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Honoring the life of Larry Kramer

Make art and fight for justice

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Larry Kramer at the Queer Liberation March. (Washington Blade photo by Lou Chibbaro, Jr.)

You know your heroes are only human – they can’t live forever. But so many of us were still gobsmacked when renowned playwright, writer and AIDS activist Larry Kramer died on May 27 at age 84 from pneumonia in Manhattan. Somehow, we couldn’t help thinking Kramer, who’d brought government officials and big pharma to their knees, would outwit the Grim Reaper.

Many queer writers and activists are known primarily by LGBTQ folk. This wasn’t the case with Kramer who fought with, worked with and inspired everyone from Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, to acclaimed queer playwright Tony Kushner. “Even if you’re straight you know Larry Kramer,” a hetero friend told me on hearing of his death.

I was in New York in the 1980s during the height of the AIDS epidemic. Little to no money was allocated to do research into the disease. Undertakers wouldn’t bury people with AIDS. Once, I visited a friend with AIDS in the hospital. The staff there wouldn’t bathe him because they feared catching the disease.

Though alarming numbers of gay people were dying from AIDS, few gay leaders or groups wanted to engage in activism when the epidemic started.

Kramer, who is survived by his husband David Webster, hadn’t grown up wanting to be a leader of queer activism. He graduated from Yale in 1957, served in the Army and worked as an executive for Columbia Pictures. He wrote the Oscar-nominated screenplay for “Women in Love.”

“I was not a gay man first,” Kramer said in an interview with NPR’s Terry Gross, “until I became involved in fighting AIDS because someone close to me died and suddenly I was no longer the white man from Yale, I was a faggot without a name.”

With the zeal of the most outraged prophet, Kramer co-founded Gay Men’s Health Crisis, and later, after that group expelled him for being too radical, ACT UP. Since the epidemic began, more than 32 million people have died of AIDS, according to the World Health Organization. Yet, words fail to describe what the devastation would have been without Kramer’s activism.

Kramer channeled his activism not only through action, but through his art. In remembering his AIDS activism, it’s easy to gloss over his talent as an artist. His work ranged from his satiric novel “Faggots” (which many in the queer community loathed) to his autobiographical play “The Destiny of Me” (which has a character based on Dr. Fauci) to the two-volume novel “The American People” (which depicts George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and other American historical figures as queer).

To me, his most moving work is his play “The Normal Heart,” which premiered at the Public Theater in New York in 1985. Taking its title from W.H. Auden’s poem “September 1, 1939,” the play vividly tells the story of Kramer’s struggle to mobilize the queer community in the early years of the AIDS epidemic.

Often, art that engages social issues is dismissed as being merely “political.” Yet, “The Normal Heart,” as the (late) Joseph Papp wrote in the forward to the play, “is a play in the great tradition of Western drama … [it] reveals its origins in the theater of Sophocles, Euripides, and Shakespeare.”

Kramer has inspired me to write poetry to change hearts and minds around marriage equality, disability and other social issues.

Kramer’s legacy is an inspiration to younger queer generations, my friends Micah Bucey and Matthew Cleaver, a 30-something married couple told me by phone and email. “His fiery words, his rage…all of it dug into my heart and reshaped my queer soul,” Bucey, a minister, artist and community organizer, said.

Kramer’s “compassionate, angry art” inspired Cleaver, a writer and performer, to perform his 2006 one-man show “Gay Blues.” “Kramer taught me that anger can fuel art and activism,” he said.

I bet Kramer wouldn’t want us to only mourn his passing or merely celebrate his life. To truly honor his legacy, we must make art and fight for justice. R.I.P., Larry.

Kathi Wolfe, a writer and a poet, is a regular contributor to the Blade.

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A final plea: Vote for Kamala Harris

For the sake of our democracy there is no other choice

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Vice President Kamala Harris (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

I have written, and talked my heart out to those within the sound of my voice, to get them to vote, and vote for Kamala Harris. I truly believe for the sake of our democracy, and literally for so many lives, there is no other choice. 

