AIDSLifecycle 2014 Update #2 (The Holidays are Upon Us!)

Hey everyone!  I know that I have to go ahead and accept the fact that it is the holidays. I mean, we all get to hear those same ol' silly jingles right about now, and CVS has had their X-Mas stuff out since Nov. 1, but the holidays are always (thought to be) about giving.

I am not always the most happy guy around the holidays. I find that people can sometimes be a bit much. People are running about with their blinders on, while everyone is forced to grimace a smile, (if they can manage) as they get bumped into, knocked around, and there's only so much 'HAPPY!HAPPY!' you can handle. Instead of going out into the madness of commerce and buying me a gift, donate instead. I am not materialistic. I do like nice things, but I should be the one working for those nice things. 

I appreciate the thought of a gift, but appreciate the thought of donating towards a worthy cause much much more.

Donate to my fundraising goal instead. I have everything I need, because I have you in my life. There are many others out there, who are nowhere near as lucky as I am. There are people out there who need more than Starbucks or iTunes gift card.
If you decide to donate, your money will go somewhere beyond Starbucks, and Apple.

THE L.A. GAY & LESBIAN CENTER is the world’s largest organization dedicated to serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and has been working to build the health, advocate for the rights and enrich the lives of LGBT people for more than 40 years.
The services and programs that your money will go to include: low-cost LGBT and HIV/AIDS specialty health care; housing, food, clothing and support for homeless LGBT youth;support services for LGBT seniors; low-cost counseling and addiction recovery services;legal services; health education and HIV-prevention programs; transgender services and medical care; mentoring for LGBT youth; cultural arts etc.

This is where you can make a huge difference in the lives of people who really need the help. 

I have raised $75 since Thanksgiving. My goal is to raise $1,500 by Dec. 31. Then I will keep raising as much as I can until we ride out!!

Forget the gifts. This is a real chance for us to help people, and truly experience the pride we can have in ourselves and our community!

My 'Coming Out' Story (In honor of National Coming Out Day)

When I came out to my mother, she had just found out that I had quit high school. My senior year didn't go so well, so I was enrolled in adult school. At the time I wasn't interested in anything but going out to underground parties around four days a week. She came into my room and was yelling at me after receiving a letter from my adult school, which said I hadn't been to school in two months. She was absolutely furious, with very good reason. She asked me what was wrong with me. The truth is that I was on drugs and totally being selfish. What I said was, "I'm gay." Her response was, "Get out of my house and don't come back with aids." I left and moved to San Francisco for a month and a half. I was with a man that I had met on the internet. He was a great guy and we still get along and talk, but things were not easy for us and I ended up moving in with my ex boyfriends family back Huntington Beach. My mother called me a few times. She had calmed down and missed me so much. Two years later, she died of a staph infection of the lungs. I spent many days with her before that happened and learned that no matter how they react when you do come out, angry, sad, or whatever, they still love you very much. If they kick you out or you feel rejected, it's up to both you and your parents to make the effort to have a good relationship again. Be good to your parents, they aren't going to always be there. Do your best to give them the love they deserve, even when they reject you. My father loves me so much and has grown to understand me and appreciate me for who I am. Our relationship today has never been better. Much love. #nationalcomingoutday