I can tell you all without question, yes he is an extremely ‘controversial’ activist. And the only motive for this story was to share a wonderful story. Anyone who is truly ‘controversial’ will not be picked up a huge amount by the media thus the lack of a tremendous amount found through google searchers. The ‘controversial’ laid not only in ACTUP but the thousands of times he called people out in meetings when their actions did not echo the words someone was speaking. He demanded and demands action and those accountable be held accountable. His tactics are often loud, abrasive and militant which again make him ‘controversial’. The way he met Rick Warren was by doing precisely that – questioning him loudly at a meeting on what he was doing to help fight the AIDS pandemic.

The responses I have received from the original question I asked have been stunning. Please do not speak for me and say that I have gotten the message that my experience has been isolated or that my experience does not accurately reflect the way things are. I never said that nor am I sure I believe it to be completely true. I was hoping for responses that would indicate a consistency that people on this blog were involved in causes they support and would verify that my experience was isolated. I was happy to hear of the few who were involved. The person who has doubted and questioned my integrity the most has also said he does not do any volunteer work. I respectfully ask that you post this and I will take my own advice and not write any further about it.

I think it is so great that you did volunteer work and hope if you found it fullfilling. I am sorry that you doubt my claim but that is ok – the people I have worked with are wonderful and come from various walks of life and we all have a job to do. I asked the question because I thought many on here would be active volunteers and that would verify that perhaps my experience was isolated.

I think Ann as well as I have got the message that her experience was isolated. Her perceptions were based on her own experience and do not accurately reflect how things are.

I was not sure where that was all going and I am not sure it can go much further with any fruit. The topic was the guy who got converted. Any other thoughts on that topic?

I have yet to meet or work with an activist for or member of the gay community in this work and have wondered many times where they were in this area of need that they often are activists for publicly but not personally

and

however, [the people who give their money] purposely remove themselves from the personal attention that is needed.

These are your words, Ann, I didn’t make them up or take them out of context.

You did make an accusation. You did question the commitment of this community.

And to those of us commenting here you said “I encourage you to become involved on a personal level”, implying of course that we do not.

You are wrong Ann. You have wrongfully accused both individuals and a community.

You tell us, Ann, that by caring your heart is changed. Let us see that changed heart.