My story

[William769]

I was born in S.E. Kentucky in a little town called Middlesboro which borders Tennessee & Virginia and is nesteled at the foot of the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park.

Life was good as a child, I could not have asked for a better place to be raised. I have many I do mean many fond childhood memories of Middlesboro.

I went to East End Elementary School then on to Middlesboro Middle School before my parents moved to Florida where I went to Lely High School in East Naples.

It's true, you can take the boy out of the county but you can't take the country out of the boy!

I guess now is as good as time as any to let you all know that I am Gay (in case you could not have already figured that out from my website. Growing up Gay in the era that I did giving the demographics that I lived in wasn't easy (by any standards). 1981 Ring a bell? AIDS. I was a senior in high school and just when I should be celebrating life and my future, I had this nagging feeling that my world would be turned upside down. I went so far into the closet because I was so afraid of being labeled Gay (damaged goods), I even went to far to take a job in State Law Enforcement to prove my masculinity (crazy right? Well when you alone & no one to talk to, you can do some strange stuff).

Life went on & so did I. I moved to Miami for a change of scenery I worked behind the scenes to help battle the AIDS epidemic in our community. By day I was an officer & by night I was a slutty whore dog looking for love in all the wrong places.

In 1990 I moved to Fort Myers & there of all places I met the man of my dreams (David) I knew he was the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. He was recently divorced with a 4 year old son (phillip) his mother wanted nothing to do with him & David was afraid of what I would do when he took sole custody of his son. I didn't fret one bit, I had my man, I had a son. Life is good.

We bought a house together white picket fence & all. But something was missing, we had a son, we had money, we had each other! What possibly could be missing? Recognition thats what was missing and yes we felt it every day of our lives. In 1992 we lost four good friends AIDS and it was starting to take it's toll on us. I came out of the closet at work to a very chilly reception and when we found out about the March on Washington in 1993 we decided to take a stand (not only for us but everyone who ever walked in our shoe's. That time in Washington made us hard core activists.

Throughout the 90's we lived life to the fullest, working vacationing, raising our son and in 2000 I decided to retire early (David had been sick lately). In 2001 he was diagnosed with AIDS and had been positive for quite some time. I didn't care I loved him he was my partner. I was asked to go get tested but I refused, I didn't want to think about it all I wanted to do was take care of David (my soul mate). David had his good days and he had his bad days but as long as we had each other thats all that mattered.

In the Summer of 2003, we sent Phillip to Georgia to spend sometime with his Grandmother and on one August morning Phillip was walking to the store for her when he was struck by a drunk driver & passed away that evening. David never recovered from the death of his son and gave up on life (he was never the same).

In 2005 I was ill enough I had to go to the hospital (yes I was diagnosed with AIDS also) I was told I would not leave the hospital alive that my organs were shutting down This was unacceptable to me), I had a man at home to take care of and a list that was only half checked off. Two months later I left the hospital I was frail but I was alive.

In February 2006 David was given his wings & made a angel. The Lord called him home.

God looked around his garden

and he found an empty place.

He then looked down upon this

earth and saw your tired face.

He put his arms around you

and lifted you to rest.

God's garden must be beautiful,

he always takes the best.

He knew that you were suffering.

He knew that you were in pain.

He knew that you would never

get well on earth again.

He saw the road was getting rough

and the hills were hard to climb,

so he closed your weary eyelids,

and whispered "Peace be thine".

It broke our hearts to lose you,

but you didn't go alone.

For part of us went with you

the day God called you home.



So from 2006 till present, I still live in Florida in the home we bought together. Still traveling when I get the chance, still active in the fight for equality.

AIDS WILL NOT DICTATE TO ME WHEN MY TIME IS UP. I'LL GO WHEN I"M DAMN GOOD & READY.

http://billking.net/about-bill/my-story

[Half-Century Man]

1. And to think

There still exist people who call gay people, sissies.
Iron Heart on, Sir.

[GentryDixon]

2. Thank you

for sharing your heartfelt story.

[fasttense]

3. Since my loved one has some serious illnesses, I often wonder

how I will live on without him. I hope I do it as well as you have. Thanks for sharing your story.

[William769]

4. I'll be honest it was rough in the beginning.

But time does heal all. Do I still miss him? you bet! But our memories together keep me going.

Sending positive vibes to you and your loved one.

[dixiegrrrrl]

6. FWIW..my BIL has been HIV+ for decades

and lost a couple of partners to Aids.
But he is doing fine and is now in his late 60's, very physically active, still working and traveling.

While I am not familar with any meds he may be taking,
I personally think the pot he uses has had a good effect on him.

Here is to your continuing story of life...........

[William769]

8. Thank you.

[premium]

5. Heartfelt story,

Thank you for sharing and may you have many years left, from one retired LEO to another, carry on brave one, carry on and I salute you for your courage.

[William769]

9. ...

[RainDog]

7. ((((((hugs)))))))

and more hugs to you.

[William769]

10. Right back atcha!