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Steve
Whitson
I was shocked and saddened
to learn of Steve Whitson’s sudden death. Steve was one
of the first people I met when I moved to Chicago four years
ago (we lived in the same apartment building), and the way
he has faced his own struggle with HIV by sharing vital information
with other people through his articles in Positively Aware
and in his day-to-day personal interactions has been an inspiration
to me ever since.
I was basically closeted about
my HIV status when I first moved to this city. Although I
had hoped that this community would be more progressive in
its attitudes toward HIV than my home state of North Carolina,
I often have been disappointed that a city of Chicago’s
size could have such a small town approach to a virus that
is still claiming too many people too soon in their lives.
Steve was a ray of light through the fog of misinformation
and stereotypes that still hangs over this city and much of
the nation—including over many people within the lesbian
and gay community.
It was due in part to Steve’s
example—and that of his partner, Phil Matthews—that
I eventually was able to open up about my HIV status to friends
and even my employers. They have taught me that you don’t
have to just “live with HIV,” but that you can thrive
in spite of—and perhaps even as a result of—your
body’s struggle with the virus. Like my own struggle
with HIV, Steve taught me many valuable lessons about not
giving up on life due to the many curveballs that it can throw
you.
I will miss you, Steve, and
the struggle against HIV and AIDS has lost a great advocate
in your passing. My heart goes out to Phil, the staff of Positively
Aware and Test Positive Aware Network, and all those others
who were lucky enough to be closer to Steve than I had the
opportunity to be.
C. Douglas,
Chicago
I am responding to your sad
news of the loss of Steve Whitson and thanking you, from the
bottom of my heart, for allowing me to use his work in my
class.
Like many readers must be,
I am in shock. I certainly regret not having corresponded
earlier. He won my sincere admiration and respect. That “pit
bull” ability to express realities in such an eye-opening
manner. It is rare that someone puts their talents to use
in a way that benefits so many and society as a whole. That
is a most remarkable legacy, especially for someone whose
profession was to teach.
I would like to express my
gratitude for your generosity and deep sadness for your loss
at Positively Aware.
Barbara Sweet,
via the Internet
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