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Justin's HIV Journal: International AIDS Conference 2012 & Capital Pride Hero 2012

485 views · Published 24 June 2012 · 7:44 · Indexed 24 October 2026

Channel: Dr. Justin B. Terry-Smith · 2012 · People & Blogs

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Pride is a great event no matter where you are, how big your pride gets, or how many organizations are a part of it.  This was a particular special Capital Pride for me.  I was honored as one of five Capital Pride Heroes Award Recipients.  I was so surprised and happy, when I got that call.  

Also I'm being inducted into the DC AIDS Heroes Exhibit at the International AIDS Conference that is happening in Washington DC July 22nd-27th.  I will definitely be there for about two days at the conference because that is all I could afford.  But there is the Gay Men's Health Summit that I have already registered for and that is separate from the International AIDS Conference, but I will be attending that as well from July 20th to 21st.  These events for very informative and I suggest everyone attend.  HIV affects and can infect us all.  

Here are the bios written by Metro Weekly's Will O'Bryan of all the award recipients:
 
That gala, the Heroes Gala & Silent Auction, is Wednesday, May 30, marking the start of Capital Pride, which ends Sunday, June 10, with the Capital Pride Festival. But the celebration of these heroes has already begun.

Andrew Barnett, executive director of metro D.C.'s Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League (SMYAL), says he learned of the honor about two weeks ago, adding that while the award may be in his name, he ''absolutely'' hopes that it will help with his organization's work.

Being a hero means, however, that Barnett may have to forgo marching with the SMYAL contingent in the June 9 Capital Pride Parade. Traditionally, a hero rides alone -- in a convertible, of course. He has no doubt the SMYAL parade showing, already on track for something big, will be just fine.

Ebone Bell, whose BOI Marketing & Promotions gives D.C. its annual Capital Queer Prom, says she'll miss hitting the parade with her prom peers, but she certainly won't have time to dwell on it. She'll be too busy helping with an array of women's events during Capital Pride, performing at the festival, and on and on. It's that sort of community involvement, though, that's raised her to hero status.

Kevin Platte, founder of the DC Cowboys, plans on running back to the cowboys' rolling parade stage after making it through the route on hero duty, saying the parade is enough fun to warrant two or three rides along the route.  With the DC Cowboys dance troupe having entertained in the District and well beyond for nearly two decades, Platte knows what he's talking about. He's enjoyed more than his fair share of Capital Pride festivities. That makes it all the more appropriate that the cowboys have scheduled their last appearance for the Capital Pride Festival, adding even more weight to this special honor.

Between being named Capital Pride Hero and the DC Cowboys curtain call, Capital Pride will obviously be an emotional time for Platte. ''It's exciting. It's nerve-wracking. It's sad. It's all the emotions tied together,'' he shares. There's also good reason for Michelle Benecke, co-founder of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN), to experience an extra jolt of emotion as she rides the parade route, remembering back nearly 20 years when participated with less jubilation, more determination.

Simply being in Benecke's company as a fellow Capital Pride Hero is also gratifying, says Justin B Terry-Smith, just starting service with the volunteer Maryland Defense Force, thrilled to be named with a co-founder of SLDN.

The recognition as hero, however, comes not for defending his state, but largely for helping individuals defend themselves from HIV, or better cope with the virus if already infected. While his service to the community has been recognized by The DC Center, DC Leather Pride and others, Terry-Smith says this particular honor tells him his activism has greater impact than he realized.

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