The Voice of the West Village WestView News VOLUME 17, NUMBER 6 JUNE 2021 $2.00 How to Select a Mayor By George Capsis modern—we’d never had a mayoral candi- to back him to, at last, get Cynthia Vote on June 22nd date like that. off her back. because that’s Suddenly—on June 22nd—we are supposed One day my wife Andromache (Maggie) As chance would have it, attor- to vote for mayor from a roster of people we went to take out the garbage and called ney Arthur Schwartz had set up a meet- your only chance! never heard of. We see their ads on TV and to me from the hall, “There is a beautiful ing with de Blasio that coming week in his young lady out here who wants to talk to office (Arthur’s that is—on Broadway just read bits about them in the papers, but, gee, New York City will hold its you. Do you want to speak to a beautiful across from City Hall) and had invited me who are these people? This has got to be a municipal election on November young lady?” I quickly responded, “I am also. I offered this gem to Sarah Jessica and mistake…oh my. And to make it even more 2, 2021, but since there is essen- always ready to speak to a beautiful young she left, smiling (I think). bizarre, if you are really not sure of whom tially no competition between the lady,” and in walked Sarah Jessica Parker. The meeting was the first time I’d ever sat you want as mayor you can go down the line parties, the primary on June 22, She sat down at the kitchen table and be- down with a candidate for mayor of this great and rank them as your #2 choice, your #3 2021 will effectively decide who gan to talk about the upcoming election sprawling New York City, and what, oh what, choice and so on—and the cumulative point serves in these key offices that in winding spirals and finally began to say were the questions I should I ask him? What gatherer is the winner, who will certainly not conduct your business over the something like, WestView News is a great did he consider to be the most pressing prob- be your first choice—a mayor by default… next four years. WestView News newspaper and who it supports could be- lems and how would he correct them? But it was not too different eight years assembled this guide to assist come the next mayor. Then she mentioned I kept coming back to “save the hospi- ago, when “everybody knew” we were go- voters as they make these critical Bill de Blasio and, ah-hah, she wanted tals” because we had campaigned for years ing to have the first lesbian mayor in choices. See page 4 for full info. Deborah Glick, and nobody knew who WestView to back him. to save the 161-year-old St. Vincent’s but Bill de Blasio was. It was just Glick, Glick, What I did not know then was that her had lost it to a massive luxury condo. Glick, and de Blasio was miles and miles fellow actress Cynthia Nixon was a big cam- At one point in the interview I found my- behind. A handsome 6 feet five inches paigner for de Blasio and was beating on self getting up and putting my arm around by police at a demonstration to save a Brook- white guy who so hated his domineering Sarah Jessica to come out and support him. the 6’5” seated de Blasio, announcing that he lyn hospital in his neighborhood. father that he adopted his mother’s name Sarah was, quite naturally, resisting and re- was my son’s age and that, “If you want to be At about this same time, a real estate who married a much shorter Black women sisting, but finally came up with the crazy mayor, save the hospitals that are going one developer who had bought a massive fac- who said she’d been a lesbian. Well—quite desperate idea of convincing WestView News by one.” A few weeks later he was handcuffed continued on page 13 LGBTQ+ Community at Inflection Point By Kambiz Shekdar, Ph.D. New York City’s gay pride parade starts The gay pride parade held in major cit- with thunderous and bare-chested lesbi- ies from Paris to London to New York on ans and the hundreds of proud men and the same day in LGBT Pride month every women of the Gay Officers Action League June belongs to all members of the LG- (GOAL) who march right behind the BTQ+ community. The parade guarantees roaring motorbikes of the Dykes on Bikes a day of unadulterated and enveloping contingent. It includes dozens of church warmth, inclusiveness, and joy, especially and religious groups, corporate floats, nu- important to all those who may lack these merous chapters of Parents and Friends of in their everyday lives at home or at work. Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), and groups However, parade organizers at NYC Pride that couldn’t be any “gayer” than Straight shattered that unity with their announce- Women in Support of Homos (SWISH). ment in May of banning gay cops from the It just can’t get any more loving than that. parade. The resulting backlash demand- But it can get uglier. For several years, in- ing a reversal may determine whether the fighting has included calls by some for the uniquely colorful and all-inclusive LG- expulsion of corporate groups for perceived BTQ+ alliance will splinter or hold, with MEMBERS OF THE GAY OFFICERS ACTION LEAGUE, 2019 NYC World Pride Stonewall 50- over-commercialization of Pride. Compa- repercussions for the entire gay agenda. year anniversary celebration at Gracie Mansion. Photo credit: GOAL. continued on page 22 Meaningful Mansions Quirky Style HIV / AIDS Timeline Monthly Q&A Mansions of Meaning transforms Karen is at it again — and we're A list of historical milestones A new feature added to historic mansions into wholistic living featuring her creative take on the tracing HIV / AIDS from first WestView News—Man and educational centers. fading Corona Virus. reporting to present day. on the Street interviews about topical subjects!

SEE PAGE 14 SEE PAGE 28 SEE PAGE 30 SEE PAGE 55 2 WestView News June 2021 www.westviewnews.org WestView WestViews Published by WestView, Inc. by and for the residents of the West Village. Correspondence, Commentary, Corrections Publisher / Executive Editor Praise for Anastasia harmless and handcuffed in a prone position, automatically eligible for parole. People George Capsis Anastasia Kaliabakos compliments your paper an unarmed human, Chauvin and three other over 55 are extremely unlikely to commit Managing Editor / Art Director cops had violated every protocol of proper crimes, and there is little to no deterrent Kim Plosia in the highest regard to the historical signifi- police duty. When speaking of ‘split-second’ effect in increasing sentences over 15 years. Advertising Manager cance by delineating The Western Tradition Karen Rempel through the legacy of Ancient Greek Culture. decisions to justify deadly reactions, con- Life without parole is a death sentence, and Advertising Designer She is young, smart, and eloquent. sider that these men had over 540 seconds there is no reason we should pay for death- Stephanie Phelan I want to thank your Editorial Board for of decision-making. 540 seconds times four by-incarceration for elderly individuals the Traffic Manager giving her the opportunity to do this. decision-makers, any of them which could parole board has deemed reformed. Liza Whiting I am a graduate of Manhattan College. Our have saved an innocent life. Meanwhile, Fair and Timely Parole Thank God for the Minneapolis law en- changes the standards for parole hearings Photo Editor first semester was immersed by reading the Darielle Smolian Primary sources of Ancient Greek Philoso- forcement personnel who spoke the truth to ensure that parole officers are deter- Photographers phy, History, Mythology, and Art (followed about what would have been proper police mining whether an individual has learned Maggie Berkvist, by Ancient Rome). THAT was in 1966! behavior and what the officers were trained from their mistakes, has reformed, and is Chris Manis, Bob Cooley Now, we have Anastasia and WestView to do, contrary to what they did. capable of rejoining society in a productive Associate Editors to reestablish the Legacy of Democracy. Here in the city of Eric Garner’s mur- capacity, as opposed to looking backwards Justin Matthews, Anne Olshansky I hope this serves as a lesson for our latest gen- der, among many others, many more ‘split- and examining the nature and extent of the Comptroller eration of iPhone users. Place away your Play- second’ decisions toward unarmed, ‘inno- original mistake. If the parole board deems Jolanta Meckauskaite stations and Google history and geography. cent until proven guilty’ citizens, especially an individual to be rehabilitated, and they Architecture Editor Hey, reading Anastasia will encourage you to those of color, are being made, for all the are eligible for parole under their sentence, Brian Pape explore your particular culture and legacy. wrong reasons. they should be released regardless of the Business Editor —Kevin Fraser, Former FDNY Lieut In NYC, the Police Commissioner Der- nature of their past mistakes. Caroline Benveniste mot Shea acknowledged the legacy and If we are serious about ending mass in- Fashion Director Graffiti harm of racialized policing in New York. carceration and revenge-based justice, we Karilyn Prisco Working with state and city government, need to use all the tools in the shed. One Music and Eldercare Editor Dear Editor, the New York City Police Reform and of the most important of these is releasing Hannah Reimann I think the praise in the May issue of West- Reinvention Collaborative Plan outlines a people from prison who have taken ac- Science and LGBTQ Editor View News for the NYC police removing major step forward in New York City’s ef- countability and have been rehabilitated. Kambiz Shekdar, PhD graffiti from privately owned buildings forts to reform our policing. The bills in question do not require that Regular Contributors is misplaced. We need the police to pre- We must continue to work together to anyone be released—they merely allow J. Taylor Basker, Barry Benepe, vent stabbings on the Lexington Avenue create a police force that ‘serves and pro- parole boards to look at each person as an Caroline Benveniste, Mark. M. Green, subway, not polishing the brass on luxury tects’ all members of our society, acknowl- individual and determine whether or not Robert Heide, Anastasia Kaliabakos, buildings. Removing graffiti is the respon- edging that despite all the tensions with they should be released. The bills are com- Bob Kroll, Thomas Lamia, sibility of private property owners, not city police, the police departments and unions mon-sense and absolutely necessary. Kieran Loughney, Keith Michael, must be a part of reform and reconciliation I encourage all readers of WestView News Michael D. Minichiello, Penny Mintz, agencies. Certainly not the police who are Brian J. Pape, Anthony Paradiso, needed to hold down the crime rate. with the community. to contact their senators and assembly mem- Roger Paradiso, Bruce Poli, —Barry Benepe —Respectfully submitted, Brian Pape bers to see how they can help move these Alec Pruchnicki, Roberta Russell, Christina bills forward so that they pass this year. Raccuia, Hannah Reimann, Karen Rempel, Re: NYTimes: A New $260 Million Park Parole Reform —David Siffert Catherine Revland, Ede Rothaus, Chair, Village Independent Democrats Donna Schaper, Stanley Wlodyka Floats on the Hudson. It’s a Charmer. To the Editor: Michael Kimmelman is twisting the In the wake of the George Floyd mur- Legislative Affairs Committee We endeavor to publish all letters received, facts. Diller is not occupying public land der, criminal justice reform has been in including those with which we disagree. but creating it entirely at his own expense the public eye. There has been substan- Bedbugs of Bethune The opinions put forth by contributors and donating it to the city. I know that tial public discussion about police reform, to WestView do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher or editor. George Capsis, publisher of WestView bail reform, rights of the accused, sentencing I have been homeless in Greenwich Vil- WestView welcomes your correspondence, News and his architectural editor, Brian reform, reforming conditions in prisons, and lage for eight weeks due to the indifference comments, and corrections: Pape, oppose it, while I have praised it in rights and services for individuals who were and incompetence of Rose Associates, the www.westviewnews.org the same paper, but it is a unique depar- previously incarcerated. All of these reforms managers of Westbeth Artists House. Contact Us ture from the finger piers that dominate would help end mass-incarceration and In early February 2021 inspectors came (212) 924-5718 the Hudson River front for ships that no provide the means for accountability and to our apartments asking us whether we [email protected] longer ply our shores. I look forward to our reform-driven justice as opposed to purely had bed bugs. They did not inspect my first visit there. punitive justice. apartment for bedbugs. Some weeks later —Barry Benepe However, there has been one key lynch- they returned, and this time did inspect, pin that has been largely overlooked—that declaring that I did not have bedbugs. Say My Name is parole reform. The goal of our carceral On Monday 22 March I myself saw a system should be to rehabilitate people and bedbug climbing up the wall and immedi- Letter to the Editor: release them back into society, where they ately reported to management. Inspectors The front page May 2021 article by George take accountability for their actions in a confirmed that these were in fact bedbugs. Capsis lauded the efforts of our local police way that is productive for their communi- Management then ignored the problem for to work with the community to improve ties, rather than costly. This can only work some time. They did not offer to re-house our quality of life. We are proud to sup- if we actually release reformed people. me and I was rendered effectively homeless port those efforts, and the article frames Right now, legislators in Albany are dis- from that day. Fortunately a friend in the these local efforts amidst the turmoil of the cussing the Elder Parole bill (S.15-Hoyl- Village took me in. Derek Chauvin trial. man / A.3475-De La Rosa) and the Fair It was not until Monday 5 April, fourteen More than just “a police officer who made and Timely Parole Act (S.1415-Rivera / days after the infestation was acknowledged, the wrong decision when asked to get off the A.4231-Weprin). Elder parole would al- that action was taken. At no point did they MIA SAYS: the decisions made for you are neck,” for more than 8 minutes after sub- low people aged 55 and older who have offer me an alternative apartment in West- seldom the best. Photo by Dusty Berke. duing George Floyd, rendering the victim served at least 15 years in prison to become beth or any help with accommodation. www.westviewnews.org June 2021 WestView News 3

On Monday 5 April exterminators en- in income, St. John’s qualifies under the tered the apartment to prepare it for the federal guidelines for this 2nd PPP loan. high-heat treatment which was to happen Despite the usual difficulties in reaching Major Price Adjustment! on Tuesday 6 April. They tore apart every Chase, we managed to file our application 350 Bleecker Street, Unit 2D shelf, drawer, filing cabinet, and artworks, within Chase’s arbitrarily-set and prema- tossing these things chaotically into bins ture filing deadline. Then for many weeks and onto the floor. This included putting we were told by Chase that our application live plants into opaque sealed plastic tubs! was in the pipeline. Now, just a few days There was no respect for the order and ago, a Chase rep, after giving our treasurer organization of the items: files, folders, the familiar run-around that our applica- sketchbooks, slides, and many other col- tion was in the pipeline awaiting process- $685,000 lections of art-related material, which had ing, suddenly noticed a memo in their files Rare D-line been filed on the shelves for decades. They (dated back in April) that all funds had confiscated my bed and bedding, and dam- been depleted. At this point it is unclear aged many other items. if Congress will authorize any additional On Tuesday 6 April the treatment was funds for the PPP loan program. carried out and I was told that I could It is unfortunate that the large banks move back into the apartment the follow- have been allowed unfettered leeway to ing day. They thus acknowledged that they process applications for these loans, rather Large Corner Studio Fully and Thoroughly Renovated with exposed brick, had rendered me homeless for at least six- than direct application to the SBA. This spacious studio with recessed lighting, modern kitchen and spa shower. Sits in teen days. When the treatment was com- isn’t Chase’s money, it is taxpayer money. one of the premier West Village cooperatives with amazing amenities such as pleted the apartment looked like a bomb While St. John’s Church, a not-for-profit an expansive planted roofdeck, full time doorman and staff, garage, and had hit it. There were dead insects every- religious corporation, doesn’t pay taxes, renovated fitness center. where: on the floor, on every shelf, in the we are a small business within the PPP bathroom and kitchen, and in every drawer guidelines and we do provide services to Scotty is a long time West Village resident, broker, and neighborhood and cupboard (which had all been opened). our West Village community. Our parish- advocate and enthusiast. Go to www.westvillagebroker.com for detailed info The place was uninhabitable. Since then I ioners and employees pay taxes. And we on buying/selling/renting and to support local. have been working tirelessly to bring the vote. I hope our elected representatives in Let's keep our mom and pop businesses alive! place back to order. I have spent hundreds Washington, Senators Schumer and Gilli- of dollars on professional cleaners and on a brand, Congressman Nadler, are listening. Scotty Elyanow new bed and bedding. I was told to empty I wonder just how many other readers Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker the plastic bins myself and return the bins have had similar experiences in trying to Manhattan & Brooklyn Market Expert in but a few days. As a partially-sighted apply for PPP loans and other federal pan- [email protected] person, with no help offered by manage- demic relief programs. M: 917.678.6010 ment, I find this an extremely time-con- —Margot Shields, Churchwarden @villagescotty suming, frustrating, and well-nigh impos- sible task – the refiling of some sixty years’ The City That—Lately— worth of files, notes, and invaluable art. Never Sleeps Many articles are simply missing. When you live in the Village, where your As I write, on Monday 17 May, my apart- bedroom is can determine how well you ment is still uninhabitable. My point in sleep. If it’s on the street, noise can wake writing this article is to raise awareness of you up at any time. If it’s in the back, fac- these issues in Westbeth, so that if infesta- ing the courtyard, you can sleep through Why is WestView tions occur in the future management might the night fine. respond immediately. If you live in West- And so I did for most of the six decades beth and wish to share your recent bedbug since I moved into my rear-facing apart- so thick this month? experience do please be in touch by email. ment on Perry Street in 1961. Until, that is, ­—Anonymous of Westbeth the party deck appeared across the court- It's GAY PRIDE MONTH. Because of the yard atop 376 Bleecker Street 2 and a half P-P-Problems to 3 years ago. lingering danger of infection from COVID Dear Editor: I got to know the routine before the pan- Déjà vu all over again, in the immortal demic. It’s a warm weather weekend thing. we will have no parade (the marchers are words of Yogi Berra, is what we at St. John’s The party starts early evening on a Friday, in the Village have been experiencing with and tends to go throughout the day Satur- in the paper). Next year COVID should be JPMorganChase in trying to apply for a day and Sunday, and quiets at dinnertime 2nd PPP loan. We had the same problems Friday and Saturday. controlled or even cured, but AIDS will with Chase last year over the first PPP loan: It’s the post-dinner resumption of the difficulty in reaching Chase reps; failure party that wakes and keeps me up. 1 a.m., 2 still be with us. Should we tolerate selective by bank reps to return calls; when reached, a.m. 3? I now know these hours well. their ignorance of the application procedure; Having been away for most of the pan- diseases because we will probably never their seeming unfamiliarity with St. John’s, demic, I had hoped the parties would not despite the fact that we have banked with resume this Spring. But, a couple of weeks get them? Or should we find a cure for Chase for more than 20 years. Apparently ago, as the warm weather returned, so our account balance is not large enough for did they. One, two, three a.m.--again, it’s AIDS? This year you can support the Chase to pay attention to us. We eventu- wake-up and stay-up time for me and any- ally got the PPP loan last year, but only af- body else in earshot. development of a global cure at ter Congress infused more money into the I’ve called 311, I’ve gone to the police program. This occurred only after media but nothing has happened. rftca.org/GetInvolved/ reports of wide-spread fraud and banks fa- I’m concerned this phenomenon could voring their largest depositors over the re- spread throughout the village. Next year we will all march together. ally small businesses the CARES Act was Has anyone else been imposed upon by intended to assist. loud parties after 11PM? Having incurred the requisite losses —P. Hamilton 4 WestView News June 2021 www.westviewnews.org

Democratic candidates

2021 NYC Mayoral RAY MCGUIRE ERIC ADAMS SHAUN DONOVAN rayformayor.com ericadams2021.com shaunfornyc.com Raised by his single mother in Dayton, As one of 6 children raised by a single moth- Raised on the upper east side, Mr. Donovan Candidates attended the Dalton School and holds under- Ohio, Mr. McGuire overcame childhood er, Mr. Adams joined the NYPD and rose to poverty to obtain graduate degrees in law the rank of Captain while also championing graduate and masters degrees from Harvard. and business from Harvard University. He police reform as a founding member of 100 He pursued his career in government, serving had a 36 year career on Wall Street, the last Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care. He as Commissioner of the NYC Department 13 as head of global corporate and invest- later became a State Senator and was elected of Housing, US Secretary of Housing and ment banking at Citigroup. Brooklyn Borough President in 2013. Urban Development and Director of the Of- fice of Management and Budget. There are eight Democratic and two Republican candidates in this race. Most polls indicate Andrew Yang and Eric Adams are the frontrunners, but this could change due to the large number of undecided voters and the possibility that some candidates may drop out and others could surge ahead. There SCOTT STRINGER ANDREW YANG MAYA WILEY are logical choices for almost stringerformayor.com yangforny.com mayawileyformayor.com Born and raised in NYC, Mr. Stringer is a The son of immigrants from Taiwan, Mr. Wiley's father was a noted civil rights lead- every type of voter, including graduate of New York City public schools Yang was raised in Schenectady, New York er and academic. Growing up in Washing- career politicians with political and CUNY, including P.S. 152, John F. and attended Brown University and Co- ton D.C., Ms. Wiley earned an undergrad- Kennedy High School, and John Jay Col- lumbia Law School. He worked in sev- uate degree from Dartmouth College and a experience (Scott Stringer, Eric lege. He’s spent his career in public service eral entreprenurial ventures before joining Juris Doctor from Columbia Law School. Adams), those with strong pro- as a NY State Assembly legislative as- Manhattan Prep which was eventually sold She served in the United States Attorney sistant, 13 year State Assembly member, to Kaplan, Inc. He later founded nonprofit Office, the NAACP and the American gressive ideology (Maya Wiley, Manhattan Borough President and NYC Venture For America to train young pro- Civil Liberties Union before becoming Dianne Morales), those who’ve Comptroller. fessionals working in start-up companies. counsel to Mayor Bill de Blasio in 2014. run large government organiza- Republican candidates tions (Kathryn Garcia, Shaun CURTIS SLIWA Donovan) and those from the sliwaforny.com private sector (Ray McGuire, Sliwa was born in Canarsie, Brooklyn and graduated from Canarsie High School. In Andrew Yang). The two 1977 he created the Magnificent 13 which Republican candidates (Curtis became the Guardian Angels in 1979, a group dedicated to combating crime that has Sliwa and Fernando Mateo) drawn reactions both positive and negative. are not expected to present He has been a radio broadcaster for three meaningful competition in decades, most of that time on WABC-AM. the general election but could KATHRYN GARCIA DIANNE MORALES FERNANDO MATEO kgfornyc.com dianne.nyc mateothemayor.com provide an interesting debate As an adopted child of civil servant parents, As a Bed-Stuy native, single mother, Ms. Mateo was born in the Dominican Republic this fall. Ms. Garcia was raised with her 4 multi-ra- Morales was raised in a NYCHA build- and grew up on the Lower East Side. He cial siblings in Brooklyn and attended NYC ing and earned a Master of Social Admin- dropped out of high school and started a public schools. After graduating from the istration from Harvard and a Master of carpeting business which eventually grew University of Wisconsin at Madison she Education Administration from Columbia into a multi-million dollar contracting firm. pursued her career with the City of New University. She pursued her career with the He was appointed president of the NY State By Frank Quinn and Deborah Rizzi York, becoming the 43rd Sanitation Com- NYC Department of Education and has Federation of Taxi Drivers and is a spokes- missioner and an interim Chair of NYCHA. run several non-profit organizations. man for United Bodegas of America. www.westviewnews.org June 2021 WestView News 5 2021 City Council District 3 Candidates

This office provides citizens the most direct access to their local government, and WestView News has done a lot to help its readers with this ERIK BOTTCHER PHELAN DANTE FITZPATRICK decision. The candidate you choose will be your local representative in the munici- erikbottcher.com phelanforcitycouncil.com In 2009 Mr. Bottcher began his career in Mr. Fitzpatrick is the owner and opera- pal legislature, which is separate from the Mayor’s administration but an equal public service as the LGBTQ & HIV/AIDS tor of two small businesses in the District. partner in how our City is run. There are six candidates running in District 3, Community Liaison for the New York City He grew up in Ohio where he attended and WestView News interviewed all of them in short-format videos designed to Council. Two years later, he was hired by Wright State University. He has lived in make it easy for voters to review. Governor Cuomo to help lead the fight for New York City for 20 years. If elected, he Marriage Equality ACT. Mr. Bottcher has would be District 3’s first gay Black coun- PLEASE VISIT WESTVIEWNEWS.ORG TO SEE THE INTERVIEWS. served as Chief of Staff for New York City cilman. Council Member Corey Johnson since 2015.

MARNI HALASA ALETA LAFARGUE LESLIE BOGHOSIAN MURPHY ARTHUR SCHWARTZ marniforcitycouncil.com aletalafargue.com lesliefornyc.com arthurfornyc.com Ms. Halasa is a small business owner, a A lifelong resident of Hell’s Kitchen, Ms. Ms. Murphy began her career in jour- A graduate of Columbia University and Hof- journalist, a lawyer and a figure-skating gold LaFargue is the elected president of the nalism and her investigative stories won stra University Law School, Mr. Schwartz medalist. She attended Carnegie Mellon Manhattan Plaza Tenants Association awards, including the EMMY® for soci- has lived in Greenwich Village for 40 years. University, Columbia University Gradu- which serves the 3,500-tenant body. She is etal concerns programming. She serves on He represents labor unions and has been ac- ate School of Journalism and University of a founding member of the Hell’s Kitchen Community Board 4 (Budget Task Force), tively involved in union democracy and labor Pittsburgh School of Law. She has been ac- Democrats, established in 2017 to create Hudson River Park's Piers 40 & 76 Task union reform issues. He has also served as a tive in public housing and overdevelopment an open, diverse and inclusive Democratic Force and is an active member of her local District Leader, State Committee Member issues and she started a pro bono program political club in New York City. NYPD Community Council. and Community Board 2 member. teaching NYCHA kids figure skating.

LINDSEY BOYLAN ELIZABETH CAPUTO lindseyfornewyork. elizabethcaputo.com 2021 Manhattan Borough com Ms. Caputo lives on Ms. Boylan previously the Upper West Side served as Deputy Secre- and works at the World President Candidates tary for Economic De- Economic Forum. Since velopment and Housing graduating from Harvard for the State of New York, where she over- and Harvard Business School, she has This office isn’t well understood by most voters. Originally created in 1898 as saw the state’s chief economic development had a 25-year career living and working part of the consolidation of New York City, today this office is primarily advi- agency. Ms. Boylan previously served on in Manhattan. In 2010, Ms. Caputo was sory. It’s often seen as a stepping-stone for career minded public officials; indeed, Community Boards 5 and 7 in Manhat- appointed to Manhattan’s Community tan. She received her undergraduate de- Board 7. She was elected board chair three two of the leading mayoral candidates served as borough presidents. There are gree from Wellesley College and her MBA times. seven declared Democratic candidates—three are well known term-limited pols, from Columbia University. while the remaining four are lesser-known individuals.

BRAD HOYLMAN BEN KALLOS MARK LEVINE KIMBERLY R. WATKINS bradhoylman.com benkallos.com Voteformarklevine.com Runwithkim.com Elected to the State Sen- New York City Coun- New York City Council Ms. Watkins is in her third ate in 2012, Mr. Holy- cil Member Ben Kallos Member Mark Levine has term as President of Com- man chairs the Senate grew up on the Upper represented the 7th Dis- munity Education Council Judiciary Committee and East Side. He has served trict since 2014. He served (CEC3) representing Com- represents New York’s 27th State Senate as Vice-Chair of the Jewish Caucus and as Chair of the Council Committee on munity School District 3. She is a Super District. He previously served as Demo- chaired the Governmental Operations Health. He is also a member of these com- Steward of the NYC Parks Department cratic District Leader and was three-term Committee and the Subcommittee on mittees: Economic Development, Educa- and serves on the board of her Harlem Chair of Manhattan Community Board Planning, Dispositions, and Concessions. tion, Hospitals, Juvenile Justice and Trans- HDFC Co-op. A part-time private ex- 2. He graduated from Oxford University, He is currently Chair of the Committee on portation. He has a B.A. from Haverford ercise trainer, Ms. Watkins is a marathon where he was a Rhodes scholar. He re- Contracts. College and a Master’s in Public Policy coach for NY Road Runners Club Team ceived his J.D. from Harvard. from Harvard. for Kids charity. 6 WestView News June 2021 www.westviewnews.org

BRAD LANDER KEVIN PARKER 2021 New York City Landerfornyc.com kevinparker2021.com A member of the City Council from State Senator Kevin S. Parker was seated Brooklyn. Mr. Lander is co-founder of in the New York State Senate in 2002. He Comptroller Candidates the Council’s Progressive Caucus. Prior to is the 5th Ranking Democratic in Senate serving in the City Council, he was a com- leadership. He is the Majority Whip and munity planner and housing advocate. He Chairman of the Senate Committee on This office is the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Auditor for the City. The -of spent 15 years in the nonprofit sector as the Energy & Telecommunications. Prior to fice has a staff of 800 and a budget of over $100 Million. There are seven Demo- Director of the Pratt Center for Commu- that, he worked in financial services and as nity Development and the Fifth Avenue Project Manager with the New York State cratic candidates who are considered the “major candidates” because they previous- Committee. Urban Development Corporation. ly held a public office,showed up in a poll or received some kind of media coverage. RESHMA PATEL BRIAN BENJAMIN ZACH ISCOL TERRI LIFTON reshma2021.com brianbenjamin.org www.zackiscol.com Lifton2021.com A graduate of MIT, Ms. Patel works for a Harlem resident Brian Benjamin earned Mr. Iscol is a combat decorated Marine Ms. Lifton has a B.A. in Economics from company that serves as a financial advisor a degree in Public Policy from Brown and who served two tours in Iraq. He founded Barnard College, a Master’s in Econom- to issuers of municipal bonds. In this role, a Master’s in Business from Harvard. He the non-profit Headstrong Project which ics from NYU and a J.D. from Brooklyn she has worked with the City’s Comptrol- served as chair of his Community Board provides free mental healthcare to veterans. Law School. She has worked at law firms ler’s office for a decade. She worked on before being elected to represent Harlem He has also been involved in helping vet- and has held leadership positions in the the creation of a new financing authority, and the Upper West Side in the State Sen- erans transition into new careers. The Cor- investment and banking industries. Ms. the NYC Transitional Finance Authority ate in 2017. Mr. Benjamin serves as Chair nell graduate most recently served as the Lifton has a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. which expanded the City’s ability to issue of the Budget and Revenues Committee. Deputy Director of Javits Medical Center bonds for capital projects. in response to the COVID-19 epidemic. MICHELLE CARUSO-CABRERA ALEX PAN DAVID WEPRIN www.mccforny.com Panfornyc.com Davidfornyc.com A graduate of Wellesley College, Ms. Ca- COREY JOHNSON Mr. Pan is a graduate of Pace High School. After earning his J.D. from Hofstra and ruso-Cabrera began her career as a produc- Coreyfornyc.com He is a student at Denison University (Class working in private practice, Mr. Weprin was er at Univision News and then became a Mr. Johnson served chairperson of Man- of 2024) in Ohio where he is majoring in appointed Deputy Superintendent of Banks reporter at the CBS-TV affiliate in Florida. hattan’s Community Board 4, becoming political science and government. His vol- and Secretary of the Banking Board of New For the next 20 years, Michelle served as the youngest person to chair a community unteer experience includes serving as Vice York State. He later returned to the private a financial analyst, lead reporter, anchor board in the five boroughs. He was elected President of the Tzu Chi Foundation-Tzu sector, working in public finance, helping and Chief International Correspondent for to the New York City Council in 2013. In Shao Youth Association NY Chapter, a hu- local governments raise capital for critical CNBC. She is Board Vice President for 2017 fellow Council Members elected him manitarian relief organization. projects. He also served as Chair of the Se- the Ballet Hispanico of NY. to lead the Council as Speaker. curities Industry Association of New York.

