I got this letter tonight and I thought I would share it with you all, THIS is why we write, because someone out there, may Google something and come by to read what you have to say, and sometimes what you have to say may just save a life.

Mr. Andrews, I found your blog by pure accident by googling some topics I was planning to put in a blog I was creating! I am a 45 y/o single gay male who was diagnosed with AIDS one year ago and I am doing fine today by some sort of miracle. I read this blog and it impacted me profoundly. For a moment, I was reading my life!

I live in Miami and as you pointed out, the men here were, and still are, a bunch of immature vicious superficial “shells.” You are valued only by your looks and your wallet and your wallet better be Coach or Luis Vitton. The person you are has no meaning to them unless you have something “they” want. I am no pretty boy nor a gym bunny, I am just an average Joe who happens to be gay. I learned and personally experienced the ” self -discrimination” and “self-destruction” the gay “community” is self inflicting. There is no community, there are only “clubs or cliques.”

These clubs have “criteria” in order for you to join and that criteria is usually based on looks and looks alone. Their is no respect or self respect for others anymore. You are used and abused and thrown away like garbage after they have taken what they needed. I saw many men kicked out by lovers, friends and families because they are HIV+. I saw the gay community turn its back on their own and then ask for monies to help those with HIV? I saw first hand the hypocrisies the whole “White Party” is. It is just another party on the circuit party calender with plenty of drugs and sex and , of course, money.

I also attended an HIV support group in the beach and as you said, it is another avenue to find more sex partners and to gossip. I finally found another one that is half way decent. I no longer, as well, associate myself with any “gay” related activities because of gay mens’ behaviors. I have not been to bars/clubs in years.

The gay community, as I have said for decades, is imploding and on a path of self-destruction. How can a community demand respect when you cannot respect yourself and others in your community. The gay community needs to grow up first and leave high school behind.
I want to thank you for that incredible blog and giving me the opportunity to express myself.

Jose