Thank you for sharing such a beautiful story. As the LGBTQ+ community strives to our equal place in society, it's so important to know where we've been.
I lost my lover, my kid brother and my best friend, all within 2 years when this broke out "89-91", then lost at least 75 other acquaintances, lived with the trauma; wondering when my turn would be. Well, for some odd reason, I too, like you, am still here. I rarely watch anything to do with those times, most likely a defense mechanism, but hearing your experience threw me back in time. Lived the covid thing like a rewind of these times when I refused to cave in to the v_c pressure. Nevertheless, I still enjoy life and wish to experience it to the fullest, reminding myself that this is temporary, and when time comes, it will be a totally new adventure. Thank you for posting Paul.
Wow, that was so moving. You had me in tears. So much courage, eloquence and wisdom in your words, Paul. Thank you for sharing your story. Best wishes and big hugs!
I've been with my husband 32 years I have 2 fears one is dying before him not sure who would care for him. The other is him dying before me I don't think I could live without him.
Paul, I am so touched by your story. I don’t know what to say, except you and Jim were incredibly lucky to have loved each other. With much love, Richard (Biloxi, Mississippi). PS. My first love was also named Jim.
It really was terrifying time ... not knowing if you'd survive, and expecting that one of your blood tests would come back positive. It was a time of constant fear and loss. Yet, we have survived AND 'yes' I miss so, so many of them.
As an LGBT person who will soon be immigrating, the thought of dying as a widow for me or my wife, sends chill down my spine. Thank you for showing how your life is carrying on. The love is there. 😍
That's exactly where I'm at now. Though we're still young, my partner was diagnosed with a number of medical issues. None of which are life-threatening yet, but this whole thing shook me hard. It's such a blessing to know how other gay couples handle issues.
Paul, you are smashing. And you’re my age. 65. I lost my ex-partner but remaining my closest friend and likely by now would be my partner again coz we drifted apart coz we were 22 and coming from different countries but very much remained utmost loyal and comfortable with each other, 13 years after we met, also in ‘93 of aids. I was several times with him during his illness. At that time he lived in Israel and i in the Netherlands. 30 Years later i still miss him. Never got that closeness again. But i keep hoping. ❤
Girl, it sounded like you had a splendid time during this period in your lives...God bless you and thank you for speaking up for your partner because, family members can be so cruel to their gay loved ones for just coming out and being gay add the disease HIV & AIDS to the picture and those same people can be out right insensitive, judgemental, and out right evil. For example, heard the horror stories, that the other half's family wouldn't let the beloved partner get invited to the funeral or even let the party know when or where he service was. Yes, this was long before gay marriage got passed, but even then I know how wicked & homophobic my own self-rious some of my siblings could be so I put everything in writing.
My first partner has 21 years older than me. And my second partner is 16 years older than me. I love them both, coz they love me so much. I decide to have 2nd partner coz my 1st is life far from me. Both of them are married with woman, first with 3 kids and 2nd has 2 kids. Coz I love older married man. The first we dated from 2009. And second from 2019.
𝐏𝐚𝐮𝐥 𝐉𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐤, an actor, comedian and screenwriter from Los Angeles, shares the story of his first love lost to AIDS during the pandemic.
Thank you for sharing such a beautiful story. As the LGBTQ+ community strives to our equal place in society, it's so important to know where we've been.
You have 85 holidays and an entire month. What more do you want?
True
I am so grateful Joe and I met before the Aids Pandemic. I just lost him back in January.Yesterday was his 88th Birthday. We were ten years apart.
So well spoken. So brave. So heartbreakingly real. ❤
Oh, Paul. I am so sorry for your loss but so proud of your resilience, self-awareness, and strength.
I lost my lover, my kid brother and my best friend, all within 2 years when this broke out "89-91", then lost at least 75 other acquaintances, lived with the trauma; wondering when my turn would be. Well, for some odd reason, I too, like you, am still here. I rarely watch anything to do with those times, most likely a defense mechanism, but hearing your experience threw me back in time. Lived the covid thing like a rewind of these times when I refused to cave in to the v_c pressure. Nevertheless, I still enjoy life and wish to experience it to the fullest, reminding myself that this is temporary, and when time comes, it will be a totally new adventure. Thank you for posting Paul.
Oh Paul! After all that, you still smile and use your experiences to teach others. I wish I could hug you right now. Loved your story!
"Life requires that you continue." This one was too real to be made up. This one had me in tears. Thank you for sharing.
Wow, that was so moving. You had me in tears. So much courage, eloquence and wisdom in your words, Paul. Thank you for sharing your story. Best wishes and big hugs!
Thank you for checking out the story. Paul is an amazing friend.
Thank you for sharing. Incredible story.