TALI FARHADIAN WEINSTEIN ELIZA ORLINS 2021 New York City www.taliforda.com www.elizaorlins.com Emigrating at age 4 when her family fled Ms. Orlins is a graduate of Syracuse Uni- the Iranian Islamic Revolution, Ms. Wein- versity and Fordham Law School. She District Attorney stein grew up in Queens and Englewood works as a public defender with The Legal Cliffs, NJ, earning degrees from Yale Aid Society and litigates in both New York and Oxford University. She clerked for State Supreme Court and Criminal Court. Judges Merrick Garland and Sandra Day She is a union member with the Associa- Unlike the other 2021 municipal races, this office is not term-limited and rank O’Connor and recently worked in the tion of Legal Aid Attorneys, and in 2004 choice voting will not be used. Most of the debate between the candidates has fo- Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office. She is competed on CBS’s Survivor. married with three daughters. cused on criminal justice reform with some candidates offering more progressive DAN QUART agendas than others. Another big issue for this office is how it will take over the www.danquart.com Trump investigation currently underway by the incumbent Cyrus Vance, who is DIANA FLORENCE Mr. Quart grew up in subsidized housing www.dianaforda.com with parents who worked in the New York not seeking re-election. Born in Manhattan, Ms. Florence earned public school system. He graduated from undergraduate and graduate degrees at the SUNY Binghamton and St. John’s School Democratic candidates Harvard University. He’s spent nearly 2 University of North Carolina at Chapel of Law, and was elected to the NY State decades in federal and state government, Hill. She has worked as a prosecutor for 25 assembly in 2011. He lives on the upper TAHANIE ABOUSHI including as Assistant U.S. Attorney for years ago in the Manhattan District Attor- east side with his wife and 2 children. www.tahanieforda.com the Southern District of New York, as ney’s Office, and is a long-time resident of Aboushi was born and raised Brooklyn. Chief Deputy Attorney General in New Kips Bay where she lives with her husband When she was 14 years old her father was York State. and two children. convicted of conspiracy and sentenced to Republican candidate 22 years in prison. She earned an under- LUCY LANG graduate degree from St. Johns University ELIZABETH (LIZ) CROTTY www.votelucylang.com THOMAS KENNIFF and a law degree Syracuse University, and www.lizcrotty2021.com Granddaughter of businessman and phi- www.kenniff4da.com is a partner at a law firm with two of her Born and raised in Manhattan in Stuyves- lanthropist Eugene Lang, Lucy is a gradu- Mr. Kenniff is a former prosecutor and siblings. ant town, Crotty grew up in the 70s and 80s ate of Swarthmore College and Columbia Army officer who served in Iraq. He later and graduated from Fordham Law School. Law School. She worked in the Manhattan established a New York criminal defense ALVIN BRAGG She began a six-year career at the Manhat- District Attorney’s office and later became practice and continues to serve as a Major www.alvinbragg.com tan District Attorney’s Office, then worked the Director of the Institute for Innovation in the Army National Guard. He currently A son of Central Harlem and a husband in civil law handling state and federal mat- in Prosecution (IIP) at John Jay College. serves as legal officer at the Javits Cen- raising two children there, Bragg earned ters. She started her own criminal law firm She lives in Harlem with her partner and ter vaccine site, and is married with four undergraduate and graduate degrees at 12 years ago. their children. daughters. www.westviewnews.org June 2021 WestView News 7 ARTHUR SCHWARTZ PURSUING JUSTICE CANDIDATE FOR CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 3 2021 8 WestView News June 2021 www.westviewnews.org

GREENWICH VILLAGE LEGENDS Arthur Schwartz New York’s Legendary Progressive Leader By Bruce Poli tion counsel to Cynthia Nixon, Jumaane dation)—Arthur has built the historic Williams, Mondaire Jones, and many oth- legacy of a fighter who wins case after case He was born in the Bronx and has lived in er transformative candidates. against the MTA, Port Authority, Success the West Village for 40 years. A lifelong Arthur Schwartz is a New Yorker’s New Academy, Con Edison, and so many more Mets fan (since ’62)…AND a Yankee fan. Yorker. His 42 years of civil rights legal work powerful institutions. At age 15, in 1968, after sitting in the is as progressive and New York as they get. Arthur fights for attractive, affordable principal’s office at Bronx Science High And yes, he is a Greenwich Village Legend. housing and attacks the cruelty and de- A NEW YORKER'S NEW YORKER: Arthur School, Arthur Schwartz became a leader of Sometimes we need a figure—a leader— pravity of NYCHA whenever he can. He’s Schwartz, above. Photo by Jacob Schwartz. the Columbia University student protests. to define our values. Arthur Schwartz is the in the media all the time. His WBAI radio He hasn’t stopped protesting since— urban force and symbol that drives progress program (returning in July) is legendary. 40 and helped create Hudson River Park as forcefully, effectively, and ALWAYS on the and change and the forever hope for New He is the activist who never stops, and yet a founder of the West Village Community side of justice… York’s future. Politically, he’s helped pro- he has been a dedicated spouse and raised Alliance for Parks and Playgrounds, a co- He’s achieved dramatic results for New gressive activists (statewide) grow and de- four children. founder of Friends of Hudson River Park, York City over the decades—for workers, velop their movement without engaging in Call him the Muhammed Ali of the chair of the Parks and Waterfront Com- parks, affordable housing, LGBT rights, sectarian politics. And during the past four New York ring: float like a butterfly, sting mittees of Community Board 2, and has civil rights, and for all of us who struggle decades, no one has litigated more union like a bee. He refers to himself as a “guer- achieved so much more. to survive and just to live in NYC. democracy cases and taken on more corrupt rilla” litigator. He is so polarizing, he’s pro- These are all facts; you might say, just He is counsel to, and has been endorsed union leaders. And he has done that while voked such headlines as: facts. But what matters is that SOME- by, Black Lives Matter in his bid for Corey representing the unions he has helped to Lawyer Prescribes: Shake Before Help- ONE is actually fighting—for decades— Johnson’s City Council District 3 seat. clean up. For 20 years he has been general ing (on challenging Con Edison, NY Times, for the community values we cherish here He was the New York legal counsel to counsel to Transport Workers Union Local 2/5/99), Fight Over Manhattan Apart- in New York and across America: equality; Bernie Sanders during his 2016 bid for the 100 (shepherding subway and bus workers ment and Surveillance Cameras Land Ten- open space; fairness of pay; social harmo- presidency, and in Chuck Schumer’s core through the 2005 transit strike). ant’s Guardian in Court (NY Times, July 15, ny; economic justice. group when he won the Senate seat over Al As the attorney for an endless number 2015), and City Council Candidate Wants Arthur Schwartz is a civil rights leader D’Amato in 1998. of justice organizations over the years—a NYPD Commish Shea ‘Hung By His Co- in the spirit of his heroes: Clarence Dar- In 2008 he managed Barack Obama’s few are the Pacifica Foundation, the New jones’ (New York Post, February 27, 2021). row, William Kunstler, and Ramsey Clark. Manhattan campaign. York Progressive Action Network (which As a parent, Arthur Schwartz has fought Without a doubt he is a New York legend. In 2014, Arthur was Zephyr Teachout’s he helped found), ACORN Institute, the to make our streets safe and helped revital- treasurer during her challenge to Andrew American Institute for Social Justice, and ize our parks for children and communi- Bruce Poli is a consultant for the Arthur Cuomo for governor, and served as elec- Advocates for Justice (his own legal foun- ties. He worked to win ballfields on Pier Schwartz campaign.

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Rank LeslieRank #1Rank on your Leslie Ranked #1 #1onChoice your on Ballot Rankedyour ChoiceRanked Ballot Choice Ballot Rank Leslie #1 on your Ranked Choice Ballot LESLIE’S DAY-1 PRIORITIES LESLIE BOGHOSIAN MURPHY, above, in Sri Lanka after the tsunami. Photo courtesy of the LESLIE’S DAY-1 PRIORITIES Leslie for NYC Campaign. LESLIE’S DAY-1COVID RECOVERY:PRIORITIES SMALLLESLIE’S BUSINESS DAY-1 PRIORITIES By Leslie Boghosian Murphy When the clock was ticking last summer AND EDUCATION COVID RECOVERY: SMALL BUSINESS and it became apparent that the Depart- I never thought I’d run for public office. ment of Education did not have a com- AND EDUCATION prehensive plan for September, I brokered COVID RECOVERY: SMALL BUSINESS As an investigative reporter for 20 years, I NEIGHBORHOOD REVIVAL: SAFE was assigned to cover some of the world’s agreements with local teaching colleges in AND EDUCATION most devastating tragedies. I traveled to NYC to augment staffing at our local ele- STREETS AND AFFORDABLE HOUSINGCOVID RECOVERY: SMALL BUSINESS Venezuela for the catastrophic mudslides, mentary schools. Without those provisions, NEIGHBORHOOD REVIVAL: SAFE Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the tsunami there would not have been enough teach- STREETS ANDAND AFFORDABLE EDUCATION HOUSING and Malawi to research famine and food ers to properly cover both remote learning NEIGHBORHOODENVIRONMENTAL REVIVAL: JUSTICE:SAFE GREEN insecurity. Although these were painful and in-person instruction. That’s the kind things to witness, I wanted to be there. Re- of “get it done” mentality that is needed STREETSRank Leslie AND ENERGY#1 AFFORDABLE on your AND Ranked GREEN HOUSING SPACES Choice Ballot porting gave me the opportunity to shine a right now in New York City.When you runPAID FOR BY LESLIE FOR NYC GREEN light on situations that needed a champion. for office, people often ask “why do it?” It’s ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: Never did I imagine that I’d be consumed hard work, and the majority of the can- LESLIE’S DAY-1 PRIORITIESENERGY ANDNEIGHBORHOOD GREEN SPACES REVIVAL: SAFE by hardships happening in my own back- didates running in this race have put Earlyour VotingENVIRONMENTAL June 12-20 • Election JUSTICE: DayGREEN June 22 hearts and souls towards the betterment of PAID FOR BY LESLIE FOR NYC yard. What’s happening in New York City ENERGY AND GREENCOVID SPACES RECOVERY: SMALL BUSINESSSTREETS AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING right now demands new direction and new our neighborhoods without the benefit of AND EDUCATION leadership. a paycheck.PAID We FOR do BYit because LESLIE we FOR love NYC our After my daughter was born 8 years ago, neighbors, we believe in our community, Early Voting June 12-20 • Election Day June 22 it felt important to take a break from work and we want to see our city revived. NEIGHBORHOOD REVIVAL: SAFE travel and devote 100% to my community. We needEarly a leader who Voting is always listening, June 12-20Rank • Election Leslie #1 STREETSDay on ANDJune your AFFORDABLE 22 Ranked HOUSING Choice Ballot As the granddaughter of Armenian immi- someone who sees a problem and goes af- ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: GREEN grants who fled genocide and a third gen- ter it with passion, even when it may seem Rank Leslie #1 on your Ranked Choice Ballot Rank Leslie #1 on your Ranked Choice Ballot GREEN eration New Yorker, I knew I wanted to be too tough to tackle. That’s the type of rep- ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: involved in local issues and build connec- resentative we need right now—and that’s ENERGY AND GREEN SPACES ENERGY AND GREEN SPACES tions with my neighbors. From those first the kind of leader I have Rankalready proven Leslie #1 onPAID your FOR BY LESLIE Ranked FOR NYC ChoiceLESLIE’S Ballot DAY-1 PRIORITIES steps of joining my co-op board, working myself to be. PAID FOR BY LESLIE FOR NYC at the local women & children’s shelter and Our community is begging for help:LESLIE’S we EarlyDAY-1 Voting PRIORITIES June 12-20LESLIE’S • Election Day DAY-1 June 22 PRIORITIES getting involved with my Block Association, want to feel safe, to go back to work, to LESLIE’S DAY-1 PRIORITIESCOVID RECOVERY: SMALL BUSINESS it was a natural progression to apply my pas- be able to live affordably, to fill our empty AND EDUCATION sion for advocacy and eventually become an storefronts and most of all, to know our COVID RECOVERY: SMALL BUSINESSCOVID RECOVERY: SMALL BUSINESS Executive Member of Community Board 4. leadership really cares and is fighting for EarlyCOVID RECOVERY: Voting SMALL BUSINESS June 12-20 • Election Day June 22 Until our city was devastated by the effects us. If my fellow New Yorkers elect me to AND EDUCATIONAND EDUCATION AND EDUCATION of the pandemic, however, running for City represent them on City Council, I promise SAFE Council was never on my radar. to work hard for our neighborhoods ev- NEIGHBORHOOD REVIVAL: I’ve often said that it’s easy to be a leader ery day, seek out and really listen to other NEIGHBORHOOD REVIVAL: SAFESTREETS AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING when things are going well. Spending time people’s views and help figure out practi- NEIGHBORHOOD REVIVAL: SAFENEIGHBORHOOD REVIVAL: SAFE STREETS AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING at a Senior Center event or popping by a new cal ways that together we can build our city STREETS AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING park for a ribbon-cutting are quite different back better, protect our civil rights while STREETS AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING from addressing a public health crisis, battling also ensuring that our streets are safe, edu- GREENENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: GREEN with homeless agencies to provide proper cate our children and promote a greener ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: ENERGY AND GREEN SPACES ENERGY AND GREEN SPACES services or aiding an Arts & Entertainment environment. ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: GREENENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: GREEN community that has been completely deci- PAID FOR BY LESLIE FOR NYC PAID FOR BY LESLIE FOR NYC mated. Our neighborhood WILL recover Leslie Boghosian Murphy is a former inves- ENERGY AND GREEN SPACES ENERGY AND GREEN SPACES but we need leadership that is prepared to tigative journalist, a mother and Executive PAID FOR BY LESLIE FOR NYC take a hard look at our problems—both newPAID Board FOR Member BY LESLIE of Community FOR NYCEarly Board 4 whoVoting June 12-20 • Election Day June 22 and old—with a fresh set of eyes and an abil- is running for City Council in District 3, Early Voting June 12-20 • Election Day June 22 ity to think outside the box. I’m not waiting which includes the West Village, Chelsea and Rank Leslie #1 on your Ranked Choice Ballot to be elected to get started. EarlyHell’s Kitchen. Voting June 12-20 •Early Election Voting Day June June 12-20 22 • Election Day June 22 LESLIE’S DAY-1 PRIORITIES

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ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: GREEN ENERGY AND GREEN SPACES PAID FOR BY LESLIE FOR NYC Early Voting June 12-20 • Election Day June 22 10 WestView News June 2021 www.westviewnews.org

Notes From Away: sonable indicator of the use to which it will has voted more often in the recent past for be put and to the place of the user on the conservative Democrats. economic ladder. Purely anecdotally, my as- Apart from the party label of the win- Privilege and Resentment sessment of these uses as observed over the ning candidates, what characterizes the last thirty or forty years, is a clear line from politics of these coastal and interior areas By Tom Lamia them at odds for generations, and now primarily commercial fishing to primarily of Maine is culture. The interior is Old leads them to an impasse over their politics ocean sport and leisure. During this time the Maine (game hunting and fishing, lumber Maine is two worlds. The inhabitants of and their willingness to continue to accept waterfront structures in South Bristol have production). The coast (Portland, Freeport, each differ in many ways, but in no way the terms of their differing self-regard. morphed from local residences of those who Brunswick, Rockland, Camden and the more threatening to peaceful coexistence At this time of year, every year regardless either fish or provide services to those who coastal islands) is growing rapidly with re- than the resentment bred in one group by of pandemic conditions, the state highway fish, to upscale housing for summer residents tirees seeking ocean view homes and access the perceived exercise of privilege by the running past my front door and continuing and retirees seeking a quiet and comfortable to the creative arts and fine restaurants that other group. The people of these separate to the harbor of my town of South Bristol year-round life in Maine (like me). have emerged with the new arrivals. These worlds each share a desire for material (pop. 871) accommodates a regular traffic This year the boats passing before me changes have exacerbated historical cultur- rewards and each seeks recognition and of trucks pulling boats on trailers. These are appear to be bigger and tend more to the al differences with the interior. Young ur- respect for who they are and where they boats being brought to the open water from pleasure craft end of the boating spectrum ban adventurers have discovered Portland come from; but a very long history of dif- winter storage or distant manufacture. The than in years past. Lobstering and clam- and its high quality food and drink venues. ferent ways of work and reward have put size and type of the trailered boat is a rea- ming continue to be major contributors to In Brunswick there is Bowdoin College; in the local economy both in South Bristol Freeport L.L. Bean. and along the entire coast of Maine. Aqua- Of what consequence is all of this? culture of various types (oysters, salmon, In their efforts to penetrate the logic and mussels, kelp) employs many who have direction of the weakening of democracy, access to the seacoast. All of this activity academics and pundits have spoken of the is a bright spot for confidence in Maine’s effects of culture, of race, of immigration, Village economic future. One caveat, however, of creeping authoritarianism to explain Independent is that these upgrades to ocean produc- Trumpism. For me, the net effect of all Democrats tion come with technology demands that the debate is a standoff. Using Maine as a require more education and training than microcosm, my theory is that voters have Voter Guide is needed in the traditional family appren- stopped listening to rationalizations and DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY ticeship system, the historical entry point are going with their gut. In the Rim coun- Tuesday, June 22, 2021 for commercial fishing in Maine. ties, their gut tells them that they have been Maine issues periodic reports on eco- unfairly left behind, punked by a privileged In Person Early Voting: Saturday, June 12-Sunday, June 20 nomic conditions in the State. For ana- pseudo-elite. In the Coastal counties, their Vote By Mail: Absentee Ballot Must Be lytical purposes these reports divide Maine gut tells them that good schools, technol- Postmarked by June 22nd into three geographical regions: Coastal, ogy and merit have been their stepping- Polls Open 6am-9pm on Primary Day Central and Rim. The Coastal region in- stones to the good life. You may take this card into the polls with you. cludes seven of Maine’s sixteen counties. Resentment lies deep within those passed VID ENDORSED CANDIDATES All are arrayed along Maine’s coastline and over by technology and urban-centric advan- include all but the northernmost coastal tage. A gap that started small twenty years Mayor county (Washington). The Rim region ago now yawns as insurmountable. They Maya Wiley covers five counties bordering Canada and have a common belief that their disadvantag- a sixth interior county (Piscataquis) geo- es arose through no fault of their own and it Comptroller graphically large but sparsely populated. is futile to fight against a tide that has swept Brad Lander The Central region includes Maine’s three in and sucked them out to sea.

Maya Wiley Brad Lander interior counties having significant cities: In Maine’s Rim region, annual house- Public Advocate Androscoggin (Auburn/Lewiston), Ken- hold income is $43,000; in the Coastal re- Jumaane D. Williams nebec (Augusta, the State Capital) and Pe- gion it is $59,000. In the Rim, 11% have nobscot (Bangor). four-year college degrees, 7% have gradu- District Attorney In 1900 these three regions had comparable ate or professional degrees. In the Coastal Alvin L. Bragg Jr. populations; 200,000 each for the Rim and region 21% have 4-year degrees and 13% Central regions, and 300,000 for the Coastal have graduate or professional degrees. The Jumaane D. Williams Manhattan Borough President Alvin L. Bragg Jr. region. Today the approximate populations Central region, where industry, and gov- Brad M. Hoylman are 700,000 (Coastal) 390,000 (Central) and ernment are the principal activities, the 265,000 (Rim). The story these numbers tell income and education levels lie between is that the Coastal and Central regions have those of the Coastal and Rim regions. NYC Council (3rd District) Erik D. Bottcher kept pace with technological and economic Trump got 57% of the Rim vote and 41% (On ballots in Council District 3 poll sites only) progress, while the Rim region is burdened of the Coastal. Biden took just 40% of the by being rural and remote. Rim vote and 57% of the Coastal. These Brad M. Hoylman NYC Council (2nd District) Erik D. Bottcher Maine’s First Congressional District are two sides of a wobbly coin—not a Carlina Rivera is, roughly, the southwestern end of the healthy climate for cooperation and good- (On ballots in Council District 2 poll sites only) Coastal region, plus most of Kennebec will. In 2020, Jared Golden, the Democrat County, with a population near 680,000. elected in the Second Congressional Dis- NYC Council (1st District) The Second District is everything else, trict in 2018 was the sole Democrat to vote Christopher Marte (On ballots in Council District 1 poll sites only) population 660,000 or so. Both districts are against one of two counts in Trump’s first Paid for by the Village Independent Democrats the Village by for Paid Carlina Rivera Christopher Marte overwhelmingly white; the Second District impeachment. After his re-election in No- For Voting Information, visit www.vote.nyc or call 866-868-3692. marginally more so (95.5% vs. 94.2%). An- vember 2020, Golden may have redeemed To see a sample ballot or find your early voting poll site and nual personal income differences are more his Democrat credentials some, by voting primary day poll site (likely different sites) visit nyc.pollsitelocator.com/search. distinguishing; $67,000 vs. $40,500. Both solidly for Trump’s second impeachment districts have had elected representatives in January 2021. That first vote is indica- VILLAGE INDEPENDENT DEMOCRATS 26 Perry Street, New York, NY 10014 from each party in the past, but not since tive of Golden’s need to insulate himself www. villagedemocrats.org the mid-90s has a Republican been elected against Trump’s popularity in Golden’s dis- Mar Fitzgerald, Cam Krause, Co-Presidents • Jen Hoppe, District Leader in the First District. The Second District trict, where Trump’s point margins in 2016 elected a Republican in 2014 and 2016, but (10+) and 2020 (8) were solid. www.westviewnews.org June 2021 WestView News 11 Erik Bottcher Wants to Be Your Council Member Right after finishing college Bottcher moved to New York. “I graduated on Sat- urday, and I moved to New York that Monday,” he says, laughing. In 2008, after having worked at several different jobs, he jumped at an opportunity to be an LGBT and HIV community liaison for the city council. “I did that for two years, and when Cuomo got elected he hired me to be his LGBT liaison to help with the passage of THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A the Marriage Equality Act,” Eric says. “I worked with activists all over the state to get DIFFERENCE is what motivates Erik ERIK BOTTCHER AT HIS HIGH SCHOOL graduation with his mom. Photo credit: Bottcher, above, about working in politics. the legislature to pass it, which they did. I Bottcher family. Photo courtesy of Erik Bottcher. was also Cuomo’s regional representative in Manhattan, where I was a conduit between By Michael D. Minichiello all twelve community boards and the state government. That was very valuable experi- Erik Bottcher’s Eight-Point Erik Bottcher is running to represent ence!” At the end of 2014 Bottcher went to District 3—which includes Greenwich work for Corey Johnson as his chief of staff, Mental Health Plan Village—in the New York City Council. an experience that was even more valuable. Since 2015 he has served as chief of staff to “By helping District 3’s constituents with 1. Stop the elimination of inpatient psychiatric beds. According to the New City Council Speaker Corey Johnson (who myriad issues, I learned the workings of the York State Nurses Association, the number of certified inpatient psychiatric also represents District 3). Prior to that, city council intimately,” he says. “That in- beds in the state dropped 12 percent between 2000 and 2018 even though the Erik served as Governor Cuomo’s liaison cluded the legislative process, the land use population and the need have mushroomed. We need to reverse this trend. to New York State’s LGBT community. process, and the oversight process.” 2. Immediately dispatch mobile mental health crisis response teams to the Bottcher was born in upstate New York What are some of Bottcher’s top pri- West Side. In November, the mayor announced a pilot program in which and has a degree in political science from orities? “Number one is economic recov- health professionals and crisis workers, instead of the NYPD, would be dis- George Washington University. ery from Covid-19,” he says. “Getting our patched to respond to mental health crises. That program is being piloted in When Erik was growing up in the Ad- small businesses open and thriving again, northern Manhattan beginning this spring, but there is an immediate need for irondacks he learned a valuable lesson about getting people back to work, and opening these response teams citywide, including in our district. how one person could effect change. “My up the performing arts again. Number two 3. Increase the number of crisis stabilization centers. When unhoused New parents own a fly-fishing motel on the Aus- is housing and homelessness, which is a Yorkers experiencing mental health crises are brought to hospitals, they are re- able River,” he says. “They weren’t into poli- humanitarian crisis that’s unfolding in our leased after they are medically stabilized. Frequently, they are not sick enough tics, but one time my dad did lead an effort streets. Mental health is one of my top pri- to stay in the hospital, but are too sick to return to a shelter or the streets. Crisis to get a portion of the river designated as orities as well. It’s personal for me given my stabilization centers, also known as medical respite beds, fill this critical need, catch and release. The fish were disappear- history. However, I don’t think we’ve seen giving people time and space to recuperate. ing due to overfishing. That effort met a lot the sense of urgency that’s called for by the 4. Build supportive housing. Affordable housing that offers case management of resistance in the town. I remember get- situation. We closed the big psychiatric and other supportive services is known as supportive housing. We’ve only ting on the school bus and having kids gang hospitals where people were kept for their constructed a fraction of what is needed. Extensive evidence has shown that up on me because of it. My dad stuck to it, entire lives, and rightfully so. The plan was permanent supportive housing is the best way for people with mental health though, and they succeeded in getting a por- to replace the hospitals with community- challenges to lead full lives outside of hospital settings, the shelter system, or tion of the West Branch designated. It was based mental health services, but we never the criminal justice system. so successful that they’ve since expanded it did that. As a result, this pandemic is ex- 5. Embrace and expand the “Clubhouse model” of psychosocial rehabilitation. to more of the river. That was an early lesson posing many of our policy failures. I’ve re- The Clubhouse model, created decades ago by Hell’s Kitchen’s own Foun- for me: the potential of organizing and how cently put out an eight-point mental health tain House, helps people with a history of serious mental illness rejoin society. one person really could make a difference.” plan to address these issues.” Clubhouses are community centers where people with mental illness can find It was another—albeit much more per- When asked what it is about politics that opportunities for friendship, employment, housing, education, and psychiatric sonal—experience that led Erik to pursue a excites him, Bottcher admits it’s the oppor- services in a caring environment. The city should create at least 10 more Club- life of service and activism. As a LGBTQ tunity to make a difference. “That’s what houses across the five boroughs. youth growing up in a rural area in the early motivates me, and I think government and 6. Revamp discharge planning and services for incarcerated New Yorkers. Ev- ’90s, Bottcher struggled with his sexuality. elected office provides an incredible opportu- ery year, thousands of individuals are discharged from prisons and jails with “I became more and more depressed and nity to do that,” he says. “I’ve already seen it inadequate planning and support services. The city should expand community- despondent, and I began making attempts in my life with the fight for marriage equality based organizations like the Fortune Society that work with formerly incar- on my own life,” he admits. “After the final and LGBT rights. I’ve seen what’s possible cerated individuals to help them thrive. Albany should enact legislation that attempt they sent me to a hospital in Sara- and I know that so much more is possible. would require the state to assist people in obtaining housing prior to release toga, New York with other young people I’m reminded of my grandmother who died from correctional institutions. from all over the state who were victims last fall at the age of 104. When she was born 7. Increase school-based behavioral health services. Serious mental illness of- of physical, sexual, and substance abuse in 1916, women didn’t even have the right ten begins to take shape in adolescence, and early diagnosis and treatment are as well as gang violence. Here I was—this to vote. She witnessed a lot of change and I critical. School-based health and social services are essential, and schools must kid from the middle of nowhere—being believe we’re going to see change like that as have nurses, counselors, and social workers on site who are trained to iden- exposed to the world in a way that I had well. But nothing that happened during my tify warning signs of behavioral health issues and make referrals to behavioral never been before. It was eye opening. See- grandmother’s lifetime happened on its own. health professionals. ing the kinds of trouble that others went People fought for those things and that’s 8. Redirect ThriveNYC funds to address serious mental illness. As of 2019, rough- through was the beginning of my political what we have to continue to do.” ly 10 percent of ThriveNYC’s $250 million annual budget was spent on serving awakening, and that perspective really in- those with serious mental illness. Hundreds of millions of dollars that could have formed my political beliefs. It’s a big part New York City’s early voting begins June been spent addressing this crisis in recent years were not. This must change. of why I chose this life.” 12th. Primary day is June 22nd. 12 WestView News June 2021 www.westviewnews.org

Spectacularly Refreshed Sinclair Lewis Apartment We lost all three of our tenants in our 1881 townhouse in which Sinclair Lewis wrote his first published novel. The marble fireplace apartments are experiencing a spectacular refurbishment with help from Renovation Angels.

We have one apartment left — the 2-bedroom top floor which is getting Poggenpohl kitchen cabinets once belonging to Mayor de Blasio. It still needs work, so if you are interested you can come and look and even make suggestions to make the apartment perfect for your use.

Call George at 212-924-5718 Police Reform: NYC Breakthrough By Brian J Pape, AIA tiative Tracker, to allow the public to follow progress. The city’s newly adopted laws to combat The plan focuses on five goals: sex traffickers, but avoid entangling their 1. Decriminalization of poverty. Re- victims or those selling sex in the criminal sponsibilities of law enforcement officers justice system, have gotten the brunt of have ballooned over the past few decades, publicity about police, it seems. including assignments to address social But against a background of horrendous issues (such as homelessness, mental ill- events nationwide, involving various police ness, substance abuse) with criminal jus- departments, we recently got news of a very tice responses, ultimately criminalizing different type: news of real police reforms. poverty. True police reform must be paired Dermot Shea, the NYPD police commis- with comprehensive and radical economic sioner, writes in the New York City Police and budget justice; the city will develop a Reform and Reinvention Collaborative health-centered response to mental health Draft Plan: Part 2 (March 12, 2021), “The crises, rather than send regular police of- killing of George Floyd last year in Min- ficers to these 911 calls; there will be a neapolis was shocking and reprehensible. It transition of school safety agents from the amplified difficult but necessary conversa- police to the Department of Education. tions about race and the policing profession. (In addition, concerns such as enforcement “At the New York City Police Depart- of street vending would be transferred to ment, like all police departments, we must the Department of Consumer and Worker look in the mirror and seize this moment Protection.) in history if we are to truly achieve our 2. Recognition and continual examina- country’s guiding, yet unrealized, vision of LAST YEAR’S DEMONSTRATIONS, such as this one in Washington Square Park, influenced tion of historical and modern-day racialized some of the negotiating points that ended up in the New York City Police Reform and Rein- equality and justice for all. In keeping with policing in New York City. Addressing the vention Collaborative Plan. Credit: Brian Pape. the philosophy behind neighborhood po- legacy and harm of racialized policing in licing, the NYPD will continue to develop New York requires a recognition and pub- better ways to police in conjunction with agency for the New York City Police De- This article is a summary of the New lic acknowledgement of the department’s the people we serve. partment (since 1993), the Civilian Com- York City Police Reform and Reinvention troubled history and current challenges “And by strengthening relationships and plaint Review Board deals with…a painful Collaborative Plan (the plan) published on regarding race, so that past harms can be building trust, we will surely write our own legacy of racialized policing that too often the city website. investigated and subject to accountability moment in history—a time we turned the manifests itself in the cases we see, cases al- The plan is a response to Governor measures. Training materials will educate corner, found each other, and began to leging unnecessary force, abuse of author- Cuomo’s New York State Executive Order new recruits, supervisors will proactively achieve these goals anew.” ity, discourtesy, and offensive language. 203, and the result of a full community and monitor discretionary officer activity, and These aspirational words are followed by “Now, we stand at a new moment of pos- stakeholder engagement process from the there will be augmented racial bias training a letter from Fred Davie, Board Chair of sibility. New Yorkers are engaged and ready city council. It includes dozens of pages of for NYPD leadership. The NYPD will en- the CCRB, for the reforms we need to make New York detail, and 135 specific points in the imple- hance positive reinforcement, formally and “As the independent, civilian oversight City a leader in civilian oversight.” mentation section, called the Reform Ini- continued on page 14 www.westviewnews.org June 2021 WestView News 13

RAD = B-A-A-A-D NYCHA Developments WE’RE OPEN—FREE ON DEMAND DELIVERY By Penny Mintz the protection of the mold agreement that Judge Pauley himself had fashioned with NYCHA buildings all over the city, includ- VILLAGE NYCHA in 2014 after the judge learned ing the Fulton Houses in West Chelsea, are of the “breathtaking scope” of squalid con- in dire need of repairs. That’s a well-known ditions under the city’s mismanagement fact. Those repairs will cost approximately of the agency. Under the new leases, the $40,000,000,000—another well-known fact. RAD management company had freed it- APOTHECARY “Forty billion dollars!” NYCHA chair- self from any legally enforceable obligation person Greg Russ is reported to have said, to clean up the mold. THE COMMUNITY PHARMACY THAT CARES “Where am I going to get forty billion RAD/PACT was originally a pilot pro- dollars?” gram. The only rationale for switching build- When federal housing funds were ings from NYCHA management to private squeezed to a drip by a Senate opposed to Come in management was to find a source of funding all spending on social programs, the Obama for the $40 billion in deferred repairs. How- for your fREE administration established the Rental Assis- ever, in light of Senator Chuck Schumer’s tance Demonstration (RAD) in 2011 in an announcement last month that, beginning in attempt to deal with a backlog of deferred June, NYCHA will be getting $40 billion to maintenance. RAD and its NYC incarna- meet all its capital needs, the basis for further WELCOmE tion called PACT (Permanent Affordability RAD/PACT transfer has been eliminated. Commitment Together) allow NYCHA to Arthur Schwartz, city council candidate, transfer buildings to private property manag- who recently sued NYCHA to get cooking ers through long-term leases which must be KIT! gas returned to tenants of Fulton Houses on renewed in perpetuity. The new private land- West 19th Street for the first time since Feb- lords keep the rents they collect as well as the ruary, has told NYCHA tenants, “It’s very BRInG THIs CARd In And RECEIVE $10 off federal funding that NYCHA received from likely that sometime in June, NYCHA is O n A n Y P u RCHAs E O f $25 OR m ORE HUD. Unlike NYCHA, the private manag- going to get $40 billion to fix every last piece ers are able to take on debt to finance repairs. of these falling-apart buildings that you live The problem with RAD is that, ultimate- in.” In light of the expected federal funds, Store HourS: Mon - Fri 8aM - 8pM • Sat 9aM - 6pM • Sun 10aM - 5pM ly, the goal of a private management compa- Schwartz wrote a letter to NYCHA Chair- ny is to maximize profits. There is supposed 346 Bleecker St • Greenwich VillaGe, nY 10014 • VillaGeapothecarY.com man Greg Russ demanding that NYCHA to be protective oversight, but that oversight “cease all efforts to get NYCHA tenants to has proved to be insufficient. In 2018 the 212.807.7566 sign leases with PACT participant C&C U.S. Government Accountability Office Apartment Management,” which is manag- reported that one-third of all RAD conver- ing the Fulton Houses. sions included no repairs. Tenants displaced In further moves to save NYCHA hous- during renovations faced illegal screening ing, Schwartz filed a class-action lawsuit for readmission. Renovations were generally on May 25th on behalf of all NYCHA of poorer quality than those made by public residents to block further RAD/PACT entities. Fifty-seven percent of tenants ex- conversions, and on May 28th he filed for perienced rent increases. Private managers an order to hold Greg Russ in contempt of interfered with tenants’ rights to organize. court for failing to follow the court order to RAD/PACT buildings have more ag- exterminate the rats, clean up the garbage, gressively pursued evictions. Tenants in and return cooking gas to Fulton Houses. RAD/PACT buildings have been forced On a happier note, on June 1st Schwartz into leases that reduced their rights, but threw a party for NYCHA residents in the often increased their rents; and manage- park at 19th Street and Ninth Avenue to ments have utterly failed to improve their celebrate the return of the cooking gas. living conditions. Last month, U.S. District Judge William Pauley III found that tenants who had Penny Mintz is a supporter of the Arthur RAD leases had signed away their rights to Schwartz campaign. Margot Weinshel, LCSW

the festive event it occurred to me that de Experienced compassionate psychotherapy continued from page 1 Mayor Blasio might think I’d had something to do for individuals or couples tory-like building on Charles Street near with it. When we spoke, I said (smiling), l the river contacted me because he wanted “There is no question now that you will be Clinical faculty member to add a few more stories and needed to the next mayor of New York. Now, when I get local board approval. I was opposed send you an email you get back right away; NYU Langone Medical Center to that, of course, but made a deal with but when you are mayor I will never hear l him: if he would build a community room from you. So give me the name and email I would back off and let him do his thing address of someone you are sure will be in Accepts Medicare Part B as full payment (which I couldn’t really stop anyway). We your administration so I can call him.” He For now, sessions are by Telemedicine only became pals. furrowed his brow for an instant and then Then, without my knowing it, my nice took out a card, wrote a name on it, and developer, to help smooth the way for his handed it to me. For extensive details visit margotweinshel.com Charles Street massive condo, decided to I lost the card after three days; and I can’t Or phone 212 353 2476 host a fundraiser for de Blasio at his East say that WestView benefited from having Margot Weinshel, LCSW 63rd Street townhouse. As I approached bestowed our endorsement. 14 WestView News June 2021 www.westviewnews.org Mansions of Meaning Seeking Home in West Village By Steve Feldman and incubate each other’s ideas, while becoming a gathering place for disadvantaged persons. This includes former pris- A chance meeting over the purchase of a recycled kitchen oners, recovering addicts, children from foster homes, and may result in Mansions of Meaning having a home in the veterans who are struggling to readjust to civilian life. West Village. When George Capsis and Dusty Berke met Classes—ranging from basic computer skills to resume me at the Renovation Angel Luxury Outlet in Fairfield, writing, wellness to sustainability—are held regularly in New Jersey, a conversation about sustainability grew into each Mansion of Meaning, free for those with disadvan- the excitement of establishing a Mansions of Meaning in tages and open to the public. the West Village. When George Capsis of WestView News learned about Mansions of Meaning is a non-profit organization with a our model, he told us there might be properties in the mission to preserve, inspire, create, and educate. We preserve beautiful (talk about aesthetics!) West Village. A convert- historic mansions which are repurposed for sustainability. We ed townhouse may become the first Manhattan Mansions inspire entrepreneurs to flourish by working together and of Meaning, so we are spreading the word to those who sharing success. We create job opportunities for individuals would like to see their home truly preserved and repur- with special needs. We educate with a focus on entrepreneur- posed. We feel the social values and historicity of the Vil- ship, job training, wellness, and the environment. lage align wonderfully with our mission. As part of the growing trend of “entrepreneurial char- Mansions of Meaning has two founders: Steve Feldman ity,” Mansions of Meaning’s financially sustainable model (myself) and Mina Greiss. I am the Founder & CEO of transforms historic mansions into wholistic living and Renovation Angel, a nationwide luxury kitchen and inte- educational centers for both the tenants and the commu- riors recycling non-profit organization. Mina is the Co- nity. Our revenue model is diverse including: 1) long-term Founder of CoLuxy, a co-living company based in New Jer- residential rental income, 2) support from our entrepre- sey offering co-living spaces in luxury homes. Each of these neur network, 3) staffing fees from job placements, and 4) ventures’ strengths are combined in Mansions of Meaning. tuition from classes and workshops. Renovation Angel will provide kitchen, bath, appliances, Mansions of Meaning preserves historic homes convert- and building materials to each Mansion. CoLuxy’s experience ing them into centers for social impact. Each Mansion is with luxury homes and as a construction and rental company renovated to meet modern standards of sustainable energy The not-for-profit model of Mansions of Meaning lives will be invaluable in creating each home as a community. and efficiency. The aesthetics of each home are preserved— within the community of each home. Our mission is to pro- We believe that in contemporary times, positive collabo- beauty is central to the Mansions of Meaning vision. vide these beautiful spaces for young entrepreneurs to live in rations are the best way to solve social challenges.

