This year I've decided to do the AIDS Walk in New York City in honor of my beloved queer uncle Charles Lum who died an AIDS related death in 2021. Charly was the most fun and high energy person I've ever met and did countless gay runs/marathons all over the world. He was a passionate HIV/AIDS artist activist making many short films about the politics of being sexually active while positive. This is why I've chosen Visual AIDS to be the recipient for my walk as they are an organization that supports HIV positive artists. Visual AIDS staff have been very kind and supportive to me in archiving and preserving Charly's art and legacy.
I will be walking in his honor and memory with my best friend of 20 years who "learned his queerness" from Charly when we were kids in college. Charly was beloved all over the world and I'm excited to celebrate all he gave to us by walking around the city he loved most, New York.
My goal is to raise at least $625 in honor of Charly's birthday.
