Some of you might know me as that guy that writes in the SGN or that
red-headed weirdo with a mohawk at the gym or those forums. However you
know me, you might also know a rebellion organization I began called
Seattle AIDS Rebellion.
When I first began work as an AIDS activist I was inspired to change
the system to work for the people. For those of you who have never tried
to start something like that it can be a daunting task. In spite of my
good intentions, I was soon appalled at the political environment and
the infighting between local and national AIDS organizations and
regulators, never mind those folks with HIV.
Since then I�ve done a lot of soul searching and have realized that I
am not the sort of person who effectively works for change by throwing
myself into the havoc of the system.
Effective the New Year, all of my energy spent building a vision for
Seattle AIDS Rebellion will now be redirected to something I know I can
do well at from experience: the Montreal to Boston 2004 AIDS Vaccine
Ride. All money raised for this 5-day bike ride will go directly to the
UCLA AIDS Institute to help find a vaccine for AIDS.
To those who might have been hoping Seattle AIDS Rebellion could become
something more, I can only say that I believe, especially now, that the
way to achieve lasting change is not to fight and yell for inches of
ground, but to inspire folks to go infinite distances- inspiring people
(especially young people) with HIV to live and live well.
Starting January 1st, seattleaidsrebellion.org will forward to my home
site beaubrent.com, where folks can get updates on the ride, find out
about the UCLA institute or make a donation to help find a vaccine for
AIDS.
In this Big Gay World, we each have to find which way is best for us to
help the community. The way I think best to help my community is to
live well and give back to my community. Seattle AIDS Rebellion, it seems,
did not turn out to be part of that equation.
Having done all this soul searching, I would also like to share the
same question I�ve asked to each one of you: what will you do to help end
AIDS in Seattle this year?
Beau
writer, activist, Rider
[email protected]
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