those things he is decidedly more than that. Back in 1999 at a Gala here at Rome's Teatro dell'Opera he was appointed a UNICEF Ambassador with the special task of raising awareness of the problems of the young.  It is a role he has taken seriously especially with the rising problem of children in Africa born with AIDS or left orphaned by the AIDS epidemic.

I was particularly taken by this photo that appeared recently on my friend Opera Chic's blog along with a post on Bolle's recent trip to Central Africa.


When I saw this picture I thought of all the people who preach that AIDS is God's punishment and thought: what has this child done that deserves any sort of punishment particularly this dreadful disease?

01 decembre - La giornata mondiale contro l'AIDS

World AIDS Day 2010 - Part I

Once again as a commemoration of World AIDS Day I am reposting a piece that was written five years ago by Christopher, a blogger from London, and posted on his now dormant blog Everything Is Not Real.  I wish I could say that things have changed since he wrote this or since I first posted it but sadly the situation in Africa, Southeast Asia and other parts of the world is still much as it was.  But the wisdom of his post still holds as true today as it did back in 2005.

December 1, 2005
I have lottery fantasies.

I dream about being able to buy fast cars and designer clothes until they come out of my ears. I want houses in London, New York, East Hampton and Rio. I want to be able to travel first class and work out at The Third Space and get reservations at Annabel's just because of who I am. I want to be able to take hot dates on tours of the National Gallery. When it's closed. Because I'm one of it's biggest benefactors.

Needless to say, twice a week, I am disappointed.

This morning, on the way to work on the tube, I was reading a Times article, written by Annie Lennox, about the millions and millions of people in Africa who are suffering with HIV and AIDS, and dying, and how the governments of the richer nations, such as the one I live in, have pledged support over an eight year period. And how they absolutely must stay committed to this goal.

One of the kids she spoke to on a recent trip to Africa was dying of AIDS. But before he got sick he lost his mother, father, brothers, sisters and pretty much everyone else he cared about to the same disease. He was totally alone in the world. With no hope. And certainly no dreams of fast cars or a nice comfortable house, anywhere. And that shit isn't even near the important stuff.

There are approximately 6,450,000,000 humans on Earth.

Most of them are not 33 year olds who have careers which afford them access to guest lists to the best clubs and bars the city has to offer. They don't have friends who will stick with them no matter what (and slip them Jil Sander dress shirts every now and then.)They don't have housemates who have Thai cuisine prepared and ready to eat when they arrive home. They don't have comfortable beds to sleep in at night.

6,450,000,000.

When I think about it I kinda did win the lottery.

About 33 years ago

EVERYTHING IS NOT REAL - Christopher

Along with Christopher I count myself and so many I love amongst the lottery winners.

For Pierre, Lawrence, Bill, Don, Jim, Brian - not forgotten.

01 decembre - La giornata mondiale contro l'AIDS

The Lottery - A World AIDS Day Post

It was four years ago today that Christopher posted this on his now dormant blog Everything Is Not Real. I have reposted it for the past two years and it once again bears reading.

December 1, 2005

I have lottery fantasies.

I dream about being able to buy fast cars and designer clothes until they come out of my ears. I want houses in London, New York, East Hampton and Rio. I want to be able to travel first class and work out at The Third Space and get reservations at Annabel's just because of who I am. I want to be able to take hot dates on tours of the National Gallery. When it's closed. Because I'm one of it's biggest benefactors.

Needless to say, twice a week, I am disappointed.

This morning, on the way to work on the tube, I was reading a Times article, written by Annie Lennox, about the millions and millions of people in Africa who are suffering with HIV and AIDS, and dying, and how the governments of the richer nations, such as the one I live in, have pledged support over an eight year period. And how they absolutely must stay committed to this goal.

One of the kids she spoke to on a recent trip to Africa was dying of AIDS. But before he got sick he lost his mother, father, brothers, sisters and pretty much everyone else he cared about to the same disease. He was totally alone in the world. With no hope. And certainly no dreams of fast cars or a nice comfortable house, anywhere. And that shit isn't even near the important stuff.

There are approximately 6,450,000,000 humans on Earth.

Most of them are not 33 year olds who have careers which afford them access to guest lists to the best clubs and bars the city has to offer. They don't have friends who will stick with them no matter what (and slip them Jil Sander dress shirts every now and then.)They don't have housemates who have Thai cuisine prepared and ready to eat when they arrive home. They don't have comfortable beds to sleep in at night.

6,450,000,000.

When I think about it I kinda did win the lottery.

About 33 years ago

EVERYTHING IS NOT REAL - Christopher

Most of us can echo Christopher's words.

