World Aids Day 20th Anniversary 1988-2008.

Stop AIDS. Keep the promise.

Today on this twentieth anniversary of World AIDS Day (1988-2008), we acknowledge those who have died from HIV/AIDS and we recommit ourselves to the eradication of this disease on behalf of the millions who are living with HIV/AIDS and for future generations.

During the early 80’s I had been able to side step AIDS.  I was living in Detroit, Michigan at the time. Occasionally we would hear about this strange illness that seemed to be affecting gay men in LA, New York and San Francisco but there was no much real information. And we were too caught up in having a good time to pay much attention/

In 1984 I moved to Ventura, California and there was not much happening with AIDS there either. Oh, we would visit LA read the gay papers and slowly became aware that this disease was killing many men, but Ventura was an idyllic, sleepy seaside town that seemed off the path of this plague we were hearing about in the news. The sense of denial gave way as the pandemic exploded and men that I knew or rather knew of were starting to get sick and die.

Prior to moving from Detroit to Southern California, I had been very involved with Metropolitan Community Church of Detroit where I was part of a group of 12 guys who went to The Woodward Bar every Sunday night after the evening service. We would hang out and talk, eat a burger, drink a beer, play pool and play video games. It was a wonderful, easy end to the weekend and we were very much like brothers for each other. We loved, accepted and encouraged one another without hesitation or reservation.

When I moved back to Detroit and reconnected with MCC Detroit around 1990, I discovered that of that group of amazing men, only five were still living at the time and at least one of them was living with HIV/AIDS. I will never forget that day – I felt like someone had punched me in the gut, repeatedly. I struggled with learning of and grieving multiple losses all at once and I wondered why I had been spared.

During the course of the 90’s, I said good bye to many more men and one woman as each in turn succumbed to AIDS. At one point I realized that I was barely able to cry or feel anymore. I had become numb and detached. It was the only way to survive.

In 1993 we in the g/l/b/t/a communities marched on Washington D.C. for the third time to demand g/l/b/t equality and more action on AIDS. The entire AIDS Memorial quilt was on display on the mall and they were reading the names of all those who had died who had panels in the quilt. What a haunting sound. I walked the panels with my brother, who had just found out he was HIV+. I walked the panels, listening to the names being read and was crying for him and because I had discovered in those quilt panels the names of several former friends or partners.

Everything seemed to change in the latter part of the 90’s as the new drugs were being tried and seemed to be working. For the most part, people stopped dying of AIDS at least in the western world. But living with HIV/AIDS is not like ever getting over it, you are not an AIDS survivor, you live with the disease.

One of my brothers and several friends are currently living with HIV/AIDS. They endure endless drug regimens, doctor’s visits, blood tests, stress you and I cannot imagine, almost constant diarrhea and the long term side effects of the drug therapy which take their own toll on a person’s quality of life.

Many times over the past few years I have read about “bug chasers” and “bare backing.” It seems that some people are returning to risky sex practices because they think it’s not such a big deal to be HIV+.  You just go to the doctor and take some pills and carry on with your life. While the drug therapies are miracles and preserve life, it is not easy to live with AIDS and no one really knows what the long term affects are of these powerful drugs.   I hope and pray that anyone who thinks that HIV is not a big deal will think again. I also hope and pray that we continue to research a way to end this living hell for good.

On this twentieth anniversary of World Aids Day I remember these dear friends. You are not forgotten. I am a better man for having known and loved each of you. You made a difference for me and for many people. Thanks for sharing part of the journey we call life. You are missed!

In loving memory of: 

Mr. Douglas J. Arsenault
Mr. Keith Apple
Dr. Eric Loranger
Mr. Richard L. O’Dell
Mr. Jon Rowe
Mr. Patrick Lee
Mr. Woody Lee
Mr. Joe K. Grantham
Ms. Tracey Mae Artinian LaCroix
Mr. Larry Gaynier
Mr. James Proffit
Mr. James Holman
Rev. Roger Webb
Mr. William R. Fischer
Rev. James Sandmire
Mr. Phillip Gallnitz
Mr. Dennis Tracy
Mr. Peter Salm
Mr. Andrew Satterfield
Unnamed

 

Dear God,

Today we remember the many that have died from HIV/AIDS and the millions more who are living with HIV/AIDS.
May our eyes and ears be open to those who cannot act or speak out for themselves.
May we maintain our vigilance and continue pressing for medical research.
May our hearts and arms be wide open to each other.
Expand our capability to love and care for one another.
Grant us the grace and courage to live in Love.
Help us to stop AIDS and keep the promise.
Amen.

