Flaming Red

Flaming Red http://www.thebody.com/content/art59070.html A blog by Aless Piper at TheBody.com. http://www.thebody.com/images/blog/aless_biobox.gif Aless Piper http://www.thebody.com/content/art59070.html 115 145 Hard to Say Who's to Blame for "Patient Zero"? http://www.thebody.com/content/79400/hard-to-say-whos-to-blame-for-patient-zero.html In the diagram, he is represented by a black circle -- black, for Kaposi sarcoma. Unlike the others, there is no city or state accompanying this information; in fact, the "0" is actually an "O" meant to represent "outside California" or "outside of the U.S.," and his placement at the center of the diagram is arbitrary. Two years later, the "0" and its placement in the diagram would take on all-new, sinister significance as "Patient Zero" in Randy Shilts' book, And the Band Played On: People, Politics and the AIDS Epidemic. "0," or Shilts' preferred term, "Patient Zero" was Gaëtan Dugas.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/79400/hard-to-say-whos-to-blame-for-patient-zero.html alesspiper+fr@gmail.com (Aless Piper) Tue, 21 Feb 2017 17:37:00 GMT So Many Ways to Support Friends in Need http://www.thebody.com/content/74828/so-many-ways-to-support-friends-in-need.html Where have I been this year? Excellent question, but let's put it aside for a moment and talk about HIV/AIDS, which is after all, why we're all here.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/74828/so-many-ways-to-support-friends-in-need.html alesspiper+fr@gmail.com (Aless Piper) Mon, 4 Aug 2014 16:54:00 GMT A Year in 525,600 Minutes ... http://www.thebody.com/content/73548/a-year-in-525600-minutes-.html I've been thinking a lot this year about time, how we measure it (read this *fabulous* article from Brain Pickings) and how to make the most of 525,600 minutes when things ... aren't exactly going as planned. That's the thing about plans -- they have a habit of going awry. :-) John Lennon said it best: "Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans."

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/73548/a-year-in-525600-minutes-.html alesspiper+fr@gmail.com (Aless Piper) Fri, 20 Dec 2013 10:13:00 GMT Miles to Go: A Few Pride Facts http://www.thebody.com/content/71892/miles-to-go-a-few-pride-facts.html When I think about Pride, this is what I think about:

Halifax: According to Gay Halifax, Pride events in Halifax date back to 1973, predating the first march by fifteen years, with a picnic hosted by the Gay Alliance for Equality (GAE), which had been founded the year before.

Read more ...

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/71892/miles-to-go-a-few-pride-facts.html alesspiper+fr@gmail.com (Aless Piper) Sun, 23 Jun 2013 11:13:00 GMT Meet Bob Bowers http://www.thebody.com/content/71350/meet-bob-bowers.html In December 2012, I was privileged and honored to run my friend Kenn Chaplin's World AIDS Day roundup, which he had originated in 2010. I called the incarnation "Kenn's Project," and accepted submissions all the way up to 10 p.m. EST on December 1. I received written submissions from many of my amazing friends, including Edward, Emerald (she of the Awake and Alive Project), and Kenn himself. As World AIDS Day approached, I expanded the loose guidelines to include photos, and on World AIDS Day, I received one that I was already familiar with.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/71350/meet-bob-bowers.html alesspiper+fr@gmail.com (Aless Piper) Fri, 26 Apr 2013 09:28:00 GMT Where Has Your Red Ribbon Gone? http://www.thebody.com/content/69899/where-has-your-red-ribbon-gone.html "Cut red ribbon 6" in length, then fold at the top into an inverted 'V' shape, use safety pin to attach to clothing." -- early Visual AIDS handout

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/69899/where-has-your-red-ribbon-gone.html alesspiper+fr@gmail.com (Aless Piper) Fri, 30 Nov 2012 16:15:00 GMT $2,064 of Awesome; and Why Flaming Red? http://www.thebody.com/content/69497/2064-of-awesome-and-why-flaming-red.html On Friday, Sept. 21, my friend, fellow admin assistant and teammate, Sandie, walked in the door to our department, past my cubicle, and the first thing I said to her was, "We're awesome."

She's known me about a year, and is well aware of my abiding love of sarcasm and penchant for jokes, especially on Fridays, so she hesitated a moment before tentatively replying "... how awesome?"

