People Who Need People

Saturday the 12th of December was a rather special one.  I was able to go to Los Angeles to meet with my good friend Dan...remember, the social worker I talked about a few entries ago?  It was so nice to reacquaint ourselves after an almost decade long silence.  So many things in our lives, all wonderful and positive.  It was fun actually introducing Dan to the latest music and some new movies; after all, the art of film started this friendship.  Our original plans were to go to Universal studios and the movies.  Well, theme parks and films will always be there, but the chance to volunteer for a wonderful organization  is a once a year event.  And that is just exactly what transpired.  Dan works for the Asian Pacific AIDS Intervention Team and they were sponsoring QUEST 2009, a beauty pageant.  He and his co-workers were to work this event and lo and behold, they needed some volunteers.    Did I mind?  No.  It was a chance to help, to volunteer, to do community service.  OK, so it was not in my hometown, but it was a chance to do something good.  My job was simple- direct people to the "Will Call" ticket table or tell them to go to the box office.  Many thought I was security- and I am as secure as a teddy bear!  Anyway, I was able to see people from all walks of life- government officials, members of the press, tv producer, etc.  It was an amazing cavalcade of humanity.  Mame Dennis would approve most certainly.
My "boss" for the evening was a very effervescent woman named Tara, one of Dan's supervisors.  You know, when you meet people you either like them or dislike them.  Tara most definitely made her imprint; her own words "I have a fan?"  She is an incredible person, hard working and nice.  I even told her that I would come down next year to help out.  I met several other supervisors, but the night being a busy one there was no chance to meet and chat.
Several speakers and the contestants themselves talked about the transgender community.  I have a greater respect for this community and have realized that they are also God's children.  Many of them are HIV+.  In fact, it is the transgender community that has the highest percentage of people with the HIV virus.  And victims of discrimination and domestic violence.  They are survivors.  And they are willing to work hard to overcome the intolerance faced by many due to gender, lifestyle choice, race, ethnicity, religion.  We do live in a somewhat ignorant society.  We don't take the time to learn about people.  We're complacent with the ones we know and don't dare take a risk to broaden our horizons in the area where human beings are concerned.
What I see in APAIT is compassion towards everyone.  It is a noble mission.  One that I applaud.  It seeks to educate about this horrid disease.  This pageant was an entertaining way to reach those who are ignorant about so many things.  APAIT embraces not only the Asian/Pacific Islander community, but all- Hispanic, African American- in short, people!
To all of the APAIT workers- God bless you on your amazing journey!
To Tara, keep sharing your infectious laugh and beautiful smile...and be nice to my friend.
To Dan, don't work too hard.  Thank you for inviting me to help out at this event.  Thanks for the friendship I truly appreciate!

"To love another person is to see the face of God."
-from the musical Les Miserables