The legendary Larry Kramer, founder of Gay Men's Health Crisis (1982), ACT UP (1987), author, playwright, and activist visited our corner of the country this week. Larry and his partner, David Webster were in town for the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists' Association annual conference, and met up with Gary Holt, director of the Gay Men's Chorus of San Diego and me at the Westin Horton Plaza. Larry's is the face that has seen too much and not turned sour; his eyes have taken in the horrors of the gay plague, but are not blinded. I want some of his fearlessness and pure bravery to rub off on me, so I touched him as the devotee touches the hem of the bodhisattva. And Kramer is a bodhisattva, one who "forgoes Nirvana in order to save others." 
From left, Gary Holt, Director, Gay Men's Chorus of San Diego, Larry Kramer, Fergal and David Webster, Larry's partner.
I connected with Larry thanks to my friend Rex Wockner, who is here pictured with the Wayne, a journalist who specializes on writing about groups who believe that homosexuality is a disease that can be cured. 
Larry and I liked being cheek to cheek. So, why Gary meeting Larry? Because Gary is commissioning Larry to write the lyrics for a piece of music for our chorus to perform next July in Miami at the gathering of Gay Men's Choruses. Hopefully today's meeting will prove as fruitful as it felt exciting. An exciting gathering of great minds: Gary and Larry.
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