must follow, will be streamlined to become more user- Police continued from page 12 friendly and easier to navigate. 6th Precinct informally, to change culture. This remarkable plan for police reform was made possible 3.Transparency and accountability to the people of New by the mayor and first deputy mayor, the Office of Criminal Graffiti Cleanup Team York City. To earn the trust of all the city’s communities, Justice, the Community Affairs Unit, the Legislative Affairs the NYPD must be transparent while holding members Unit, and the Law Department. More than 85 meetings and accountable. The NYPD will ensure that “at-risk” officers town halls were held since October 2020 (a full list is on the (the official description of those who exhibit problematic website); these included nine public listening sessions over behavior) are identified, and that swift, appropriate in- several months to get testimony and feedback from a broad terventions occur. New York City has an extensive set of range of New Yorkers including advocacy groups, clergy, internal and external accountability and oversight mecha- racial justice advocates, youth groups, ethnic and religious nisms, including the Commission to Combat Police Cor- organizations, small business owners, the deaf and hard- ruption (CCPC), the Civilian Complaint Review Board of-hearing community, people with disabilities, housing (CCRB), and the Office of the Inspector General for communities and providers, crime victims, policy experts, the NYPD (OIG-NYPD). The plan proposes strengthen- prosecutors, academic leaders, and many others. NYPD ing some areas and engaging in structural reform of others, uniformed and civilian members of all ranks, ages, races, such as pension forfeiture used as disciplinary penalty for genders, orientations, ethnic backgrounds, and assignments the most egregious instances of misconduct. participated along with leaders from the NYPD’s police 4. Community representation and partnership. Many unions and 36 different fraternal organizations. New Yorkers have discussed perceptions of the police as Check out the full Policing Report posted online at nyc. an occupying force in their community, and a desire to see gov., then search for “police reforms” or try https://www1. officers who understand the cultural nuances of their com- nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/222-21/city-council- munity. The de Blasio administration has tripled the city’s passes-comprehensive-police-reform-resolution-con- funding for Cure Violence programs and increased their front-legacy-racialized. Complaints can be emailed to out- reach significantly, with funding to support the Anti-Gun [email protected]. Violence Youth Employment Program. All officers who This is an historic moment; true reform is possible with are new to a precinct will undergo an intensive course that the public’s participation. includes field training to better understand the neighbor- THE 6TH PRECINCT GRAFFITI CLEANUP TEAM at hood and meaningfully engage immigrant communities. Brian J. Pape is a LEED-AP “green” architect consulting in work on Bedford Street and Sixth Avenue. They 5. A diverse, resilient, and supportive NYPD. The city private practice, serves on the Manhattan District 2 Com- had perfectly matched mailbox and lamppost paint, aims to develop the most diverse and resilient law en- munity Board Landmarks Committee and Quality of Life courtesy of the local block associations. Stay tuned forcement agency in the nation. Applicants who are city Committee, is co-chair of the American Institute of Archi- in the following issues for more on the community residents are moved upwards to develop a police force that tects NY Design for Aging Committee, is a member of the groups teaming up with the police on the cleanups. can closely identify with the public they serve. The Patrol AIANY Historic Buildings Committee, and is a journalist, Credit: Paul Vlachos. Guide, which contains all the rules that NYPD officers specializing in architecture subjects. www.westviewnews.org June 2021 WestView News 15 Andrew Berman, Village Activist Extraordinaire By Carol Yost many buildings of historical, architectural, or cultural value. He also looks at the im- Andrew Berman, executive director of the pact a particular issue involving a building nonprofit Village Preservation (formerly will have on nearby buildings and neigh- known as the Greenwich Village Society borhoods. If a site is not in the catchment for Historic Preservation), has an impres- area of Village Preservation but is the cen- sive resume. In his time at Village Preser- ter of a controversy that could affect the vation, the organization has: Village because it might set a precedent for 1. Helped secure landmark protec- zoning changes, building heights, and so tions for over 1,250 buildings in our on, you will hear from Andrew about it as neighborhood. well. He is often quoted in the press, and 2. Helped secure zoning protections has written articles for WestView News for nearly 100 blocks. and The Village Sun. 3. Secured groundbreaking recogni- The Village Preservation blog about tion and protections for sites associ- Village history is so extensive that I could ated with African American, wom- only sample a few items, regretting that I en’s, LGBT, and immigrant history, couldn’t read everything. I have also at- as well as for affordable housing de- tended a few of the organization’s edu- velopments. cational programs. At one of them I was 4. Saved the former homes of great thrilled to learn about the antebellum artists like Willem de Kooning and African American theater company that Frank Stella from the wrecking ball. enjoyed only a short residency in the Vil- 5. Conducted hundreds of educational lage, but since it was the first in the United programs for tens of thousands of States anywhere, it was fascinating and adults and children—most, free of noteworthy. The theater members bravely charge. fought against White prejudice with grace 6. Created online resources—used by and humor. At another program I was very hundreds of thousands of people surprised to learn of the great Lebanese across the globe—celebrating and writer Khalil Gibran’s time in the Village. illuminating the history of our Having lived with my family in Beirut for neighborhood. about eight months during 1956-1957, at Next January Andrew Berman will have the age of 10, I’ve always been intrigued been at Village Preservation for 20 years. by Gibran without knowing much; during Wow! How can we follow up on that? this program I began to learn a lot more. Do You Need Home Care? During the time I’ve been acquaint- This gives you just an idea of the great ed with Andrew, I’ve been struck by his range of subjects that Village Preservation tireless advocacy on behalf of saving the covers, and, in turn, the incredible history Continuity Home Health Care unique character of the Village, and by his of the Village itself. friendly manner and prompt clear answers Andrew is opposed to the SoHo/NoHo to any inquiries. He was also one of those rezoning plan, and has argued against it involved in trying to save Saint Vincent’s effectively. His work is remarkable in its Where Healing Continues... scope, and is indispensable. Hospital. He continues to fight to save A licensed home care agency providing health care services, both professional and paraprofessional, for individuals living at home since 1996.

Call Tim Ferguson at (212) 625-2547 or drop in to 198 Avenue of The Americas We accept most private insurances and private pay.

[email protected] 16 WestView News June 2021 www.westviewnews.org

LOYALTY PROGRAM • GIFT CARDS FREE DELIVERY Sneak Preview of Gansevoort Rehearsal Space venting and cooling, sprinklers and rudimentary lighting. GREENWICH VILLAGE Final finishes are yet to be determined, but discussions for more electrical outlet drops and lighting, and how the 512 HUDSON STREET • NYC 10014 open space is flexible for many potential arrangements, are WWW.SEAGRAPEWINES.COM • 212-463-7688 ongoing. CB2 is in the process of selecting a non-profit Mas- ter Tenant (MT) through an RFP (Request For Proposals, transparent, open to the public, advertised notices). While the MT need not be located in CB2, to qualify as the um- brella organization to sign the lease with building owner- ship, it will need a track record of stability and solvency. The MT will administer the program for an initial term of 5-10 years, and will be required to sublet to small theater and performing arts groups that typically create and pro- duce in spaces with no more than 99 seats, within our CB2 community. The clear preference is to establish a roster of independent theatre groups or performing artists signed up for short-term rehearsal use; it is not intended as a backup rehearsal space for a single theater entity, nor as a perfor- Native Manhattanite and West Village resident mance venue. The MT will be allowed to charge the end- for the past 42 years. users a small fee to cover maintenance, utilities, security Licensed in Real Estate for the past 21. deposits and general administrative expenses. Board Certified New York Residential Specialist (NYRS®). CB2 is anticipating that the program will begin late Au- Here to help you and yours find your next perch or move on gust or early September, and special acknowledgement is whether in New York or elsewhere, when the time comes again. THE MANHATTAN COMMUNITY BOARD 2 (CB2) has facili- given to the efforts and leadership of CB2 former-Chair Alexander de Bordes tated a new community rehearsal space of up to 1700 sq. Carter Booth, Erik Bottcher of Cory Johnson’s city coun- ft. at 60 Gansevoort Street, shown above, and is seeking 917-640-3707 cil office, and previously of the late Elaine Young. [email protected] an organization to administer the program. Photos: Brian J. Pape. Hopefully, this program will serve as a model of public/ private cooperation on a true local neighborhood basis in the interest of the performing arts for the city. By Brian J. Pape, AIA, LEED-AP

At the corner of Gansevoort and Washington Streets, di- Brian J. Pape is a LEED-AP “green” architect consulting in agonally across the intersection from the Whitney Mu- private practice, serves on the Manhattan District 2 Com- seum and the High Line Park entrances, a new mixed-use munity Board Landmarks Committee and Quality of Life building has arisen where an old meat-packing structure Committee, isco-chair of the American Institute of Archi- once stood. The Meatpacking Historic District has un- tects NY Design for Aging Committee, is a member of the dergone many drastic changes in recent years, transform- AIANY Historic Buildings Committee, and is a journalist ing from the rough-and-tough shipping, warehouse, pro- who specializes in architecture subjects. visions distribution market area to a genteel retail and entertainment center. When the Aurora Capital Group and William Gottlieb Real Estate proposed an 8-story commercial and residential development at 60-74 Gansevoort Street several years ago, 70 GREENWICH AVE. • WEST VILLAGE • NYC designed by BKSK Architects of light-colored brick, mar- • • quee canopies, arched openings over large windows, and some necessary zoning amendments, neighbors proposed Hourly Handyman Services a new community space should be included in the plans. Professional Painting Projects The Community Board Two of Manhattan (CB2) Electrical & Carpentry Work Arts Advisory Panel Task Force, led by David Gruber, rec- MICHAEL RUSSO, PROPRIETOR ognizing the pressing need for rehearsal space for the many 917.476.4146 • [email protected] theater, dance, music, and other arts groups in the neighbor- hood, has organized a new community rehearsal space at this Serving the West Village for 11 Years location, with the cooperation of developer partner Jared Epstein of the Aurora Capital Group. This exciting prospect comes at a time when all arts organizations are preparing to refresh their activities after more than a year of pandemic lockdowns. To accomplish these goals, CB2 arranged for a 99-year lease of the space, called the Gansevoort Benefit Space, available for 24/7 use, for just $1/year! WestView News and Mr. Gruber toured the space of this newly constructed building recently. We entered at 60 Gansevoort, one of two ADA-compliant elevator lobby en- tries at street level. At the lower level of 9’ ceilings, the raw concrete floors and walls typical of storage basements led to THIS NEWLY CONSTRUCTED LOWER LEVEL OF 60-74 a large storage room of about 1700 sq. ft. in two long bays, GANSEVOORT STREET is being transformed into a 1700 S.F. already equipped with an ADA-compliant restroom, heat, community rehearsal space, through the efforts of CB2. www.westviewnews.org June 2021 WestView News 17 Bruce and Suzanne Poli: Longtime LGBTQ+ Allies of Unity During Pride

Dina Andriotis, Chris Tsiamis, and Nikitas Andriotis (from left to right). 77 Christopher Street Between Seventh Avenue and Bleecker Street Pharmacy Hours: Monday - Friday: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM Saturday: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM Closed Sunday

LGBTQIA+ ALLIES SUZANNE AND BRUCE POLI. Photo credit: Sean Casey. Telephone: 212-255-2525 • Fax: 212-255-2524 email: [email protected] By Kambiz Shekdar, Ph.D. one or more meetings per week. As Bruce www.newyorkchemists.com puts it, “Because the LGBTQ+ community Bruce and Suzanne’s lives revolve around does not have a singular leader like Martin civil rights and communication. This ally Luther King, people look to the parade for couple has a role in almost everything this role” as the spokesperson for the entire Pride-related in the city, including co- community. Just as we were planning our in- founding the committee that organized terview, a bombshell announcement rocked Pyazza.com the NYC World Pride Stonewall 50-year- gay pride world: Heritage of Pride banned anniversary celebrations. Now, they may the gay cops. GOAL (Gay Officers Action take on an even more active role. League) issued a statement defending its 40 The couple met in 1984 when Bruce re- years of work to achieve police reforms for Same Day Delivery cruited Suzanne to be photo editor at Fire LGBTQ+ members. The gay community is Island Tide, the beach newspaper distrib- now debating the role of police and police in Less Than 2 Hours uted where they spend a lot of time (Cher- reform in the same as is the broader society. ry Grove and the Fire Island Pines). It was To Bruce and Suzanne, a community that the height of the AIDS crisis and AIDS once prided itself on inclusion has begun Raining? Snowing? Or just wanna stay cozy in bed? fundraisers. Their relationship grew amidst to exclude. As George Capsis, publisher of the backdrop of LGBTQ+ people, events WestView News, put it, “It is, for me, a sur- Pyazza can shop for you! and organizations. For four decades they prise that the gay rights movement started have lived on—you guessed it—Christo- over 50 years ago and is a success in mak- pher Street. During that time Suzanne has ing gay people like everybody else.” The taken behind-the-scenes photographs of rare and prized secret ingredient that drew Get fast delivery from a friendly neighbor for just $8.00. the groups assembling for Pride marches the couple into the fold of the LGBTQ+ and events from her fire escape on Ameri- community in the first place was its unique ca’s gayest street. Suzanne and Bruce have ability to band together diverse members Visit Pyazza.com to have items from Union Square been marching with the gay community in support of each other’s dignity and civil ever since the first celebration. rights. Normally content to sit on the side- Greenmarket delivered to you during market hours. Two minutes’ walk from their home are lines and offer support, the Polis have now The list of vendors selling at the market the headquarters of our community news- started to play an even more hands-on role paper, WestView News, where Bruce and to make sure the gay community does not is updated daily. Dusty Berke, curator of Tiles for America, become as prejudiced as so many other created the paper’s growing LGBTQ+ sec- communities have. tion. In connection with this Pride issue, I thought the LGBTQ+ community might want to learn more about this straight ally Rockefeller University alumnus and biotech couple (curiously) in the gay world. inventor Kambiz Shekdar, Ph.D., is the Much of the Polis’ time and energy is de- president of Research Foundation to Cure voted to Heritage of Pride, which organizes AIDS and the LGBTQ editor at WestView (917) 924-2495 [email protected] the Gay Pride Parade, where each serves News. Contact Kambiz at kambiz.shekdar@ At this time we only deliver in our West Village, SoHo and TriBeCa communities. on at least three committees and attends rftca.org. 18 WestView News June 2021 www.westviewnews.org How Do You Sum Restaurants Close Streets Without Input from Local Residents Up the Life of a Quiet By F. Seidenbaum streets, they, and the crowds congregating near them create an obstacle course (and I challenge Villagers to walk on Waverly are sometimes impassable) for people in Legend? Place from 7th Avenue to Christopher wheelchairs or using walkers or canes. Street any Friday or Saturday night from 10 Open Streets already closes Christopher pm until after 1 am. Then to consider what Street between Waverly and 7th Avenue it’s like living nearby: the outdoor shouting, on weekends. Since Christopher is the screaming, chanting, singing, by groups and main East-West thoroughfare between individuals, invade residents’ apartments; 14th and Houston Streets, this backs up the area becomes a giant, party scene and, regular traffic. Weekend congestion, al- even in upper rear apartments with closed ready a problem, has become much worse windows, these sounds intrude and pervade, since Waverly Place was closed, and the disturbing peace, work and sleep. 8th Street Crosstown bus must detour. Despite having such a major impact on Closing Waverly for outdoor seating also local residents’ lives, Jeffrey’s and Morandi makes access to buildings on those blocks have closed Waverly Place, without input impossible, not just for mail and delivery from them. trucks, but also for ambulances, Access-a- Jeffrey’s closes Waverly between Chris- Ride, and taxis. topher and West 10th Streets from 10 am Though NYC regulations prohibit loud Thursdays through late Sunday nights. noise after 11 pm weeknights and 1 am Morandi’s closes Waverly between 7th Av- weekends, enforcement has been non-exis- enue and Tenth Street on weekends. tent. This situation has become even more They now propose extending these clo- difficult since Mayor DiBlasio eliminated sures to 7 days a week from 10 am until curfews and extended Open Streets for a year. midnight. Interestingly, when they present- What’s especially incredible is that the RUTH KUZUB, LEGENDARD VILLAGE ARTIST who passed away this month, when she first ed an almost identical proposal to Commu- community was never consulted, nor in- moved to NYC to be a dancer in the 50s, and later in life when she owned and created nity Board 2 a few years ago, it was rejected volved in these Waverly Place closure deci- jewelry at The SliverSmith on West 4th Street. Photos courtesy of the Kuzub estate and by the Board because of the negative impact sions, even though they profoundly affect Michael Webb. on residents and traffic. Now they’re trying local residents. to use the pandemic as an excuse to do this. We understand that restaurants have suf- By Bob Cooley dence with many of them for years after. This area used to pride itself on be- fered and needed help to survive pandemic She could be found many nights after ing peaceful and residential. The few bars restrictions, but in May those restrictions From the cramped alleyway converted into work at Five Oaks and Marie’s Crisis having and restaurants here exhorted patrons to were eased and will end this summer. her shop, The Silversmith, at 184 ¾ West a drink, and often singing a song. be quiet outside their establishments out Though closing Waverly Place may 4th St., Ruth Kuzub was a quaint artist and “In her 60s she fell in love with Ireland,” of respect for neighbors. That changed benefit a few restaurants, it damages the curiosity to the tourists who flooded the said her long-time friend and ‘adopted completely when some restaurants and quality of life of most of their neighbors neighborhood every year. brother’ Michael Webb who now lives there. bars gained outdoor space; now, the blocks immensely. Those residents deserve to be But to us, she’s a legend with an incredible “I took her there for the first time in 1996, teem with crowds. Other impacts include heard, and the negative impact on their story who made an indelible impact on the and she made many trips back, where she rats and litter. Another serious problem is quality of life alleviated. history, culture and life of Greenwich Village. found a love of Celtic jewelry, and in her last that, when outdoor tables and chairs fill An Activist, Performer, Artist, Impor- trip here, I had the honor of having her be tant figure in the LGBT culture, and friend my Best Mate at my wedding.” to many, Ruth passed away at 90 years old Suwat Charnond, friend of five decades on the first weekend of May due to pneu- who sometimes helped her at The Sil- monia and a long bout with cancer which versmith said of her, “Ruth loved life, and she developed while helping people near was very kind and generous to both people ground zero on Sept. 11, 2001. and her pets—she loved animals. She was Born on August 9th, 1930, Ruth moved always ready for an interesting conversa- to NYC in the early 50s to pursue her tion, and always had treats for any pets dreams of performing in the city. While brought to the shop. She rode her old dancing at legendary nightclubs like the bicycle from her home on Perry St. all Copacabana, she landed a role in the origi- over the city and every day to her shop.” nal production of Fanny on Broadway with While it is impossible to summarize the Florence Henderson and Ezio Pinza. gifts and joy her life brought to all of those In the early 60s she took over the store- around her in a mere 467 words, our feel- front on West 4th, in the heyday of the queer ings about her can be summed up in just art scene in the Village. Five decades later, one: Missed. her shop was the last from that bygone age. During her many years at the shop, she Bob Cooley is a photojournalist and com- was a dedicated, active and outspoken mem- munications strategist who lives in the West ber of Greenwich Village, the LGBTQ com- Village. He’s spent over 30 years creating munity and social justice causes. Her letters photography and stories for publications to the media and notes from the minutes of including LIFE Magazine, Forbes, The city council and local board meetings can still Economist, Sports Illustrated, The Associated be found all over the internet. Press, and many others. You can see more She actively mentored dozens of young of Bob’s work at www.bobcooleyphoto.com REVELERS MARCH past the StoneWall Inn during a past Pride Celebration artists over the decades at her shop, who and new photography daily on Instagram @ Parade. Photo by Bob Cooley. Photo sponsored by Village Apothecary. would work for her, and kept up correspon- bobcooley CARING FOR THE VILLAGE TAKES A VILLAGE

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w660401_LHGV WestView News Print Ad - Copy Update.indd 1 5/6/21 8:58 AM 20 WestView News June 2021 www.westviewnews.org The Day the Village Stood Still: Biden’s 2021 American Rescue Plan By Roger Paradiso

A little over one year ago, the Village was shut down due to the worst pandemic since the 1918 influenza pandemic. I have written about the mom-and-pops in the West Village in this series of articles, published with the support of WestView’s George Capsis. It is hard to believe that all five of the small businesses I focused on are still open, because the landscape in the West Village, not unlike that of any other village in this country (and probably the world), is in a state of depression. Many stores have stayed shuttered because there is not enough business to support them. The streets ebb and flow with traffic. Most of the pedestrian traffic is on weekends, which keeps the remaining stores in busi- ness. The weekday business is very bad. The city and state have slowly opened up the restaurants and entertainment spaces as they carefully monitor the infection rate in all parts of the city. The current rate is about .71 percent, as we go to press, though there are still some hot spots (mostly in the four outer boroughs). It is not unusual to see people not wear- ing masks in public, now that the CDC has announced that people do not need to wear masks outdoors in most circumstances. Furthermore, vaccinated people don’t need to wear a mask indoors in many situations. SATURDAY AT WASHINGTON SQUARE PARK in a pandemic, April 21, 2021. Photo by Roger Paradiso. On the national front, in March Presi- dent Biden and his fellow Democrats in try survive this debilitating crisis. Wouldn’t sive amounts of personal capital to try to economy and implications of the effects of Congress passed a $1.9 trillion relief bill it have been nice if they had acted sooner reduce his debt load. He has received very so little help to the little guy. Biden is more without Republican support, which is quite so that we hadn’t been put in a position little aid from the federal, state, or city forthcoming than Trump ever was but still remarkable. How do Mitch McConnell to have to choose between making a liv- COVID relief grants and loans. Jamal says, far from enough under the dire circumstanc- and his fellow Trumplicans justify their ing and living (for that matter)? So many “To my knowledge of other business- es overall.” I asked if James has anything to indifference to the hardships of small busi- of my fellow brothers and sisters have been es around my neighborhood, and friends say to President Biden or the Congress that ness owners, whom many claim constitute forced to permanently close,” says Vittorio around the city, in some cases the govern- passed the bill? He answered, “Thanks, but the backbone of our society? I suspect some Antonini of La Laterna di Vittorio on ment funds to businesses helped and saved you can do a lot better.” people in government would rather sup- MacDougal Street. “I’ve read that COVID many; in other cases, did not. “We will be doing much better when the port big businesses. History will judge. has cost the restaurant industry somewhere “It’s a little complicated when it comes to funds begin to flow,” says Vittorio, “until The relief bill is aimed at saving as many around $400 billion dollars, yet the bill al- small businesses. Now it’s going to come to then, the only bills I know of are the ones I lives and businesses as possible. Expecta- locates around $30 billion. I fear the math the time when landlords go after that back have to pay.” I asked, “Is there anything you tions are that 70 percent or more of Ameri- does not work.” rent for the months we were closed, and worry about?” “I worry that the funds will cans will receive the vaccine (41.2 percent Our scientists play the most important role utilities companies such as Con Ed will bill run out precipitously,” Vittorio said. have been vaccinated so far). This, accord- in this pandemic. Yes, we must act according for the period we were closed. I think there I asked if this bill will keep him in busi- ing to officials, will enable herd immunity to the science of the disease, though some is a trick right there. From the phone com- ness. Vittorio answered, “Yes. That, coupled and relegate COVID-19 to a far less infec- politicians only consider the science of eco- panies—they do not give a credit or refund with a continued concerted effort on the tious and contagious state. As there are pre- nomic relief. Yet it is the other half of life that for the period we closed. They have some part of state and local governments to enact dictions that this deadly virus will be with often leads us to a way out. It is the human rules which are insane: that we had to noti- policies and programs that help encourage us for a while, it is expected that booster will, intelligence, and empathy that I think fy them before the pandemic happened and and revitalize the city’s tourism and business shots will be given every six months or so will ultimately help us solve this problem. had to have told them we were going to be communities within safe and science-based in the near future. And there is an urgent need for our politi- closed…this is an insane trick? No one is parameters. We need to encourage and in- Many Villagers are no longer afraid of go- cians and the other stakeholders in our soci- talking about this, especially the phone centivize people to return to the urban cen- ing out. The night landscape of the Village ety to come together now to provide what is companies such as Spectrum. And now we ters. We need to remind them what it is that is exploding again, with the lights of restau- a fair solution. There is no way a huge per- do not know how the COVID relief bill is makes New York the best city in the world. rants, bars, and clubs twinkling and people centage of businesses will be able to pay their going to play with landlords for the back At any rate, I have never been prouder to be spilling out into the streets. I have reached entire back rents and utility bills. There will rent? It’s unclear yet, at least for me.” a New Yorker than I was during the height out to the small business owners who still need to be compromises with fairness to all. I asked James Drougas, of Unoppres- of the COVID crisis. We are the tip of the want to express how they feel and what they I think about Jamal Alnasr, of Village sive Non-Imperialist Bargain Books, how sword, the vanguard of the attack. We’re the need from government to survive. Music World on Bleecker Street, and the he is doing. “I received the personal $1,400 Marines baby! And we made America “I am immensely grateful to the govern- huge debt, for a small business, that he has very late... Otherwise, not finding any big proud. I have no doubt that we will return ment for finally having passed a relief pack- accumulated. He is far behind on his rent easy simple solutions for little businesses… to take our place as the beacon of hope for age aimed at helping the restaurant indus- and utilities bills despite having used mas- Hard to say, still feeling unsure of the overall the world.” www.westviewnews.org June 2021 WestView News 21 A View from the Kitchen By Isa Covo INGREDIENTS ¼ cup olive oil or ghee A new month, and the city is opening. 1 large leek, white part and tender green For those of us who were vaccinated, we stalk, sliced can now go mask-less in the street, eat in- 2 or 3 garlic cloves doors in restaurants, go to the movies, go 2 tablespoons Madras Curry Powder shopping, and attend all kinds of sporting 2 large potatoes events, etc. 1 bay leaf We are the lucky ones, because while ¼ teaspoon ground cloves most western and richer countries have ½ teaspoon grated nutmeg access to good medical care and vaccines, 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth much of the rest of the world is still suf- 1½ cup green lentils, rinsed fering. Take, for instance, the reports out 1 can (14 oz.) coconut milk of India with its millions of infected and 2 cups young spinach leaves innumerable deaths, or the Congo, and 4 tablespoon minced fresh mint many others. Salt and pepper to taste But the planet is facing a concurrent, new 1 cup basmati or jasmine rice for serving pandemic with many facets, called Hate. It is everywhere: DIRECTIONS *Hate of African Americans 1. Chop the leek coarsely. *Hate of Asians 2. In a large saucepan, heat the oil over *Hate of Immigrants medium high heat, add the leek and *Anti-Semitism sauté for two minutes, stirring until *Islamophobia it softened. Mince and add the garlic, *Distrust of law enforcement the curry powder, the bay leaf, cloves, *Homophobia/Biphobia/Transphobia nutmeg and salt and pepper. Stir for … and so on. one minute until all the ingredients Here in the US, we spent fourteen become fragrant and are well-mixed. months living in fear and uncertainty, and 3. Peel and cube the potatoes, add to the now we have become suspicious of each saucepan. Add the lentils and stir to other. There has been a rise in attacks on mix. individuals who do not look like us, or who 4. Add the broth and the coconut milk. do not agree with us. Stir again. Cover the saucepan and We must collectively stop this, listen to simmer for thirty minutes. Mix in the each other and find common ground to re- spinach, cover the saucepan again and solve problems. We may not know it, but simmer for an additional five minutes. we are dragging ourselves down. Let us 5. Prepare the rice according to the in- pull ourselves up. structions on the package. 6. Once the lentil mixture is ready, turn Lentil, Leek and off the heat and mix in the mint. Ad- Potato Curry just salt and pepper if needed. 7. Serve the curry over the rice. This is not an authentic Indian recipe, none- theless it is flavorful, comforting and delicious. Yield: 4 to 5 servings Feel free to make your own improvements. Photo by Isa Covo

MONDAY THRU SATURDAY 10 AM-7 PM SUNDAY 11 AM-5 PM Maximum of four people allowed in the store at one time Masks Required 212-242-5351 22 WestView News June 2021 www.westviewnews.org Gay Officers Action League Reacts to Heritage of Pride’s Decision to Kick #CopsOutOfPride

The Gay Officers Action League ments pursuing their own LGBTQIA+ (“GOAL”) is disheartened by the decision programs. There are many partners for to ban our group from participating in New change throughout law enforcement. For York City Pride. Heritage of Pride (NYC them to succeed, they need to be support- Pride) has long been a valued partner of ed by leading LGBTQIA+ groups, not our organization and its abrupt about-face excommunicated by them. in order to placate some of the activists in “Heritage of Pride is well aware that the our community is shameful. city would not allow a large scale event to oc- GOAL and our members have had our cur without police presence. So their response hands in every police reform and policy re- to activist pressure is to take the low road by vision touching on the LGBTQIA+ com- preventing their fellow community members munity in New York City. As the result of from celebrating their identities and honor- our advocacy alongside our allies, NYPD ing the shared legacy of the Stonewall Riots,” revised its Patrol Guide in 2012 to include says GOAL President Brian Downey. He procedures specific to transgender and gen- continues: “It is demoralizing that Heritage der nonconforming New Yorkers. For nearly of Pride didn’t have the courage to refer to 30 years, GOAL has provided LGBTQIA+ GOAL by name in its announcement, re- training for every new NYPD recruit at the EDIE WINDSOR (LEFT) AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE GAY OFFICERS ACTION LEAGUE ferring to us only as ‘Law Enforcement academy, educating future officers on the BRIAN DOWNEY, symbols of the LGBT community (United States v Windsor) at the Gay Exhibitors.’ The label is not only offen- unique challenges facing our community. Pride March, June 2015. Photo by Suzanne Poli. sive but dehumanizing for our members.” We also serve as victim advocates for those Over the course of our nearly 40 years of exis- in our community that have needed to navi- ture of law enforcement. We are doing the sensitivity and awareness training for tence, GOAL has worked feverishly to build gate the criminal justice system. These are work that leads to progress. criminal justice agencies throughout the a bridge between the LGBTQIA+ and crim- just a few of the countless initiatives that GOAL’s efforts extend beyond New region and internationally. Our efforts inal justice communities. Despite Heritage of GOAL has undertaken to schange the cul- York. We have facilitated LGBTQIA+ have served as a model for police depart- Pride’s decision, our work will continue.