I, like so many others, was appalled, and frightened, when listening to Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally. Yes, it was reminiscent of a Nazi rally held there in 1939, and Trump knew that. After all, it has been reported by one of his wives, he has had three and cheated on all of them, that he had Hitler’s Mein Kampf, on his nightstand at one point. The speakers at the rally were truly insane, and managed to insult every ethnic and religious group in the nation, maybe with one exception; male, Caucasian, Christians. One speaker called all Puerto Ricans garbage, when actually the garbage were the speakers on the platform. The speakers, who Trump chose, insulted women, African Americans, all Latinos, the LGBTQ+ community, Jews (yes, he has actually said there are things about Hitler he admires), and all immigrants. They managed to play Dixie before an African American Congressperson from Florida took the stage, and apparently, they, and even he, thought it was OK. They had the drunk Rudy Guiliani there, and one of Oprah’s biggest mistakes, Dr. Phil. It was a sickening spectacle. 

But there is some hope it just may have been the Trump campaign’s biggest mistake. Those who cheered what was said, are already his voters. But so many Independents, and remaining decent Republicans, may have been turned off and scared enough, by what they heard, to vote for Harris. There are enough Puerto Ricans in some of the swing states to make the difference for Harris. As I have written, and so many have said, “believe him when he speaks,” because while he lies about policy and facts, he is saying his truths on the culture wars, no matter how disgusting they sound. Those around him share his views and will be part of his administration should he win. They will be the ones to implement Project 2025, and they will be the ones screwing all our allies. They will be the ones to forfeit Ukraine to Putin, and end any hope for the Palestinian people to ever live safe, secure, and happy lives, in a state of their own. 

Trump can be accurately and truthfully described as; old, a convicted felon, found liable for sexual assault, racist, sexist, homophobic pig. This is what those people with their MAGA hats want as their President. So sad for them because he will happily screw them once he is elected. He will give tax breaks to millionaire and billionaire friends, he will happily break unions, he will stop all women from controlling their own bodies, he will put tariffs on all imported goods costing each family an estimated $4,000 a year. Project 2025 suggests ending the Federal Deposit Insurance Fund, so when your bank goes under, you will lose any money you have there. He doesn’t care!

I grew up in a different time in politics. My heroes were John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Yes, they were all assassinated, and we grieved for them as a nation. But as a nation we used our grief to make changes for the better. We passed civil rights laws, and passed a voting rights act. We managed to pass some gun control legislation, and it made a difference. I stayed involved in politics because of them, I cared. Martin Luther King, Jr., who I was honored to meet and talk with when I was sixteen, told me “One person can make a difference if they care enough, and are willing to work hard to do it.” I took that to heart my whole life. Today that difference is to ensure the election of Kamala Harris, and the defeat of Donald Trump. It is actually a fight between good and evil, as he is truly evil. He is venal, and doesn’t care who he hurts or screws. He has said he will use the Justice Department and the Internal Revenue Service to wreak revenge on his enemies. He has said he wants to be a dictator on day one. I can’t say it enough, or loud enough, BELIEVE HIM!

So, on November 5th if you haven’t cast your ballot yet, come out and vote for Kamala Harris. Please understand, your one vote will make a difference for all Americans, and truly, for the world. 

Peter Rosenstein is a longtime LGBTQ rights and Democratic Party activist.

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Our existence is non-negotiable: A call to action for trans rights 

Your vote is an act of defiance

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(Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

BY MARCUS DAVIS | Over the past four decades, I’ve witnessed a transformation in our society that once seemed unimaginable. As a child of the 80s, being transgender meant living under a constant shadow of fear, with violence and exclusion always nearby. But we fought back. We organized, we carved out spaces where trans people could live with more freedom.

This fight for recognition and safety has been long and arduous. In 2002, New York passed the Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act (SONDA), but transgender people were deliberately left out — a painful compromise that left us exposed. I remember the mixture of hope and frustration during those years, as I attended my first community meetings and rallies. Our focus shifted to passing the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA). Each legislative delay was a stark reminder that our rights were not a priority. For Black trans people like myself, the stakes were even higher, as we navigated multiple layers of discrimination without legal protection.

GENDA finally passed in 2019, but that victory came after years of being told our safety and dignity were negotiable. Now, as anti-trans laws sweep the country, I feel that familiar shadow looming again. These bills banning gender-affirming care, forcing schools to out trans students, and criminalizing our existence aren’t just policy decisions — they’re calculated efforts to erase us, to drive us back into fear and silence. The darkness we thought we’d escaped is closing in, and this time, it’s targeting our youth.