My answer? "$1,994 of awesome." That's right, as of 8:30 a.m., Friday, Sept. 21, with two days to go until the Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life, we had exceeded our goal, and probably our expectations too, by $494.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/69497/2064-of-awesome-and-why-flaming-red.html alesspiper+fr@gmail.com (Aless Piper) Tue, 23 Oct 2012 08:59:00 GMT Fifteen http://www.thebody.com/content/69380/fifteen.html I am so sorry it's taken me so long to write. September is fondly remembered as the month in which I got nothing done ... well, except for what I get paid to get done, and, of course, fundraising.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/69380/fifteen.html alesspiper+fr@gmail.com (Aless Piper) Mon, 8 Oct 2012 12:42:00 GMT Flaming Red's Birthday Wish List 2012 http://www.thebody.com/content/68780/flaming-reds-birthday-wish-list-2012.html As I begin this, only a few hours have passed since I was sitting at a table for two at Ristorante a Mano, with a margherita pizza with artichokes, and across from Edward -- who, quick refresher, I've known for nearly 15 years, meeting in grade 6 in the course of my very first AIDS project. Edward is a wonderful storyteller and for much of the time I was regaled with travel stories about a European city he travelled to last year, that I now feel I know so well, and is so intricately drawn in my mind, I could easily go and explore right now. Alas, I am still in li'l old Nova Scotia. One day, though!

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/68780/flaming-reds-birthday-wish-list-2012.html alesspiper+fr@gmail.com (Aless Piper) Thu, 16 Aug 2012 15:12:00 GMT 41% and Counting http://www.thebody.com/content/68514/41-and-counting.html I met Allison, the summer student at the AIDS Coalition of Nova Scotia, the other day when she delivered Save the Date cards for the Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life to my house. This is my second year fundraising for the event, and will be my first year participating. I am blessed to be walking with a team of at least 4 women, who along with being wonderful and amazing, are committed to raising $1,500.

Read more ...

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/68514/41-and-counting.html alesspiper+fr@gmail.com (Aless Piper) Fri, 3 Aug 2012 15:35:00 GMT How to Create a Cause-Based Newsfeed on Facebook http://www.thebody.com/content/67315/how-to-create-a-cause-based-newsfeed-on-facebook.html I have a love-hate relationship with Facebook. I hate its ever-changing privacy policy, but love the many ways it makes it easier to connect with fellow HIV/AIDS and LGBT activists and organizations.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/67315/how-to-create-a-cause-based-newsfeed-on-facebook.html alesspiper+fr@gmail.com (Aless Piper) Tue, 29 May 2012 17:40:00 GMT My Social Media Makeover http://www.thebody.com/content/66455/my-social-media-makeover.html When I started writing about social media and the role I felt it could play in helping AIDS Service Organizations connect with people who may not otherwise be involved in HIV/AIDS activism, not to mention stay current and relevant, I was adamant that I also make some of the changes I was suggesting ASOs make.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/66455/my-social-media-makeover.html alesspiper+fr@gmail.com (Aless Piper) Thu, 29 Mar 2012 20:51:00 GMT Flaming Red's Social Media Toolkit http://www.thebody.com/content/65937/flaming-reds-social-media-toolkit.html I've been spending a lot of time lately discussing ways for people to get involved in HIV/AIDS activism and ways for ASOs to tap into this reserve of "slacktivists" who are not lax by choice, but because of pre-existing time and distance constraints. I truly believe that there is absolutely no reason why someone who wants to be involved, should not be involved in some way. Likewise, I believe that there is absolutely no reason for ASOs to not be present and accounted for on social media. I also believe that ASOs can and should have control over their own web presence and content. Why? Because it is just so darn easy.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/65937/flaming-reds-social-media-toolkit.html alesspiper+fr@gmail.com (Aless Piper) Sat, 25 Feb 2012 12:54:00 GMT Getting Savvy About Social Media http://www.thebody.com/content/65427/getting-savvy-about-social-media.html In my recent piece, "Notes for a Young Activist," I outlined ways for activists to get involved using social media and the internet. It occurred to me recently that AIDS Service Organizations, especially in Canada and smaller U.S. cities could maybe use a crash course too. Confession time: Not all those who are or seem inactive are by choice. Some of us work or live too far away from our local organization to volunteer so we do the next best thing: Write blog posts, tweet, share important articles via Facebook, sign petitions. But, the thing is, we should be able to be more involved.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/65427/getting-savvy-about-social-media.html alesspiper+fr@gmail.com (Aless Piper) Wed, 18 Jan 2012 08:49:00 GMT Remembering Bonnie http://www.thebody.com/content/65328/remembering-bonnie.html First and foremost, what I remember about Bonnie is that she was persistent and for that, I am so very grateful. During the summers of 2006, 2007 and 2008, my stepfather drove me to work every morning, and every morning he asked me the same question: what do you want to do (with your life)? Every morning I would give one unsatisfactory answer after the other, eventually defaulting to "I don't know," although I knew I wanted to do something AIDS-related, study sociology, and write. My indecision somehow led to me enroll in career college in November of 2008 to become an office assistant because, as my stepfather said, I had to do something.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/65328/remembering-bonnie.html alesspiper+fr@gmail.com (Aless Piper) Fri, 6 Jan 2012 05:23:00 GMT Beyond the Bad News: Highlights of 2011 http://www.thebody.com/content/65177/beyond-the-bad-news-highlights-of-2011.html Sometimes I feel like the bearer of bad news. It's not a job I chose, but it is one I do well -- maybe the disproportionate amount of bad news that flows into my inbox daily has something to do with it. But I do delight in sharing the good news -- even if it doesn't come as easily. So here is my list of some of the good, and downright awesome, highlights this year.