Inflection Point continued from page 1 (“HOP”) statement has marginalized LG- the early 1980s forced many gay men and nies—and their LGBTQ+ staff, friends, steady clip of regular mass shootings invites BTQIA+ officers simply because we wear their lesbian supporters to come out despite and allies—who take part in the parades and risks mass casualties. uniforms. I am more than a uniform. I rampant homophobia in a fight for our lives. across the nation and around the world have In addition, by banning GOAL, the pa- am a person, a lesbian, a woman, a Latina, a We demanded a cure and life-saving drugs. been and continue to be central to realizing rade organizers, known as Heritage of Pride daughter, a sister, a friend, and much more. Since the advent of those drugs, however, LGBTQ+ civil rights. In the U.S. today, (HOP) may be missing a bold opportunity I am just like many of you, and it breaks the urgency of the AIDS epidemic and its major corporations continue to stand up to achieve the desperately needed police my heart to know that the oppressed have force to unite us have dissipated. As a result, and support our rights by boycotting cities reform that our communities and allies at become the oppressors. grassroots AIDS service organizations com- and states that pass anti-LGBTQ+ laws and #BlackLivesMatter demand. GOAL is not More than 1,200 comments on the NYC pete for limited dollars. Similarly, the exis- anti-trans bills. Expulsions burn hard-won the NYPD; it is a fraternal organization in- Pride page on Instagram include members tential drive for dignity in marriage equality bridges. Solutions include sharing corpo- cluding thousands of gay and lesbian police stating how they will never participate in vaporized when gay marriage became legal. rate sponsorship dollars with community officers and law enforcement colleagues with a Pride event again. Numerous allies and Without the big fights that once uni- groups, as proposed by an alliance of leaders chapters in major cities across the nation. The community leaders have also chimed in, as fied us, the once growing and welcoming in the Pride edition of WestView News last members of GOAL know first-hand what exemplified by this post by @kengillett: LGBTQQIA2S+ alphabet soup has been June (see westviewnews.org/2020/07/04/a- it is like to be marginalized. Many of them As a gay man in New York, never have I subject to partisan politics and infighting, radically-inclusive-proposal-for-the-fu- fought for their rights within their respective been more ashamed of an organization in which risks our possible future successes. ture-of-nyc-pride/web-admin/). departments as well. In reaction to the ban, a my community. You are all on the wrong side For example, a worldwide cure for AIDS is The banning of gay cops on May 14th is statement from GOAL reads: of history with your announcement today. at last within reach and at stake. Scientists the most recent example of increasing splin- For nearly 30 years, GOAL has pro- What a detriment you are to the LGBTQ developed multiple vaccines for coronavi- tering within the gay community. In an age vided LGBTQIA+ training for every new community. I stand by my friends and family rus in just one year precisely because world of mass shootings, the move may be cata- NYPD recruit at the academy, educating in the police force. You can be assured that I populations banded together, made resourc- strophic as well; in addition to banning gay future officers on the unique challenges will never be participating in your organiza- es available, and focused on this shared goal, cops from marching, the parade organizers facing our community. tion events and will recruit my entire network like we used to do. After 40 years of HIV/ seek to replace much of the professional We have facilitated LGBTQIA+ sensi- of LGBTQ New Yorkers to do the same. AIDS, the LGBTQ+ community can either security normally provided by the NYPD tivity and awareness training for criminal What shame I have for you all. Such a re-affirm its unity and fight for its com- with security provided by community and justice agencies throughout the region and disappointing day. I pray for you all to real- mon goals, including a cure for AIDS and private contractors instead. This move ig- internationally. Our efforts have served as ize your incredible stupidity and mistake. increased civil rights everywhere, or we can nores the anti-terrorism information that a model for police departments pursuing The backlash led to an emergency meet- fail to squash escalating infighting and fall the police gather and share with LGBTQ+ their own LGBTQIA+ programs. There ing on May 20th at which a majority of the away like one big exploding rainbow glit- organizations (including the leadership at are many partners for change throughout membership of HOP voted to reverse the ter bomb. This is LGBTQ+ Pride month, NYC Pride, much of which is comprised law enforcement. For them to succeed, they ban. Hours later, HOP’s executive commit- a time to support each other, not to rip our- of community activists with little or no need to be supported by leading LGBTQ- tee stated that it has the authority to decide selves apart. managerial or security experience), inform- IA+ groups, not excommunicated by them. on the issue and re-affirmed the ban. As of ing them of armed and dangerous anti-gay By banning GOAL, NYC Pride blows this writing, on May 23rd, the ban on gay Rockefeller University alumnus and biotech hate groups. Saturday, June 12th marks the up this opportunity and demoralizes and re- cops remains in effect. inventor Kambiz Shekdar, Ph.D., is the five-year anniversary of the shooting mas- jects thousands of brothers and sisters. Says The infighting withing the LGBTQQ- president of Research Foundation to Cure sacre in the Pulse gay nightclub in Orlando, Ana Arboleda, vice president of GOAL: IA2S+ community is not new, but it is AIDS and LGBTQ editor at WestView Florida where 49 people died. Reckless and To paint all police officers with a broad growing to a crescendo with implications News. To support GOAL, go to https:// untested public safety measures for one of brush and be excluded by our own commu- beyond discriminating against gay cops. www.goalny.org/. To support RFTCA, go NYC’s largest public gay events in today’s nity is disheartening! Heritage of Pride’s The emergence of the AIDS epidemic in to https://rftca.org/. www.westviewnews.org June 2021 WestView News 23 Knowledge Is Power: Power Is Kindness By Dale Atkins, Ph.D. health, but also his dignity. He says, “I know it was the early medical intervention I received, When I think about AIDS 40 years ago, and scientific breakthroughs since, that have, I’m sad, of course. Like so many of us, I lost essentially, kept me alive. But it was the kind- good friends far too soon. ness of my cousin when I most needed it that As a psychologist, I’m also sad when I re- really saved my life. He gave me the will to live. call how tough it was for people to be kind Without that, I’m not sure I’d have made it.” during those early days of AIDS. And now It may not be surprising that in the early that we’re in the midst of another deadly days of COVID, Don was one those serving pandemic, COVID, I find some bad memo- hot meals to people on the front lines. For ries from that time resurfacing. years, he’s also been tutoring kids at a local It is a problem endemic to communi- Y. Before his cousin “saved” him, Don says, cable diseases: when we’re scared for our “I wasn’t charitable in the least.” own health, when we’re worried we can be When we’re shown kindness, we often infected, how do we know if, when, and how feel compelled to show it to others. Put an- we can reach out to the sick but remain safe? 290 West 11th Street, Apt 2D $699K other way, we “pay it forward.” How can we be kind when we’re scared? One thing to be aware of, however, is that In Contract Over Asking/Multiple Bids! Buyers Are Back! Of course, as we well know, there was more it can be a challenge to find kindness within to AIDS paranoia than concern for one’s own ourselves toward everyone, including those health. There was hatred, judgement, and os- who are hostile or apathetic regarding taking As a long time West Village resident and a Real Estate Broker tracism cast upon those infected, due to per- with over 20 years of experience working with buyers and sellers, the precautionary steps to protect themselves I’m proud to let my reviews speak for themselves! ception of the gay lifestyle as “other.” We need and others that we’ve now learned work: not remind ourselves of the horrible stigma mask-wearing, judicious distancing…follow- people with AIDS endured. ing the science. (It is, perhaps, more patience A big problem with AIDS in the early than kindness that we should apply to these days—a big problem in the early days of any people. Here’s hoping they come around.) global pandemic—is that authorities simply Frank Veilson As it did for Don, kindness can, indeed, Lic. as Francis H Veilson | Lic. Associate RE Broker m 646.734.2314 | o 212.444.7863 don’t know enough at first, and any informa- change lives. For a book I recently wrote with tion they present to us appears scant, and [email protected] my niece (a social worker), The Kindness Ad- often contradictory. When doctors talked vantage: Cultivating Compassionate and Con- Real estate agents affiliated with The Corcoran Group are independent contractor sales associates and are not about AIDS 40 years ago they said one thing employees of The Corcoran Group. Equal Housing Opportunity. The Corcoran Group is a licensed real estate nected Children, I had the privilege of inter- broker located at 590 Madison Ave, NY, NY 10022. All information furnished regarding property for sale or rent about “how you could catch it” on Tuesday, or regarding financing is from sources deemed reliable, but Corcoran makes no warranty or representation viewing and learning about kids all across the as to the accuracy thereof. All property information is presented subject to errors, omissions, price changes, changed property conditions, and withdrawal of the property from the market, without notice. but on Wednesday they said something dif- country who are doing well. ferent. Could you get AIDS from shaking Sarah, a seven-year-old girl, visited hands? Could you get AIDS if you hugged a homeless shelter to deliver sleeping your gay college friend? Should you cross bags. While there, she realized what people the street to move away from a guy who really needed were warm socks; so, at school looks sick? Answers to such questions could she collected thirty-nine pairs and donated change in a heartbeat. them to the shelter. Over the next ten years Ironically, if we edit out the word “gay,” Sarah found herself donating an additional my patients dealing with COVID this past 2,400 pairs of socks to this shelter, for which year have asked the very same questions. she also raised $85,000 in donations. With AIDS we learned, “No, you won’t Another child, Max, from the age of two, get sick if you breathe the same air as some- along with his parents, was visiting soup one infected, or if you shake his hand, or kitchens serving people of all ages, includ- hug him. With COVID, as we know, the ing children. By the time Max was seven answers were not the same. he began to want to volunteer on his own As with AIDS, much of the fear of CO- and to encourage kids in his community to VID this past year has been fueled by mixed volunteer alongside him. Max felt he could and confused early messaging, that very make kids at a shelter feel as special as he smart people in science have been scram- and his friends did by volunteering to serve bling to get right. Fortunately, they’re begin- them. It turns out—he was right! ning to do just that, enabling us to shake off Let us not forget the pain and ostracism our fear and connect and care for others. of the early days of AIDS, but let’s forget the The care we give and kindness we can hesitancy to connect during the early days of display are as vital for the well-being of COVID. What have we learned? Knowledge those of us who aren’t sick as they are for is power; power is kindness. Sick or well, we’re the survival of those who are infected. all in this together. Why not be kind? Among the benefits of being a psycholo- gist is having the privilege of hearing my patients’ moving stories, shared by some Dale Atkins is a licensed psychologist with who are also long-time survivors of AIDS. more than forty years of experience as a “Don,” a Manhattan advertising executive, relationship expert focusing on families, was diagnosed as HIV-positive in the early wellness, managing stress, and living a bal- ‘80s. It wasn’t long, before he was abandoned anced, meaningful life. Author of seven books by his family, fired from his job, and home- and many chapters, articles, and journals for less—ejected from his apartment by his lover. popular and professional audiences, Dale is a Don was surprised when a cousin he barely featured speaker who lectures and leads semi- knew stepped up and offered him shelter in his nars worldwide and has appeared regularly house in a nearby suburb. Don lived there for on NBC’s TODAY and CNN. She has a several years, eventually regaining not just his private practice in New York City. 24 WestView News June 2021 www.westviewnews.org Research Foundation to Cure AIDS Seeks a Global Cure By Karen Hagberg As the United Nations notes on its web- The Research Foundation to Cure AIDS site at unaids.org, “Every week, around (RFTCA) is a not-for-profit US corpora- 5,500 young women aged 15-24 years be- tion focused on developing a cure for AIDS. come infected with HIV…. Women and As chair of the board of RFTCA, I felt com- girls accounted for about 48% of all new pelled to write something for this month’s HIV infections in 2019. In sub-Saharan Af- issue of WestView News, which is focused on rica, women and girls accounted for 59% of HIV/AIDS. all new HIV infections.” On a global basis, As some of you may have noted in the the risk of acquiring HIV is: “…26 times masthead on page two, Kambiz Shekdar, higher among gay men and other men who PhD, who is the founder and President of the have sex with men, 20 times higher among RFTCA, also plays an editorial role at West- people who inject drugs, 30 times higher for View, and he solicited articles for this entire sex workers, and 13 times higher for trans- issue. I have worked closely with Kambiz for gender people.” And advocacy groups are a number of years. As a partner in a law firm working hard to convince pharmaceutical in New York, I was involved in the forma- companies to make those treatments avail- tion of RFTCA as a 501(c)(3), and I have able to those who cannot afford them. worked on many projects with Kambiz since RFTCA is engaged in research and tech- ADULTS AND ADOLESCENTS LIVING WITH DIAGNOSED HIV INFECTION, by sex at birth that time. I have also served on the organiza- nology to develop and make available a and race/ethnicity, year-end 2018—United States and six dependent areas. Credit: https:// tion’s board for the past six years and, as of www.cdc.gov/hiv/library/reports/hiv-surveillance/vol-31/content/figures.html cure for AIDS. If successful, that cure will December 2018, I became chair of the board, be made available worldwide to those who a position I continue to hold. And as a New causing life-changing positive results for ics continue to reveal and exacerbate exist- cannot afford treatment and those who have Yorker for the past 40 years, I have seen the HIV-infected individuals, those within the ing inequities and vulnerabilities in societies no treatment option. devastation that being HIV positive can have HIV-positive population must learn about around the globe. The HIV gains that we We hope you will support our cause. on all segments of the population. As the it, have access to it, and be able to afford it. were making together as a global commu- chart from the CDC website shows, a vast And on a global perspective, treatment be- nity are especially at risk and we will need Karen Hagberg is the chair of the board of and diverse number of citizens in the United comes more challenging. As noted in HIV. increased investment in HIV prevention Research Foundation to Cure AIDS. You can States are affected by AIDS. gov’s World AIDS Day 2020 statement, programs to restore these gains, notably for learn more about RFTCA and support the While there is now treatment, which is “The dual HIV and COVID-19 pandem- young women and key populations.” organization at https://rftca.org/

fingernails with antibacterial soap after He said, “Let’s do it anyway,” and as allur- sex. Before I had even begun I was forced ing as he was, I said no. I wasn’t being self- AIDS is Not Over to abandon the notion of sexual abandon, righteous; I was just too scared not to use something I had looked forward to becom- condoms. He got dressed, left my apart- proach.” The authors were Michael Cal- ing accustomed to. I was extremely lucky to ment, and I never heard from him again. len and Richard Berkowitz, with medical have learned about safe sex just in time. Meanwhile, Jesse Helms, the Reagan and scientific guidance from Dr. Joseph I struggled with condoms and lube. The Revolutionaries, and Jerry Falwell and A. Sonnabend. This informative if con- pause that was necessary in the proceedings his im-Moral Majority were screaming troversial—again, so little was known to remove the condom from its packaging, that AIDS was God’s wrath on gays. And about AIDS that the publication was met lubricate, and roll it on while maintaining there was a common saying at the time by some with skepticism, derision, and an erection all telegraphed that I was paus- that when you have sex with someone, you anger—pamphlet was a clarion call to the ing to ward off disease and possible death, are having sex with everyone they have gay community to keep ourselves and one to protect myself from this man whom ever had sex with. As a result, my fear was another safe. And for me it was the Gay I was now trying to be intimate with. I crippling. I know that because my sexual Commandments. Callen and Berkowitz couldn’t shake peril for performance. Alone matriculation coincided with the begin- were the first to introduce the revolution- in my dorm room I would practice using ning of the AIDS epidemic, I have been ary concept that gay men should use con- lube and a condom. I would put them on scarred for life, left with the lasting untruth doms. My sex life was just developing, but and masturbate, trying to attain a matter- that lingers still: Sex equals death. I have I stuck close to those dos and don’ts, and of-factness, to get used to the sensation. I never had sex without the fleeting thought RICHIE JACKSON. Photo credit: Daniel have done so all these years, for better or looked to find ways to eroticize these tasks of death racing through my brain—even Seung Lee. for worse. so as not to dispense with them. The com- now, even married. Any cut, sore, abrasion, Excerpt from Gay Like Me: Back when I was living in a dorm, teem- mon refrains “I don’t like condoms” and or birthmark has always startled me, and A Father Writes to His Son ing with young, attractive gay men, I trained “Condoms don’t feel as good” weren’t com- the fleeting thought of Kaposi sarcoma, a By Richie Jackson myself to hold back and not entirely let pelling reasons not to use them. I kept tell- skin cancer affecting people with immune myself go. My guidebook warned to kiss ing myself that this thin sheath of safety deficiencies, nearly paralyzes me. My flac- My bruising first sexual experiences were only with mouth closed or on the body; to was not an impediment to intimacy, just a cidness waves its white flag. compounded by an unrelenting fear of always make sure to wash before and im- barrier against fatal illness. AIDS, which was still new in the early mediately after sex; showers were suggested I had been on several dates with Eric, Richie Jackson writes the monthly column 1980s. So much was unknown about the not only as foreplay, but as a discreet way to a nice salesclerk from the local Conran’s “In Gay We Trust” for The Advocate. He is disease in those days. I got my rules of see your partner in the light, naked, so you store. One night after a fantastic date we also the author of “Gay Like Me: A Father engagement in 1983 from a new and con- could check for lesions, rashes, or abrasions. started to fool around, and as things pro- Writes to His Son,” published by HarperCol- troversial safe sex pamphlet called “How I bought, as directed, a fingernail scrub to gressed he wanted to have sex, and I said lins, which is available at amazon.com/Gay- to Have Sex in an Epidemic: One Ap- adhere to the rule of scrubbing under your we couldn’t because I was out of condoms. Like-Me-Father-Writes/dp/0062939777 FREEDOM FROM AIDS CAN’T HAPPEN WITHOUT YOU.

Developing an affordable and accessible cure for AIDS is a lofty mission. We have the science. We have the drive. What we don’t have is you. Won’t you join us? Help make our mission a reality. 26 WestView News June 2021 www.westviewnews.org The Need for HIV Screening and Treatment Behind the Prison Wall By Aakash Shah and James McGreevey with HIV who live behind prison walls are fer from a strikingly high (and by some es- be made available to all those who test posi- The contours of his expression relaxed. among those whose cases are the most med- timates, the highest) rate of HIV among tive. This treatment can be delivered in a The wrinkles on his face grew less tense. ically complex. Many also suffer from con- those behind the wall. cost-effective manner by specialists who are “Doc, I didn’t even know that I had it until comitant hepatitis C infections. Recent data Unlike Michael, far too many inmates available via telemedicine. Third, discharge I got there, but I am so glad I found out,” suggests that the prevalence of hepatitis C have never been diagnosed with or treated planning from prison must include prescrip- Michael sighed. “I was one of the lucky behind the wall ranges from 15-40 percent. for HIV. Nearly one out of every five incar- tions for antiretrovirals for more than 30 ones who did.” Those with hepatitis C are five times more cerated individuals with HIV do not know days (individuals are rarely able to secure an The “it” Michael was referring to was likely to have HIV than those who do not they are infected. Even among those who do appointment for a refill within such a short HIV, and the “there” he was referring to have hepatitis C, and nearly 65 percent of know, less than 30 percent enter with viral period), medical insurance cards (e.g. Med- was prison. And he was indeed one of the those with HIV also have hepatitis C. loads that are undetectable, indicating that icaid cards), and information for follow-up “lucky ones” to be screened and treated be- The two infections—both spread through they are not being effectively treated. Even appointments and wraparound services. hind the prison wall. injection drug use— dovetail so closely that among those who do know and are effec- At New Jersey Reentry Corp, our team Studies reveal that the scourge of HIV clinicians have labelled the combination a tively treated, studies indicate that less than works hard to ensure that folks like Michael in our prisons and jails is substantial. The syndemic to underscore the circumstance of 30 percent fill prescriptions for antiretrovirals are not the exception but the rule. To end prevalence of HIV for those in correctional their overlapping. In our experience at New (the medication to suppress HIV) within 60 the scourge of HIV in our communities, facilities is approximately four times that of Jersey Reentry Corp, the two epidemics are days of release, and less than 30 percent are in policymakers must take the steps above to the general population. In states like New all too often compounded as a result of ad- treatment six months after release. prove that they are doing the same. York—some of the highest rates in the na- diction, anxiety, depression, and a number of This can and must change. Prisons can tion—the prevalence in prisons is an order other conditions. take three simple steps to do exactly that. Aakash Shah serves as the Medical Director of of magnitude greater than that of the gen- Making matters worse, the inequities First, they must implement mandatory or, New Jersey Reentry Corp and is a practicing eral population. in our healthcare system are compounded at a minimum, optional opt-out testing for addiction and emergency room doctor. In recent decades, so many of these in- by the inequities in our criminal justice HIV upon incarceration. At present, fifteen fections have been caused by injection drug system. Black men who are incarcerated states mandate testing, seventeen offer opt- James McGreevey serves as the Executive Di- use by those caught in the throes of the are twice as likely to have HIV than their out testing, and the rest perform opt-in test- rector of New Jersey Reentry Corp and previ- opioid crisis. The result is that individuals white counterparts. And trans women suf- ing. Second, antiretroviral treatment must ously served as the governor of New Jersey. A POCs on This House: African American Mistrust of the US Healthcare System By Nathanael L. Holley nancial incentives from insurance compa- Calandra Bobbett and she’s a nurse. I in- ing and an indi- nies, pharmaceutical companies, hospital terviewed her on my humble, yet very en- vidual. I think Sometimes, I have moments when I really administration/hospital chains, etc. This thusiastically crafted, podcast, Knoemoore that’s what most want to get a COVID-19 vaccine. I say to causes a conflict of interest for patients Art. It’s still up and you can listen to the people of color myself, Nate, this is science, if you want to who are already at risk of being lost in a whole exchange if you’d like, but here is the want anyways CALANDRA BOBBETT. be a part of the solution and not the prob- healthcare system that is not overly fond general gist of what she said. when it comes lem, you need to do this. Then there are of people with meager means.(2) Conflicts She told me that her nursing school ac- to healthcare services. They want humanity. other moments when I see CEOs and other of interest are more apparent in the phar- tually taught a lot about the history of bad They want to be believed and they want the corporate and government representatives maceutical industry because corporations practices in the US and countered that basic respect that should come with being speaking on the news, and I think, there’s lobby unabashedly and often exert direct nastiness by instructing people to listen to a human. Nothing more, and nothing less. no way I’m going to trust these people or influence over legislators and the public their patients’ concerns, cultural beliefs, and But I think it will take time to get to that anything they have to say about my health policy that they support or manage. personal histories. If a patient comes in and place for me. I just moved to a new city and wellbeing. I’ve spent my entire profes- The history of healthcare discrimina- says they are a Jehovah’s Witness, the nurses and I haven’t found a primary care provider sional career working in healthcare commu- tion in the US, simply cannot be ignored know not to give them blood transfusions. yet. After my interview with Calandra, I nication and education, and yet this is the and neither can the more subtle disparities They always offer up all the appropriate built up the courage and ventured out of struggle I face internally when considering that have taken seed in the huge corpo- medical options and encourage patients to the house to get that shot, my first vaccine what to believe about the pandemic. At the rate mechanisms that manage and pro- seriously consider their situation, but they shot anyways. I still have one more to go. end of the day, it comes down to trust—who vide healthcare in the US. From insurance never argue or try to coerce people into do- It’s that type of ‘baby steps’ engagement has earned it, who has lost it. And this ap- companies to the private practice down ing something that goes against their beliefs that will turn the tide for people of color. plies to multiple entities (government agen- the street, medicine has now been inexo- or just makes them uncomfortable. The We need more people of color to become cies, pharmaceutical corporations, hospitals rably linked to money. And anyone who choice is still the patient’s, and the will of physicians, nurses, administrators, etc., We and universities). The American healthcare has been paying attention knows that be- the institution does not override that choice. need more people of color to be recruited system is by far the most expensive, com- ing poor or even just ‘perceived’ as having In the end of the conversation, she gave me, for clinical trials and more research dedi- plex, and hardest to navigate of any other a low income (and thusly not a priority) and whoever else wants to listen, an incred- cated to African American physiology. We healthcare system in the ‘Western world’, anywhere on the planet puts you at risk of ibly wise and simple tip. Go to a doctor that must create space for more of the good in- with very few exceptions. I’m writing this being underserved if not left out altogether. knows you. Go to a small practice where teractions and much less of the bad ones to help heal myself actually. I need to know This is the state of things. And this is you can regularly spend some time with the and things will have to change. At least that I’m not falling prey to some fringe, irra- why I’m still leery of the COVID-19 vac- staff and get a full checkup done so that they that’s my opinion, but feel free to go out tional, cultural idiosyncrasy. This is how I’m cine, even though the logical, rational part know all your baseline measurements, val- and get a second one. going to break this down. of my brain knows that it has to happen. ues, etc. After a few visits, they will know Potential reasons for distrust include: In order to give myself even more of a pep what normal looks like for you and you can (1) Healthcare providers, regardless of talk about this subject, I decided to call a begin to build a real connection with them Nathanael L. Holley is a creative director their profession and ethics, have histori- healthcare provider that I trusted and in- and their advice because you will know that and curates a podcast available at this link cally been motivated by profit due to -fi terview them on the subject. Her name is they are looking at you as a real human be- https://nateholley.com/podcast. Feeding Your Pride Since 1985 Meals that heal, delivered with love

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GODSLOVEWEDELIVER.ORG 28 WestView News June 2021 www.westviewnews.org

STYLE NOTES Karen’s Quirky Style BLACK, HAND-PAINTED NEW YORK VARIANT T-SHIRT. Karen’s Quirky Style. Online only. Style on the Street: By Karen Rempel Rainbows Reign! CHOCOLATE, BURNT ORANGE, PEACHES, AND CREAM OMBRÉ PLEATED MIDI-SKIRT. Banana Republic. 105 Fifth New York Tough. New York Proud. Avenue. New York Variant. Rona the virus is drooping. 7" YRU LACE-UP GOTH BOOTS. Trash and Vaudeville, 96 I began tracking coronavirus news daily, obsessively, in E. 7th Street. March of 2020, as I’m sure many of you did. I even created an email folder for NYC updates related to the virus, test- CORONAVIRUS HAIRSTYLE BY DEAN DE SANTIS. Salon Ziba. 485 Sixth Avenue. ing, vaccinations, closures, and other impacts on the city. In May 2021, more than a year later, I finally felt I RONA MAKEUP BY KAREN. could breathe fully again. I felt such a tremendous sense ______of relief when I received my first vaccination shot, and it deepened when I got the second. The CDC said we could take off our masks outdoors if vaccinated. Then How Far We’ve Come Governor Cuomo announced that New York was re- • By May 28, more than 50% of adult New Yorkers were opening fully on May 19. Soon after, the CDC said fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and more than that fully vaccinated Americans no longer need to wear 60% of adults had received at least one vaccine dose. masks or maintain social distance indoors or outdoors • In the second half of May, New Yorkers between the (with some exceptions). ages of 12 and 17 began to receive the vaccination. As we reach each milestone of returning privileges and • The average number of new cases in NYC fell to 392 freedom from the virus, I cry a little. Subways back to on May 28, continuing the steady downward trend 24/7. Tears. Bar seating returns. Sniffle. Indoor dining at that began in March. 25%-33%-75%. Droplets spring from my eyes. Hamil- • Tragically, 25 people died on May 17, and since Janu- ton tickets available for $199! A deluge… ary 2020, at least 1 in 252 New Yorkers have died. I feel so moved and proud of New Yorkers for caring • While unvaccinated people remain at a high risk of for each other and making it this far, to the downward getting COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control slope of the bell curve. Walking through the West Village and Prevention (CDC) advises that fully vaccinated last Saturday night, people spilled from the streets into the people can go without masks in most places, have in- restaurants. Bright lights, candles, joyful voices permeated door visits, and resume domestic travel without test- the night at restaurant after restaurant after bar. The cel- ing or quarantining. ebration that follows tragedy is swelling in the city. • A New York variant, B.1.526, was identified in No- I know that the world is still in terrible trouble, risks vember, and by April accounted for half the new cases hover on the edges of our vision, and the impact of tragic in the city. The British variant, B.1.1.7, accounted for loss will reverberate for years to come, but I want to take about 20 percent of cases. this time to mark what we have been through, and how • But more good news came in late April, when the far we have come together. New York Times reported on two studies that showed I designed the New York Variant t-shirt as an expression both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are effective of celebration and pride for New York. New York, we made against these variants. it. We’re proud, we’re tough, and we made it through. • As of May 28, 55% of New York State residents had For more fun photos of Rona, and to see the New York “RONA” THE CORONAVIRUS is toppling. Photo by Philip received at least one shot, including 83% of those Variant tee, go to karensquirkystyle.com. Maier. aged 65 and older.

the Wolf ” was on a repeat loop in my brain. The moment he’d led me from the dance Catch and Release: Chapter 6 floor, Keith had taken charge, whisking me down the outside elevator and up the inside The Christmas Date Part 3 elevator with dizzying speed. Or maybe it was his heated kisses on my neck that By Karen Rempel two people get into bed with each other? changed the dimensions of time. My whole Before I go on to explore this question, I’d body was on fire by the time he opened George was waxing philosophical again. like to thank the readers who shared some the door to our room. He took my fur coat “I have a trite aphorism that I offer all the of the qualities they look for in a romantic and beaded handbag and dropped them on time: men are driven by egos, women are partner in response to George’s invitation a chair by the gigantic bed. He flipped on driven by emotions.” The first time he said in Chapter 5. Sally, Margaret, Suzanne, I the bedside lamp and drew me down onto it, I disagreed, gave it some thought, and loved your idiosyncratic wisdom! My dear the fluffy white playground. disagreed again. Now that I had heard it 48 friend Arthur wrote a list for me that was “I’ve been waiting for this moment all times, I was beginning to believe him. This better than my list. It seems we all agree night,” he said, his voice husky. He sat be- is called brainwashing. about the importance of humor. For those side me on the edge of the bed, and pulled He said that this storm of ego and emo- of you who have only read the printed part my hand to his thigh. Mmm, those muscles! tions caused a lot of fights among the staff- of the story, you can see these illuminating But before I went on a road trip up the family at the paper. He must have had a comments at westviewnews.org, at the bot- highway, he took my hand and tickled my fight with someone that morning. “People tom of Chapter 5. palm. He lightly spider-stepped up my in- hate each other. Reason falls like snow- If you’re just tuning in, I’ve been on a thrill- ner wrist to the sensitive inner elbow. Heat flakes in summer.” ing date night with a British architect with rose eagerly through the blue veins just un- I said, “That’s so insightful, George.” Rolling Stone hair and warm hazel eyes. Not der my skin. George said, “That’s a good phrase. These the world’s greatest lip reader, however. “Yes, darling,” I whispered. things just come to me.” Uh huh. Ego. We were back in our posh Euro room But maybe there was something to it. How at the Standard Hotel. It seemed like the For the rest of this month’s chapter of Catch much does emotion tangle with ego when evening began months ago. “Hungry Like and Release, go to westviewnews.org. www.westviewnews.org June 2021 WestView News 29 Style on the Street: Rainbows Reign!

Follow us on Instagram @styleonthestreet_WestViewNews Photos by Dusty Berke and Karilyn Prisco. Submit your favorite neighborhood fashion looks for a chance to be featured. 30 WestView News June 2021 www.westviewnews.org 1959 1988 • The first known case of HIV in a human occurs in the • AIDS activists engage in a sit-in that shuts down FDA’s Congo (confirmed by later testing of preserved samples) offices to protest the slow process to approve for treat- HIV / AIDS Timeline ments for HIV/AIDS • World AIDS Day is observed for the first time 40 years after the AIDS epidemic 1969 devastated the queer community • St. Louis teenager Robert Rayford dies of an illness that baffles his doctors (confirmed by later testing of 1989 and communities all around the preserved samples) • Photographer Robert Mapplethorpe dies of AIDS-relat- world, we are proud to share our ed illness timeline of historic milestones 1981 including legislation, treatments, • St. Vincent's Hospital reports its first cases of AIDS 1990 and protests within the epidemic • Pop artist Keith Haring dies of AIDS-related illness as a whole. We are highlighting 1982 • Ryan White dies of AIDS-related illness at the age of 18 • Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC) is formed as the first the brave individuals and community-based AIDS service provider in the US organizations that fought for • CDC uses the term “AIDS” for the first time equality and representation in one of the most frightening times in 1983 American history. • U.S. Congress passes the first bill that includes funding targeted for AIDS research • The National AIDS Hotline opens and receives 8,000- CURATED FROM NIH, CDC, AIDS.GOV, WIKI- 10,000 callers daily • NYC physician Joseph Sonnabend is threatened with PEDIA AND OTHER PUBLIC SOURCES BY eviction for treating AIDS patients DREW MINARD AND KAMBIZ SHEKDAR OF • NY State Attorney General and Lambda Legal join file RESEARCH FOUNDATION TO CURE AIDS the first AIDS discrimination lawsuit • Dr. Robert Gallo announces the discovery of the virus that causes AIDS 1984 • The AIDS ward at St Vincent’s Hospital opens as the first and largest on the East Coast until 1995 when HIV-related deaths peaked • The New York Times erroneously reports that AIDS may be transmissible through saliva • San Francisco public health officials order bathhouses closed 1985 • Mother Teresa’s nuns opened one of the city’s early AIDS hospice centers at St. Veronica's Church in the West Village. • AIDS activist Larry Kramer ’s debuts his play “Normal Heart” at the Public Theater • Actor Rock Hudson becomes the first major public 1991 figure who announces he has AIDS • St. Veronica's installed a series of plaques dedicated to • President Ronald Reagan mentions AIDS publicly for the men who died from the plague. first time, calling it “a top priority” • The Visual AIDS Artist Caucus launches the Red Ribbon • Rock Hudson dies of AIDS-related illness at age 59 as a symbol to demonstrate compassion for people • U.S. Congress allocates $190 million for AIDS research living with AIDS • American basketball star Earvin “Magic” Johnson an- 1986 nounces he is HIV-positive • Fr eddie Mercury, lead singer/songwriter of the rock band • The International Committee on the Taxonomy of Viruses Queen, dies of bronchial pneumonia resulting from AIDS announces that the virus that causes AIDS will officially be known as “Human Immunodeficiency Virus” (HIV) • CDC reports that African Americans and Latinos are disproportionately affected by AIDS 1992 • The 8th International AIDS Conference is moved from Boston to Amsterdam due to U.S. immigration restric- 1987 tions on people living with HIV/AIDS • AIDS activist Cleve Jones creates the first panel of the • Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is founded AIDS Memorial Quilt to honor Marvin Feldman • AIDS becomes the number one cause of death for U.S. • AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP) is founded men ages 25-44 in NYC • FDA approves AZT as the first medication for AIDS • Princess Diana is photographed shaking the hand of an AIDS patient in a London hospital 1993 • The U.S. Public Health Service adds HIV as a “danger- • President Clinton establishes the White House Office of ous contagious disease” to its immigration exclusion list National AIDS Policy and mandates testing for all visa applicants • The film Philadelphia the first major Hollywood film on AIDS • The National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS is • Tony Kushner’s Angels in America wins the Tony Award established for Best Play www.westviewnews.org June 2021 WestView News 31 1994 2005 • AIDS becomes the leading cause of death for all • National Asian and Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS wareA - Americans ages 25 to 44 ness Day is launched • The FDA approves an oral HIV test 1995 2006 • National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is • National HIV Testing Day is launched launched • 500,000 cases of AIDS have been reported in the • National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is launched US by Oct 31, 1995 1996 2007 • The number of new AIDS cases in the U.S. begins • Timothy Ray Brown, also known as “The Berlin Pa- declines for the first time tient,” becomes the first person cured of AIDS • AIDS is no longer the leading cause of death for all • Over 565,000 people have died of AIDS in the U.S. Americans ages 25-44 since 1981 2008 • National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day is launched • National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is launched 2009 • Caribbean American HIV/AIDS is launched 2010 • St. Vincent's closed on April 30, 2010. It was founded in 1849. • The US Government lifts the HIV travel and immigration ban • AIDS Action merges with the National AIDS Fund to form AIDS United 2012 • The FDA approves the first at-home HIV test • The FDA approves the use of Truvada® for pre-expo- sure prophylaxis (PrEP) 2016 • The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) forms • The AIDS Memorial Quilt is displayed in its entirety • The AIDS Memorial across the site of the former St. for the last time Vincent's Hospital was opened on World AIDS Day on December 1 1998 Historic photographs • President Clinton announces initiatives aimed at re- 2019 ducing the impact of HIV/AIDS on racial and ethnic • Adam Castillejo, also known only as “The London Pa- from Suzanne Poli's minorities tient,” becomes the second person cured of AIDS • Research Foundation to Cure AIDS (RFTCA) becomes archives the first not-for-profit research organization with its own 1999 biotechnology to develop a global cure on a pro bono • The World Health Organization announces that HIV/ basis sponsored by AIDS has become the fourth biggest killer worldwide • NIH and Gates Foundation announce $200 million in and the number one killer in Africa funding for research to cure HIV/AIDS and sickle cell • National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD) disease is launched • SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus / COVID-19 emerges VILLAGE 2001 2020 APOTHECARY • HIV Vaccine Awareness Day is launched • Dr. Anthony Fauci’s division at NIH (NIAID) issues its first call for applications focused on curing HIV 2003 infection • President George W. Bush launches the President's suzannepoli.com Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) to stem the devastation caused by AIDS worldwide. • National Latino AIDS Awareness Day is launched 32 WestView News June 2021 www.westviewnews.org