 

Always in Love,

Ric 

© 2008 by Richard L. Beattie, all rights reserved

Historical Night: Barack Obama nominated for President

I just watched one of the most amazing political speeches I have ever heard.

What an awesome testimony to the real strength of America - tonight, a man of color was nominated as the Democratic Party candidate for President of The United States of America. I cried through the culmination of the most amazing political convention I have witnessed during my life time.

That a person of color is nominee from one of the two dominant parties is something I was not sure I would see in my life time. The fact that the close runner up to that man was a woman is equally awesome. And for the first time, I have heard the candidate for the highest office in our land talk about gay rights as civil rights during a major speech to the nation. We have all come a long way from the late '60's. Thank You God!

Copyright (c) 2008 by Richard L. Beattie. All rights are reserved.

I Lift Detroit In Prayer

Today, Renaissance Unity launched a twenty-one day prayer vigil

McCain not sure how many houses he owns -- Queer Lesbian Gay News -- Gay.com

McCain not sure how many houses he owns -- Queer Lesbian Gay News -- Gay.com

I'm not sure I even need to say anything about this story. In a time when many American's are struggling to hold on to the one house they own (with their mortgage company) John McCain is not sure how many houses he and his wife own.

Earlier in the same interview, he quipped that to be rich in America you had make at least 5 million a year.

Both of these ideas are a long way from where I live...

Randy Pausch - The Last Lecture dude dies at 47

YouTube's star lecturer dies at 47 - CNN.com

If you haven't watched The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch I urge you to take the time to do so. In the process of dying Randy taught us all, and most importantly his children an amazing way to live in the now. Randy shares what the power of an intention or dream held in expectation can achieve in our lives. By sharing his own process of living though this experience, Randy inspires all of us to be alive while we are alive.

Randy made his transition today, Friday July 26, 2008. I am a better person for having been touched by his story. What childhood dreams are lying dormant in you? Watch this video and then allow Spirit to dance your dreams awake!

Co-Payments for Expensive Drugs Soar - New York Times

Co-Payments for Expensive Drugs Soar - New York Times

Until recently, I understood insurance to be a method of spreading risk of loss over many people in order to provide coverage most could afford. Now, with the new "Tier 4" formulary prescription pricing, drug coverage for some of the people who need it most has shattered that illusion of sharing the risk among many for the benefit of the few.

I wonder if we will ever understand that we are all connected. WE are emanations of the One life that lives us all.

International Childhood Cancer Awarness Day

Today is International Childhood Cancer Awareness Day. If you have ever been close to a child who is dealing with cancer then you already know the roller coaster of blessings and heartache that are involved for the entire family.

I am close with a family who have a 4 year old boy named CJ who has been dealing with neuroblastoma for the last 14 months. Watching him lean into (for the most part) each phase of treatment has been a real inspiration for me. This family has grown closer as they have lovingly cared for CJ. There have been moments of amazing sweetness and rejoicing and there have also been heartaches and unbelievable anguish. CJ is still undergoing treatment and we are filled with hope for him.

I invite you to do whatever you can for children who are dealing with cancer: Visit, pray, encourage, provide respite assistance for parents, send money for research to some place like St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital or Children's Hospital of Michigan. Above and beyond all else, will you keep your heart open to the people around you?

This too is part of My Heart's Journey!

In Love,

Ric


(c) 2008 by Richard L. Beattie

A Quiet Hush to Welcome the New Year

The last few months have been very busy for me. Early on December 30th, my Mom had a critical health scare and was hospitalized teh same day I was leading our church in a first ever Youth Ministry led service involving more than a hundred children. It felt like I was running hurdles, each event completed merely revealed the next hurdle to jump, so when we had finished the New Year's Eve Burning Bowl service at church I knew it was time "To Be Still and Know..."

I have always enjoyed a big snow storm. There is a magical quality for me in watching snow fall one fragile, unique flake at a time while everything seems to move slower and slower until there is so much snow the machine of civilization takes a break. Snowed in at home and all is calm.

Take a moment to allow yourself to be...

gay news blog: Aging and Gay, and Facing Prejudice in Twilight

gay news blog: Aging and Gay, and Facing Prejudice in Twilight

After reading this article about being gay and living in (some) nursing homes I felt a little like I have been punched in the gut. Perhaps because I'll turn 52 next month and my thoughts turn occasionally to older age and wondering what my living situation will be. As of this writing, I have not had any children so I am not sure who will care for me, should I require assistance as I get older.

It is one of the things you never think of when you are 30 or even 40. It seems that the party is always young and the men are cute and I'll think about those things later.

One day, later knocks at the door! Oh My!

