Yes, I'm gay. I probably was since the day I was born. On my 21st birthday, I sort of had my debut. I came out to my parents. A little drama from mom, and some indifference from dad. An above-average coming out. Almost perfect.

Nine years later, two weeks before my 30th birthday, I found out... I'M HIV POSITIVE.

And so my story begins... I'm BACK IN THE CLOSET.

Thursday, July 02, 2009

Michael Jackson & HIV/AIDS

Michael JacksonMichael Jackson. The King of Pop. May he rest in peace.

We know of his music. We know of his moves. We even know of all the controversies surrounding his life, from plastic surgery, to alleged child molestation. But did you know that Michael Jackson was dealing with HIV & AIDS as well?

No, no, no. Michael Jackson did not have HIV nor AIDS... as far as I know, at least. But knowing how much of a philanthropist he was towards children and communities around the world, I was just struck with curiosity. Was HIV ever among Michael Jackson’s worthy causes?

Googling here and there, I found what I was looking for.

Ryan White was a teenager who became the face of HIV and AIDS in the United States after being discriminated against because of his HIV status. He contracted HIV from infected blood products he had received as treatment for his hemophilia.

Having been diagnosed with HIV in 1984, a time when it was very poorly understood, White was expelled from his school because parents and teachers considered his infection as a threat to others. From there stemmed White’s mission to educate and enlighten people about HIV and AIDS. And that’s where Michael Jackson came in.

Along with fellow celebrities Elton John and Phil Donahue, Michael Jackson brought the nation’s attention onto Ryan White’s mission. The greatest result of this mission came after White’s death in 1990, when the Ryan White Care Act was passed by the US Congress.

Now other than the spotlight that Michael Jackson brought, as well as the red Mustang he gave White as a gift... yeah, yeah, I can already hear the kids-and-Michael-Jackson jokes ringing... Michael Jackson also wrote and sang Gone Too Soon as a tribute to Ryan White and his cause.



Gone Too Soon

Like a comet blazing 'cross the evening sky
Gone too soon

Like a rainbow fading in the twinkling of an eye
Gone too soon

Shiny and sparkly and splendidly bright
Here one day, Gone one night

Like the loss of sunlight on a cloudy afternoon
Gone too soon

Like a castle built upon a sandy beach
Gone too soon

Like a perfect flower that is just beyond your reach
Gone too soon

Born to amuse, to inspire, to delight
Here one day, Gone one night

Like a sunset dying with the rising of the moon
Gone too soon

Gone too soon


So sans the controversies and eccentricities, Michael Jackson leaves behind more than just his music and his moves... he leaves behind a legacy which can literally heal the world. Gone too soon... Gone too soon.

7 comments:

Ming Meows said...

he's not that bad after all

Turismoboi said...

kakaiyak!

BLACKPOOL said...

another beautiful entry... i love it.

Anonimus said...

I felt a deep connection with Michael Jackson because there was a time in my life when I could sing "Beeeennn the 2 of us need look no mooore" without flinching or hyper-stretching the veins in my neck.

And then when I couldn't do that anymore, at least I could dance 'Beat It" and wiggle my feet close to my crotch while standing and not holding on to anything.

And when I couldn't do that anymore, we kinda drifted apart.

PinoyPoz said...

@Meow: Indeed, he wasn't.

@Turismoboi: Baket madrama ka lately? Hmm.

@Blackpool: Uyyy, reminiscing! Hehehe.

@Anonimus: You are so brave to disclose all that about yourself. Thank you for that TMI moment! Hehe. ;-)

Clayman said...

Hey, you can check out the Ryan White story on YouTube.

Part 1 of 10 -- http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=91C4B46241572348&search_query=Ryan+White+Story

PinoyPoz said...

Thanks for sharing that, Angelo!