Category: Black Queer Life Matters

Women We Love; Women We Honor

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B.Michael was a stand for Queer Women, and understood that meant putting his money where his mouth was. With other Queer men, he co-organized a (more or less) annual event designed to both raise money for the Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice and to raise visibility of the often unsung contributions of fierce sisters in the community.

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In 2000, though committed to making the event a success, B.Michael was in the midst of frightening side effects as a result of HIV medications and had to step back. He wrote the note below to fellow-organizer Mitchell Karp. It would have been special to hear the poem he was working on in its entirety.

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African American Dream

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As a New York City public school teacher, B.Michael qualified for certain subsidies that allowed him to pursue a life-long dream to own a home, both for himself and for his beloved mother. In March 2000, this home manifested in a brand new development, Malcolm Shabazz Gardens, in Central Harlem!

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  • (L-R) The Rev. Kimberly Wright (B.Michael’s cousin), B.Michael, then Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields, cousin Sheilah Mabry
  • B.Michael introducing his mom Sheila Sorden (left) to C. Virginia Fields.
B.Michael standing in his backyard, vibrant even in its unfinishedness. 27 July 2000

B.Michael + HIV Meds

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More than 7 years after learning his HIV-positive status, B.Michael decided to fill his doctor’s prescription and began taking anti-virals on February 29, 2000 — with intention! (“Miss honey one” in his email below refers to his mom, who struggled mightily health-wise during this period.)

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The Viramune vial has six pills remaining from the two-month prescription. At a twice daily dose, it looks like he took thm until March 26, at which time he discontinued the meds due to intense side effects.

The vial of Combivir pictured above, also a twice daily regimen, was filled on March 22 but is unopened. Chances are that he refilled his prescription in anticipation of completing his virgin vial of this medication on March 29.