'When There Were Heroes'—a remembrance and retrospective of life of local AIDS activist and political cartoonist Daniel Sotomayor—will take place Mon., Feb. 5, 7-10 p.m., at the Bailiwick Repertory and Arts Center, 1229 W. Belmont. The event will commemorate the 15th anniversary of Sotomayor's passing.
There will be a screening of Short Fuse: The Story of an AIDS Activist, a documentary that focuses on Sotomayor's his life and work; special guest Cleve Jones, founder of the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt, will provide an introduction. A reception featuring a display of Sotomayor's work immediately follows; admission is free.
Sotomayor—who grew up in Humboldt Park—was an openly gay, nationally syndicated political cartoonist who was beloved by many. His HIV seroconversion and sudden diagnosis of AIDS in 1988 shattered his personal and professional aspirations, awakening a fearless, in-your-face, trailblazing activist.
After joining the AIDS activist group ACT-UP/CHICAGO, Sotomayor proceeded through sheer force of will to propel the organization to the heights of effective visibility. He was widely known for his public confrontations with Mayor Richard M. Daley to bring attention to the AIDS crisis in Chicago and its inadequate education, prevention and media programs.
In one of numerous interviews, Sotomayor said, 'I didn't give up, not because I am a particularly special person. I had no choice…this isn't a popularity contest; I don't care whether people like me, or whether they approve of my style or methods.'
Sotomayor's partner was playwright Scott McPherson, who penned Marvin's Room which debuted at the Goodman Theater, and was later made into the film starring Meryl Streep, Diane Keaton, Robert DeNiro and Leonardo DiCaprio. Sotomayor died from AIDS complications nine months before McPherson.
Speaking of her longtime friend, caregiver and fellow activist Lori Cannon said, 'The common thread that ran through Danny's activism was a passionate belief that hopelessness kills.'
For more information about 'When There Were Heroes,' see www.bailiwick.org or call 773-883-1090.