Michael Callen, Hero, Singer, Songwriter, Composer, Author and AIDS Activist died 25 years ago today. • This Digital Oil Painting was designed by me, utilizing a public domain photo, and the BrushStroke app. Michael is a Hero because he, along with his physician, “invented” safe sex. Until the advent of PrEP, safe sex or safer sex, was the principal way of reducing the risk for the many individuals for whom abstinence was not an option. In addition to his AIDS Activism he was also an amazing singer, songwriter, composer, and author. His life may have ended 25 years ago but his legacy lives on. • “Michael Callen (April 11, 1955 – December 27, 1993) was an American singer, songwriter, composer, author, and AIDS activist. Callen was diagnosed with AIDS in 1982 and proceeded to become a pioneer of AIDS activism in New York City, working closely with his doctor, Dr. Joseph Sonnabend, and Richard Berkowitz. Together, they published articles and pamphlets to raise awareness about the correlation between risky sexual behaviors and AIDS. As a major contributor to the foundation of AIDS activism, specifically activism from people with AIDS, Callen helped draft unprecedented documents such as How to Have Sex in an Epidemic: One Approach, and The Denver Principles. In addition to his written work, Callen was a leader and founder of activist organizations including The People with AIDS Coalition and the Community Research Initiative. As a musician, he was a member of the openly gay and politically active a cappella quintet The Flirtations and released his own solo album, "Purple Heart" in 1988. He consistently spoke out for AIDS activist and gay and lesbian organizations and made frequent speaking appearances. Callen remained a primary public figure in AIDS activism until he died at age 38 from AIDS-related complications of pulmonary Kaposi's sarcoma at Midway Hospital in Los Angeles, California.” - Wikipedia • #AIDSHero #AIDSActivist #Singer #Songwriter #Composer #Author #InventorOfSafeSex #SafeSex #Died25YearsAgoToday #25YearsAgo #MichaelCallen #Hero https://www.instagram.com/p/Br6cr0rhWPX/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=14yi4xzqgk57b
