RED:  War on AIDS far from over

by John Colombo

On Dec. 1 Mayor Luke Ravenstahl led a press conference at the City County Building for the World AIDS Day (Pittsburgh RED) commemoration. Ravenstahl reminded us that HIV/AIDS is a national issue that affects all residents locally. Allegheny County resident Mary Heinz, who has been HIV-positive for 14 years, shared her story of how she contracted the virus from her ex-husband. Dreams of Hope performed. A 12-by-12-ft. block of panels from the AIDS quilt commemorating residents from Allegheny County was on display. Starbucks provided hot coffee—it was cold that day! Red ribbon cookies were available courtesy of the Art Institute of Pittsburgh students.

Following the press conference Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force held a luncheon at the Rivers Club in Oxford Center to commemorate 25 years of service and “re-dedicate themselves to the fight against HIV/AIDS.” World AIDS Day is all about raising awareness, tackling AIDS/HIV prejudice and helping to stop the spread of HIV. PATF has been fighting the good fight since 1985. Despite the ever increasing arsenal of HIV/AIDS treatments, we haven’t won the battle against AIDS yet.

The luncheon featured guest speakers Tony Anderson, project coordinator of Partnership for Intervention and Empowerment Project; Dr. Ronald Stall from the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public Health; and Marty St. Clair, senior chief virologist for GlaxoSmithKline—she was the researcher who discovered the effect of AZT on HIV. In 1983, while working with different chemical compounds to see what effects they may have on HIV, Marty noticed that the AZT-treated HIV had stopped replicating. Her intriguing speech was a reminder of what the early days of the epidemic were like. PATF presented St. Claire with its Founders Award, given out each year to an individual or group committed to preventive care.

Seen at the conference: Keri Harmicar, Sidney Alvarez, Susan Haugh, Sam Badge and Scott Noxon. Seen at the luncheon: Mary Irwin-Scott, Valerie Golik, Rob Lepre, Janice Meade, Marlene Davis, Bruce Kraus, Mary Brocovich, Frank Miller and Susan Orr.

Later that evening a candlelight vigil was held at Heinz Chapel in Oakland, followed by the Pitt Men’s Study’s 23rd annual World AIDS Day memorial service. The Delta Foundation’s Christine Bryan led participants into an AIDS ribbon formation on the lawn in front of the chapel as the red candlelight flickered in the wind. Speaker Rig Rush , prevention specialist for PATF, challenged people to be present for each other. Father Lynn Edwards and Dr. Tony Silvestri also were in attendance.

More Red: On Dec. 4 the Red Thread Initiative hosted the second annual benefit supporting the US Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots and The Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank. Hosted by founder Ken Huntly and co-chaired by Zach Hartle, the party was held at the Gallery on Baum. In addition to donations, guests were asked to sport a flash of red in their attire. And red they wore; the handsome group of 20-30somethings arrived in ever so swellagent attire.

Seen: Kody Burkett; Joshua Favabee in tight fitting black T and red necktie, which made him stand out from across the room; Freddie Ritchea; Florencio Sunga; Dan Pfeifer and Dean Bisner of Denham & Co Salon, who had the coolest matching hair styles and were there with owner and stylist Tim Denham; Katie Rife; Brody Rung; and the fabulous Shelby T who was working a large black floppy hat. I must say, Red Thread has grown immensely since its debut last year becoming a very elegant affair.

Later the same evening, I stumbled into the wacky world of Sharon Needles. Some things, once seen, can never be unseen, and “Night of 1,000” needles was one of those things. Both performance art and a birthday party for Miss Needles, Blue Moon was absolutely packed as Sharon judged the best Sharon Needles impersonators—and Needles-inspired drag queens performed. In the audience, Sharon Needles look- alikes, cheered on Sharon, Needles impersonators and Needles contestants. Need I say who won?

Pittsburgh’s a drag—exploding all over the city. The girls are running shows like a bus schedule and going mainstream as well. The One and Only Sasha was the celebrity performer at Whim’s big fashion and art performance show, which featured dance performances and far out couture. The show was flawlessly produced by Jennifer Noah and beautifully choreographed by Joe Nickel. Fashionistas and fashion aficionados seen that night: Chet Campbell, Andrew Birk Ellifritz, Angelique Young, Trevor Benyack and Nick and Robyn Bracco.

More from the Drag front: Lady Rose Amore held her farewell Miss Gay Pittsburgh show at Pegasus as she prepares to hand over her sash. The show featured Jezebel Bebbington D’Opulence and a surprise performance by Angelique Young. Also appearing that night were drag kings Chance Encounter and Dillon Dickerson who performed “I Kissed a Boy.” Seen: Ben Cook, Tim Myers, Rob Dunham, Jessie Komara and Matt Burges, who was sporting a really cool fedora and white pin stripe shirt.

On another evening at Pegasus, the ever so lovely Marsha Mellow hosted a Lambda Bash party, which took the place of the Canceled Lambda Ball. DJ that evening was Tony Ruiz. Seen: Mahogany, Kenny Burton, Ty Smith Eric Abrahams, Chad Henry and Matt Bartko.

Cattivo is now home to a twice monthly Goth party hosted by LeeAnn Donan and Julie Divine Soto. Goths, gays, lesbians and straights—in other words, quite the diverse crowd—were listening to music by DJ Zombo, aka Michael Devine. Seen: Damian Wyldes, Miranda Vey, Sarah Luby, Jason Noh, Dean Jackson, Robby McKerahan and Whiskey Daisy.  And on another evening the drag kings and their newly formed troop Hot Metal Hardware hosted a fundraiser for Persad. Chicago funny Lady Tamale was back in town and served as the emcee. Seen: Hannah Judy, Tara Goodin, Brittney Tyler, Jessica Dufou and Laureen Laich.

Email invites, social events and rumors, or just say hi: john@outonline.com