Read more ...

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/65177/beyond-the-bad-news-highlights-of-2011.html alesspiper+fr@gmail.com (Aless Piper) Thu, 15 Dec 2011 09:42:00 GMT The Conversation You Should Be Having on World AIDS Day http://www.thebody.com/content/64857/the-conversation-you-should-be-having-on-world-aid.html One of my favorite lines from the musical Rent comes from "La Vie Boheme": "To people living with, living with, not dying from disease." I love the idea of people living well with HIV/AIDS, and seeing this concept in action every day online and off is amazing. AIDS is no longer the death sentence it seemed to me to be when I was in the sixth grade.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/64857/the-conversation-you-should-be-having-on-world-aid.html alesspiper+fr@gmail.com (Aless Piper) Wed, 23 Nov 2011 15:26:00 GMT Notes for a Young Activist http://www.thebody.com/content/64584/notes-for-a-young-activist.html This summer I had an awesome experience. Back in early 2010 I decided that when I got on permanent at my day job I wanted to go on a real vacation, something I had never been able to do in my adult life. So this year when it was a "sure thing" I e-mailed Olivia from TheBody.com and said, "Can we meet?!" To which she replied, with her characteristic enthusiasm which has been so valuable to me since I started blogging for TheBody.com, "Of course!"

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/64584/notes-for-a-young-activist.html alesspiper+fr@gmail.com (Aless Piper) Fri, 28 Oct 2011 08:33:00 GMT My Birthday Wish List http://www.thebody.com/content/63573/my-birthday-wish-list.html As children we are taught that if we tell our birthday wish(es) it won't come true, but as an adult, I believe the opposite is true: If we don't tell our wishes they won't come true ... people aren't psychic after all. My birthday is in a few days, so with that in mind I want to share my wish list with all of you in hopes that you can help make some of my wishes come true.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/63573/my-birthday-wish-list.html alesspiper+fr@gmail.com (Aless Piper) Fri, 19 Aug 2011 10:24:00 GMT The Guilt Myth http://www.thebody.com/content/63354/the-guilt-myth.html My very Christian friend won't pray for my friend with AIDS who is currently going through a rough time medically. Yes, I am pissed off. This is a person who will pray -- without hesitation -- for a man with lung cancer who smoked a pack a day (or more) since the age of 12 and is now sixty-odd. But because to my Christian friend's mind anyway, my friend had to have done something to get AIDS, s/he will not pray for him/her. Where's the logic in that one?