As a trans person working at the forefront of racial justice with the Movement for Black Lives, I have witnessed how anti-trans laws amplify the oppression already faced by the most vulnerable members of our community. This fight is more than a cause for me, it is about protecting the lives and futures of my community, my family, and myself. Here I want to simply say: To every trans person feeling the weight of these laws, feeling isolated or afraid; You are not alone. You are part of a legacy of resilience, of beauty, of revolution. Your life is precious, your identity is valid, and your future is worth fighting for. Together, we will weather this storm. Together, we will build the world we deserve — a world where every one of us can stand in the fullness of our identities, unafraid and unapologetic. Our freedom is bound up together, and together, we will win. 

Our survival depends on our ability to understand these threats and mobilize against them. Knowledge is our weapon, and action is our shield.

Erasing our existence: The battle in education

Imagine Aisha, a 14-year-old trans girl in South Carolina, navigating a school system shaped by current anti-trans laws. Under H.3730, passed by the Republican-controlled House and signed into law by the Republican governor, Aisha’s daily life at school has become a minefield. Each day, she enters a classroom where her teachers are legally bound to deny her identity. The simple act of asking to be called by her chosen name could trigger a mandatory report to her family, exposing her to rejection and isolation at home. Even her allies, teachers who might have offered comfort, are forced into silence, unable to provide the affirmation and protection she so desperately needs. The school, once a place of potential, has become a space of fear and surveillance.

Now imagine Aisha is also Black. The weight of these laws compounds with the systemic racism she might also be facing. For Aisha, each classroom can become a minefield where both her gender and racial identities can be scrutinized or challenged. These laws don’t just isolate; they amplify existing prejudices, embolden discrimination, and silence allies. They broadcast a clear message to students like Aisha: You are not welcome here. 

A matter of life and death: The healthcare battlefield

For Aisha and thousands of trans youth like her, healthcare isn’t just about feeling seen — it’s a lifeline. Gender-affirming care, particularly puberty blockers, gives young trans people the time and space to explore their identities safely, delaying the permanent physical changes that come with puberty. This care offers trans youth the gift of a pause, preventing the distress of their bodies developing in ways that don’t align with their gender. But across the country, these lifelines are being cut. In states like South Carolina, laws banning puberty blockers for minors are leaving young people trapped in bodies they cannot recognize or accept.

For young people like Aisha, the barriers to care are even more devastating. Already navigating a healthcare system rife with racial bias, Black trans people often struggle to access affirming care. Now, with these bans, even that limited access is being stripped away. Without puberty blockers, Aisha is forced to endure the changes of puberty that feel alien and distressing, deepening her sense of isolation. These laws don’t just deny treatment — they send a message that her identity is something to be punished, not supported.

The consequences are deadly. Transgender youth already face alarmingly high rates of mental health challenges, with studies showing that over half of trans teens have seriously considered suicide. Yet, access to gender-affirming care dramatically reduces this risk. According to research from the Trevor Project, trans youth who receive gender-affirming care are significantly less likely to attempt suicide compared to those who want care and are unable to access it. Lawmakers who strip away this care are not just endangering the well-being of these young people, they are pushing them toward life-threatening crises. For Black trans youth, who often lack strong support networks, the denial of care can push them to the edge. This is not just a political debate — it’s a matter of survival.

Our resilience is our strength

In the face of this relentless onslaught, it would be easy to lose hope. But trans people, especially Black trans people, have always lived in defiance of the systems designed to erase us. Our very existence is an act of resistance.

But resistance alone is not enough. We don’t resist just to make a point — we resist because our lives depend on it. We resist because we envision a world where trans children can grow up without fear, where Black trans lives are valued and protected, where our identities are celebrated rather than criminalized.

To build this world, we — trans people and our allies — must transform challenge into change. We must convert our anger into action. Every time they try to erase us from classrooms, we show up louder and prouder in our communities. Every time they attempt to deny us healthcare, we fight harder for universal access to affirming care. Every time they try to silence us, we speak our truths more boldly.

We cannot afford silence. On Nov. 5 and in every election — from the presidency to your local school board — your vote is an act of defiance. By casting your ballot, you are directly challenging the systems and laws designed to erase trans people from public life. 

