Backbone

Backbone or
Chasing Rainbows: How I started covering HIV/AIDS- and LGBT-related topics

In April 1986 I attended my first AIDS conference in Europe, where I was living at the time. The event marked what I call today my "chasing rainbows" experience.

Many years later and on this side of the Atlantic, I had the chance to build a career based on that event-I started covering HIV/AIDS- and LGBT-related topics as a writer and a photographer. And so, while continuing to chase rainbows (goals), I discovered a community that adopted me and changed my life in the most significant ways.

Over the years, many individuals have helped define and shape the backbone of the LGBT community. Some have names we recognize, others don't. Yet, all these individuals represent strong pillars of their community. They are people like artist Gilbert Baker, who dyed his first rainbow flag and flew it over the streets of San Francisco, thirty years ago, in June 1978. They are people like Harvey Milk, The Mayor of Castro Street, murdered in November of 1978 because he was openly gay, like Matthew Shepard and, the most recent victims of hate crimes, like Lawrence King. They are the many who suffered silently and died silent deaths during the first years of the AIDS epidemic, and also the AIDS warriors who're still trying to find a cure. They are those who made history during the Stonewall riots of 1969, and also those still fighting for equal rights today.

Throughout the decades, these individuals have formed and then built on the backbone of their community by following the rainbow and all that it represents as a universal symbol of hope and change for the better. Without them we wouldn't be here today and we would not be able to dream of tomorrow.

Every June, many of us follow the rainbow flags flying high over cities across the world. If we look past the bright colors, we see the many faces of the rainbow, of those who form the backbone that holds this community together, united in all its diversities, goals, and ideals. If we join them, we can also become part of the rainbow and, quite possibly, of a more understanding and accepting world.

Each summer I chase rainbows with my camera in hand, taking advantage of the photography's ability to make time stand still, if only for an instance. This summer was no different. Photographic instances from the experience became part of my Backbone.

PS: Check out what others have to say about Backbone by visiting Sean P. Farley's fantastic Boulder Uphill blog. Thank you, Sean!
PPS: Check out my book, Backbone, with images from the photography show with the same name at http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1594834.

Thanks you!