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/63354/the-guilt-myth.html alesspiper+fr@gmail.com (Aless Piper) Thu, 4 Aug 2011 13:05:00 GMT The Homophobic Response to AIDS http://www.thebody.com/content/62871/the-homophobic-response-to-aids.html I spent a recent week rereading Larry Kramer's The Normal Heart, and there is an exchange between Ned Weeks and his brother Ben that sticks out in my mind as I write this. Ben says, "My agreeing you were born just like I was born is not going to help save your dying friends." and Ned responds, "Funny -- that's exactly what I think will help save my dying friends." Ned, of course, is right.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/62871/the-homophobic-response-to-aids.html alesspiper+fr@gmail.com (Aless Piper) Sun, 10 Jul 2011 04:23:00 GMT I Am What I Am http://www.thebody.com/content/62533/i-am-what-i-am.html When asked if she would help her employer, Otto Frank (father of Anne Frank), and his wife and children hide from the Nazis, Miep Gies did not hesitate. She said "Of course!" Asked why, after the war, she said because it was the right thing to do. She'd have done it again in a heartbeat.

Another question I am frequently asked, in addition to "Isn't AIDS over?" and anything and everything to do with meeting Edward, is why I am so passionate about LGBT rights; but what they really want to know is if I personally identify as LGBT -- and they are always quick to assure me that it's okay if I do.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/62533/i-am-what-i-am.html alesspiper+fr@gmail.com (Aless Piper) Tue, 14 Jun 2011 11:04:00 GMT Larry Kramer's Inconvenient Truths http://www.thebody.com/content/art61695.html According to his post on Twitter, a few months ago, Lt. Dan Choi (anti-Don't-Ask-Don't-Tell activist extraordinaire) met Larry Kramer and whatever the reason for their meeting, if I'm being totally honest, I'm jealous. In the interest of full disclosure, I should tell you right here and now that I love Larry Kramer. Of all the AIDS activists I haven't had the opportunity to meet, Larry Kramer is at the top of my list. He's outspoken and controversial, and he wrote a fabulous piece decrying Anderson Cooper's "lacklustre" AIDS special. What's not to love?

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/art61695.html alesspiper+fr@gmail.com (Aless Piper) Wed, 27 Apr 2011 09:22:00 GMT HIV/AIDS in Hollywood Today http://www.thebody.com/content/art59794.html Does Andre Charles (RuPaul) have AIDS? People on the Internet Movie Database want to know. Apparently he's been looking a little gaunt. But I'm wondering why, 20-some-odd years into this epidemic, it's still the prime suspect when a gay man gets, or is suspected of being, ill. A double standard exists in our society because if Stephen Moyer looked ill, I wouldn't be writing this article. No one suspects that a straight star has AIDS, period, but if a star is gay, that's the only thing it can be.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/art59794.html alesspiper+fr@gmail.com (Aless Piper) Thu, 9 Dec 2010 09:46:00 GMT "More Life": World AIDS Day 2010 http://www.thebody.com/content/art59643.html Tony Kushner wrote in the Playwright's Notes for Act 2 of Angels in America -- Perestroika that Harold Bloom translated the Hebrew word for "blessing" as "more life".

"More life" repeats throughout the second half of the play. Later, Prior Walter says to the Angel of America, "But still. Still. Bless me anyway I want more life."

I remember the first time I read these words in grade 12 while trying to write my own script for a movie in Film & Video Production. They made such an impact on me that I read them over and over again and they wound up being a scene in my movie.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/art59643.html alesspiper+fr@gmail.com (Aless Piper) Wed, 1 Dec 2010 12:25:00 GMT The Beginning http://www.thebody.com/content/art59069.html The question I am asked most often, second only to, "Isn't AIDS over?" is how I met Edward, 13 years ago this month. It must seem odd to outsiders that a grade six student, who up to that point had lived a textbook sheltered life, should suddenly meet an HIV-positive man who is in his mid thirties, a stranger, in the course of a school science project about a disease.

The teacher handed out a two-column list of diseases and told us to pick one to research. After giving us a few minutes to mull it over, she called on us one by one, in alphabetical order. My last name then being Palmer, it was a long wait and all of the easy to research diseases were gone, so for some reason I never could quite remember, when my name was called I said "AIDS".

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/art59069.html alesspiper+fr@gmail.com (Aless Piper) Tue, 26 Oct 2010 18:25:00 GMT