ALWAYS DEDICATED TO COMMUNITY SERVICE
a message from alex cooke: a person living with aids (excerpt)
Having AIDS is like being the world’s worst hypochondriac, worrying about each new spot on your body, every pain, and rushing to the doctor when you develop a cough. Having AIDS is constantly wondering which part of your body is going to be affected next, what part of life is going to be limited next, constantly having to give up activities that are listed as not good for you, things that will put you at too much risk.
Being a PWA (Person With AIDS) is not something that you can stop doing. It becomes a way of life; something about everything in your life changes.
Three years ago when I first came down with an opportunistic infection, I went through a period of depression. This lasted for over three months, and when it was over, I thought to myself that I was glad I was done with that and now I can get on with my life. How wrong I was. For the last three years, my emotions have been like a great big roller coaster ride, sometimes feeling so up that it is almost euphoric and then taking a plunge down that is so quick and unexpected that I feel like you surely must have left your stomach somewhere up near the top of the hill.
Alex Cooke passed away shortly after this speech was given.
DES MOINES HAS PRIDE
An excerpt from a letter by Greg Chamberlain, co-founder of Capital City Pride
On the evening of October 6, 1998, a young man of 21 years was robbed, pistol whipped, tortured, beaten, tied to a fence, and left for dead because of being proud of who he was. This time, we were ready to ask, and we were ready to tell. Little did we know that we would be heard.
Des Moines and the state of Iowa has stepped up to the challenge as proven by the three former Iowa Supreme Court justices being honored recently by receiving the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award for their decision to make gay marriage in Iowa legal.
Capital City Pride has had a full and successful first decade, including but not limited to the legalization of gay marriage. This was the first time we saw positive television and newspaper coverage. We listened to politicians, doctors, lawyers, Judy Shepard, and we must have done something right because we also had our first visit from Reverend Fred Phelps. He didn’t stay long.
Delivered at the 2011 Pride Parade.