Why I Walk: Michael Sebring

Why I walk...

To support my friends affected by this stigmatized disease and help find a cure! I walk for my friends: Steve, John, Chris and Jeremy

The walk is important to me because I want people affected by this disease to know they are loved, have a chance at a quality life and to bring awareness to others that this disease affects all walks of life.

I have been walking for over 10 yrs.

I spread the word through donating money each year for the walk, sponsoring CAP at work so I could get them a grant, I am the Regional Chair for our Employee Resource Group at work for LGBT issues and support CAP through all its fund raising events, I have partnered with Michael Sorenson to find models for fund raisers and I have introduced several experts in the field of non-profits to help CAP find philanthropy and financial solutions as well as banking benefits to the employees of CAP.

Most of all, CAP provides support in so many ways to those affected by this terrible disease. I am so impressed by the abilities, caring and vision of Cascade AIDS Project and will continue to do all I can to support this great organization.

Why I Walk: Haydenn Harper

Why I walk...

In 2008, the Center for disease Control and Prevention reported that 48 percent of all people living with HIV/AIDS were African American, 53 percent of all deaths related to the virus were from African Americans, men who have sex with men account for 51% of all new HIV infections every year and 45 percent of people living with HIV are men who have sex with men. As a gay black man, I feel it is my responsibility to educate others and raise awareness around this issue for my peers and loved ones. The AIDS Walk is a great way for everyone to not only raise awareness of HIV/AIDS in the Portland community, but to educate themselves and other people on HIV/AIDS related issues.

I walk for Queer People of Color. Our stories are rarely ever told and when they are, our voices aren't always listened to. I walk for this community because it is a community that needs to be there for each other. We cannot be silenced and we cannot be ignorant. Education and unity is critical to our community because without it we won't have the support we need from each other and can become more prone to the HIV/AIDS virus than we already are.

HIV/AIDS affects the two communities I identify with directly. The virus has affected the African American and Queer communities more than any other population in the country. The walk is important to me because it raises awareness of the virus which will help prevent more infections, gathers more community support for people living with HIV/AIDS so they know they are not alone in the battle, and it raises funds to prevent the spread of the virus and hopefully bring us closer to a day in which it will no longer exist.

This will be my first time walking and I am honored to be a part of the movement.

I tell everyone who is close to me about it. Friends, family, classmates and colleagues. I spread the word in every way I can and know I am not alone in that effort.

Why I Walk: Greg Bear

Why I walk...

I walk to help keep a local "public face" on AIDS, here in the Pacific NW communities. In this day and age of instant messaging, and sound bites, I believe people tend to forget that the disease is still happening around them.

I believe that since people are now living with AIDS, and not dying of AIDS in numbers that once existed, that we tend to forget that it still kills people from all walks of life. A walk brings the community together to congregate with like-minded people, to laugh, cry, and share with those people. And then to show Unity in the walk, to show others and remind them that AIDS does still affect us within our community.  This disease is not something that just happens elsewhere; it is happening here around us.

I walk for the memory of those who can no longer walk because of this disease. I also walk for those who are ill, and living their lives in spite of AIDS. I walk with others who also might have AIDS, who walk in Unity, who walk to put a public face on AIDS.

I walk for those I've known who fell to the disease. There are so many who have died of AIDS that I am sorry to say I can no longer even remember many of their names. I can still see them, when I think of them, but can't remember them all. To name a few, would be Randy 'RADAR' Burdick, Chester Ester Hoffman, Bernie Sanford, Gene Males, Steve Shumate, RB Hyiatt 'Won Ton Desire', China, Peacock, Tree, and many others.

Part of the reason the walk is important to me is a gathering of community spirit. Gathering of survivors, whether of the disease itself or those left behind, to carry on for those who have passed before us. I am hoping that within my lifetime AIDS is cured--but that these walks will still carry on, in memory of those who have died. And a celebration of life, maybe, for what could have been. To celebrate the legacy of the community after AIDS.