For Pierre, Lawrence, Bill, Don, Jim, Brian and the others - not forgotten.

And despite what is being "preached" condoms can help prevent the spread of AIDS.


01 decembre - La giornata mondiale contro l'AIDS

The Lottery

It has been over 24 years since I lost my first friend to what was then an unknown disease. I have posted this item before on World AIDS Day and sadly it bears repeating, perhaps more so given the dreadful statistics coming out of South African this past week.

I first read this post on EVERYTHING IS NOT REAL, a blog that has been sadly discontinued. Christopher could write frivolous, naughty, nasty, informative and touching. His entry for World AIDS Day three years ago moved me immensely. As I know I could not write anything as appropriate to the day I am taking the liberty of once again reproducing it.

December 1, 2005

I have lottery fantasies.

I dream about being able to buy fast cars and designer clothes until they come out of my ears. I want houses in London, New York, East Hampton and Rio. I want to be able to travel first class and work out at The Third Space and get reservations at Annabel's just because of who I am. I want to be able to take hot dates on tours of the National Gallery. When it's closed. Because I'm one of it's biggest benefactors.

Needless to say, twice a week, I am disappointed.

This morning, on the way to work on the tube, I was reading a Times article, written by Annie Lennox, about the millions and millions of people in Africa who are suffering with HIV and AIDS, and dying, and how the governments of the richer nations, such as the one I live in, have pledged support over an eight year period. And how they absolutely must stay committed to this goal.

One of the kids she spoke to on a recent trip to Africa was dying of AIDS. But before he got sick he lost his mother, father, brothers, sisters and pretty much everyone else he cared about to the same disease. He was totally alone in the world. With no hope. And certainly no dreams of fast cars or a nice comfortable house, anywhere. And that shit isn't even near the important stuff.

There are approximately 6,450,000,000 humans on Earth.

Most of them are not 33 year olds who have careers which afford them access to guest lists to the best clubs and bars the city has to offer. They don't have friends who will stick with them no matter what (and slip them Jil Sander dress shirts every now and then.)They don't have housemates who have Thai cuisine prepared and ready to eat when they arrive home. They don't have comfortable beds to sleep in at night.

6,450,000,000.

When I think about it I kinda did win the lottery.

About 33 years ago

EVERYTHING IS NOT REAL - Christopher

For Pierre, Lawrence, Bill, Jim, Andrew and Don.

01 dicembre - World AIDS Day

Winning the Lottery

It has been over 23 years since I lost my first friend to what was then an unknown disease. This year I wanted to write something inspirational and thoughtful for World AIDS Day - however I think this piece that I posted last year still holds true a year later. I first read it on EVERYTHING IS NOT REAL, a blog that has been sadly discontinued. Christopher could write frivolous, naughty, nasty, informative and touching. His entry for World AIDS Day two years ago moved me immensely. As I know I could not write anything as appropriate to the day I am taking the liberty of reproducing it.

December 1, 2005

I have lottery fantasies.

I dream about being able to buy fast cars and designer clothes until they come out of my ears. I want houses in London, New York, East Hampton and Rio. I want to be able to travel first class and work out at The Third Space and get reservations at Annabel's just because of who I am. I want to be able to take hot dates on tours of the National Gallery. When it's closed. Because I'm one of it's biggest benefactors.

Needless to say, twice a week, I am disappointed.

This morning, on the way to work on the tube, I was reading a Times article, written by Annie Lennox, about the millions and millions of people in Africa who are suffering with HIV and AIDS, and dying, and how the governments of the richer nations, such as the one I live in, have pledged support over an eight year period. And how they absolutely must stay committed to this goal.

One of the kids she spoke to on a recent trip to Africa was dying of AIDS. But before he got sick he lost his mother, father, brothers, sisters and pretty much everyone else he cared about to the same disease. He was totally alone in the world. With no hope. And certainly no dreams of fast cars or a nice comfortable house, anywhere. And that shit isn't even near the important stuff.

There are approximately 6,450,000,000 humans on Earth.

Most of them are not 33 year olds who have careers which afford them access to guest lists to the best clubs and bars the city has to offer. They don't have friends who will stick with them no matter what (and slip them Jil Sander dress shirts every now and then.)They don't have housemates who have Thai cuisine prepared and ready to eat when they arrive home. They don't have comfortable beds to sleep in at night.

6,450,000,000.

When I think about it I kinda did win the lottery.

About 33 years ago

EVERYTHING IS NOT REAL - Christopher

Most of us can say the same thing.

01 decembre - San Alegio