I have heard of a few gay oriented retirement resorts. They sound fabulous and hopefully I'll be able to afford a lovely condo in a gay village where I shall gracefully age while living a rewarding and meaningful life filled with interesting people, parties and romance. However, I am not sure if that is an option for some GLBT folks.

Perhaps this is another step in our maturation as a people in our culture.

"Not special rights, equal rights. Nothing more but nothing less."
--Ric Beattie

RJ the DJ and his journey to wholeness.miracles, blessing, prayer, healing

Do you ever think about the people that you "touch" that you do not know?

Most of us give some thought to the ways we affect the lives of those who are close to us--family, friends and co-workers. But what about those people that you have never met but have a connection with in some way?

I have been writing prayers for several years and many of them have been sent out from Renaissance Unity over the years in the form of a daily inspirational email message. Occasionally, I become aware of one of these prayers being posted on a website or blog.

This morning, I discovered one of my prayers posted on a blog called

I Am Doing Great- Just Like You which is published by a guy named RJ. His "handle" is DJ-RJ because he is a DJ in Austin, Texas. Since May of this year RJ has been blogging his experience of cancer treatment and healing. As I read his story, tears filled my eyes. Tears of joy and connection and blessing. Tears of the Oneness.

I have never met RJ but we have connected in that wonderful way that only Spirit can orchestrate. His story of moving through this experience and facing many challenges both health wise and financially touch me deeply. His quiet courage and remarkable faith inspire me. The journey is not over for RJ, but I can tell you he has already won the prize! If you have a few moments, check out RJ's blog.

We can share a blessing so easily. Perhaps your gift to the world today is a smile at a stranger or a kind word to someone who passes your way.

I invite you to join me in this prayer for RJ.

Dear God,

Thank You for RJ.

Thank You for the clarity and strength of his gentle words

which are a passionate and powerful witnesses to Your love.

Thank You for his willingness to share this journey

of healing and hope which is a blessing to many people.

Thank You for divine order and harmony

which are now established in his body and affairs.

We give thanks for Your Light as it shines brightly through RJ

transforming all that it touches.

In Your name we bless RJ and all who love him.

Expand their experience of health, joy, peace, harmony, abundance and love.

We know that You are the one life that lives in and as us all.

So it Is!

Amen

--Ric Beattie

(c) 2007 by Richard L. Beattie - all rights are reserved.

My Nieces Ashley & Alicia Graduate

On Friday evening, June 1, 2007 two of my nieces, Ashely & Alicia "The Twins" graduated from Lake Orion High School. I am so proud of them and of my sister, Dion who has done an amazing job raising the wonderful young women as a single Mom and solo breadwinner.

I remember the day Dion told me she was pregnant and I remember the day she discovered she was pregnant with twins! I clearly recall; the first ultrasound pictures and the day of Ashley and Alicia's birth, first bottle and first cereal and first food all were memorable. First time I baby sat and first time to use a potty, fist overnight stay, first day of school, first ... My nieces had given me a wonderful glimpse of what a father must feel for which I am eternally grateful.

The Other is me.

There has been a lot of press recently about Imus being fired for his remarks about the Rutgers Women's' Basketball Team. Beyond the obvious issue of the racist and one wonders "what was he thinking" remarks which ignited the firestorm; I cannot help but notice the intense polarity between folks getting behind Imus and against him.

ABC News: Imus' Wife: Send All Hate Mail to Him

It jumped at me as I read -- here is another issue to add to the already enormous and growing every day it seems--list of issues arising in our world at this time that sharply divide people:

War & Peace in Iraq and elsewhere
Republicans & Democrats
liberals & conservatives
gay & straight & Bi
brown & pink & more & mixed race people
moderate conservatives & the radical right
moderate liberals and the way off on the left
The ways we understand, think about and experience that Presence which some call God/Allah/Jesus/The Christ/Atman/The One/Mind/Spirit/Great Spirit
You are with us or you are with terrorists
us and "those people"
God Bless American & ? for the rest of the planet
urban & suburban & rural
Wars on: each other, terror, drugs, poverty, pregnancy, welfare, illegal immigration
______________ & ______________

We are creating more and more ways to see our selves as divided and thereby we feel increasingly divided and separate. Could it be that we look more closely for the oher than we do for our neighbor?


Always in Love,

Ric



PS. It's No Secret: what we focus on expands &
what we try to defend ourselves from we draw into our experience



Copyright (c) 2007 by Richard L. Beattie, all rights are reserved.

Support our Troops and our Veterns - Oppose Escalation

I love the point that this video makes. Opposing the escalation of the war in Iraq is an action that supports our troops! This is not a issue of Republicans or Democrats. It is about Americans and whether or not we want to lose/shed more blood in the Middle East or anywhere for that matter!

