Reunited with Larry Kramer

Gay icon, AIDS advocate leader, author, etc.; people either love him or hate him – Larry Kramer has been one of the most important voices in the LGBT community and civil rights movement. Larry and I have not really been friends but have had to deal with each other these last three decades. While we have had major differences and some major battles I have and will always respect him and his passion and love for our community.

Larry is the cofounder of the world renowned Gay Men’s Health Crisis, the author of the award-winning play Normal Heart, the book Faggots, and of course founded ACT-UP; and this is where I had to deal with him … in this arena.

In 1987, I was on the national executive committee of the March on Washington which drew over 800,000 people to our nation’s capital.

In 1989, I was elected a national co-chair of Stonewall 25 which also brought thousands of people to New York. ACT-UP did important work especially against the high charging pharmacies and medical businesses making millions out of people living with HIV/AIDS.

I did not support many of ACT-UP’s demonstrations especially the one disturbing and taking over the altar and mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral and joined other leaders to denounce these actions.

Locally, I also bumped heads with ACT-UP chapter chair Albert Bell who was a friend. At the 1987 national march we voted not to let Larry speak because he vowed to give a speech full of profanity and we were live on CNN/CSPAN.

The morning of the march Larry threatened that he and ACT-UP would storm the stage if he wasn’t allowed to speak. By a small majority revote he was allowed and then of course used profanity and attacked President Clinton and Hillary personally! Only a day after the executive committee was invited to the White House to discuss our demands and HIV/AIDS.

After the march I was asked to write a commentary in a national gay magazine and I denounced Larry’s actions and how he hijacked the rally. Later I had to deal with them at Stonewall 25 in New York where we of course let him speak as it was his own backyard.

I have always said that our LGBT civil rights movement must always be “in the streets and in the suites of political power.” So while I respected many of ACT-UP’s direct actions and participated in many street actions, some I absolutely opposed and spoke out against.

But no matter what, I always knew where Larry’s heart was at. For what he felt would save lives for in those early dark years of AIDS, indeed silence equaled death.

This past Saturday night in New York, I presented Larry Kramer with the International Court System of the United States of America, Mexico and Canada its highest honor: the International Royal Order of Empress I Jose.

It was good to see Larry again and I asked him if he would have really stormed the stage during the “1987 March” and with a twinkle in his eye he said, “No Nicole, we wouldn’t have.” We both then started laughing our butts off as once again he had prevailed.

Larry Kramer has been a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and is an Academy Award nominee; he continues to write and continues in his activist work. And I say, keep on fighting the good fight Larry, we always needed your voice and you truly have made a difference to millions of people’s lives. God bless you, Larry.

People, politics and opinions

Ricardo Flores (chief of staff to Marti Emerald) is on almost everyone’s mind to become the next councilmember in the Ninth District. Another prominent name being mentioned is Mark Arabo who would also make a formidable candidate.

Congratulations to respected businessman and City Commissioner Tom Hebrank who becomes one of the first openly gay members of the prestigious Lincoln Club board of directors.

Job very well done to Stampp Corbin, chair of the City’s Equal Opportunity Commission who has decided not to seek another term though the mayor was going to reappoint him. He truly did some great and important work during his four-year term. Word is that Mayor Faulconer will be appointing Susan Jester (member of the United States Civil Rights Commission State Advisory Board) to replace Corbin.

Already some gay activists are attacking gay Republican Congressional candidate Jacquie Atkinson, some very nasty; please, let’s disagree on issues and political stands and not get personal. Atkinson, who is a decorated and “wounded warrior” deserves our respect for her service to our country.

Now comes word that City Attorney Jan Goldsmith might also be looking into the 52nd Congressional race. I think he is too conservative of a Republican to win in the swing district.

With Mayor Faulconer looking more unbeatable every day for re-election many are already talking about 2020. Top mentioned names are Todd Gloria, Toni Atkins and Dave Roberts. I had lunch with Roberts last week and all he is focusing on is his re-election which should be a landslide.