Bethann Hardison

Bethann Hardison Instagram – Thinking of so many today as we acknowledge Gay Pride Week…though I chose to use a photo of our dear Keith Haring with Lysa Cooper who was so close to Keith, the photo marks a moment in time, the 80’s. We lost Keith in 1990 at the age of 32 to AIDS. Keith Haring represented a moment in time for so many reasons. It was Tina Chow who let me know that Keith was sick, she told me he would tell me and he did. He asked me to his home to have dinner, just he and I. And told me all. Sent me home with a painting that hangs on my wall today. He died months after. Knowing his fate, he worked tirelessly to the end. When he could no longer stand, he passed away three weeks later.
Later we lost Tina as well, to AIDS.
You say but she was heterosexual and a non-drug intravenous user, life has its bitter sweet moments.
We lost so many and though I cannot name all those that touched me personally, I acknowledge,
Joe McDonald, Angelo Donghia, Clovis Ruffin, Way Bandy, Luis Galindo, Angelo Colon, Bobby Breslau, Victor Hernández, Perry Ellis, Keezia Keeble, DuDu, and Willi Smith.
There were so many that AIDS took away from us. Many, but those I named above had an impact on me personally.
The disease taught me a lot about the “here and now”. I will always remember each of them and think of them out loud, as I share and think about my life.
I was one of the first to get tested for the HIV virus. That was when you had to wait 2-3 weeks and return for the secret reveal (80’s). My family and those in my office thought I was crazy to do the test. Why stress yourself with that anxiety of uncertainty ? But I had “been around the block” a time or two, and wanted to know my status to then walk the “straight and narrow”. A lot of us for whatever reason survived. I never thought “lucky”, but perhaps to remain, to remember and let it be known who was here before and the life we lived. Because it was a great time. And the freedom that came with it, great as it was, there hidden was a killer virus waiting to strike.
#prideweek #actup #stonewall #aids #hiv #awareness #protection #stillnotover. | Posted on 29/Jun/2019 17:48:14