And its 1-2-3 what are we fighting for?

The Little Boy in Me

Today, I met a young boy who is bright, a bit shy, cute and who has been alone for a long time. It has been a while since he was able to give expression to himself.

The inquisitive, playful, frightened, precocious boy that I encountered is within me. I had not realized that he was really there or, if I was aware, I had left him behind. I now realize that in leaving him behind, I had left some of the best parts of my own character behind as well.

I am not sure where we go now, but I do know that we go together into this uncharted territory. Perhaps we can have a future unlike our past. Perhaps we can achieve a new sense of balance and purpose. Perhaps, together we will find love.

Ric and Richard are together at last!

Brokeback Mountain

A few hours ago I finally went to see Brokeback Mountain.

Damn! My emotions are so raw. I feel elated, angry, sad, enthralled and lusting. But above all of that I am RAW. And I have been to Brokeback Mountain. And I have been both Ennis Del Mar and Jack Twist.

I cannot even really put my thoughts into words. I have not been so "opened up" by a movie in years, maybe since "the kiss" in Making Love.

My tears are not for Jack and Ennis, I do realize that they are fictional characters in a movie scrips and in a short story.

My tears are for me
And my tears are for the child in me.
And my tears are for my nieces.
And my tears are for us all.

Katrina

Dear God,

Please help us look at what happened after Katrina ploughed into the Gulf Coast without judging each other or ourselves.
This is not about Republicans or Democrats.
This is not about liberal or conservative.
This is not about liturgical or evangelical.
This is not about Jew or Muslim or Christian.
This is about people.
This is about Human Beings!
This is about Fellow Earthlings.
This is about Family.
And this is a shame.
Shame on us for our arrogance and unwillingness to do everything we could do.
Now and then.
Recently and historically.
It is time to change the way we live,
individually and collectively.
Help us God to get over our ego's and ourselves.
Amen




(c) Copyright - by Richard L. Beattie on Sept 6, 2005

Remembering Erik

My youngest brother, Erik Jon, would have been 35 today. Although he has been gone from us for almost 8 years, I often wonder what might have been for him. So many things were just beginning to happen--he was a few months away from graduating from college when he died in his sleep.
I remember the day I first saw him as a baby and I shall never forget finding him dead in bed at his apartment.

Good reminder to live in the moment!

Churches face exile over gay issues - World - smh.com.au

Churches face exile over gay issues - World - smh.com.au

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the courage of the US Episcopal and Canadian Anglican churches. It seems that both of these groups are following in your footsteps by bucking the status quo in favor of unconditional love.

Thank you for the courage of the people in Pasadena and for their pastor, The Rev. Susan Russell.

Thank you Lord for being the Higher Authority. May the Anglican Consultative Council awaken and rise up in love and compassion.

Amen

Sri Lanka charges 1 million to charity who is working to help them???

BBC NEWS | South Asia | Oxfam pays $1m tsunami aid duty

Stranger Than Fiction!

I had to read this article twice because I could hardly believe it. The huge British charity, Oxfam recently paid the government of Sri Lanka 1 million dollars in import duty for some all terrain vehicles that Oxfam needed to assist the people of Sri Lanka rebuild after the Tsunami of last year. Supposedly, this duty policy is to encourage local procurement, which is fine under normal circumstances. In another twist, Sri Lanka does not even produce automobiles.

BBC NEWS | Technology | Microsoft censors Chinese blogs

BBC NEWS | Technology | Microsoft censors Chinese blogs

Modern times, ancient tactic.

Historically, governments have attempted to control access to the "press," to the exchange of ideas and information, as a way to control people. The press today includes the Internet, the worldwide blogging craze, Internet radio stations and email systems that can send thousands of messages per hour.

Standing at the foot of a moving mountain of information is the government of China, the most populous nation on the planet, swatting at the avalanche with a broom.

The question is not really about Google or Yahoo or Microsoft, It is a question about fear. Fear of the truth. Fear of change, of things being different than they had been. Fear of losing control and power. We cannot fight fear, for it truly is a no-thing. Fear, like darkness, is dispelled by lighting a lamp. Let us hold the people of China in Light, knowing that Truth will always find a way to shine. Of course, letters to the Chinese and other governments, flexing our economic muscles by "voting" with our purchases and travel are important efforts too. As we continue to shine light on the darkness, it will disappear into the nothingness from which it appeared.

In thinking about repression of freedom and choiuce, in China and elsewhere, I am grateful to be able to write what I want to in this blog. Freedom is precious. Perhaps Microsoft, et. al. must conform to the will of the government of China. But you and I can speak up, hold out and hold on to the truth. As Margaret Mead once said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."