Visit m4bl.link/VOTE to make your voting plan. Choose candidates who most closely align with your values. These may not be your ideal options. The political landscape is complex, and no candidate is perfect. But make no mistake — there is a clear difference in values between the choices before us. We’ve come too far, fought too hard, and have too much at stake to back down now. Our health is non-negotiable. Our education is our right. Our lives are sacred. And we will continue to fight, to love, to thrive, not in the shadows, but in the full light of day. 

Marcus Davis is the director of integrated technology at the Movement for Black Lives, where he oversees cybersecurity, and digital infrastructure to support nationwide movement building and community empowerment.

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Project 2025: A threat to LGBTQ elders and inclusive America

We must fight for a diverse country that protects all its citizens

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Activists at a rally outside of the offices of the Heritage Foundation on Jan. 27, 2024 in Washington, D.C. speak out against Project 2025. (Screen capture via Facebook video by Michael Key)

In recent months, Project 2025, a conservative roadmap for a potential second Trump administration, has gained significant attention. While its proponents claim it will bring efficiency and reform to governmental operations, a more in-depth read of the document reveals a disturbing agenda that threatens the progress made across various sectors in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, with particularly harmful implications for LGBTQ+ elders.

Project 2025 proposes a radical overhaul of federal agencies, with a specific focus on dismantling DEI programs. The plan views these initiatives as forms of “affirmative discrimination” and seeks to replace them with what it perceives as merit-based practices. This stance ignores the real-world benefits of DEI programs in creating more inclusive and equitable workplaces, particularly for marginalized communities like LGBTQ+ elders.

The proposal goes beyond merely eliminating DEI initiatives. It advocates for stripping workplace protections related to sexual orientation and gender identity from federal rules. This regressive move would leave LGBTQ+ individuals, especially older adults, vulnerable to discrimination in employment, healthcare, and housing – areas where they already face significant challenges.

LGBTQ+ older adults are particularly vulnerable to the negative effects of proposed changes in Project 2025’s anti-DEI stance. This population already faces unique challenges, including higher rates of social isolation, poverty, and health disparities compared to their non-LGBTQ+ counterparts. ​The removal of protections and DEI initiatives could exacerbate these issues significantly, leading to increased discrimination in healthcare settings and potentially poorer health outcomes.​ Furthermore, the elimination of programs promoting inclusivity and social interaction could deepen the isolation experienced by LGBTQ+ elders, who are more likely to live alone and have fewer avenues of family support.

The economic and housing implications of Project 2025’s stance are equally concerning for LGBTQ+ older adults. With fewer workplace protections, they may face increased employment discrimination, potentially worsening their already precarious economic situations. This reduction in economic security could have far-reaching effects on their quality of life and ability to access necessary resources. Additionally, the potential reduction in support for LGBTQ+-inclusive housing initiatives could make it substantially more difficult for elders to find safe, affordable, and LGBTQ+-friendly housing options, further compounding the challenges they face in their daily lives.

The potential negative impact of Project 2025 extends far beyond LGBTQ+ elders, threatening to create a less tolerant and less inclusive society overall.​ By attempting to erase the progress made in recognizing and addressing structural inequalities, Project 2025 risks turning back the clock on civil rights and social justice initiatives. This regression could have profound implications for marginalized communities across the board, undoing decades of hard-fought progress in creating a more equitable society.

As we face this looming threat to LGBTQ+ elders and DEI initiatives, it’s crucial that we take decisive action. This includes raising awareness by educating others about the potential impacts of Project 2025 on vulnerable populations, advocating by supporting organizations fighting to defend LGBTQ+ rights and DEI initiatives, and exercising our right to vote to ensure that our elected officials support policies that protect marginalized communities. Additionally, we must continue to promote inclusivity in our workplaces and communities by championing DEI efforts and creating welcoming spaces for all. By taking these steps, we can work together to counteract the potential harm of Project 2025 and maintain the progress we’ve made toward a more just and equitable society.

​Project 2025 represents a significant threat to the progress we’ve made in creating a more conscientious society.​ Its anti-DEI stance would disproportionately harm LGBTQ+ elders, a group already facing numerous challenges. We must stand against these regressive proposals and continue to fight for a diverse, inclusive America that values and protects all its citizens, regardless of age, sexual orientation or gender identity.


Kylie Madhav is Senior Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion of SAGE.

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