Very touchy story. It's so in depth to see this man's resiliance to "put his coat on and go out." Thank you for sharing it....
I am sobbing😢thank you for sharing🙏🏻❤
I was so moved by this confrontation with loss and death. Thank you so much for sharing your story with the world.
Thanks a lot for listening to Paul's story.
@@lgbtqarchives It is a great lesson in how to confront an end that is inevitable, simply and directly told.
So true. That’s a valuable lesson in itself that we all could benefit from. ❤️
I love "here's your hat, so sorry you have to leave" :)
I've been with my husband 32 years I have 2 fears one is dying before him not sure who would care for him. The other is him dying before me I don't think I could live without him.
So powerful and beautifully spoken. I held up pretty well until the older woman's story during WWII....
'More Jim than jar...' That made me laugh.
Paul, I am so touched by your story. I don’t know what to say, except you and Jim were incredibly lucky to have loved each other. With much love, Richard (Biloxi, Mississippi).
PS. My first love was also named Jim.
Thank you for checking out Paul’s story. ❤️
Thank you. Your words and peace are so beautiful and amazing to witness in this world.
It really was terrifying time ... not knowing if you'd survive, and expecting that one of your blood tests would come back positive. It was a time of constant fear and loss. Yet, we have survived AND 'yes' I miss so, so many of them.
Dear Harvey, if you ever visit Los Angeles, I'd love to meet with you and do an interview for LGBTQ Archives.
Dear Paul, thank you for sharing your story. I am sorry for your loss. Your strength is inspiring.
I lost so many friends to HIV. I am sorry for your loss. You are a blessing.
amazing story............thanks for sharing
As an LGBT person who will soon be immigrating, the thought of dying as a widow for me or my wife, sends chill down my spine.
Thank you for showing how your life is carrying on.
The love is there. 😍
That's exactly where I'm at now. Though we're still young, my partner was diagnosed with a number of medical issues. None of which are life-threatening yet, but this whole thing shook me hard. It's such a blessing to know how other gay couples handle issues.
Great story and story teller too.
I'm so sorry for your loss. It is a terrible thing to lose your love. I, like you lost so many dear friends to that dreaded disease.
Thankyou for sharing your story. Hope you have found peace . Your partner was lucky to have have had you in his life. ❤
Thanks for sharing your story, Paul. ❤❤
Beautiful words.❤
Fantastic & very educational. Thank U 😄
Paul, you are smashing.
And you’re my age. 65.
I lost my ex-partner but remaining my closest friend and likely by now would be my partner again coz we drifted apart coz we were 22 and coming from different countries but very much remained utmost loyal and comfortable with each other, 13 years after we met, also in ‘93 of aids. I was several times with him during his illness. At that time he lived in Israel and i in the Netherlands. 30 Years later i still miss him. Never got that closeness again. But i keep hoping. ❤
Up state New York is not technically New England, but ok. Sorry for your loss. An Amazing love; and I do hope your heart has re'found love. Hugs Joe.
Hey Paul ((👋)) I hope this finds you well.
Girl, it sounded like you had a splendid time during this period in your lives...God bless you and thank you for speaking up for your partner because, family members can be so cruel to their gay loved ones for just coming out and being gay add the disease HIV & AIDS to the picture and those same people can be out right insensitive, judgemental, and out right evil. For example, heard the horror stories, that the other half's family wouldn't let the beloved partner get invited to the funeral or even let the party know when or where he service was. Yes, this was long before gay marriage got passed, but even then I know how wicked & homophobic my own self-rious some of my siblings could be so I put everything in writing.
Yes, Paul has had a crazy life. He's extremely active to this day.
Sorry for your lost
❤
❤😊
Thank you 🌿
And the woman was a former nun? The devil really does disguise itself in very safe ways.
it is so devastating to hear this.
My first partner has 21 years older than me. And my second partner is 16 years older than me. I love them both, coz they love me so much.
I decide to have 2nd partner coz my 1st is life far from me.
Both of them are married with woman, first with 3 kids and 2nd has 2 kids. Coz I love older married man.
The first we dated from 2009. And second from 2019.
I am so sorry. She does not deserve your respect.
So many just "vanished." Before cell phones and email, etc., I don't know what happened to so many friends that I used to know before.
🔴🟠🟡🟢🔵🟣
that whole time period I thought I had AIDS
I'm sure even a slight headache would totally drive people crazy. Just like COVID, except that was way worse.
I just lost my best friend
Dear Janine, I'm truly sorry to hear that. I hope you have some good people in your life who could comfort you in person. Much love ❤
I’m so sorry for your loss! Hugs to you!
Grief and mourning immobilizes you for a period of time. It all seems unreal.
🙄
Jesus loves you so much 🤍
Gay + religion = outcast, the rejected
But do not like you lifestyle