i remember my very first friend, monti tetro, who had aids. i met him at a tacky trashy party in the early 70's on the upperwestside. monti was the only one at the party willing to sit on the floor with me even tho it did not seem the proper protocol. monti spoke several languages and lived in a luxurious yet simple dormer apartment in the ansonia hotel while living the gay life of 1970's New York City.
he passed with aids in '82? we didn't know what it was then, or how to get it. when i went to the hospital and and found one of the most beautiful men i had ever met starving to death because of this gay desease that turned out to be aids. I was dumb founded and asked myself, in ignorance, why isn't he eating -- this can't happen in america!
no one at the hospital would come near him without masks/gloves/frocks. i kissed him on the forehead when we met. i touch his dry skin and attempted to confort him. i am glad i went, even tho he asked for the return of the gorgeous statue of shiva i loved so much, and was hoping to keep, just two weeks before he died.
chris was another story..............
i have noticed since the early 80's, that every ten years we all need to discuss aids again, for the new generation that has come up. we may never assume that people should know, we all need to teach.
love,
merlin
(first post on mothernyc)