LIFETALK WITH ROBERTA RUSSELL Maggie B’s Quick Clicks Lifespan Cut Short in Antigay Communities HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN! By Roberta Russell

From springtime in the Square On the occasion of this Gay Pride edition of the WestView News, I naively wondered about what gay pride really means? For my first thirty years, I did not personally know any lesbian, gay, bi or trans people. My introduction came late, almost like a crash gay studies program. Richard, the first gay man that touched my heart, charmed me with his quick wit and masterful ways. Please note that, even today, decades after he died, I am leaving his rather well-con- nected last name out. Before I knew that he would never choose me for romance, I wanted him to love me. Captivated, I pro- ceeded with my solitary, but misguided plan to know him. ROBERTA RUSSELL. Photo: Cheryl Eisen. When he finally did invite me for a date at The Sign of the Dove, once a lavish res- taurant on the northwest corner of Third diovascular diseases were all substantially elevated among sexual minorities in high- To action on the street, Ave and 65th Street, I was thrilled. In this elegant set and setting, in a moment prejudice communities. of rare heart-warming trust he revealed to Here’s the result of my 2021 reality me that he was gay. He was divorced with check: two grown sons, a pillar of the financial Yesterday, I took a walk around the block community with a double life. Because on East 55 St and ran into one of the peo- I loved him and wanted to know him, in ple I have been exchanging greetings with his essence, I set about reading books to on the street for years when I walk my dog. educate myself on his state-of-affairs. In A scientist/inventor, he still did not come 1975, I even consulted with the author of out until he was in his thirties and someone a cutting-edge book that discussed the dy- invited him to a gay bar with precautionary prohibitions, so as not to offend him. That namics of homosexuality, The Homosexual was the beginning, he told me, as he took Matrix, by Dr. CA Tripp. After listening to my saga and enlight- off his mask, but like me he is still alone. ening me, Dr. Tripp, a psychologist, cau- Masks are coming off. Could this be tioned: “Stay out of bed with gay men.” time for an inclusive invitation? So informed, I proceeded to love Richard with all my heart. My absent family of ori- Roberta Russell is the author of R.D. Laing gin and recent divorce left me wanting to & Me: Lessons in Love with R.D. Laing, connect. Consequently, he took me into (Hillgarth Press, 1992), Report on Effec- his fold. Richard’s sensitive encompassing tive Psychotherapy: Legislative Testimony inclusion with his unusual family and en- (Hillgarth Press, 1981, 1994), and Report on ... and even returning tourists round the corner. tourage gave me a home again. Permanent Weight Loss (Columbia Academic Why did Richard lead a double life? Commons, 2017). She has also been a contrib- Would he take the same surreptitious path utor to various international magazines and today? And what if he had lived in Green- journals including: Psychologie Heute (Ger- wich Village rather than the East 60s? many), Japan Times (Japan), The Psychologist Consider these daunting facts: Accord- (U.K.), Human Potential Magazine (U.K.), ing to a well-controlled 2014 study by Changes (U.K.), Clinical Psychology Forum Mark Hatzenbuehler, PhD of Harvard, (U.K.), Psychoanalytic Studies (U.K.), and Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual (LGB) indi- Bottom Line (USA). Occasionally, Roberta viduals living in anti-gay communities die hosts a New York City cable television show, early. Their lifespan is 12 years shorter. To called Lifetalk, which has featured interviews the author this suggests a broadening of with movers and shakers in controversial areas the consequences of prejudice to include of psychology, weight loss, nutrition, medicine, premature death. That is a double-edged the environment, and population growth. sword; because those who are prejudiced [email protected] lose several years of life expectancy, as well. mutualalliancetherapy.org The Hatzenbuehler study also revealed rdlaing.org that suicide, homicide, violence, and car- effectivepsychotherapy.org IF THIS PAPER MAKES YOU THINK

All photos by Maggie Berkvist. We will print your thoughts in the next issue Send your letter to [email protected] www.westviewnews.org June 2021 WestView News 33 Local AIDS Nonprofit Keeps on Running By Richard Brodsky Due to COVID-19 we were not able to travel to Kenya to sponsor the 15th an- The Richard M. Brodsky Foundation will be nual World AIDS Marathon in 2020. We sponsoring its 14th annual 5K AIDS Cancer did hold the event on the Rockaway Beach Run/Walk on June 6, 2021 in Baldwin Park, boardwalk on December 6th. It was very Long Island. Organizing these events dur- successful and we raised money to fund local ing the COVID-19 pandemic is challenging, charities including Research Foundation to whereas living with HIV and brain cancer Cure AIDS, other organizations in Queens and running marathons are less challenging. and on Long Island, and dinner dances and At least with COVID-19, my wife and I got medical care for Kenyan orphans. On De- our Pfizer vaccines and we’re done. There cember 5, 2021, https://www.elitefeats.com/ have been no side effects and the odds of our will be sponsoring the 2nd annual World getting COVID-19 are slim to none. Realis- AIDS Marathon, half marathon, and 10K tically, we will probably need booster shots. on the Rockaway boardwalk. We will also I wish this newspaper could reach more be returning to Kenya, where the Richard rural areas, and that people would under- THE RICHARD M. BRODSKY FOUNDATION donating food to Five Towns Community Center M. Brodsky Foundation will be sponsoring in loving memory of my mentor and dear friend Pete Sobol. Photo credit: Richard Brodsky. stand it is a civic responsibility to get vacci- its 15th annual World AIDS Marathon and nated and the life they may be saving could cially like helping the Five Towns Commu- tions helping people living with HIV and providing meals and medical care to Kenyan be that of a close relative, a child, or a dear nity Center because it helps families whose cancer. Donations can be made online and orphans. Enjoy the video I produced, World friend. Of course, you should consult with children attend Lawrence High School, the are greatly appreciated, https://www.grou- AIDS Marathoners Love Affair with Kenya, your doctor and listen to religious leaders, school I graduated from. prev.com/aidscancer21. and its trailer, which can be found on my teachers, and medical professionals, and un- We are busy getting ready for the June My foundation has also produced a video YouTube channel worldaidsmarathon. derstand this is a public health crisis. For my 6th 5K AIDS Cancer Run/ Walk in Bald- titled RACING to Take COVID-19 Vaccine. wife and me, the best benefit was getting to win Park. Running has saved my life, so It can be viewed on my YouTube channel, Richard Brodsky is 68 years young and was hug our grandkids again. Since receiving my we never charge people living with HIV worldaidsmarathon. Its purpose is to en- diagnosed HIV+ in 1997. Five years later he second vaccine, I ran my fastest marathon in or cancer. Encouraging others to lead a courage, nudge, and/or reward others to was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. 20 months. I feel I can now live again and healthy, upbeat lifestyle including running get vaccinated. We all really need to do our He and his wife Jodi have been married for run faster, not an easy feat at age 68. But if I or walking can only help people living with parts to ensure that our children, health care 41 years and have run 72 and 83 mara- can do it with two life-threatening illnesses, illnesses. Write me at richardm.brodsky@ workers, teachers, seniors, and all members thons respectively. The Richard M. Brodsky HIV and brain cancer, so can you. gmail.com if you are interested in partici- of society are safe and can return to work Foundation was established in 2004 and has My foundation’s mission has been modi- pating in the walk/run. Or, you can regis- and enjoy recreational and indoor/outdoor donated over $550,000 in cash, toys, cloth- fied during the COVID-19 pandemic; we ter at events.elitefeats.com/brodsky21. We activities to the fullest. (It is especially sad ing, food, and medicine to orphans in Kenya are not just helping people living with HIV are also trying to attract runners or walkers to see the theater district closed.) Several and organizations helping people living and cancer, but are also helping low-income from all 50 states. The event has a live and board members and colleagues from di- with HIV and cancer in America. According families by providing food. More specifical- virtual component, and event t-shirts and verse backgrounds have provided video to the internet, there are no other marathon- ly, the food is donated to local schools and medals will be mailed to all finishers in the clips in which they emphasize the urgent ers in the world who are living with HIV food pantries serving Wyandanch, Elmont, United States. Proceeds will be donated to need for the U.S. to share the vaccine with and brain cancer. and Lawrence/Inwood, Long Island. I espe- local Long Island and Queens organiza- Third World countries. Pride Month is a Month to Think of Your Loved One—After You Are Gone By Arthur Z. Schwartz time and time again. Even suggested home Bill and Tom held themselves out as a mar- erty, worth millions, went to her brother I’m running for City Council this month. I visits by a local judge got put off. ried couple in New Hope at some time. and sister, neither of whom respected her should be touting myself. But this is the Gay Fast forward to when Bill dies. Tom pres- We had difficulty finding anyone alive who relationship with Aida. Again, my Penn- Pride Issue, and I want to write about an is- ents a will to a lawyer suggested by a friend, had hung out with a now 85 year old plus sylvania theory to the rescue. Aida had a sue that I have now had to address twice as and the lawyer gives him the bad news. The couple, but we didn’t let on. But when the house in the Poconos which they spent a lawyer: older gay couples who never marry will, which leaves him everything, is no good. nieces and nephews began to talk settle- weekends and vacations at before 2005. (for all sorts of reasons) and then don’t leave It has only one witness, and New York re- ment, we agreed, and Tom got 25% of the And they have some good witnesses. That a will that stands up to scrutiny. quires two. The lawyer then notifies Bill’s estate—and the right to live in the house case is pending, delayed a long time by the One of those couples I dealt with in- nieces and nephews, all but one of whom rent-free for four years. At 89 he went to COVID-related court shutdown. We have volved two men, Bill and Tom, who had paid no attention to Uncle Bill, and they live, just as COVID started, with his genu- our fingers crossed. lived together for 55 years—going back came swooping in to divide up the estate—a inely loving niece, and grand- nieces and Why tell this story? Because gay part- to 1960. They were community leaders, house now worth $7 million, and offer Tom a nephews near Rochester. ners, if they want to protect their loved known to all as a loving, open couple who token sum of money. While this drama was unfolding, I re- ones after they pass, either need to a) owned a house together in the West Vil- Tom goes from lawyer to lawyer, and is ceived a call from Aida. Aida is a union marry, or at least, if marriage is contro- lage. One was a successful businessman, told that he has no claim. But he came to leader who had a 22-year loving relation- versial or difficult, b) make sure they have and when they bought a house, perhaps be- me and I came up with an approach. New ship with Ceci. They lived together at an ironclad will, reviewed by a lawyer who cause a mortgage was involved, only one of York does not recognize “common law Aida’s house, and Ceci kept her official has an estate practice. NO INTERNET them had his name on the deed. Over the marriages,” a marriage based on a couple address with her mom. Ceci’s mom didn’t DOWNLOADS! They don’t work! They years they lived together they spent con- living together as spouses, but never get- approve of their relationship, so Ceci and are always done wrong. siderable time in New Hope, Pennsylvania, ting married. But it does recognize mar- Aida never married, though they kept Anyone who wants a consult—free—can a small town that welcomed gay couples. riages recognized in other states. Turns talking about doing it after her mother call me at 212-285-1400. They welcomed the advent of gay marriage out that before 2005 Pennsylvania recog- passed. But a year after her mother died, and spoke frequently about marrying. They nized common law marriage, and that it Ceci died (far too young) without leaving Arthur Z. Schwartz is the Democratic even bought rings. But as they got older even recognized it after one member of the a will. As it turned out, Ceci had inherited District Leader for Greenwich Village and is and more frail, that trip to the Marriage couple died—as long as there was evidence. several valuable pieces of property from a candidate for City Council in District 3— Bureau down on Worth Street got delayed So now I had to establish that before 2005 her mother. But without a will, her prop- which is the Village west of 5th Avenue. 34 WestView News June 2021 www.westviewnews.org As Youth Transitions, Anger = Life By Michael Petrelis This didn’t sit well with me and I called Michael, saying he simply must show up at She and Her Mom The Man’s Country bathhouse is where the next board meeting and force the di- I met Mel Bronfman and his lover Ed rectors to give him a seat, literally, for that Armstrong when I was 17-years-old and meeting. He rejected my idea. Not his style Transform discovering New York’s flourishing gay and his PWAC board would not approve businesses, as a New Jersey teenager taking of it, but he saw the value of me attending the bus into the city in the spring of 1976. the GMHC meeting. They were in their early thirties and lived The month of October 1985 was warm in a postage stamp-sized studio apartment but the two NYPD officers who showed up on Perry Street, where we enjoyed good at the GMHC offices wore winter gloves times together. to arrest me for trespassing during the I moved to San Francisco in 1977, where monthly board meeting. I did not go qui- in 1979 a housemate died of a host of un- etly and was denounced by GMHC execu- explained infections LATER THOUGHT tives as disruptive, hot-headed and radical, TO BE AIDS, returning to Manhattan in but PWAC leaders used the arrest to gain a the late summer of 1980, and made a coffee- seat at the table. chat date with Mel. When he showed up at Recounting the arrest to Larry Kramer the cafe on Bleecker Street, his thin figure in February 1987, who was proud of my di- and lethargy were a shock. He was failing rect action at his enemies, when he sought a regimen of flagyl for amoebiasis and soon my advice while developing his speech was admitted to St. Vincent’s hospital where that launched ACT UP, he wanted more his parents barred me from visiting him. such challenges of AIDS groups. At his After Mel died, they were monsters to- speech, most in the audience at the end wards Ed and contested the will, trying to were too drained or shocked to speak, but I deny him personal heirlooms and money was ready to propose a sit-in the following left to him by Mel. week at the Food and Drug Administra- A year later, the New York Times in July tion office in Brooklyn. FAMILY DYNAMICS ARE ALWAYS CHALLENGING, but when you are trans and your loving 1981 wrote about a rare cancer in doz- Fury and self-righteousness have carried mother is a Trump supporter, it ads layers of complexity that most of us do will never know. ens of homosexuals and friends asked if I Photo by Bob Cooley. me on my life-path, keeping me alive, ex- was afraid of developing it. No, my youth ploded in an act of such monumental pro- to get away from him for a while. I spot- would protect me, I foolishly reasoned. portions executed with hundreds of protes- By Kieran Loughney ted an injured raven flopping around on In April of 1984, then-secretary of Health tors that the Vatican, the mayor and media the ground—he couldn’t fly and he looked and Human Services Margaret Heckler held elites condemned it. Kenny always called out his mom for her scared. I wrapped him up in my hoodie and a news conference to declare, “The probable Standing on a pew up in St. Patrick’s support of Donald Trump when the reality sneaked him into the basement. I Googled cause of AIDS has been found: a variant of cathedral on December 10, 1989, bellow- television star first ran for president. Their ‘how to care for an injured bird’ and secret- a known human cancer virus.” ing above the din of the archbishop on the differing political views fueled plenty of ly nursed him back to health. I named him My roommate at the time, the late Mar- microphone and fellow ACT UP mem- arguments. But as Kenny, born male, tran- Edgar.” I interrupted, “Like Poe.” Kenny, tin Sumner, and I watched the evening news bers chanting pro-gay, anti-clerical slo- sitioned to female those opposing views eyes misting behind his raven black bangs, stories convinced that a test for the cause of gans, I hollered in a booming voice heard became less of an issue. Both he and his said, “Ain’t gonna lie, I cried when I took acquired immune deficiency syndrome was throughout the church, “Stop killing us!” mother (whose actual names have been him outside a few weeks later and watched within reach, and believed our federal gov- Over several minutes, when I wasn’t changed for this article) would see them- him fly away.” ernment was looking out for us. screaming, my whistle was between my lips selves and their relationship change. With election day approaching, the August 1985 is when I was diagnosed emitting a shriek before two glove-wearing I first met 16-year-old Kenny when presidential race heated up; and in the at NYU Hospital with full-blown AIDS. cops handcuffed me, then was pushed to driving him to transgender counseling ses- media and elsewhere, polarization became Martin urged me to do anything to become the back of the cathedral. A reporter from sions in my role as a child welfare worker. rampant. Kenny’s transition to female con- a patient of Dr. Joe Sonnabend, the leading the New York Times came over, asked ques- He had been living with his father, a suc- tinued. Now identifying as Jenny, she and doctor for people with AIDS in the city. Joe tions, taking my name and age, and that is cessful businessman but also an alcoholic, her mom, surprisingly, seemed more at ease became my primary care physician and en- how I entered the history books at the end who the court determined to be unfit as with each other. Their bond as mother and couraged my nascent activism. of my AIDS decade. a parent. Kenny’s mother, Julie, a dark- child had eclipsed their political stances. The Gay Men’s Health Crisis lacked a haired stylishly-dressed woman, had re- Jenny told me privately, “I hate that my publicly identified person with AIDS on cently completed a rehabilitation program mom’s voting Republican, but I realize that their board of directors. They were in dis- The author co-founded ACT UP, is a long- for her own addiction and was granted sole I never could have gotten this far without cussions with Michael Callen and others time HIV and queer community organizer, custody of Kenny. her. She was able to accept my being dif- at the People With AIDS Coalition, about living in San Francisco with his husband Julie joined us on trips to Kenny’s ap- ferent. I have to accept that she’s different, eventually appointing one of them a seat. Mike Merrigan. pointments with his endocrinologist; and on too.” In a time when the world seemed so those drives, as the Trump campaign turned divided, I marveled at how much trust and up the rhetoric, mother and son disagree- acceptance these two people had found ments intensified. The tension between with each other. In that moment I won- VIEWS BY SUZE them concerned me. “Mom, those jerks dered if everyone else in the world could Suzanne McAndrews 50 + years in Greenwich Village don’t care about people like me,” Kenny ever become that open-hearted. would complain. She’d reply, “That’s not The last time I transported them to the See Views by Suze why I support them. I want closed borders endocrinologist, Jenny and her mom ar- at and lower taxes. The Democrats just want ranged to meet me at an ice cream shop Bonsignour Café to spend money.” before the trip home. They barely noticed Jane Street On one trip to his counseling session, me as I pulled up in front of the store. Sit- and Eighth Avenue Kenny mentioned that nearly a year before ting hand in hand on a bench eating ice we met he had rescued a bird. “I used to cream cones, they gazed at a bird flying 646-689-3475 walk in the woods behind my dad’s house high overhead. I like to think it was a dove. [email protected]

36 WestView News June 2021 www.westviewnews.org Your Perspective is Your Religion: Full Stop, Full Disclosure Growing Up Gay in the By Maggie Kneip After my husband died of full-blown AIDS any talk of him came to a full-stop. 80s and 90s I was reminded of this recently, and how far we’d come since, when I received an in- vitation to a Zoom from his former office. In the late ‘80’s John was a rising star jour- nalist, I was a stay-at-home freelance writing mom, we had one adorable baby on board and another on the way. John didn’t feel well, though, he was always exhausted or sick with something. The doctors diagnosed “stress”— John was apparently one more young mar- ried guy with kids who worked too hard. Then, one hot July day in 1990, what ailed John was diagnosed as something much more. The time was right. In the twenty years AIDS. When I could recover from the since John’s death, here in The U.S. scien- shock, I yanked the shades down in our tific research was saving lives affected by sweet-scented babies’ room. I notified AIDS. People’s voices were loud and strong John’s office he wouldn’t be in for a while, about who they were, and how they lived. (I’d explain later). I put out there the im- The letters LGBTQIA seemed to roll off poster disease, “Encephalitis.” people’s tongues. No one could know what John had. Too bad the words “My husband died of That we kept John’s illness a secret AIDS” couldn’t roll off mine. seemed most important to him. Hospital- After so many years, every time I would Photo by Suzanne Poli. ized, feverish, he seemed surprised he had resolve to casually mention I’d once been AIDS. When I asked him how he got it, married, or something about “my chil- By Chauncey Dandridge enue, my very first gay bar. I remember he suggested I‘d given it to him. (In fact, I dren’s real father” they would trip me up. I I remember when MTV debuted on televi- watching my first Jon Waters film on a couldn’t have; my own HIV test had come couldn’t say them. sion in 1981. I was five. Sunday afternoon there. It was “Pink Fla- back negative, meaning, mercifully, the It seemed I had my own boatload of I remember the brilliant, sexy and sepia mingos”. I remember the rush of stepping kids were, too.) shame, denial, and anger to contend with. toned Calvin Klein “Obsession” ads on the up to the urinal next to another gay man For John, things went rapidly downhill To figure things out, I wrote. I explored back of Rolling Stone magazines. there for the first time, and the rush that from there. Having been closeted and now AIDS in the form of books, plays, movies I remember, in 1989, opening up the happens still to this day. outed by AIDS, he was consumed with and exhibits. I took part in several AIDS liner notes for Madonna’s “Like A Prayer” I remember when my drink of choice shame, denial, and anger. Walks, where I met women—like me. This cassette and finding this little sheet of facts was an Amaretto Sour. When he died in early 1991 a major news- was surprising…I’d felt so alone. about AIDS and how to practice safe sex. I remember when it was called “AIDS” paper cited in his obituary as the cause of Eventually I published this writing in a She was one of the most vocal and most fa- and I remember when it was the gravest death, “Lymphoma.” This was a professional book, which I was gratified to learn helped mous pop stars talking about it, educating insult you could throw at someone after courtesy extended us to protect our kids; stig- many women who also couldn’t say these her fans and the masses. It felt like she was you called them a ‘faggot’. “I hope you get ma associated with AIDS was rampant. words but needed to. looking out for us. AIDS and die.” After that, to keep things “normal,” I It was a great unburdening, we found, to I remember when George Michael was I remember that joke about Rock Hud- knew I had to bring any mention of John say them; a great unburdening to finally tell ‘straight’. son. “What do you call Rock Hudson in a to a kind of “full stop.” I boxed up his per- the truth. I remember religiously listening to the wheelchair?” “Rolaids.” Kids can be cruel. sonal effects and stashed them away. And The Zoom invitation I received filled me “Red, Hot and Blue” Cole Porter Tribute Adults can be more cruel. though I feared I never would, I found a with delight, as it was from some of John’s cd, some of my favorite artists and musi- I remember my best friend Diane finally nice man to round out our family in fine, closest work colleagues who, in the thirty cians donating their talents to the cause. locating her estranged Uncle Joe after many fatherly style. years since he’d died, had remained my This collection of songs is certainly what years and discovering he was positive and I As the kids grew, they did pretty well not friends. made me understand the epidemic and remember the eerie experience of visiting mentioning ever having had another fa- It was for an “Alumni Zoom” for the pa- kickstarted the edgier side of my activist him in the now vanquished St. Vincent’s ther. After all, one had barely known John, per, and for anyone to be listed “In Memori- mentality. The power of music was sinewy hospital in 1994. I remember smoking pot the other, born just after his diagnosis, was am” we were requested to submit obituaries. and palpable. with him in his West Village apartment only nine months old when he died. I didn’t want to forward John’s citing his I remember asking my older brother if once he got out for a few months. I re- In their teenage years I would occasion- death falsely. In its place, I submitted a col- he wanted to sponsor me for my very first member the day he died just months after ally try to insert John into their active, umn I liked he’d written. AIDS WALK in 1992 and he said “No.” my mother did in 1995. disease-free world—we’d visit his grave or However, checking the Zoom’s website And I said ‘Why not?’. And he replied, I remember volunteering at a fundraiser I’d mention how proud he’d be at awards recently I saw John’s obituary posted, evi- “maybe because I think AIDS is a homo- for a needle exchange program in New ceremonies, but their response was polite dently by someone else, and sexual and drug addict disease.” Gratefully, Brunswick, NJ with my friend Claudia. resistance. Why darken their bright, prom- I was reminded, all over again, of the his mentality and stance has matured since I remember New York City. ising lives with these “unmentionables?” time when you couldn’t talk about, you then. I remember The Roxy. “Move on, mom,” they advised. couldn’t tell the truth, about AIDS, or I remember being so excited to raise I remember the somewhat secret side But I couldn’t. In fact, after they left about the lives and loves we lost to it. money for and attend the AIDS Dance- entrance of The Limelight on Wednesday home I found myself thinking about their Now, we can. Let’s not stop—ever. a-Thon at The Jacob Javits Center. We nights, where you got in for free if you were father, this man we couldn’t talk about, this danced and danced all night long. gay. The stairway led to “The Cha Cha man we were supposed to forget, 24/7. Maggie Kneip worked in publishing at I remember when Freddie Mercury died. Lounge”, as we called it. We danced and In a time long ago, I’d been in love with him. Bertelsmann and Scholastic. Her book, Now I remember my first one night stand. I cavorted around the room, decorated with In a time long ago, he’d been my world. For- Everyone Will Know, is available at https:// was young. His name was Santo. I met gilt framed mirrors all around the dance get him? Instead, I would need to find him. I www.amazon.com/Now-Everyone-Will- him at Uncle Charlie’s on Greenwich Av- continued on page 58 would need to learn…how to talk about him. Know-Rediscovered/dp/0692537813. www.westviewnews.org June 2021 WestView News 37 Black Queer Here: Saint Pauli Murray

self-proclaimed “rebel, instigator, and sur- ver.” Murray, an orphan whose mother died vivor, at times a nettle in the body politic, and whose father was murdered, personally an opener of doors,” Murray’s career left, faced a lifetime of constant discrimina- for so many of us, the inheritance of new tion on so many fronts: Columbia Univer- possibilities. Murray was a co-founder of sity, my alma mater, for example, denied the National Organization for Women Murray’s acceptance to its undergraduate (NOW), the first Black Deputy Attorney program on the basis of sex; University of General of California, the first Black per- North Carolina, on the basis of race; Har- son to earn a doctorate in juridical science vard Law School, on the basis of sex. Mur- from Yale University, and the first Black ray was also institutionalized as a result of writer (alongside James Baldwin) to inte- “queerness,” and later effectively prevented grate the prestigious MacDowell Colony from procuring government and univer- for artists. Though we now have a more sity employment during the McCarthy era. complete understanding of Murray’s gen- But, despite all this, Murray never gave der identity, Murray is also considered up. Looking back on a lifetime of activism the first Black woman to be ordained as a often decades ahead of its time, Murray priest in the Episcopal Church, something offered this poignant reflection: “In not a PAULI MURRAY, above, undoubtedly became one of the most pivotal figures of the CivPhoto which others at the time thought would be single one of these little campaigns was I by Suzanne Poli. impossible. victorious. In other words, in each case, I personally failed, but I have lived to see the Interview by Dee Dee Perry sponsibilities, and care for an incarcerated If you could ask Murray one question, what thesis upon which I was operating vindi- (or formerly incarcerated) loved one. In might that be? cated. And what I very often say is that I’ve Throughout Pauli Murray’s earthly jour- my own work fighting for civil rights and Pauli Murray, what do we do with the lived to see my lost causes found.” ney (1910–1985), the activist carried many advocating for paid family leave, Murray world right now? labels: Black, Queer, Attorney, Professor, serves as both inspiration and instruction. *Views expressed are exclusively the personal Poet, and Priest are only a few. Murray, What do you hope most for the world to know views of the interviewee and do not represent a vocal African-American feminist who How were you first introduced to Murray? about Pauli Murray? positions of any government agency, organi- publicly identified as a woman, privately I don’t remember who was the first per- In 1940, fifteen years before Rosa Parks’ fa- zation, or administration. Both DOJ Pride struggled with both sexuality and the con- son to introduce Pauli Murray to me, but mous act of bravery, Murray, too, was jailed and the DOJ Gender Equality Network are fines of gender identity, and unsuccessfully my mom, also a Black attorney, is always for refusing to move to the back of a Vir- employee organizations that do not speak for sought gender-affirming care. During a eager to insert Murray’s name and contri- ginia bus in peaceful protest of segregation the Department or any administration. remarkable career in the law and later as a butions into discussions about civil rights. laws. One published account of the events theologian, Murray undoubtedly became She is that person who will lovingly ensure described Murray as a man named “Oli- Dee Dee Perry is a lawyer in Brooklyn. one of the most pivotal figures of the Civil that someone wearing an “RBG” shirt also Rights Movement, and the fight for equality knows who Pauli Murray is. Notably, some for Black and Brown, LGBTQ+, trans, and of the specific instances of discrimination poor people in America. Supreme Court Murray faced while practicing law, as de- Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Thur- tailed in Murray’s memoir Song in a Weary good Marshall relied on Murray’s work and Throat, are similar to those my mother and cited Murray as a hero. In 2012, the Episco- her peers continued to experience decades pal Church elevated Murray to Sainthood. later. Murray also published Proud Shoes, Yet most have never even heard Murray’s which, years before Roots, traces Murray’s name... until now. Lindsay Dunn, an attor- family history from the time of enslave- ney and Board member of both DOJ Pride ment. At some point, as my own career as (an employee LGBTQ+ resource group), a lawyer began to take shape and we also and the DOJ Gender Equality Network (an started to trace our family history from employee advocacy group where she co-lead the time of enslavement, Murray became a campaign for paid family leave), shares someone my mom and I would call one her personal thoughts on Murray, a national another to chat about regularly. Murray’s historical treasure.* legacy as a whole—as historian, activist, archivist, poet, priest, professor, legal theo- How have Murray’s life and work influenced rist, lawyer, and generally, as genius—is you? tremendous. I tend to joke that I love Pauli Murray the way my friends love Beyoncé. I even have It’s 2021, and Murray is finally starting to homemade Pauli Murray T-shirts. Murray be recognized for genius and revolutionary is in so many ways the architect of the le- activism (including DOJ Pride posthumous- gal fight for what would become landmark ly awarding Murray the Gerald B. Roemer Supreme Court decisions concerning racial Community Service Award for outstanding equality, gender equality, and LGBTQ+ contributions to the LGBTQ+ community, rights. My life, personal and professional, and the release of the critically acclaimed docu- is possible because of Pauli Murray. In ad- mentary My Name is Pauli Murray). Why do dition to so many other accomplishments you think it has taken decades for Murray to and roles, Murray was responsible for pro- receive these long overdue flowers? viding eldercare to family members, and Murray was so far ahead of time that we are at one point also provided care for neph- just now beginning to catch up. I also think ews. Murray, like so many of us organizing that Murray’s accomplishments and con- around these issues, had to juggle career tributions were often unfairly diminished, with healthcare concerns, eldercare re- attributed to others, or simply erased. A 38 WestView News June 2021 www.westviewnews.org

Machine Dazzle has been dazzling stages via costumes, sets, and performance since his arrival in New York in 1994. Notably, he has collaborated with Julie Atlas Muz, Big Art Group, Taylor Mac, Justin Vivian Bond, Chris Tanner, Soomi Kim, and Bombay Ricky, Prototype Festival, Opera Philadelphia, and Spiegleworld. In September 2019, Dazzle premiered his new original show, Treasure, at the Guggenheim Museum as a commission by Works and Process. In addition, he has recently held residencies at Tyler School of Art at Temple University, Moody Center for the Arts at University of Houston, Wesleyan University, and Harvard University’s De- partment of Theater, Dance & Media where he will be serving as Costume Designer for TDM’s fall production of Queer Cabaret, devised and directed by Carmelita Tropicana. In fall 2019, Machine’s work was included in Parsons School of Design’s “OTHER- WORLDLY: PERFORMANCE, COSTUME, AND DIFFERENCE” exhibition. In 2021, he will unveil a piece for THE BIG SPLASH, commissioned by Hancher Auditorium in collaboration with the municipality of Iowa City and the University of Iowa. Machine Dazzle is an artist-in-residence at Mana Contemporary in Jersey City, NJ. For his design and conception of the costumes for Taylor Mac’s A 24-Decade History of Popular Music, Dazzle was the co-recipient of the 2017 Bessie Award for Outstanding Visual Design and was awarded a Henry Hewes Design Award by The American Theatre Wing in 2017. Artwork by Machine Dazzle. Mom and Her HIV+ Son Coming Out as an HIV By an Anonymous Mother Within a few days we were sitting in the November 21, 2010 was like any other day. office of Dr. Kaminski in NYC. He was very Two of my three children came for a visit. knowledgeable, calming, reassuring, and up- Positive Gay Man We were so happy to see them. After a front about what our son’s treatment would An interview by Robert Galinsky day of working outside we’d gone upstairs be. He explained the treatment and told if you’re a sexually active. So, I was religious to change into clean clothes and within us that our son’s life expectancy would not I had the joy of speaking with Antonio Troia, about that. I was 23 when I found out. a few minutes, there was a knock on the change based on his diagnosis. Relying on who is one of the 38 million people across the GALINSKY: So you’ve been living with HIV door and there stood our two children. As our visit with the doctor, we moved on with world living with HIV, and his mother Carol, for about five years now and parents aside, they entered our room, our 21-year-old son a positive attitude. Tests, tests, and more and their bravery and honesty in the face of what was the first thing that went through had tears in his eyes and our daughter was tests followed, and we finally received an this disease is astounding. Below are excerpts your mind when you got that surprising staring at the ceiling and not making any answer as to our son’s treatment. One small from our interview. Full length interview can diagnosis? eye contact with us. We didn’t know what pill a day was prescribed. This will continue be found on westviewnews.org. ANTONIO: I really didn’t have much expo- was going on but we suspected it wasn’t for the rest of his life. He continues to see a sure to HIV other than your pop culture good. We knew that our son didn’t have doctor and leads a very healthy lifestyle. ANTONIO: My parents are Roman Catholic, references like RENT and in movies and a pregnant girlfriend as he was gay. Right Now, 11 years later, he still only takes I do identify as Catholic, so growing up in immediately I felt the stigma of “you aren’t away we asked what was wrong, and he an- that one little pill and is as healthy as a that household it was always different for going to survive.” I was scared. At first, I nounced he was HIV positive. At that mo- horse. His blood count (including T-cells) me because I knew I was different than the thought I was going to call my parents and ment our world collapsed. The only thing is better than that of most people without normal person and I was never introduced tell them, “your son is going to die.” I was I knew about HIV/AIDS was from RENT HIV and his illness is now completely un- to gay culture. 23, so I was still under my mom’s insur- and I collapsed onto the bed and wailed detectable. GALINSKY: What was that feeling like, that ance and I knew they would start seeing like someone had died. I could not lose my While all this sits in the back of my made you feel like you were different, prior that I’m going for blood work a lot more 20-year-old son. As we held each other, mind sometimes, other times it pops to the to having the knowledge that there’s a gay than I normally do. I knew it would be a consoling each other and eventually calm- forefront of my brain that my son is HIV world? double whammy because I was not out to ing down, we moved into what do we do positive and that it will be held against him ANTONIO: I just didn’t fit in, in anything that her yet as a gay man and now, I’m an HIV now mode. At this time my son and daugh- in certain situations (applying for life in- I did. I was an athlete and I played basket- positive gay man. And she is who inspires ter explained that there are new treatments surance, long term care insurance, etc.). I ball, football and soccer and I enjoyed it all, me, my mom. She was in grad school when and that things now are very different from panic when thinking about the fact that his but even though I did enjoy playing sports, I was in high school, getting her master’s the ‘80s and ‘90s. illness is going to make it hard for him to and I love sports even now, it just wasn’t degree and I’m thinking, how the heck can We tried to eat dinner but no one was be accepted and not be ostracized because me or my community. So when I went to you do this? Have two kids make dinner hungry. When our son went up to bed of the stigma of HIV. Nevertheless, we are college, I went a little crazy and started ad- every night, but she did it. The first thing for the evening, I went to his room to say blessed with a large circle of family and venturing and figuring myself out. I lived at she said when I told her is, did you get it goodnight and that all would be ok. At that friends that are accepting and LOVING. school, I joined a fraternity, I started drink- because you’re gay? I knew it wasn’t a nega- moment he started to cry and said, “I don’t I still pray every day for a cure. I know ing, I started partying and having a good tive thing. I knew it was just a question. want to die.” I told him that wasn’t going it is out there, and hope it will be available time, and I did find a brotherhood with CAROL: After Antonio shared with me his to happen and we would get him the best within my lifetime for my son and every- those guys, but I was still hiding that piece test results and came out to me, I asked my- possible medical care available. one else diagnosed with HIV. of my life. I’m going to be 28 next month, self, what did I do wrong? What did I do I’m a restaurant general manager and my wrong that this happened to my kid? Be- career is going great, living and working in cause in high school, Antonio actually went Virginia. Moving to Virginia opened the and spoke to other high schoolers and taught Please support our door for me to be open as we are right out- them about sex, education and prevention. side of DC, which has a huge gay culture. I So, I never had that worry. I thought he GoFundMe campaign. found my nook there. would practice what he was teaching. So, it GALINSKY: How did you discover you have was very hard to hear that, because I just felt HIV? my son’s life is now limited. https://gofund.me/fa5d9e7f ANTONIO: I went for my routine checkup for, my blood work, because as a gay man you For more of this interview please go to the really should always go every three months website! www.westviewnews.org June 2021 WestView News 39

