I just finished watching the last movie on the list for the assignment this week and the name of it was Silverlake Life. I was saving it for last because of the warning about how graphic it was. All I can say is that I’m glad I got the warning because it was intense. It was a personal documentary of two gay lover’s battle with AIDS. I was so shocked to see the transformation of one of the men, all the way until he died in his bed. His lover filmed everything to when he was being taken to the funeral home. It was a horrible sight to see how he had wasted away to skin and bones. I’m glad spring break is approaching because my mind can only take so much more information!
I researched two famous people who had died from AIDS earlier. I chose one person I had heard of, Perry Ellis, and one that I had no clue about, Larry Kert. Perry Ellis was a fashion designer whom I am familiar with because my boyfriend loves the line of cologne. Perry worked his way up the fashion ‘ladder’ in the 1970s and eventually opened his own line of clothing, without even knowing how to draw. He grew his line to include shoes, perfume and accessories that are all still popular today. While researching his life, it was difficult to find information about the exact details of his life. Some websites say he died of hepatitis, and some say a coma due to encephalitis. While this information is true, he became so ill because of AIDS. It was also kept hush-hush during the time of his death (1986) because this was the time when no one wanted to talk about AIDS.
Larry Kert was a child actor and most of us probably would know him most from the movie West Side Story. He was a handsome star who could also sing, and had a lot of success on Broadway. He had a male companion named Ron Pullen, according to the NY Times, but there was not much more information about his personal life that I could find. He died at the age of 60 in 1991 due to AIDS. My guess is that he was well into his fifties before he became infected.
Did You Know?
In 2002 a college student was charged with having sex with someone without informing them he had HIV. The young man was given a prison sentence and community service, but was still allowed to take classes. The girl tested negative to the disease but what I would have done to him if he did that to me! Make sure you wrap it up people, because you never know!
In 2002 a college student was charged with having sex with someone without informing them he had HIV. The young man was given a prison sentence and community service, but was still allowed to take classes. The girl tested negative to the disease but what I would have done to him if he did that to me! Make sure you wrap it up people, because you never know!
I cannot imagine how I would feel if I found out that someone I had sex with knew they had HIV but did not disclose the information. Protection is so incredibly important! You never really know what is going on in your partner's head.
ReplyDeleteAs for your celebrities, I have heard of Perry Ellis too but not Larry Kert. I am a Natalie Wood fan and she was in West Side Story. I am trying to picture his face but its been awhile since I have seen the movie. Its sad that Perry Ellis and his people felt they needed to cover up his HIV positive diagnosis. Sometimes I wonder if much has changed now. I bet a popular, young celebrity now would not admit they were HIV positive.
I think Perry Ellis went the way of Freddie Mercury in dismissing the potential for raising awareness about HIV, but I can understand wanting to maintain one's privacy. And I'm with Courtney...I can't recall seeing Larry Kert in West Side Story. It's amazing how many famous people have died of HIV/AIDS. I wouldn't doubt that others have died as well but their death is listed as pneumonia or another complication.
ReplyDeleteIf someone had sex with me who was HIV positive and didn't disclose, I would be mad as hell but wouldn't have anyone to blame but myself if I were to become infected. It takes two to tango and all of us have a responsibility in protecting ourselves. Good blog!
I have mixed emotions about your Did You Know... I feel terrible for the girl, but at the same time she should know not to have sex without a condom. Men especially are scared to tell their friends and lovers that they are HIV positive; therefore, people should openly discuss their sex history before having sex with their new partner. That girl was in college at the time, and should have been educated on the risks of having sex without a condom. Your Did You Know did not state that they were having unprotected sex, but I am just assuming they were since he was charged.
ReplyDeleteI still have to watch Silverlake, but I am glad I read your blog first to remind me of the intensity.
Have a relaxing spring break!!!!
Died from what????
ReplyDeleteHow do you do prison, community service and go to college? Your post sounded like you were surprised to find someone in college willing to give HIV to others. Age is no barrier to stupidity. That is what we have been trying to tell you all. You can't tell by looking so you are correct when you say 'wrap it up!'
Larry Kert was NOT in the movie of WSS (that was Richard Beymer)--Kert was the original Tony in WSS on Broadway
ReplyDeleteYes! Thank you so much, finally someone who knows who he (Larry Kert) was!
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