I have been around for all 25 years of walks, but I worked at several gay bars, the first couple of walks, and celebrated with many of the participants, on both sides of the bar. I didn't start walking until the 3rd year, and then I walked the next 3 or 4 years. Then about every 5 years or so. This will be the 1st walk in some time, as my health was an issue for some years. Now I am in better health, and am looking forwards to showing my support once again.

I am a native Oregonian; I've lived in and around the Portland area since the early 1970's. I have been well known as a longtime former bartender, local gay newspaper columnist, videographer, and local gay archivist. I have many Facebook friends, ISRC contacts, and friends in the Bear community and Drag community. I am social network savvy. Also, I am gifted (cursed?) with gab.

Because of health considerations, I don't get out much, but I do a lot of social networking, mostly on FB, and that's how I gather support and raise awareness.

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Why I Walk: Kevin Cook

Why I walk...

I walk because I can; I feel like it’s my duty to walk for all who cannot.

While I lost many close personal friends whom I keep in my heart and mind, especially on AIDS Walk day, I walk for those who had no one during their final days, whose friends and families turned their backs on them. In the late 80’s and early 90’s, I witnessed a lot of that--and surely there were many whom I never met or knew very well, but who deserve nonetheless to be remembered.

When our Community first was hit and we started losing friends and loved ones, the Drag Community jumped right in and began raising funds and awareness. To date, sadly, I can list over 100 drag performers who we have lost, among those my closets and dearest friends who created and shaped the entertainer I have become. Most of what I do these days in my “career” is dedicated to them--being a successful full-time drag performer and emcee is possible because of their guidance and inspiration. The many times Poison Waters has emceed the AIDS Walk has been my “toast” to these “ladies”.

I walk for my ”sisters” Misty, Rosey and Lady Elaine Peacock.
I walk for those we’ve lost who had no friends and family.
I walk because it’s the very least I can do for those who cannot.

I love the sense of Community the Walk provides. When I was a teen I wanted to do ANYTHING I could to help raise awareness of HIV/AIDS and show support for my Community. The Walk allows everyone to participate through this very simple act of joining. No matter a person's age or financial situation, everyone can be a part of this very important Community event.

While I’m sure I’ve been walking since the early 90’s, I know this will be my 11th consecutive year on the Camp Starlight Team! My birthday is September 17 and I always get most of my donations around that time. I send messages and reminders to my friends and family via e-mail, Facebook and texting, asking for donations to AIDS Walk instead of birthday gifts.

Why I Walk: Drew Picard

Why I walk...

I walk for those that cannot, plain and simple. It's a somewhat cliche and cheesy response, I know; however, I feel as though it is one that is never expressed enough.

This ailment has affected so many people and it will be years before we touch the lives of everyone that it has changed. Our participation, yours as well as mine, shows the world how much we care and that we are not going to just stand by while it takes another life. Just as with the other obstacles we face through out our lives, this battle will be won with massive involvement. This world has yet to see what we are all capable of, if we just stand up together for what we believe in and the people we care about.

So, I walk to show even just one more person that I am here to make a difference--one step at a time!

I have many friends that are affected by HIV/AIDS and whose lives have changed because of it. Yet, I see strength in all of them. Never once have any of them stopped living. I walk for all of my friends, in their name and for my own.

This walk is important to me, for it shows that we are willing to band together and fight for the truth, and for our beliefs. We get our chance to show that we are a force to be reckoned with and that we will fight long and strong for everyone that needs our help.

This will be my second year actually walking, but third year in participation. I have enjoyed playing many roles and lending a hand when ever I can. It's been a blast so far this year, and it's only going to get better!

It's hard to find a person that is not already informed or knowledgeable about the walk or what we do. Still, I spread the word and try to get people involved any way I can. Working at my bar provides a steady influx of customers that are willing to help with donations and even volunteer to walk. It is truly awesome to see the city organize and band together to show support. Way to go Rose City!

Using the Power of Video

Walkers are gearing up for the Walk, recruiting team members and raising funds. Here are two videos that have been put together by Walkers to do just that:


Marc Kochanski asks viewers: Help Me Make It



Andrew Shayde wants you to join The Ultimate Alliance


How about you--have you come with a fun, original way to recruit and fundraise for AIDS Walk Portland 2011?