ARTWORK PRODUCED BY KAREN FINLEY in support of the Research Foundation to Cure AIDS. RFTCA is the only 501(c)3 non-profit organization with an exclusive license to biotechnol- ogy that holds promise to develop a charitable cure for HIV infection. Support a global cure for AIDS at https://rftca.org/GetInvolved/ Just Imagine By Ed Chinery location, as it does, and adopted different tones and tar- “Who’s gonna get sick and die?” don’t relate to the kinds of gets. Society may have developed an anti-tolerance for moral weaponry AIDS had initially made available. Now, Last year at this time, when quarantine was only a couple overt scapegoating of LGBT+ folks, but it sadly persists the very same kinds of fears and frustrations, in connection of months old, I couldn’t seem to escape the frightening in the impulse to find blame, thus remaining vulnerable to with Covid-19 and so much more, are finally being seen voice in my head from thirty-some years ago—“Who’s architects of social conflict. as unjust. Just how powerfully and persistently harrowing gonna get sick? Who’s gonna die?”. Almost every day I had In the years since AIDS meant a death sentence, closet uneasiness has always been the lived experience of margin- to consciously stop myself from tumbling into a perversely doors were blown open, but other critical developments alized people - especially people who are black, brown, and seductive spiral. It eventually became a little easier to in- occurred too. The rich and powerful, became even more AAPI - is being declared out loud and with great power. We terrupt, but interruption never entirely removed the anxi- aware of how effective it is to keep the populace - to keep can only hope this is leading us to universal access to care of ety. Strange how familiarity, even with uneasiness, can be voters - in conflict, and they’ve very successfully refined every kind, or better yet generalized presumptions of safety comforting. Even so, when I hold the energetic resonances the deepening of divides between just about as many so- and belonging for all and not just some. of AIDS in spiritual tension with the currents around Co- cial and political groups as exist. The morality-based social Maybe. vid, there’s more dissonance than comfort. conflict that was so powerful when AIDS was still GRID And maybe only if we’re able to take a lesson from the In the 1980’s, for instance, part of what spun the scary has changed tone and target. Sure, some of “the religious” 80’s. Only if all of society comes to understand what com- spiral was that, early on, society really seemed quite ready still try to employ tactics more political than faith-based, mon humanity really is. Only if AIDS has taught us how to accept AIDS as punishment for perceived immorality. but more and more that’s being seen for the fear-monger- to unflaggingly model for micro-aggressors how to lov- I mean, for a while medical experts called it GRID – Gay ing it is. ingly become advocates. Related Immune Disorder. And I’m probably not the only It seems the scary internal voice shifts shape when our A new morality that’s not arbitrated by “religion.” Just one who had a hard time denying that the frightening understanding of morality does. It’s no longer acceptable to imagine. voice inside was chuckling, “It IS about you!” scapegoat gays over AIDS, but part of what we’re seeing in But it’s different now. Much has changed. The world conjunction with the current pandemic is that true morality Ed Chinery is Associate Rector of the Episcopal Church of has changed, and the internal voice has changed. Changed is no longer being owned by “the religious”. Whispers of the Ascension - Fifth Avenue at Tenth Street. 40 WestView News June 2021 www.westviewnews.org A Tale of Two Parades: Tom Duane LGBT Leadership: A Tribute to a True Pioneer Halloween and Gay Pride By Bruce Poli

QUESTION: WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF A PUBLIC SERVANT? ANSWER: TOM DUANE Openly gay and openly HIV posi- tive former New York State Senator Tom Duane was a courageous trailblazer for may LGBT ‘politicians’ to come : Debra Glick, Christine Quinn, Corey Johnson, Brad Hoylman, to name a few. However, in contrast, as recently as in the documentary Koch, which opened days after his death, even former mayor Ed Koch refused to acknowledge his homo- sexuality. “None of your fucking business” he snapped to the question “Now we can finally ask you, “Are you Gay?” It reminds me of the Woody Allen joke “My grandfather… on his deathbed… sold me his watch.” TOM DUANE. Photo courtesy of Tom Duane. JEANNE FLEMING’S FAVORITE PHOTO OF THE VILLAGE HALLOWEEN PARADE. Photo As stated in a 2016 article in POZ: “A credit: NYC Village Halloween Parade. true New Yorker and an ACT UP veteran, on educating them [about] what the best Tom Duane isn’t one to mince words. He policies could be around HIV and AIDS. By Jeanne Fleming Out of it all came PRIDE—a vibrant, got straight to the point during his ultimately Q Speak about your efforts surrounding such creative and political forum where folks successful run for the New York City Council policies. Before Pride, there was Halloween. 1973. could channel their energy and direct their in 1991, coming out as HIV-positive in a let- A I stopped all the horrible stigmatizing, It was a night when everyone could purpose. Though LGBTQ folks still came ter to voters at the height of the AIDS crisis.” criminalizing bills from the time I got there. COME OUT and strut their stuff in a to the Halloween Parade, the community His Chief of Staff was Christine Quinn; The predominant one was HIV presumption safe environment that included the gay had found a clearer format to express their that’s where she got her start in politics and laws. That means if someone had to go on community within the community at concerns as well as their creativity. rose to Speaker of the House under Mi- disability because they had AIDS, it was pre- large. Halloween, the gay community of The last large demonstration in the pa- chael Bloomberg also as openly gay. sumed that they contracted [HIV] on the job. New York, and the Halloween Parade rade came in 1998. Matthew Shepard had Beyond his outspoken leadership on People should have really known bet- have been intricately intertwined since the been killed just weeks earlier, and a very HIV/AIDS, however, Tom actually passed ter, but those bills sailed through with very parade’s origins in 1973. Along with, and large contingent of folks marched in his a lot of important legislation in his long little debate. It was shocking that when I sometimes dominating, the array of pup- honor to draw more attention to LGBTQ time as a public servant. arrived in the Senate in 1999, people were pets, creatures and other attractions, the issues. It was a memorable and expressive In Albany he shepherded the Sexual Ori- still living with the same myth of how HIV gay community seized the day to display night, as tensions in the city were at an entation Non-Discrimination Act, which is transmitted. I read that there are only its creativity, outrageousness, love, and all-time high. barred discrimination based on sexual ori- four ways [to contract the virus]: breast pride—so much so, that the Halloween Over the years the parade has had, and entation in New York in 2002, played a key feeding, sharing contaminated needles, Parade became known as the Gay Parade. been dedicated to, grand marshals from the role in passing a hate crimes act in 2000 blood transfusions and unprotected vaginal With the onset of AIDS, the parade be- community: Artie Strickler, Greg Millard, and was a lead sponsor of the legislation or anal sex. I would read that off every time came a political forum for gay rights activ- Machine Dazzle, Basil Twist, Billy Porter; that legalized same-sex marriage in the one of these bills came out. ists and groups such as ACT UP, Dykes on and this year it will be Randy Rainbow. Empire State in 2011. Additionally, I got a law passed that Bikes, and the Radical Fairies. I remember, After Pride, there is still the Hallow- His speeches on the Senate floor were as mandated the offering to everyone to have in particular, ACT UP’s Kiss In! And there een Parade—which, as always, welcomes famous for their passion as their verbosity. an HIV test. was always the Big Apple Corps (still, to everyone with open arms and hearts! (As Since retiring from the Senate in 2012, I also wanted to tell people that they are this day!) It was not long when I began to long as you are in costume!) Duane has kept on talking, teaching civ- protected against discrimination should notice that folks who I would see year af- ics at Baruch College and maintaining a they test positive and make sure that peo- ter year were no longer there… Lou Reed’s schedule of speaking engagements. ple are immediately provided with health song Halloween Parade said it all…and as Jeanne Fleming is the Artistic and I include here a selection from an inter- care. I think that is a good model, and vari- AIDS took its toll, the demographic of the Producing Director of New York’s Village view in the same POZ article which reveals ations of that law have been passed around parade changed as well. Halloween Parade. his brilliance and compassion, and how the nation. Tom Duane became a model for LGBT Q How do you feel about HIV’s current place leadership at the most important level— in the political arena? policy and legislation: There is still some stigma and discrimination Q What was it like being out about your HIV on HIV and AIDS. Is it diminished? Some- status as an elected official? what, yes, but is it still predominant some- A When I first went to Albany, there was one where in the other states or around the nation? senator who didn’t want to shake my hand. Yes. I think we see that through the continued I think in a way, my colleagues quickly for- criminalization of people with HIV. got that I had HIV and [it] kind of became The other thing is that the funding is still a non-issue. But because they kind of forgot, not how it should be for research on HIV. they [would support] stigmatizing policies, and I would have to remind them again. Thank you Tom Duane for your openness, your At one point, I wanted to stop a bad passion and your strength of character. You are FLYING THE FLAG ON CHRISTOPHER STREET during the 2019 Pride [HIV] testing bill. I passed out a letter to all a Village, NYC and NY State legend we will Celebration. Photo by Bob Cooley. Photo sponsored by Village Apothecary. members of the assembly telling them that I never forget to thank for all you have done. We was living with HIV. This gave me standing stand on your shoulders. www.westviewnews.org June 2021 WestView News 41 The Story of Michael Konnon: How the Son of Greek Immigrants Founded One of the World’s First HIV/AIDS Specialty Pharmacies By Anastasia Kaliabakos bend, said “The community knew Mike and Village Apothecary were there to help The 1980’s marked the beginning of the and support us during this crisis. They AIDS epidemic in New York City. Ac- played an important role in the treatment quired immunodeficiency syndrome, com- of thousands of patients.” monly referred to as AIDS, is a chronic In addition to being an advocate for condition caused by the human immuno- members of the gay community, Konnon deficiency virus, or HIV. HIV is a sexually was an exceptional businessman. Pharma- transmitted infection that interferes with cist Norman Saban was brought on board the body’s ability to fight diseases, leav- in 1985 at Village Apothecary and is cur- ing patients susceptible to severe bouts rently the Supervising Pharmacist. He said of various illnesses and an ultimate fight “Mike was the greatest boss I ever worked with AIDS, which often leads to death. for. He was generous to his staff and his At the beginning of the epidemic, HIV/ clients. Early on, many pharmacies didn’t AIDS became known as “Gay Cancer,” as want to stock HIV drugs because of the it was thought to only be spread between cost and the stigma. His policy was to al- gay men (this is false, as anyone can be- ways have all HIV medications in stock come HIV positive by means of not only and available. He allowed patients who sexual transmission but contact with blood couldn’t pay to open accounts and pay through transfusions, IV drug use, etc.). when they could. When New York State The stigma associated with homosexuality ADAP (AIDS Drug Assistance Program) slowed the fight against HIV and AIDS at was being put together, we were on the the start—in fact, many clinics and phar- VILLAGE APOTHECARY, CIRCA 1983. Founder Michael Konnon's desire to help his com- phone with Albany every day consulting macies did not want to help because of it. munity let to the Village Apothecary's establishment, at 346 Bleecker Street. Illustration with them and then helping our patients However, this was not the case for Michael courtesy of Village Apothecary. enroll in the program. Also, many of the Konnon, the founder of Village Apoth- staff he hired were gay men from the ecary, a pharmacy in the West Village that support the Stonewall Veterans and many of traveling to Washington D.C. early in the neighborhood, so patients felt safe com- has been a part of the fight against AIDS other groups like us.” morning to meet with various officials— ing to us. They knew they would not be since its inception. In 1981, a group of men with Kaposi’s from congressmen to Dr. Anthony Fauci— judged, since we were familiar faces from Michael Konnon, described as a gener- Sarcoma, a rare form of particularly aggres- to shape policies regarding the epidemic and the community.” ous and humanitarian man by those who sive cancer, was reported in New York City. then taking the late night train back to NYC. As of today, there are many treatments knew him, grew up in Washington Heights This cancer would soon be linked to HIV/ He would often meet Konnon for drinks at for HIV, but researchers are still striving to in the 1950’s and 60’s. As the son of Greek AIDS infection. By the end of the year, the famous Clyde’s Bar to discuss business find a cure. Four decades after its founding, immigrants, Konnon learned what it meant over 100 gay men had died from immune in Washington along with local issues in the Village Apothecary remains a pharmacy to work hard to make an impact in his com- deficiency across the country, but the focus city. Konnon’s main concern was how they where those suffering from HIV and its co- munity. His father was a waiter who had to was on New York City as one of the epicen- could help local neighbors and friends suffer- morbidities can come to seek not just med- change his long, Greek last name (Kazant- ters of the outbreak. People began calling ing from the virus. “People knew they could ical guidance and treatment, but genuine zakis—a name shared by a famous Greek the virus GRID, or gay-related immune always come to Mike for help,” said Bahlman care and support. With all that New York author, who Konnon often said was a dis- deficiency; however, the problem became of his friend. City-- and the West Village in particular-- tant relative) in order to assimilate and avoid so widespread that the CDC stepped in to In 1987, the FDA approved Zidovudine has to offer, Village Apothecary stands out discrimination. Konnon went on to attend give the official name of AIDS. In 1982, (AZT). This was the first anti-HIV/AIDS as a place that has impacted countless lives. Fordham University College of Pharmacy, the Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC), drug the FDA had approved—and it was So, the next time you find yourself strolling where his dream of opening a pharmacy of the first community-based AIDS service very expensive. At $10,000 for a one-year through the West Village along Bleecker his own was first sparked. provider in the United States, was founded supply, many pharmacies refused to stock Street, be sure to not only admire the vari- After graduating, Konnon moved to the in New York City. Although volunteers the drug (the most expensive drug in his- ous landmarks, parks, and storefronts that West Village of Manhattan. The West Vil- through this organization were trying to tory at that time). However, Konnon was meet your eye, but to remember the rich lage had become a significant part of the help, the number of cases was still on the undaunted by the price and had AZT and complex history of the neighborhood, city during this time period, as the Stone- rise—by the end of the year, 600 people, available for purchase at Village Apoth- including Village Apothecary and its larger wall Riots of 1969, the launchpad of the mostly gay men, had succumbed to AIDS. ecary. Dr. Joseph Sonnabend, one of the than life founder, Michael Konnon. LGBTQ civil rights movement, had oc- Konnon’s desire to help his community led most renowned physicians and HIV/AIDS curred there. As a young gay man, Kon- to the establishment of Village Apothecary researchers and co-founder of the AIDS Anastasia Kaliabakos is a graduate of the non began to invest in the village bars, at 346 Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village. Medical Foundation (AMFAR), was very Brearley School and is currently a Presi- forged relationships with activists, and got In addition to trying to provide care for HIV/ close to Konnon and the staff at Village dential Scholar at the College of the Holy to know the members of the 6th precinct. AIDS patients in general (although there Apothecary. He was in the pharmacy of- Cross majoring in Classics. She is a Features Willson Henderson, the director of the was no approved treatment for the illness ten to order medications for his patients, Editor for Holy Cross’ newspaper, The Spire, Stonewall Rebellion Veteran’s Associa- at that time), Konnon served as an advocate sometimes paying out of his own pocket. Associate Editor of the Parnassus Classi- tion, recalls that Konnon was an important for gay men’s medical rights in not only New Konnon also tried to make all medications, cal Journal, author of Milkshake: A Very figure during those critical days of the ri- York City, but the United States on a larger including AZT, as accessible and afford- Special Pony, and recipient of the 2019 NYC ots and in the weeks and years to follow: scale. Bill Bahlman, co-founder of ACTUP able as possible. Richard Berkowitz, a gay Scholastic Writing Award. Anastasia has “Mike was one of the first businessmen to and a fellow activist, recalls many occasions rights activist and associate of Dr. Sonna- contributed to WestView News since 2018.

Subscribe online www.westviewnews.org/subscribe 42 WestView News June 2021 www.westviewnews.org A Tale of Two Viruses By Mark Schulte his own son was gay. We watched helplessly “GAY AMERICA SEX, POLITICS, I’ll never forget the first time I heard about as our friends began to get sick and die. Peo- AND THE IMPACT OF AIDS” LGBTQ History AIDS. When I was a kid it was my “job” to ples’ bodies became covered with purple Ka- Newsweek, 1983. collect the mail each day. My mother had a posi’s sarcoma lesions, so much so that they subscription to Newsweek magazine which resembled Barney from children’s TV. That she read from cover to cover, and she consid- hunky muscular stud that you lusted for at against him at an infamous “Storm ered it the ultimate authority on any subject. the bar now looked like a thin Holocaust the NIH” demonstration on May 21, She would usually read it while sitting on the victim, seemingly overnight. Everyone was 1990, nearly 30 years ago. toilet in the bathroom, using a sheet of toilet scared stiff, worried about every freckle and Contrast this to the COVID-19 paper as a bookmark or to note an article that pimple, yet there was still no action from the situation. For me it was the exact my dad, brother, or myself should read. government. opposite. I was living my normal I’ll never forget the day in the summer So we formed our own AIDS organiza- life when I started hearing about of 1983 that the infamous “Gay America” tions to care for ourselves, developed our this strange new virus coming out cover arrived in the mailbox. I didn’t give it own safe(r) sex guidelines which we encour- of Wuhan, China that was making to my parents, but kept it to read in secret aged all to follow, created the AIDS memo- people sick and killing them. In as I was not out to them yet. It was the first rial quilt as a symbolic visual, and engaged the space of the week from March time that I had read about AIDS/HIV and I in activism, which all culminated in the 9-16, 2020 the government had locked for COVID became quite afraid. I was about to start my National March on Washington and the everything down. I had to stay home and once every month or so and, thankfully, freshman year at Georgetown University first display of the AIDS Memorial Quilt could no longer go to work, church, the have tested negative so far, I continue to have in the fall and had every intention of being on Columbus Day weekend in 1987. Still, courthouse, a gallery, the library, a party, my doubts. Scientists still haven’t come up an active participant in the campus GPGU the government dragged its heels until the ANYWHERE! Meanwhile, I didn’t know with an AIDS/HIV vaccine, 40 years later, (Gay People of Georgetown University) as founding of the AIDS Coalition to Unleash anyone who was sick. I wasn’t sick. My though obviously there have been medi- well as the larger DC gay community. We Power (ACT UP) by Larry Kramer after a friends weren’t sick. I heard stories on TV cal advances like the “cocktail” and, more only called it gay at the time, as the other fiery speech at the Second Tuesday Lecture and read articles in the paper about thou- recently, PREP. I’ve been asked to trust the letters came much later. I was finally about Series at the NYC Gay Community Center. sands of people who were sick and dying, expertise of Dr. Fauci even though he was to jump in head first, but now there was this We made the decision to force the govern- yet it was like being in a vacuum. Unlike our nemesis years ago. Why should we trust AIDS thing to be concerned about. ment’s hand, and we were successful. We AIDS, it wasn’t personal; it was anonymous, these rapidly discovered COVID vaccines I was an active participant now that I could made it so that the situation could no longer and I began to majorly resent the govern- whose long-term effects are still unknown? go to gay bars, baths, parties, clubs, events, be ignored just because it was happening to ment requiring me to wear a mask in pub- At least one has already killed some people. etc. without the watchful eyes of my parents. “us” and not to “them.” I distinctly remem- lic and depriving me of the freedom to live Ultimately, it will likely be an incentive like I joined GPGU, becoming its president in ber, at a subsequent display of the AIDS my life the way I wanted to. It was simi- a free round trip LIRR ticket to Fire Island my senior year, as well as the local gay youth Memorial Quilt at the Ellipse, the helicop- lar to the way I resented having to wear a that will inspire me to get vaccinated, rather group at DC’s Gay Community Center. I ter of then President George H.W. Bush condom, though at least I understood the than the COVID vaccine itself. felt so free and liberated to finally connect flew right over it and we jumped up and rationale for that. In this case I did not, and In the end I find myself every bit as resent- with my peers. Nevertheless, AIDS was al- down yelling for him to see us and help us. began to wonder if COVID wasn’t a hoax ful of the government’s actions around CO- ways an ominous presence. Although the I’ll leave it to historians to decide whether or after all even though I remembered vividly VID as I am of their inactions around AIDS! disease was first documented by my friend not he did. Our “Enemy #1” at the time was the AIDS deniers that claimed that it was a Larry Mass in 1981, it was not until 1987 none other than Dr. Anthony Fauci, head hoax. It definitely wasn’t! Mark Schulte is an AIDS/Queer activist, that President Reagan even first uttered the of the National Institute of Allergy and In- I’m still in a state of uncertainty about adventurer/explorer, and a former Queer word AIDS, despite numerous rumors that fectious Diseases (NAIAD). We protested COVID now. Although I usually get tested nightlife columnist. COVID Clinicians, Like HIV/AIDS Caregivers, Suffer Untreated PTSD By Robert Kroll rican American youth. their care was manageable. She noted that sufferers to quarantine. Dr. Alexander and many of the thou- doctors assigned to other cases in the same While this writer was researching Long after the advent of palliatives for sands of physicians and nurses whose ca- hospital had often been unaware of the catas- PTSD-like symptoms among HIV and AIDS and anti-retroviral drugs, Univer- reers intersected with the AIDS epidemic, trophe in the AIDS wards because, for those COVID-19 caregivers, he came across an- sity of Maryland virologist and HIV/AIDS and who have continued to practice into doctors, medical life was going on as usual. other physician, a man now working for specialist Dr. Carla Alexander was having the COVID era, suffered along with their Regarding COVID physicians, Dr. Al- the U.S Food and Drug Administration Thanksgiving Day dinner at a colleague’s patients—experiencing crushing feelings exander said, “Many of the younger doctors and involved with HIV/AIDS policy. The house in San Francisco. At the dinner table, of loss, stress, depression, and trauma from were in the same state of high anxiety that physician, who introduced this writer to the host told Dr. Alexander, “You are sit- the daily combat with a relentless enemy we were in 40 years ago. They got too close Dr. Alexander, was in complete agreement ting next to a woman who lived through the they couldn’t see as it killed and killed. to people (their dying patients). The HIV on the substance of what she has said about AIDS epidemic as a nurse at SF General.” By the 1990s, when methods of treating experience gave me a better sense of what stress and trauma symptoms. “We turned, looked at each other, locked and managing HIV/AIDS were discovered was going to happen. I understand viruses.” Asked if she had any particular stories eyes, and burst into tears,” said the clinical and their use became widespread, the dam- Dr. Alexander said that in the early weeks that conveyed the significance of the im- physician specializing in palliative care of age to clinicians had already been done. and months of the current pandemic, she pact of HIV/AIDS or COVID-19 on her AIDS patients and, now, of patients with Comparable to the Vietnam War having worked on a project for hospital workers on colleagues, Dr. Alexander chuckled sar- COVID-19. caused veterans to suffer flashbacks and how to cope with the number of people dy- donically and said, “My best friend, a phy- “We had been at war and nobody knew triggering incidents for the remainder of ing…and what support to give the front-line sician, killed himself (during the current it was going on,” said Dr. Alexander about their lives, the COVID-19 pandemic crisis workers. She suggested the use of commu- pandemic).” She couldn’t say more about the AIDS pandemic. She has been one of has created a similarly untreated cohort of nity volunteers, and that was implemented. that, but offered to try to think of an up- the generals in that war, with the resume of physicians and nurses—frontline workers Worldwide, although there is still a stig- beat story that would explain the need for an eminent physician, academic, and scien- who also suffer, mostly in silence. ma surrounding HIV/AIDS, there is the physicians to heal themselves. tist at the top of her profession. Currently, Dr. Alexander’s problem now spans two possibility of camaraderie, Dr. Alexander As our interview ended, she was asked to she is an assistant professor of medicine at pandemics. She feels many of the same tugs said. That is not the case for COVID-19 email such an uplifting narrative; but as of the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and on the heart and mind that she experienced sufferers, however, because the highly con- this writing, nothing upbeat from the good also a physician serving predominantly Af- when working with AIDS patients before tagious aspect of the disease requires its doctor has come to this writer’s attention. We share great PRIDE in how far we’ve come together!

And our SOLIDARITY with YOU in the ways of PEACE and JUSTICE is STRONGER THAN EVER!

ZOOM Sunday Worship (with Sermon) 11am and Evening Prayer at 5:30 Monday through Friday For all worship and events, call the parish office for details – 212-254-8620 (links: [email protected])

Special PRIDE SUNDAY Worship – June 27, 2021 – Guest Preacher Bishop Mary Glasspool, First Openly Lesbian Bishop in the Episcopal Church

Social Justice programs: Racial Justice Discussion Group + Resistance Cinema film screenings/discussion + (Soon to return) Our Hosting of New Sanctuary Coalition Trainings

“exemplary interpretations of choral music” “strategic collaborations across the tri-state area” Voices of Ascension offers incomparable music for your soul’s delight! www.voicesofascension.org for information about upcoming performances

Fifth Avenue at Tenth Street – Come, spend a quiet moment in our Lovely Garden… …and the church is open for meditation and prayer on Tuesdays and Fridays from Noon to 3pm

And Ascension Outreach. Inc. is proud to say we’ve not missed a single food distribution date in our pantry program! We’d love for you to join our team of volunteers! Please call 212-254-8620 for information!

Church of the Ascension is a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive community…who gather to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ, to give praise and thanks to God through the beauty of worship, and to love and serve God and our neighbors. Fifth Avenue at Tenth Street 212-254-8620 www.ascensionnyc.org www.ascensionoutreach.org 44 WestView News June 2021 www.westviewnews.org Rethinking Church and Religion in a Post-Pandemic World By Rev. Alexis Lillie ing the same. What many are done with is the toxic and Associate Pastor, Church of the Village traumatic form of religion that distorts our sacred texts, grabs for power, and diminishes our worthiness. For the first time in the country’s recorded history, the I am grateful to serve in a community working to dis- majority of Americans do not currently belong to a card those ways of interpreting and practicing, and to church, synagogue, or mosque. This cultural shift is due recapture the messages contained (in the context of my in large part to an increase of Americans with no religious work) in the narrative of the life of Jesus without the preference—the so-called “dones” and “nones”—accord- inherited dogma. This means reimagining many things, ing to a study conducted by Gallup. and the pandemic has given us an unexpected opportu- You might think that as a pastor of a local church I nity to do so. We spent over a year gathering only on would join the hand-wringing of colleagues as they la- Zoom—on Sunday mornings and at other times. We ment decreasing church membership, especially among added more weekly group meetings and classes as more progressive religious communities. Instead, I find myself people wanted to join and participate from wherever tantalized by the fresh possibilities that are surfacing as they were. Now we are moving cautiously into the next we reinvent church life during the pandemic. phase—from a fully virtual reality to what we’re calling The Church of the Village is a progressive, radically an onsite/online model—and we will continue to shed inclusive faith community that seeks to dismantle rac- institutional conventions that no longer resonate. ism, sexism, and all forms of oppression. We believe that We are not, and likely never will be again, a community practice flows from belief, so it is important to unpack that is geographically bound. We now are connected to scriptural texts and sacred stories in ways that lead to the people around the world! In areas with higher concen- flourishing of all, while prioritizing those on the margins. trations of virtual members we are beginning to develop What we found over the past year of virtual living is that communities, de-centralized from NYC, which will have this message resonates with folks near and far. elements of both online and onsite engagement. Experiences at workplaces, gyms, and family get-to- The Gallup research reflects a reality that has not yet gethers have been altered and expanded because of our included our expanded definition of “church,” a liberated ability, and necessity, to gather online. Churches are no definition that is exciting to me. Every day I witness the different. Church of the Village expanded our member- community that is Church of the Village discarding, cre- ship to include people across the country and around the ating, recreating, and communing together in new and world, from diverse locations and faith backgrounds. different ways. I, too, am “done” with the harmful mani- When I talk with our new virtual members and at- festations of institutional religion—and I cannot wait to tenders they are often attracted to our progressive values, see what comes next. but they stay in the community because of the connection and welcome they feel— even in a fully virtual space. I believe that while people may be “done” with institutional Rev. Alexis Lillie is the minister for leadership and congre- religion, we will never be done with needing to engage gational development at Church of the Village on West 13th our own spirituality and connect with others who are do- Street and Seventh Avenue (churchofthevillage.org). A YOUNG SUPPORTER enjoys the parade and festivities at the 2019 celebration. Photo by Bob Nonsense or a Paradigm Shift Cooley. Photo sponsored by Village Apothecary. Abstracted from “A Scientists View of Almost Every- thing” by Mark M Green to scientific investigation, heard about John Carroll one I last saw him recently he turned his head easily to look at evening a short time later at a dinner at our home in New me. “Wow!” I said, “Great massage therapist.” But shaking A scientist is a skeptical searcher for truth. I’m one of them York. My wife is fascinating to me for many reasons, one of his head easily from side to side he said, “nope,” “I didn’t see and therefore find it very difficult to accept the kinds of which is that she holds views that I find unbelievable while the massage therapist.” Moreover, he told me that his wife, “nonsense” to be found on web sites of people like John at the same time being a person who is hard not to believe. who had been suffering from some other kinds of medical M. Carroll (https://johnmcarrollhealer.com/) with claims It was hardly a surprise to me when she announced that problems and who had not seen the massage therapist but of special powers of healing that arise from spiritual forces she was going to Kingston, New York to see John Car- only John Carroll was feeling a great deal better. beyond the understanding of science. roll and no more a surprise when she returned even more So what’s going on? Some years ago a laboratory at I learned about John Carroll from a friend and scientific convinced of his healing powers. It is true that some medi- Princeton University closed, which had been occupied for collaborator who waited until he knew me for quite some cal problem she was seeing a doctor about seemed to be 28 years by a distinguished former dean of the engineering time and until my respect for him as a scientist had grown relieved. I just said “great” and went on with my skeptical school at Princeton. The laboratory, PEAR, for Princeton to a high level before he told me about John Carroll. I’m view without making a big deal about it. But, of course, my Engineering Anomalies Research Laboratory, claims to sure he thought I would think he was some kind of nut. wife being convinced of the healer’s powers could not con- have gathered positive evidence about extrasensory per- I had known, shortly after I met my friend, about his tain herself from spreading the word causing me to simply ception and telekinesis. I guess the head of the laboratory, recovery from a deadly disease and how he found a way act resigned as various friends looked to me for confirma- realizing that whatever he did was simply not enough to to treat that disease using his knowledge of biochemistry tion or rejection of her claims. But then things got serious. cause the paradigm shift necessary to accept his work and and connections he had to leaders in the medical commu- A friend I’ve known for many years has in recent years ideas, decided to stop arguing for his ideas with other fac- nity. When he finally did tell me about John Carroll’s role been suffering from problems that have greatly restricted his ulty at Princeton. in his recovery, I was incredulous and would have turned ability to turn his head about a problem medical doctors had According to Thomas Kuhn who wrote The Structure my back on such nonsense as spiritual healers with psy- ascribed to an infection he had suffered from many years of Scientific Revolutions, and fathered, defined and popu- chokinetic powers—moving people with the power of the ago and which is known to lead to this problem, and which larized the concept of “paradigm shift,” scientific advance- mind—oh come on. But I couldn’t turn my back after hav- is very difficult to cure. “You have to live with it,” some doc- ment is not evolutionary, but rather is a “series of peaceful ing worked with him and having seen what a fine scientist tors told him. When my wife told him about John Carroll interludes punctuated by intellectually violent revolutions”, he is. So I just nodded my head in that maybe way, called as someone to see about his condition, I put my two cents and in those revolutions “one conceptual world view is re- on all the acceptance I could gather up and tried to change in with a suggestion to also see a massage therapist I hold placed by another.” the subject back to our scientific collaboration. in high regard. Well, my friend listened to the two pieces Is work like John Carroll’s the opening shot of a scientif- However, my wife, who is skeptical in ways not familiar of advice, the healer and the massage therapist and when ic revolution, that is, a paradigm shift or simply nonsense? www.westviewnews.org June 2021 WestView News 45 Global Cinema, the Newest Streaming Channel, Acquires The Lost Village By Anthony Paradiso It is already a fact that streaming is taking a part of the theater audience. This is hap- My father, Roger Paradiso, made an award- pening for several reasons: a lot of viewers winning film calledThe Lost Village, that prefer to watch a film in the privacy of their premiered at Cinema Village in 2018. home, and they often do binge-watching, The film appears on the newest stream- something that is not possible in the cin- ing platform on the block, Global Cin- ema. It is a new phenomenon that the ema Online. Another film of Roger’s,The movie industry has to acknowledge. It is Queen of Camelot, appeared in the “Global also, however, another source of distribu- Non-violent Film Festival,” which only ac- tion and income for production companies cepts documentaries and feature films that and filmmakers that is to be regarded with do not contain violence. This film, about much interest. Jackie Kennedy and her account of the JFK “Camelot” era, also won an award. It will What kind of market do you see your new also be available in June on the Global Cin- Global Cinema Online fitting into, with all ema Online streaming platform. the big streamers like Netflix and smaller After Roger won the Global Nonviolent streamers like IFC, Ovid, Criterion Channel, Film Festival award, he got to know Bruno Sundance etc.? and Daria who run the festival and also We are not looking to fit in, we are look- Global Cinema Online. He likes them and ing to stand out! The concept of gratu- what they are doing very much. He calls FILM DIRECTOR BRUNO PISCHIUTTA AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCER DARIA TRIFU, the itous sex and violence has always been Global Cinema Online “the filmmaker’s founders of Global Cinema Online. Photo courtesy of Daria Trifu. part of a legend that these two elements streamer.” In the center of their home page are the most profitable in film produc- (globalcinema.online) you will see “Ex- Since the film was shown originally, just be- Everything went well, and we arrived tion. It is just a legend because the num- plore Our Catalogue.” Clicking on this will fore the pandemic, we have seen huge changes to launch Global Cinema Online this past bers tell us that the films that make more lead to a selection of films from Europe, in Greenwich Village. What has changed in April. This pay-per-view streaming chan- money are films for the entire family, and North America, Asia, South America, Af- your film business, both as a film festival and nel is available worldwide and, in keeping sex and violence are just some sort of rica, and Australia. now as a streamer online? with our company’s brand, it offers viewers specialty elements. If you would like to watch movies on The pandemic presents an enormous dif- nonviolent visual content. The web address When, just recently, Netflix showcased Global Cinema Online, the price for ficulty for producing films. In particular, is www.globalcinema.online. the film Cuties, that has sexual content renting a film begins at $1.99. One-time we make English-speaking films, but the The primary source of our content is the that’s on the edge, more than 100,000 purchases of feature-length films start at set for our next movie is located in Greece. Global Nonviolent Film Festival (in busi- people left Netflix. They probably did so, $13.99; films that are under 40 minutes Our actors are primarily from the USA ness for ten years), where we have direct also, because some of them did not want long start at $7.99. You can also create a and the UK. The production entails that access to films that don’t contain gratuitous their kids to be exposed to this film in their profile, to receive email updates on the cast and crew have to travel. During the violence and are rich in quality and topical households. This clearly tells us that there latest films and also have a record of your pandemic, international travel has been importance. Global Cinema Online fills is a big necessity for the viewers to look for purchases. The website is easy to use and I very difficult and, in some cases, even im- a void in the field of video streaming ser- and find streaming channels that have the recommend that you check it out at www. possible. Furthermore, the danger of put- vices and offers the public films that give niche that they like. We believe that in ev- globalcinema.online. ting the cast and crew on the set together them the opportunity to learn more and to ery country there is a category of people I had the pleasure of interviewing Daria could have created a contagious situation open their mental horizon. From now on, who wish to see films without gratuitous Trifu, the executive producer and president where Covid could have been spread. every film selected at the Global Nonvio- violence. of Global Film Studio, and Bruno Pis- Considering those two big difficulties we lent Film Festival will receive a proposal of chiutta, film director, and chairman of the decided to wait, and to start production worldwide distribution, with very favor- How can Villagers who love movies find you board of Global Film Studio. when the pandemic will be under con- able financial terms, through Global Cin- on the internet, and how much does it cost? trol and international travel will be easier. ema Online. We believe that our formula is It is simple, and our site is very user- Why are you, Daria, and Bruno, interested in This created a one-year window that gave right and that it makes for a win-win situ- friendly. Viewers from all over the world, a movie about Greenwich Village called The us the opportunity to take care and realize ation for all parties involved: the public, the without restrictions, can find us on the Lost Village by Roger Paradiso? another one of our projects that had been filmmakers, and our company. web at www.globalcinema.online. The site Roger first submittedThe Lost Village to planned from some time; it was time to is accessible on all computers and mobile our festival, the Global Nonviolent Film make the streaming channel Global Cin- How do you think streaming will affect movie devices connected to the internet. In addi- Festival, and our selection committee ema Online a reality. theaters? tion to the custom categories and genres, held it in high regard. The film has the the films are organized by continent: Eu- proper cinematic quality to be included ropean Cinema, North American Cinema, in the festival, and its subject is extremely Asian Cinema, South American Cinema, important for the viewers because Green- African Cinema, and Australian Cinema. wich Village is one of the many souls of Our channel works on a pay-per-view New York City and is not spoken about basis where the viewers have the possibil- enough. The historic perspective in which ity to choose the films they want to watch it is written is also very interesting be- and pay for them in either of two ways: cause it depicts an important moment of renting a title will give them 24 hours transition for the Village, and shows its time to watch it, while buying a title will strength and weakness. Roger Paradiso give them an unlimited time to watch is a director who was already awarded at it as long as the film is on our channel. our festival and is known by our viewers. Right now, our prices range from $1.99 The Lost Village in an important part of to $13.99. Roger’s filmography. 46 WestView News June 2021 www.westviewnews.org The Importance of Intergenerational History: A Tour with Christopher Street Tours the activists. We see Walt Whitman’s poem STOP 4: HUDSON RIVER PARK AIDS Song of Myself laid in stone—with themes MEMORIAL, HUDSON RIVER PARK AT of community, unity, and hope for a bright- FORMER PIER 49 BETWEEN W 11TH AND W 12TH STREET er future—as well as a risen reflection pool, and a steel archway of white triangles, sym- Perhaps the lesser-known AIDS Memo- bolizing a flight of souls. rial, this monument sits on the peaceful Hudson River Park, offering space to re- STOP 2: JUDSON MEMORIAL CHURCH, 55 flect and process. It was built by the AIDS WASHINGTON SQUARE SOUTH Monument Committee and dedicated in This beautiful church, located right off 2008 to commemorate those who have lost Washington Square Park, has long been their lives, to those that live with HIV, to an advocate for social justice. In the 1980s, the caretakers, and “for all the educators the church helped to provide resources for and researchers who will one day eradicate people living with HIV and AIDS. Today, it.” The inscription reads, I can sail without an estimated third of its congregation rep- wind, I can row without oars, but I cannot resents the LGBTQ community. It’s also part from my friend without tears. considered to be a New York City landmark. Christopher Street Tours is currently offering STOP 3: HOUSING WORKS BOOKSTORE virtual and in-person events. You can learn CAFE, 126 CROSBY STREET more at www.christopherstreettours.com or A CHRISTOPHER STREET TOURS group. Photo by Michael Venturiello. This is my favorite bookstore in NYC, contact [email protected]. with a little-known LGBTQ past. In 1990, a subgroup of the AIDS Coalition to Un- During this Pride season, I hope you can all By Michael Venturiello ship between past and present: leash Power (ACT UP) formed Housing find ways to honor those that came before Works, dedicated to addressing the needs us, who paved the way for the existence of I’m a young, queer historian—not by STOP 1: NYC AIDS MEMORIAL / FORMER ST. of those experiencing homelessness and these celebrations, and above all else, I wish choice, but by accident. When I first moved VINCENT’S HOSPITAL, 76 GREENWICH AVE living with HIV and AIDS. Today, Hous- you a sense of love, Pride, and community. to New York City in 2016, I was fortunate On World AIDS Day in 2016, this mas- ing Works operates thrift shops and this enough to live in the heart of Greenwich sive memorial was unveiled, honoring the bookstore cafe, and all proceeds go back Michael Venturiello is the founder of Chris- Village in a spacious, one-bedroom apart- 100,000+ New Yorkers who have died towards their mission. topher Street Tours. ment. One night, I flicked on some casual from AIDS, as well as the caretakers and Netflix and David France’sHow to Survive a Plague piqued my interest. It wasn’t long before my passive interest became a deeply focused call to action. The documentary chronicles the stories of young, queer activists in the center of the AIDS epidemic, protesting for health care, for treatment, for visibility. Two particular aspects of this film struck me: The activists were populating the very same streets where I stood, and yet, I wasn’t seeing anything around me to commemo- rate this Movement. There was an unspoken agreement among the protestors—they knew that it was unlikely that there would ever be a treatment or a cure in their lifetimes, yet, they continued to fight for the generations that would come after them. This is largely what inspired me to found Christopher Street Tours—a NYC-based organization dedicated to increasing ac- cess to LGBTQ history. Our mission is to share stories and uplift voices from those who paved the way before us. We do this mostly through walking tours, school vis- its, speaking engagements, and events. We discuss the call to action that existed in previous generations, in hopes that our current generation is compelled to a simi- lar call to action—just one example of what can manifest from this crucial intergenera- tional connection. In honor of Pride, I’m sharing a few spots around New York City to honor and reflect on this intergenerational relation- www.westviewnews.org June 2021 WestView News 47 Mask, No Mask By Keith Michael

Last year when I wrote my June article The One I’m With I was well along in my Corona Birds neighborhood mar- athon, already logging 76 different species out of my final tally of 79 during the March to June COVID-19 lock- down. My “anniversary bird,” the bird that I saw a year ago from when I started writing this June’s article, is this masked dynamo, the Common Yellowthroat. First of all, immediately when you see this charm- ing wind-up toy of a bird, scuttling non-stop through the underbrush, darting inside a bush, making an aerial dash up to a tree branch, then diving back down to shuffle among the leaves again, “Common” is NOT what comes to mind. If you’ve never seen one before, you have no idea whether it is an everyday bird or a me- ga-rarity dropped in from the Caribbean. The male is a roly-poly butterball with an olive back, brilliant yellow throat, and a snazzy black harlequin mask. Wouldn’t Masked Yellowthroat or Masked Warbler or Black- masked Warbler be more appropriate? In fairness to the “Bird Naming Committee,” it’s true that the female Common Yellowthroat, though sport- ing a yellow throat, does NOT have a mask, so call- ing her a Masked Warbler when she DOESN’T have a mask would be gender discrimination. Of course, many bird names suffer from this gender bias: names based on visual characteristics of the guys rather than the gals. MASK: Male Common Yellowthroat. Photos by Keith Michael. My favorite exception to this often glaring rule is the Red-necked Phalarope named for the glamorous appar- el of the damsel not the more hum-drum dude’s duds! But “Common” is not such a misnomer once you get to know them. In the city, the Common Yellowthroat is, in fact, one of the few flashy warblers that stick around, unlike the 30 or more other kinds of warblers who give us the endorphin-rush onceover during migration, then keep on traveling to locales more to their liking. The unmistakably named Yellow Warbler and the acrobatic, fan-dancing American Redstart (another gender-biased name as the womenfolk are Yellowstarts) are other com- moners who like it here and stay for the summer. I’ve already seen Common Yellowthroats plying the edges of Hudson River Park, Abingdon Square, Jane Street Garden, and the front gardens of Perry and Charles Streets. Those might not be the spots that they’ll set up housekeeping, but one can reliably see them in suitable places in every borough. Even though masked, with an Instagram-friendly white border at the top, stealth is not always their game. If you don’t have a habit of peaking under bushes to notice birds’ hither and yon foraging, you might pick out the Common Yellowthroat’s distinctive, surprisingly loud, calling card chip note, or their even more obvious witchety witchety witchety song, like leaning on a doorbell. Beware though, one can easily confuse their song with the Carolina Wren’s cheerful tea-kettle tea-kettle tea-kettle chant. Either way, if you follow the song, you’re likely to locate the songster, and you’ll be rewarded with a moment or two of avian- induced joy—before they fly away.

A sincere thank you to the many WestView News readers who sent condolences for the loss of my ornery birding partner of 12 years, my corgi Miss Millie.

Visit www.keithmichaelnyc.com or follow @newyorkcitywild on Instagram. NO MASK: Female Common Yellowthroat 48 WestView News June 2021 www.westviewnews.org Art Therapy Opening the Heart- Mind: The Art of Zen By Christopher Keevil that day feeling I had met one.

What is Zen? A crocus in early spring? WHEN THE DOOR OPENED Evening quiet as the sun goes down? May- Tony, a friend of mine, got hit by a bus be it is stilling the mind in deep medita- while walking on a sidewalk in upstate tion? Or austere practices in a monastery? New York. He spent weeks in the hospital After thirty years of Zen practice, I healing from internal injuries and broken see it as training that begets openness to bones. Once he had recovered enough to the truth of my life and the lives of oth- walk, he was discharged. ers. Through the awakening beauty of At the time, Tony had no money, no job, a flower, through the practice of regular and no home. He headed back to New meditation, an awareness of this is it arises York City where he had lived prior to throughout my daily life. the accident. He was still recovering and Is it discipline? Not really. It is inten- in a lot of pain. A friend offered a room tion, perseverance, and openness to the vast in his apartment where Tony could stay. miracle of this one true life we each have. The friend, who worked as a mover, was Joys and sorrows rise unceasingly. Rath- often away on long-distance jobs. In the er than striving toward, or turning away, if top drawer of the bedside table, he’d left I stand upright in each, I receive my own take-out menus; the bottom drawer he life, my whole life, and my true relation filled with money—so Tony could order ANNCHARLOTTE WITH DAUGHTER, Dali and their art. Photo by Larry Williams. with others. Zen practice helps me do so. food whenever he wanted. Coming from this place, I grow in loving After some weeks, when the two of By Dana Costantino and the setting. Every art medium can find compassion, seeing myself in others and them were together in the apartment, To- its way into general art therapy practices, them in me. My life becomes more of a ny’s friend told him, “We need to go out.” Art therapy is a form of therapy in which but there are specifics the creative therapist gift to all. “I can’t,” said Tony. “I’m hurting all over. creative expression is used to foster mental is trained to consider. For example, if you The following two stories demonstrate I don’t want to see anyone.” “That’s ex- well-being and promote healing. There is a are working with a child with autism or these principles and are excerpts from my actly why we need to go out,” said Tony’s belief that an artist of some kind lives within sensory issues, you may try to use materi- recent book, Finding Zen in the Ordinary. friend. “But I don’t have any pants,” said all of us, and working to tap into that in a als that are less sensory-triggering, such as Tony, who had only the hospital pants he nurturing and safe setting is increasingly very wet clay, whereas when working with KINDNESS had received after his injury. “There’s a becoming a desired form of mental health the blind population, rice and other tan- Years ago, I worked as a consultant for a bag of clothing in the corner,” said Tony’s treatment in addition to the traditional op- gible materials are used in paint to create a manufacturing plant in Worcester, Massa- friend. He walked over and dragged the tions of talk therapy or psychotropic medi- more tactile experience when painting. chusetts. At the plant they made industrial bag toward Tony. “Find something in cations. So many of us already take ourselves Q—What schooling is involved with obtain- valves, such as those used to regulate flow here.” Tony tugged an old pair of jeans to a museum or an art gallery when we need ing the necessary credentials to be certified to in large water pipes. The manufacturer out of the bag and laboriously pulled that pick-me-up. We may even look to be- perform art therapy? wanted to reduce errors in the process. I them on. Finally, he buttoned the waist- ginning an art project of some kind, or find A—MA, ATR-BC, LCAT. I’ll try my best was working with a team of employees to band with a grunt, tucked in his shirt, ourselves drawing or painting therapeuti- to break this down: in New York State a achieve this. and was dressed to go. cally and not even realize that is what we minimum of a master’s degree in clinical One of the men on the team would al- Together, Tony and his friend went to are doing. In my own life I have been drawn psychology or doctoral degree that combines ways get the extra chair for someone who the elevator foyer. “Push the button,” said to art therapy. Diving into creating art can special coursework in art and psychology is arrived late. He would reach for a pile of Tony’s friend, wanting Tony to take the be a profoundly healing way to help many required to become a licensed creative arts napkins if someone spilled their coffee. initiative—so Tony pushed the elevator people meet the challenges of living in the therapist (LCAT). This includes 1,500 hours He would ask team members to say more, button. When the door opened, a man world of social media, cancel culture, and of supervised site work at an approved set- to make sure he understood. He was a with crutches and only one leg was stand- rather unsure times, and quite possibly lead ting, and passing a board exam. It varies from beacon of kindness and humility. ing there. The man smiled. Tony gasped. some to recognize and understand an in- state to state within the U.S. but the AATA One day during lunch break in the caf- He looked hard at the man, then said ner artistic being that they hadn’t previously or American Art Therapy Association has a eteria, I sat down across from the man “How do you do?” The man smiled again, known was living within themselves. handful of accredited schooling programs to and we fell into conversation. We learned and said, “Come on in.” As we celebrate Pride Month, we also obtain the proper board-certified and creative where each other lived, and what we did Tony and his friend stepped forward honor and show great respect for the many art therapy license (ATR-BC). on weekends. After several minutes, I took into the elevator. Together they all rode artists and dreamers within the LGBTQ+ Q—Do you have to be skilled in an art form a leap and told him I was touched by his down to the lobby and went out the front community that continue to heal us with to benefit from art therapy? way of kindness. Had he always been that door of the apartment building. The man their art and creative expression. A—Not at all! I believe art therapy can way, or had something in his life caused it? with one leg went swinging off down the For this month’s Health and Wellness col- benefit any individual at any level of ar- He reflected for a moment, then said, “I street with his crutches. And Tony said, umn, I had the great joy of speaking with art tistic ability. The most typical form of art changed after the death of my son. You re- “Let’s go over to the garden at Hudson therapist AnnCharlotte Tavolacci. We dived therapy is a successful intervention using member the Lockerbie bombing? My son and Barrow. They’ve got nice tulips this deeper into what it means to be an art thera- the visual modality. Almost every individ- was on that flight. All 259 people on board time of year.” pist, what credentials are required, and what ual experiences some type of misfortune in were killed.” He continued, “After that, I one can expect to experience in art therapy. their lifetime. Anyone willing to try to cre- was so sad, and so very angry. It was eating Christopher Keevil is a Zen teacher and AnnCharlotte is a successful fine artist in her ate may benefit from art therapy. me alive. So I started a support group with founder of Garden Oak Sangha. The two own right, and has chosen to combine her other parents of those who had been lost pieces above are excerpted from his book artistic talents with her passion for helping If you are interested in learning more about on the flight. That helped. Over time, my “Finding Zen in the Ordinary,” published others. We can all agree that art heals. using art therapy as a form of healing for grief changed to compassion—for the par- by John Hunt Publishing of London, Q—Is there a specific form of art that is best to your personal growth and evolution, you can ents, for their children, and for the bomb- which includes forty-eight brief stories, use in art therapy, or can any medium be used contact AnnCharlotte Tavolacci at annchar- ers too.” vignettes, and reflections. You can find in the treatment? [email protected] (email) or @anncharlot- For years I had wondered if any real the book’s website here, and the book on A—That is dependent on the population tedotcom (Instagram). people were enlightened. I left the plant Amazon here. www.westviewnews.org June 2021 WestView News 49 Cubbyhole in the Cubbyhood By Karen Rempel

Our very own Cubbyhole Bar reopened in April. Cubby- hole is one of only three remaining lesbian bars in NYC. The others are Henrietta Hudson on Hudson Street (reopened May 15) and Ginger’s Bar in Brooklyn (still closed). It wasn’t easy for Cubbyhole to adopt a new business model and offer outdoor dining with no money, no kitchen, and lim- ited staff. But they raised over $75,000 on GoFundMe and scrounged lumber and furniture to build their Cubbyhood. Owner Lisa Menichino recalls scrambling to find suitable food that would meet NYC requirements. “They kept chang- ing the rules. We bought a pretzel maker, then no pretzels were allowed. We switched to nachos.” Lisa and her staff fig- ured it out and made it work. But she was elated when NYC rules relaxed in May and serving food with drinks was no A modern approach to real estate with longer a requirement. This is a bar, after all. “We packed up old-fashioned professionalism and two the hotdog roller. No more hot dogs! So much for hot dogs.” decades of top-notch customer A fine lesbian sentiment. service to our community. Lisa emphasizes that bars need patrons to survive. “You Call Charlie Summers, proud West Village resident since 1985. think they’re always going to be there. They need suste- Charles Summers Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker nance and support. They need you to come for them to [email protected] always be there.” Cubbyhole Bar is now serving Dyke Beer 917.376.1648

and planning for Pride. Check their Insta @cubbyholebar Charles Summers is an individual real estate agent affiliated with Compass. Compass is a licensed real for hours open and special events. estate broker and abides by equal housing opportunity laws. CUBBYHOLE OWNER LISA MENICHINO stands in front of the newly built and decorated “Cubbyhood” on West 12th Cubbyhole Bar. NYC’s neighborhood LGBTQ+ bar (where Street at West 4th Street. Photo by Karen Rempel. all are welcome). 281 West 12th St. (212) 243-9041 Larry Stanton Larry Stanton Captured a Lost A Lost Generation larrystanton.net

Generation of Young Gay Men Unnamed Boy Oil on canvas, 18x14", 1984 traiture. Larry was part of the wave of New York gay men tragically struck down by AIDS in the early 1980s. Larry died at St. Vincent’s Hospital in 1984. Larry’s subjects were among the earliest victims of the SUBSCRIBE ONLINE AIDS pandemic. His intimate portraits of young men in their prime are laced with a solemnity that underscores www.westviewnews.org/subscribe the fact that many knew they were living on borrowed time. Their eyes reveal a horrifying truth: the knowledge that they and many of their loved ones were not long for this world. Cubbyhole Bar Daniel Cooney Fine Art is showing an exhibition of Larry Stanton’s work titled It Doesn’t Thunder Every Day, Open again! Happy Pride! now until July 1, 2021. The exhibit features some 20 works on paper in colored pencil and pastel that capture the face Visit us on Insta for June of a lost generation just as the AIDS epidemic was in its Pride events and specials early stages. Larry’s mentor and lover, West Village author and Proudly serving Dyke Beer photographer Arthur Lambert, recalls Larry’s wish to th be remembered. “For me, his death was a personal blow 281 W 12 St. (212) 243-9041 beyond the loss of an artist whose work I admired. For eighteen years he was the person I loved and my closest companion. One day in the hospital he tried to think of HARLAN, BY LARRY STANTON. “It Doesn’t Thunder Every something that would cause me to remember him when Day,” an exhibit of Larry Stanton works, is on display at he was gone and my memory of him had dimmed. After Daniel Cooney Fine Art in Chelsea until July 1. Photo by reflecting for a moment, he said, “I know, think of me Carolina Lopez. when it thunders.” It sounded like a good idea but it hasn’t worked out as we expected. It doesn’t thunder every day.” By Karen Rempel Daniel Cooney Fine Art | 508 - 526 West 26th Street, #9C, “People make their own faces and Larry knew this in- New York, NY 10001 | (212) 255 8158 | Hours: Wednesday - stinctively.” David Hockney wrote this two years after his Saturday 11-6 | [email protected] | View more of friend’s death, describing Larry Stanton’s talent for por- Larry’s work at larrystanton.net 50 WestView News June 2021 www.westviewnews.org Hope and Grieving in the Village Jazz Community By Tim Ferguson Meanwhile, still no word on when or if the Village Vanguard will welcome au- As warm weather returns and we begin to diences once again. The revered club has see the beginning of the end of the CO- been offering wonderful livestream shows VID-19 pandemic, Greenwich Village is villagevanguard.com/) and continues to do coming back to life. With that re-awak- so, but has not made any announcement to ening, jazz fans have some reasons to feel our knowledge of reopening intentions. hopeful. Smalls (https://www.smallslive. Also, still unknown are the fates of the com/) and Mezzrow are both back to regu- 55 Bar (55 Christopher Street), Fat Cat (75 lar shows for live audiences! While there Christopher Street), the Bar Next Door are still limited numbers allowed and vari- (131 MacDougal Street), and Zinc Bar ous protocols that must be followed, the (82 West 3rd Street). Zinc Bar is the only clubs are open and bands are playing! Go one of these open as of this writing, serving hear some great jazz! drinks at their sidewalk café and featuring It is still unclear when or if other Village live Brazilian music by the wonderful duo jazz venues will be open again, although in of Valtinho Anastácio & Leandoro Pel- one case we know of a club that will not be THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF HAS BEEN NOTHING SHORT OF DISASTROUS FOR THE JAZZ legrino every Sunday from 4:00-7:00. coming back. Sadly, the word came out in COMMUNITY: New York’s oldest jazz club, Arthur’s Tavern, closed. Photo by Tim Ferguson. The last year and a half has been a rough mid-May that Arthur’s Tavern, the oldest ride for us all, for some more than others, jazz club in New York City, will not be re- tertainment Group—which owns the build- epitome of this mission, a truly historic ven- but for the jazz community it has been opening. A petition has been circulated to ing—would be closing Arthur’s Tavern. In ue that will be here for many years to come.” nothing short of disastrous. As the musi- try save the club but it’s too early to know response, The Blue Note Entertainment It seems that there has been a change cians and clubs begin to get back on their how effective it will be. Ironically, the deci- Group issued the following statement: of heart experienced by the management feet, please make a point of supporting sion to close the historic venue was made “We purchased Arthur’s Tavern so that of that entertainment group. Readers can their efforts. These are the greatest prac- by the owners of the Blue Note, who own the site would not become a victim to the sign this petition: change.org/p/owner-or- titioners of one of this country’s only truly Arthur’s and the building that houses it. changing times. We are committed to pre- future-owner-of-57-grove-street-please- indigenous art forms, and Greenwich Vil- The petition says, in part: Some years ago, a serving jazz and legendary live music venues don-t-close-arthur-s-tavern-nyc-s-oldest- lage is one of the most important destina- rumor went around that The Blue Note En- in New York City. Arthur’s Tavern is the jazz-club tions for the music. Over the Rainbow By Jeff Hodges ing to see how she and her Village friends When my daughter was in pre-K we walked would find the outlandish unremarkable, to school past the mannequin in the dog col- and hardly worth comment. lar, chains, and leather underwear hanging Spotting guys in drag was a competition in the shop window on Christopher Street. for us when she was young—we would see Lounging on our doorstep in the after- from how far away we could make a de- math of a Gay Pride Parade we saw a guy in termination, and keep count. Once I over- red lederhosen twirling the feathered pen- heard her telling some duck hunters upstate dants on his nipples, followed by a fellow that her Dad thought he was pretty good at in a black corset and matching construction identifying drag queens but she was better helmet, then a dude in purple lingerie, and, at it because she was a girl. finally, Rollerena in full bridal regalia skating I wonder how parents deal with the sexual down the street waving her magic wand. paraphernalia so openly displayed in shop After the Halloween Parade my daughter windows these days. I remember Condo- would ride on my shoulders and exchange mania with its brightly alluring storefront CONDOMANIA, ABOVE, WITH ITS BRIGHTLY ALLURING storefront and inviting displays. make-up tips with the bearded gentlemen and inviting displays. My young daughter Photo courtesy of Condomania, Inc. in evening gowns who towered over the thought it was a candy store. She couldn’t my daughter would lunge toward the door, but my sensible wife thought that was a ghosts and goblins. understand why we couldn’t go in. I couldn’t bawling, “I’m going in!” while a crowd would silly idea. I ended up telling my daughter Spectacle is just spectacle and if you don’t either, but the fellow behind the counter gather to observe this particular exercise in that when she was older she could have all attach a lot of baggage to it, it can be pretty was adamant about not letting us browse Greenwich Village parenting. the condoms she wanted, but that for now entertaining, or become pretty mundane. the merchandise. We would stand outside I thought about bringing some condoms she was going to have to leave them for the As my daughter got older, it was interest- looking through the window and, suddenly, home and blowing them up like balloons grown-ups to enjoy.

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Two of my favor- shortened to “Art Deco” and as such its design concepts be- ites include a novelty song from Guy Lombardo entitled came the most important and influential around the world for Pu-leeze! Mr. Hemingway and Bing Crosby crooning Gay half of the roaring 1920s and all of the 1930s. Later the style Love from the 1929 movie The Delightful Rogue. The col- was called just plain ‘Deco’ and it’s seen everywhere across lection has another memorable gender-bending song He’s America and around the world in architecture in banks, a Good Man to Have Around with a vocal by Billy Murray civic buildings, the Empire State and Chrysler Buildings, to whose popular recordings from earlier decades include the small shops, drugstores, corner ice-cream parlors, diners and obviously very masculine songs, You’re a Grand Old Flag, in every day objects and new gadgets for the kitchen, mod- Take Me Out to the Ball Game, Yankee Doodle Boy and In My ern designs in clothing, transportation (autos, trains, planes, Merry Oldsmobile. ships), modern household furniture and radios and new and In 1932 Noel Coward introduced a song entitled Mad brighter lighting all around. In Hollywood, movies were cre- About the Boy in a London revue. It was originally written ated featuring glamorous Deco backgrounds for decidedly for Gertrude Lawrence and has been performed by myriad sexy fashions and trends in lifestyle and music. It was defi- female vocalists including Frances (‘Is there any other way nitely a new age. And with all of this, films appeared like Our than gay, gay, gay!?’) Faye and Marianne Faithfull but Cow- Dancing Daughters (1928) starring a young Joan Crawford as ard himself recorded the song with a different set of lyrics a mad-cap flapper doing ‘The Charleston,’ boozing, drinking making it crystal clear that it’s a homosexual man singing and throwing all caution to the wind. In real life in the 1920s about his unrequited love for a male matinee idol—naming Crawford herself was having what she called ‘a mad affair’ CD 'ART DECO' ALBUM entitled "Can't Help Lovin' That Ramon Novarro, Tyrone Power, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., and with the notorious gangster Legs Diamond. Man" contains 25 vintage 20s and 30s recordings in which Gary Cooper. He sings: Hot jazzy ‘Deco’ music was all the rage throughout this male vocalists are singing love songs to men. Photo: Sony Music Entertainment Inc. I met him at a party just a couple of years ago period of the late years of Prohibition to the post stock He was rather over hearty and ridiculous market crash and into the Great Depression of the 1930s. Just recently I found a cardboard box in my closet I had But as I’d seen him on the screen Songwriters like George and Ira Gershwin, Cole Por- not seen in years. In it were many of my favorite CD’s that He cast a certain spell. ter, Yip Harburg, Harold Arlen, and the team of Richard I had collected back in the 70s, 80s, and 90s when nos- And like a silly fool I found I’m Rogers and Lorenz Hart led the way in a time when their talgia for the ‘good old days’ was at an all-time high. One were breadlines and out of work men and women walking song I came across that really caught my attention was en- Mad about the boy through the streets in search of jobs. Sound movies like Gold titled Can’t Help Lovin’ That Man and to my astonishment I know it’s stupid to be mad about the boy. Diggers of 1933 starring Ruby Keeler and Ginger Rogers it was sung by a man! It seems that back then the tune- I’m so ashamed of it. directed in high Art Deco fashion by the incredible Busby smiths on Tin Pan Alley had complete control over their But must admit I’ve had sleepless nights about the boy Berkeley, like the musical number Remember My Forgotten songs and wouldn’t allow the changing of any of the lyrics. On the silver screen Man depicted the travails of those who were deeply in de- Nevertheless the songs were extremely popular and every- He melts my foolish heart in every single scene spair. At the helm of all the mayhem on screen Franklin body wanted to jump on the bandwagon and record them. It’s pretty funny but I’m mad about the boy Roosevelt arrives on the scene at the end with his New Deal Part of a series called Art Deco—The Man I Love (which He has a gay appeal that makes me feel promising (and delivering) a better future. The rousing, op- includes other CDs like ‘The Crooners’ and ‘Sophisticated Quite insane and young again timistic FDR theme song that helped him win the election Ladies’) this particular Legacy/Columbia Records col- And all because I’m mad about the boy in 1932 was Happy Days are Here Again, a song I’ve used on lection from 1993 focuses on recordings of men singing my telephone answering machine for the last ten years. songs normally sung by female singers. I said to myself, Which brings me to Dick Barr’s annual ‘all-male’ New Hollywood movies and the theater on Broadway always “these are men singing love songs to men!” Other tunes Year’s Eve party in Greenwich Village back in 1965. Dick helped provide distraction from troubles and, of course, the include Masculine Women, Feminine Men, The Right Kind was my friend Edward Albee’s producer but I had come popular music of the day, the big bands on the radio, in pub- of Man, sung by Jim Andrews, He’s My Kind of Man with with John Gilman who, with a glass of champagne in hand, lished sheet music for at-home piano playing and family sing- a vocal by Bill Coty, He’s So Unusual, a Helen Kane hit had settled down on a couch between Noel Coward and a-longs and on 78 RPM records was a very big part of provid- here sung by the all male Rolickers, The Man I Love, writ- John Gielgud, when at the door appeared Andy Warhol and ing relief. The song lyrics, often focused on love and despair, ten by George and Ira Gershwin with a vocal by George his entourage, whom I had invited, but Andy mistakenly were sung by great singers of the day like Ruth Etting, Alice Beaver, I Got Rhythm…I got my man…who could ask for brought his beautiful superstar ‘girl-of-the-year’ Edie Sedg- Faye, Bing Crosby and Russ Colombo. Faye and Crosby are anything more? also by the Gershwin’s and sung by Smith wick. Barr emphatically told them they had to leave as this two that really hit the big time in the movies as well. Ballew who sings as well What Wouldn’t I do for that Man? was a party only for men.

ed working full-time in the KCBS-TV News Room. Then on Maybe, maybe not. to programming, sales, running a CBS O&O (owned-and- New kinds of seating, proof of vaccines, temperature- Broadway operated) in Philadelphia, and finally marketing for the CBS taking at the door, and masks. Don’t forget masks. O&O Station Group. After 25 years at CBS I was tapped to All this will play out in the coming months. In the mean- By Gordon Hughes become CEO of American Business Media, where I spent time, streaming video now has over 125 plays and musicals On, or approximately, March 7th, 2020 eight musicals I was 16 great years. For the past 10 years I’ve been a theatrical pro- to watch on your TV set or on your laptop. As a matter of involved in closed down. Went dark. Curtains not going up ducer and investor with my own company, DFB Productions, fact, watch for exciting announcements about three of the nightly. Not sure how else to put it. This was the end of and have loved it more than anything. That is, until COVID projects I am involved with—Diana will stream on Netflix theatre as we knew it. hit and closed all our productions down. All eight of them. It starting October 1st and reopen on November 2nd, Come Counting my paper route, I have been employed/work- was not only B’way that closed, but also London’s West End, from Away will reopen on September 21st, and Company ing steadily since 1953. That’s 68 years, and I have never Toronto, and Australia as well as our domestic tour. DARK! will open on December 20th. been without a job—first, to buy a car, and then later, to Well, as of this writing we are seeing some light at the I, for one, can’t wait to have a glass of wine at Sardi’s sleep and eat indoors. end of the tunnel. This just might not be an oncoming upstairs bar (where Joe pours them like you do at home) I put myself through university by working in a high-end train. Yes, we have re-opened in Australia. We have tenta- before the show, and a hamburger at Joe Allen following grocery store. Then shifting into higher gear, I started my en- tive openings being scheduled in New York. This is very the show—without a mask—just like the old days. tertainment career as an usher at CBS TV City in Hollywood, exciting. You have probably read about these events, start- More than that, I get to go back to work again in an and then worked for CBS News; and after graduation I start- ing dates in NYC this fourth quarter. Overly optimistic? industry I love. See you at the theatre. 52 WestView News June 2021 www.westviewnews.org An AIDS Foundation AIDS, Now COVID Weathers COVID community. Unlike some other funders that have shifted their donations to COVID-19, the foundation has stayed the course. Recognizing that there would be a signif- icant drop both in grants to researchers and donations to organizations focused on HIV/AIDS, the foundation ramped up its efforts approving emergency re- lief grants to local partners to help them maintain their missions throughout the pandemic. In addition, the foundation’s research funding continues to support its mis- sion—to discover better treatments for WILLIAM SELF and husband Kevin Uhrin. people living with HIV, as well as fund- scendant of the Vanderbilts and Sloanes. ing cure research. So flash forward and where are we? A In April, The Campbell Foundation By William Self pandemic illness that infects by the air in- awarded a $90,000 grant to a pair of re- stead of sex. A pandemic illness that creat- “I felt sick.” searchers investigating why cardiovascular ed a different class of “other”—aged, Asian, “I went to the Doctor and was tested.” disease (CVD) is significantly more prev- foreign, poor—which allowed it to run “I’m positive and there’s nothing they alent among people living with HIV-1 rampant as easily as a gay bar back room. can do.” What is the same? A virus that attacks CAMPBELL FOUNDATION EXECUTIVE DI- than among those in the general popula- “They think I’ll recover.” all parts of the body creating any number RECTOR KEN RAPKIN. Photo credit Susan tion. The recipients were Teresa H. Ever- We heard these words very often dur- R. Miller. ing, MD an infectious disease specialist of medical conditions: pneumonia, diabe- ing 2020 and the current COVID-19 pan- and assistant professor of medicine in the tes, gastrointestinal disease, dementia, and demic. But they were first heard in the ear- By Susan R. Miller Division of Infectious Diseases at Weill so on. And what has happened differently? ly 1980s; only then there was no recovery, Cornell Medicine, and Jonathan N. To- Once it crossed over into the general popu- In many ways, the COVID-19 pandemic only rapid decline, any number of immune bin, Ph.D., a cardiovascular epidemiolo- lation: A mad rush in searching, creating has mirrored the early years of the HIV/ related diseases and death. gist, President/CEO at Clinical Directors and distributing drugs and vaccines. AIDS epidemic. In both cases people July 3, 1981 New York Times: “Rare can- Network (CDN), a practice-based re- And our future? Emerging viruses are were, and still are, dying of a disease that cer seen in 41 homosexuals”. search network, and Senior Epidemiolo- just that; they have been and will always seemingly came out of nowhere. For those of us opening the Times that gist at The Rockefeller University Center be somewhere until a time when they can For COVID-19 researchers, as it was morning, nothing would be the same. (See for Clinical and Translational Science. enter the animal and human vector chain. for HIV/AIDS researchers, it has been the film Longtime Companion.) For a time Evering and Tobin propose using Whether HIV or COVID or some other an all-hands-on-deck scenario to treat life went on, as we thought “not me” and the wealth of clinical data available in retro-or influenza virus, we will need to and cure the disease. “party gays” never thinking that one day it Healthix, the largest public Health In- learn as a society to react and protect our- With so much attention now on COV- would be 40 years and tears and too many formation Exchange in the nation, serv- selves, develop resistance and cures, and ID-19, many long-standing HIV/AIDS deaths later. And from Designing Women ing New York City and Long Island, to work together to ensure we are ready. funders and researchers have shifted their to a very special ABC afternoon special to determine whether certain markers can focus, leaving some to question when, or prime time drug ads. identify those people living with HIV if, there will be a return to the pre-COV- So what was learned? Holding the FDA William Self is the librarian for Lenox Hill who are at a higher risk of heart disease ID funding days. accountable; freeing up experimental and/ Hospital/Northwell Health. Together with his and stroke. One organization that has stayed the or compassionate use drugs; showing it husband, Kevin Uhrin, William is a mentor During the past 26 years, The Camp- course over the last year has been The wasn’t a gay, Haitian, drug user illness, to numerous LGBTQ organizations and their bell Foundation has funded a wide range Campbell Foundation, a private, inde- but instead included Ryan White, Arthur leaders. They were recently profiled in Lived of research around the world. From its pendent foundation based in Fort Lau- Ashe, an Esme Hammond, wife of the Experiences: Reflections on LGBTQ Life by first $15,510 grant into HIV-associated derdale, whose main mission has been record producer John Hammond and de- Delphine Diallo, The New Press 2020. Kaposi sarcoma to its most recent $90,000 funding laboratory-based HIV/AIDS grant in April, the foundation remains research projects since 1995. In the last committed to helping people with HIV 26 years, the foundation has funded live better lives until there is a cure. more than 165 clinical research studies. Looking ahead, the foundation will be ADVERTISE IN WESTVIEW NEWS In addition, each year the foundation has reviewing a grant proposal that will look awarded unrestricted grants to nonprofit Imagine your ad on these pages, into the ramifications of long hauler CO- agencies that serve people living with VID-19 in people living with HIV/AIDS. reaching residents throughout the West Village. HIV/AIDS. “Since we are still learning as we go “Because we are a small foundation, with COVID, it is imperative that re- The best deal in town: we were able to quickly have our Board search teams garner valuable data as to Your first ad free! Then 3 months at 10% off! of Directors approve emergency relief the future needs and possible interven- grants to our local partners to help them tions for people living with compromised maintain their missions through the pan- Contact our advertising manager: immune systems and comorbidities that demic,” says The Campbell Foundation’s may make the post-COVID experience Karen Rempel (347) 362-5677 Executive Director Ken Rapkin. “These more difficult to navigate,” says Rapkin. funds helped staff work remotely and [email protected] reach their clients, provided needed food assistance, mental health services, and Susan R. Miller serves as The Campbell See westviewnews.org/rates for details. myriad other day-to-day needs in our Foundation’s public relations consultant. “home of Stonewall Chorale, the nation’s first LGBTQI+ Chorus”

2021 Pride Month LGBTIQA+ Events:

Meet Me At Seven & Jerry the Marble Faun (Exhibition throughout June) Revelation Gallery: Mon. - Thurs. 11am to 3pm

12-step Red Door (AA) on Thursdays and Fridays at 7pm

6 June: Queer composers: Schubert & Tchaikovsky concert at 4pm.

18 June: "Love is Love" Concert of Art Songs at 7pm (in-person)

19 June: Sean Watters LGBT Artists - talk & drinks at 4pm in Revelation Gallery and courtyard Sean Watters exhibition, Meet Me At Seven, Revelation Gallery

24 June: Choral Evensong of St John the Baptist & Lighting of Johnsmas Fire from 6.30pm (webcast only) including newly-commissioned music by queer composer Hannah Ishizaki (world premier)

25 June: "Love is Love" Concert of Opera Arias at 7pm (in person)

26 June: ‘Dignity’ Roman Catholic LGBT Pride party at 6pm

Sunday 27 June: Pride Sunday Choral Eucharist at 11am with drinks & lunch. Courtyard open all day.

Revelation Gallery at St John’s in the Village will feature queer artist John Emmett Connors in the month of July.

Located at the corner of Waverly Place & W. 11th stjvny.org 54 WestView News June 2021 www.westviewnews.org A Quarantine Episode: The Afterlife By Calogero Salvo Our society has the knowledge to pro- we didn’t experience before. for the betterment of all, and modify our at- Six feet of separation. That’s how close we vide cures for many diseases, starting with We need to rebalance and redesign our titudes for a finer, fairer, more understand- can be to each other in order to avoid in- HIV/AIDS, which has been devastating the approach to life, and in order to achieve ing and participatory society. fection. The recommendation that six feet world for more than four decades. Although this goal we must engage in full and not Now is precisely the time to show com- of separation can prevent a virus’s spread much has been done about this particular just sit on the side. Leaving our urban passion for the less fortunate. This is the stems from research conducted in 1890 by disease, we can still see the ravages it causes environment to go live a more egotistical time to activate our will to help, rebuild, Carl Flügge, a German bacteriologist, who in poor countries around the world. life in the country is not the answer to our refocus, and redesign all that didn’t work demonstrated that a microbe-containing This is the time to find a cure for HIV/ problems, and definitely not the best solu- or that contributed to the imbalance in our droplet couldn’t travel further than six feet. AIDS and many other illnesses that affect tion for our injured ecosystem. I see it as society and the destruction of nature. Ever since the beginning of the CO- our contemporary life. This is the perfect an act of defiance and self-protectionism A year went by, millions died, and mass VID-19 pandemic, I have not been able to moment in our history to rally, participate, that shows how we continue to care only vaccination promised a light at the end of distract my mind from the idea surrounding share and invest for a better and safer world. for ourselves and not for the well-being of the tunnel, yet we are slowly coming back the six feet of separation, or that, on average, This vision should not only include scientific society, civilization, and the world. to resembling the world of pre-pandemic all people are six or fewer social connections progress, as science alone does not cure soci- Cities are natural gathering places for times. We need to unite our forces and not apart from each other. I find this to be an ety’s ailments. It should empower people to citizens to mingle all the time. Proximity depart for a “better” more isolated life. interesting correlation that could ignite the fight for their rights, which include health, is critical to building responsibility. Cities Fueled by fear and evasion, many es- will of humanity to begin working toward education, and economic and social fairness. are not abstractions, they are tangible ar- caped from where it all took place, segre- curing instead of just managing diseases. The COVID-19 pandemic that has af- eas that can be walked in, that one can see, gated from the less fortunate, the majority, Illness and death have been around for flicted us for more than a year has also touch, hear and smell. They allow citizens those who never stopped taking subways as long as humans have existed. Infectious brought afloat the many disparities and to cooperate in their economic develop- to go to work to make some money and diseases, aside from war, have been the pri- imbalances that continue to disparage mil- ment, housing, health, policing, water re- keep their families fed. Those who had no mary causes of death worldwide since an- lions around the world and in our own sources, schools, and artistic expressions. choice, who delivered the food we needed cient times. The cruelness and rapid spread homes. The fierce realities that we contin- New York City, like many other metrop- when we were afraid of stepping outside. of contagious viruses has had a major im- ue to experience regarding police brutal- olises around the globe, has been sculpted Those who took care of our loved ones pact on commerce, politics, and culture ity, xenophobia, income inequality, racism, by its inhabitants. Historically, people de- while they were dying. Those who made throughout the history of humanity. Mil- homophobia, sexism, the rise of the right, termined the physical growth, the street sure our cities still functioned while we lions of people have died and civilizations and the environment are, among others, design, its buildings’ size and height, the slept or watched from our windows, our have even disappeared because of illness. examples of all that is wrong around us. It sidewalks, parks, corridors, transportation, terraces, or from behind a screen in our We have just experienced how the power is time to reconsider what we want to be as and, in general, all connections that make new suburban homes. Those who lost their of a virus did not only kill millions, but also individuals, what we can provide to those a town work and livable. As we consciously minimum wage jobs and had to depend on destabilized societies physically, emotion- in need, and how we can utilize our knowl- mold and reshape the neighborhoods and unemployment and the limited stimulus ally, and economically. As of this writing, edge and wealth to help the less fortunate our urban habitat, the setting gives back; it payments that the government provided. we are still in the midst of a pandemic that to be able to partake. makes the characters, experiences and per- Others, the more fortunate, worked has been able to disrupt our so-called nor- As we’ve tried to protect ourselves from sonalities of its people. It gives the town it’s from home, received their direct deposit mal lives, our production apparatus, our getting the virus and, as a result, safeguard personality and reputation. paychecks, and decided that they liked this wellbeing, and even the way we move and our families, friends, fellow neighbors and Because of the pandemic, our ecosystem new life better. These citizens are the ones interact with each other. the general public, we have also experienced enjoyed a brief pause that allowed nature to who do not engage in the recovery, rather What periods of intensity and wonder new but familiar sprouts of selfishness. breathe, and during that interlude the world they embrace staying distant, away from have made us aware of is that when peo- Cities around the world have been hit noticed how much damage we have done uncertainty and divorced from society. ple around the world get together and put hard and are no longer what they were be- to the environment. I appreciated how we They do not seem inclined to return and the means of production towards a com- fore the pandemic; many of their inhabit- rejoiced at seeing fewer airplanes fly over participate to the fullest, but rather to live a mon goal, we are able to obtain wonder- ants have left for the suburbs or the coun- our cities. I saw how happy we were because remote sheltered life. ful results. This is what happened with the tryside. Numerous citizens are afraid to there was no traffic, unnecessary noise, and I propose we use the six feet of separation vaccine’s experimentation during the past take public transportation, elevators, walk less pollution. I believed this pandemic not only to stay safe, but to reach out to oth- year. We achieved a fast and promising re- in buildings’ halls, museums, theaters or would enable the possibility for rediscovery ers and use our creativity, knowledge, wealth sult with the creation of not one, but sev- any other public space that requires prox- of ourselves and our surroundings, permit- and common sense to work together, read- eral vaccines to combat the spread of CO- imity. These pseudo-protective and self- ting us to look out for each other. I was con- just our lives and contribute to a better, safer, VID-19. Perchance the result is not ideal, inflicted regulations that were mandated vinced that after all the deaths, economic united and healthier society. The means are but it is effective enough against this virus. for our own security have increased, and damage, and turmoil caused by Covid-19, in our hands, and the momentum and energy This trend should not stop. continue to expand and manifest in ways we could change and redesign our priorities to cure can continue to grow and evolve.

it is easier to utilize the connections that are rules for inhibiting lynx1, perhaps we can already set up, than to create new ones. This ease the brakes on plasticity and allow for The More We Learn makes it easier to fall into previous patterns greater behavior change. of behavior. What if we want to make im- Until then, an appreciation of how our By Julie M, Miwa Ph.D. When we are young, we are sponges for provements to our character, outgrow a bad worldviews are influenced by early experi- Many of us make New Year’s resolutions every new information and we can acquire, such habit, or if our environment has changed? ences, and how our specialized neural cir- year, only to break them. So why is it so hard as language, readily. Our brains are plastic. Are we imprisoned by our synapses? cuitry can inform our interpretation of the to change? Neuroscientists have found a gene, During this time, the connections between Researchers have found that plastic- events, might give us some much needed lynx1, that could add important clues to our our neurons are being molded robustly, some ity could be influenced by lynx genes. The insights about our different perspectives. understanding of our learning potential. useful connections, called synapses, growing lynx1 gene turns up at the end of this robust Because our brains are shaped by our in- Many of us, as human beings, seek to im- stronger while less relevant ones are pruned period of change and acts as a molecular dividualistic experiences, a result of both prove and grow. We are creatures of habit, away. What is left when this period of robust brake on plasticity. Animals with this gene nature and nurture, we are all unique. Our and it can seem futile to adapt our behaviors plasticity ends is a brain that is shaped by, removed show augmented learning and ability to solve problems is strengthened as much as we are motivated, and no mat- and useful for, living in its environment, but memory functions while the robust plastic- when we can bring a multitude of differ- ter how much it would improve our lives to one that is not as flexible as it once was for ity of youth can be seen even in adulthood. ent capacities to bear. Rather than allow- do so. It turns out that some of the neural learning new things. A second language can What could we gain if we could learn to ing our differences to become a barrier to mechanisms in our brains are partly respon- be learned, for instance, but we may have to turn on and off this gene at will; could this understanding, perhaps we can start to see sible for this, creating neural “grooves” that study harder and likely will retain an accent. understanding be helpful for people with our differences as a strength to call upon to are more resistant to change as we mature. Since our adult brains are less adaptable, memory disorders? If we can learn the help us solve the world’s ills. www.westviewnews.org June 2021 WestView News 55

LGBTQ+ MONTHLY Q&A BY RESEARCH FOUNDATION TO CURE AIDS PRESIDENT KAMBIZ SHEKDAR, PH.D. OpinionatedQ: “Who Are You and What do you Contribute to the LGBTQ+ Community?”

Lesbian Shannon Whittington Gay Nathanael Holley CEO Whittington Consulting Creative she/her he/him My existence is a gift. In the original I am a clinical nurse, educator, and Hebrew my name means “Gift from author. I show organizations how to God,” and I try very hard to embody create LGBTQ+ inclusion in the that sentiment. My Blackness, my workplace. I teach nurses how to queerness, and my experiences all mix to provide LGBTQ+ patient-centered make a special sauce that may help someone. care. I am a cis gay woman who has been married to the woman of Let me give you a taste. my dreams for over 21 years.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonwhittington/ https://nateholley.com/podcast

Bisexual Melanie Pagan Merritt Trans Genn Herley Member of Gay Executive Director TransNewYork Officers Action League she/her/hers she/her I am a transgender woman and a father I’m Melanie. A daughter, a sister, an aunt/ of a 21-year-old daughter. The most tia, an Afro-Latina, an island gal, a Bronx important contribution my non-profit girl, a police officer, a bisexual woman. organization makes to the community With all that said, I feel that I bring my heart and soul into helping is education! We do this through our the LGBTQ community in any way I can. Thankfully, being a mem- psychoeducation programs, working with individuals, groups, and ber of GOAL has helped me do it. families. We educate corporations about workforce inclusion in the community.

@New_Nichol linkedin.com/in/dr-gennifer-herley-phd-8aa954b6/

Queer / Questioning Plus & HIV+ Brady Cudmore Query the Queer Fairy Singer/songwriter/entertainer Man on the Town he/him this/that/the other thing My name is Brady Cudmore. I am a Hi! I am “Q” and I am a loud-ass, singer-songwriter/entertainer who loves globally connected town crier, and so- sharing stories and building an inclusive called white man. My contribution to community accessible to all. I have been the LGBTQ+ community is to connect people with one another HIV positive, undetectable, for the past with compassion, respect, and kindness. Looking forward to getting three years. I contribute by sharing love and light through music “query” with one another! and silly videos, and by entertaining audiences of all kinds!

https://galinskycoaching.com/ @thisisbradyjames 56 WestView News June 2021 www.westviewnews.org AID FOR AIDS Going Past the Red Bucket Recycle Your Meds, Broadway and HIV By Drew Minard we’re all familiar with the red buckets shin- ing up on stage during Broadway Cares Every Pill Counts The AIDS Epidemic was first reported season, but what else can we do to encour- on 40 years ago this year. In many ways, age the audience to reach further than the camaraderie that has been felt so their wallets? “Maybe that’s leaving people strongly within the Broadway communi- with a one-sheet with ‘Facts You Should ty throughout COVID-19 parallels how Know’ or giving the whole company some it survived that devastating and transfor- talking points,” Dimitri suggests. “Going mative time four decades ago. The fear past the red bucket, it’s about ‘what am I and confusion that many endured bears doing to educate myself ’, especially when a resemblance to what we have been feel- there are so many folks in the community ing every day. However, though misinfor- living with HIV.” As opposed to othering mation is a constant threat to our well- the HIV community through sympathy, being in 2021, it’s impossible to imagine it’s about reaching out empathetically to how people affected by HIV felt with the help those who are struggling. violent ignorance and bigotry that they Broadway’s reopening can be the per- faced at the height of the AIDS Epidem- fect opportunity to usher in the changes ic. The social stigma and governmental that Dimitri and many other artists wish indifference of the time forced Queer and to see, but it’s going to require structural BIPOC communities to fight the battle change. Speaking on his experience in the on their own. Against these odds, head- play As Much As I Can, Moise notes that strong pioneers have always emerged, “We need people in positions of power to willing to fight for the most vulnerable say ‘I’m going to put my money and my among us. Through trust and mutual name behind this type of work.’ Broadway support, the community is once again EXTREME CARE IS TAKEN TO ENSURE that medicine and dosage on labels is accurate. is such a gatekeeper community and it re- showing its strength and will continue to Carine Keza, Recycling Medication Program Specialist, examines each pill to match with its ally is gonna rely a lot on the gatekeep- identifying image and markings on computer screen. Photo by Ede Rothaus. do so until reopening and beyond. ers to make that decision on whether they I sat down with Broadway actor and want to support work like that or not.” It’s By Ede Rothaus this bag in a padded envelope or cardboard HIV activist Dimitri Moise to consider time to connect with the people who will box for donation. the path towards resilience and accep- grow with us as we progress in the indus- Do you have unused unexpired prescrip- tance in the industry. We discussed eq- try to create the work that we’re passionate tion and over-the-counter medications? *IMPORTANT: LEAVE NAME OF PRESCRIP- uity within the Broadway community and about. After all, Broadway is meant for in- AID FOR AIDS can recycle and distrib- TION, DOSAGE, AND EXPIRATION DATE how years of oppression and discrimina- novators, not gatekeepers. ute them among people with HIV who can VISIBLE. tion towards groups of artists have left The New York theatre community and use them abroad and at home in the U.S. justice out of reach for so many. To start, theatre communities around the world You can drop off your donation right here MEDICATION RECYCLING, DROP-OFF, AND it’s important to address the common have always been persistent in their love in Manhattan, or arrange for free pickup. PICKUP INFORMATION: misconceptions about living with HIV. for storytelling and inspiring change. Celebrating its 25th anniversary year, Dimitri notes, “HIV doesn’t discriminate. Through an epidemic, a pandemic, and AIDS FOR AIDS (AFA) began its pro- AID FOR AIDS (AFA) It’s everyone’s fight.” In fact, according to dozens of snowstorms in between, Broad- gram to reach those with HIV in the devel- 131 Varick Street – Suite 1011 a recent study done by the CDC, of the way proves every time it’s resilience for oping world and immigrants in the United New York, NY 10013 37,968 new HIV diagnoses in the US in what it loves and who it loves. There is no States with no access to treatment. Now 212-337-8043 2018, 24% of them were among hetero- doubt in my mind that this industry will the largest international HIV Medicine *Call for pickup–no minimum required sexuals. Since the beginning, HIV has come back better and stronger than before Recycling Program in the world, AFA for- always affected varying groups of people and the work that’s being done by people mally enrolls HIV clients in its treatment MANHATTAN DROP-OFF BOXES: and continues to do so today. Addition- like Dimitri Moise will be the foreground program, which includes appropriate clini- Callen-Lorde Community Health Center ally, racial disparities continue to exist, for what makes Broadway a more justified cal monitoring and follow-up, in conjunc- 356 West 18th Street with Black/African American people ac- and flourishing place. As the novelist Reki tion with clients’ healthcare providers, 212-271-7200 counting for 42% of new HIV diagnoses Kawahara once said, “Why do we search AFA has distributed vital medications in 2018, so even though HIV is no longer for strength to stand alone when we can (that would have been discarded) to more GMHC considered a death sentence, the epidemic build strength by standing together?” than 20,000 people in 70 low and middle- 307 West 38th Street, lobby, 4th, 5th floors is still raging on. income countries, as well as in Colombia, 212-3678-1000 Moise believes that much of the work the Dominican Republic, France, Mexico, that needs to be done stems from the lack Drew Minard is a New York-based per- Panama, Peru, and Venezuela. The program Housing Works East of HIV education. People know about the former and activist. He has been working also has a strong presence in New York. 743-749 East 9th Street, 2nd floor virus itself, but don’t understand how it’s with Research Foundation to Cure AIDS AID FOR AIDS accepts all unexpired pre- 212-677-7999 evolved since the beginning. For example, for almost two years scription drugs: antiretroviral medicines, anti- fungals, antimycotics, antibiotics, treatments Housing Works Thrift Shop for respiratory conditions, diabetes, hyper- 157 East 23rd Street tension, hepatitis C, elevated cholesterol, and 212-529-5955 Is it Time to Renew Your Subscription? cancer, as well as over-the-counter products If we have your email address WestView News such as aspirin and vitamins. Narcotics and LBGT Community Center controlled substances are not accepted. 208 West 13th Street, 2nd floor will send you a reminder when your subscription expires. Donation bottles can have been opened 212-620-7310 Some subscribers have not responded as long as the contents haven’t expired. Re- Matanzas Health Center to this means of communication. move label names and addresses for privacy Therefore, we respectfully suggest that you check your and confidentiality (required by law). Place 280 Henry Street spam folder for such notifications. pill bottles in a sealable plastic bag and put 212-227-8401 St. John’s Lutheran Church, 81/83 Christopher Street wishes all a Joyous Pride Celebration Please join us for both inperson and online events stjohnsnyc.org

 Sunday morning worship (11 AM) is available  InPerson, on ZOOM, and on Facebook.

Join us in  September as our sanctuary celebrates 200 years as a  sacred space in the  West Village. 58 WestView News June 2021 www.westviewnews.org Postcard from an Expat New Yorker: It’s Happening Under the Bus By Martin Belk the television, telephone and Dolly the first id AIDS-tragedy films and cheap, appro- nor anything like a protest. Happenings Dear Gothamists: Did you see the events cloned sheep. Watch their space. priated all-day trauma-porn plays are done. frustrate authorities. go down last Friday in Glasgow, the heart Glasgow inspires me: we need a new Russel T Davies It’s a Sin finally got it right Happenings exchange ideas, hand to hand, of the Scottish Independence movement? cause. A return to the guerrilla creative. & said all that’s possibly left to say. Like word of mouth. They are art. They’re fun. 1000 citizens halted a xenophobic dawn For my Generation-X, AIDS gave us a back in the day, in an excruciating search for They are: you, me, we, us. And not just for raid by Her Majesty the Queen’s Right rallying point—our very own bus to throw survivor-humor: Friend 1 to Friend 2 (who urbanites: anyone, anywhere, can create a Wing government on two asylum seekers. ourselves under. Formidable creative tal- lost a lover) “How’s Larry?”; Friend 2: “Still happening. RuPaul’s latest winners are from Hands in pockets, they peacefully crowded ent emerged—Episalla, Haring, Jarman, Dead”—indeed. Time to move on. How? aforementioned Glasgow and Conway, Ar- around the mini-bus, even laid under it. As Wojnarowicz to name a scant-few; along- Well, any stooge can sit behind a key- kansas. Whole lotta’ life down by the ‘factray’. they chanted “These are our neighbours, side legions who sewed 48,000 panels of board and ‘cancel’, and make Zuckerberg So over to you. Come together you let them go!—You messed with the wrong the AIDS quilt. Our collective activism even richer. I keep hearing how everyone princes, princesses and prince-x’s—what- city!” I was transported to the old ActUP valiantly brought a treatment to halt the now is so ‘talented’ and ‘iconic’—OK, take ever you like to call yourselves—of the new days. Gets the blood pumpin’. mass death (COVID highlights the type the phrase CURE AIDS NOW and cre- day: deliver a cure, and watch the establish- After a long, eight hour standoff, the men of struggle). Now, you next-generation- ate. Paint, sing, flashmob, gather, discuss, ment freak. We’re the generation that had and women officers of BloJo & Queenie’s ists have the opportunity to pick up right debate—but never, ever cancel—all comers to learn how to die. You are the generation immigration force were forced to stand down where it was left, and rock the system to its are welcome. that can find a new way to live. and release the two men they were trying to roots: demand a CURE FOR AIDS. Take a page from Tristan Tzara, Hugo Silence (still) = Death. smuggle onto a likely illegal flight out of the In this fake-news age of “it’s just like dia- Ball and their original Dada Anti-war: country. Poetically, the Glasgow action oc- betes”, this is a radical act. When they make WWI playbook. Or Augusto Boal’s, The- Martin Belk is an author/playwright, a curred simultaneously with the newly-elected the cure, does anyone really think Big Phar- atre of the Oppressed 1970s liberation former producer of Squeezebox! NYC, and Scottish National Party pro-independence ma is going to sit by quietly and lose all the from military coups in Brazil. Become is currently hiding under a PhD research majority being sworn into Scottish Parlia- revenue from AIDS cocktails to Prep? untouchable. Go underground. Use 1960s project in theatre. martinbelk.com. Join ment. Folks: Big things start in small places. This is where guerrilla creativity comes in. ‘Happenings’ which just happen, then dis- the Research Foundation to Cure AIDS— Scotland gave birth to The Enlightenment, We need new art. The recent decade of tep- appear. Happenings aren’t social media, RFTCA.org

Growing Up Gay continued from page 36 floor while what is now considered ‘clas- Riots and the magic of newfound freedom pierced our ears and noses. We wore neck- There has certainly been much progress sic house’ reverberated from the speakers. and rebellion. Being homosexual had an- laces and rings and big black boots. We since I was a new kid on the block of St. We smoked cigarettes and took ecstasy. other filthy stigma swashbuckled onto it hung out on the pier when it was still ‘the Christopher Street. The ominous and sin- Around 4 am each week, we would all mi- creating thicker layers of shame and fear pier’. It was filled with uptown kids down- ister acronym of “AIDS” is archaic and we grate to the walls and await the legendary and risk. You only shared the secret with town, voguing and cavorting. There was a call it “HIV” and it is not the death sen- Kevin Aviance’s performance. He would your special friends, the ones you knew community. Underdogs and outcasts look- tence it was to us. With breakthroughs like enter the room and lip sync to an old soul would never tell a soul and the ones you ing out for one another. Bitch tracks on PreP, most people I know that are positive number in full drag sans a wig, his bald knew would think it was cool. Back then mixtapes blaring from boomboxes. Boys are “undetectable”. There is no cure yet, head gleaming in the colored lights. it was dangerous and taboo, you were dif- dressed half like girls. Girls dressed half but the crisis has been doused out. But I remember Tom of Finland postcards. ferent and you were special. Stars weren’t like boys. We didn’t use labels back then people from my generation are scarred. I remember porn on VHS tapes. yet coming out in press releases, they were because we had names. I don’t remember ever thinking about sex I remember The Meatpacking District. outed. There was mystery. There was still This perspective was our privilege and it and it not being accompanied by a sense of I remember Wonderbar. a hidden language. There was no social helped shape me and the rest of my clan dread and fear and a condom attached. I remember Stingy Lulu’s. media. You had to wait for things. into who we are today. We had places to Some of my friends are gone. Some of I remember Mother and Jackie 60 and I remember being delightfully confused go and be ourselves. We had places to go my friends have moved West. Some of my Click N Drag. and intrigued by Boy George and the New and be someone else for the night too. We friends have settled for simpler lives. Some I remember starting my first New York Romantic styles of Adam Ant and Dead or listened to the whispers in the streets. We of my friends I still see on the streets and in City job at Housing Works Thrift Shop on Alive that even creeped into Prince and his found one another. We only knew things the bars. Somehow, I simply stayed on this the Upper East Side in 1997. proteges’ style. Men were wearing makeup about each other we were interested in tell- path. I still speak up. I still get a supreme, I remember having sex twice with the and lace, while women like Annie Lennox ing each other. We had privacy and we had almost overwhelming rush when I’m at a same person in the same apartment on Gay were wearing suits and showing authority anonymity and in that we had freedom, but rally or a march. I still get dirty. I still am a Street five years apart. through their androgyny. Gender bending we were still in danger. We were still hated conduit to connect people to create change I remember AOL chatrooms. was en vogue. and we were still threatened and we were and I am still an information booth when I remember when you had to wait anx- Growing up in New Jersey, we discov- still an endangered species. it comes to what’s going on in the under- iously for weeks before you got the results ered the power of the Path train. That one I became a DJ somewhat later in life ground as well as the activist circuit. I’m of your AIDS test. dollar was our admission to ‘the city’. It comparatively, I had my first gig at 26 in still an optimist and a hopeless romantic. I don’t remember ever thinking about sex was a gateway to a celebratory but sinis- 2002. This gave me a whole grand decade Over the years, I have met so many and it not being accompanied by a sense of ter fantasy land where we could escape our of being a nightlife creature and it has kept people who have come before me to learn dread and fear and a condom attached. small minded town and be frisky, be con- me optimistic and has kept my spirit young from, admire and respect. I also continue Your perspective is your religion. This fident and be alive. We had access. We throughout my almost twenty year career. to meet and cherish the new kids on the was my perspective. Everyone has their had treasures to discover. We had magic I’ve seen a lot and I’ve done a lot and I’ve block that have a lot to teach me as well. own, but no one has yours or mine. Grow- to perform. survived. Look both ways before crossing. I am al- ing up in the 80s and 90s was certainly an We smoked cigarettes on the steps on the We come from a generation of fighting ways grateful and humble and will always interesting time to be alive and an even more church on Christopher Street. We cruised. and marching and standing our ground. wonder what my own legacy shall be. My interesting time to realize you were queer. We made eye contact. We danced in base- We are accustomed to facing adversity and perspective has been modified and matured The tourniquet that was AIDS halted the ments. We were in awe of gogo boys. We discrimination and we know about grass- and molded but it is still mine and your hedonistic majesticness of the 70s, the de- found about parties from flyers handed to roots and fundraising and taking care of perspective is your religion. cade riding the euphoria of the Stonewall us on the streets. We got Caesar cuts and and looking out for our own.