Carl T. Wilson ( a.k.a Miss T. ) , a longtime activist for the HIV/AIDS community and for LGBTQ youth, passed away June 26. He was 41 years old.
According to an obituary written by his friend Carol Haysie, Wilson began his years in Chicago as a self-described 'club boy' and waitress at the Limelight. However, as he related to a friend, he 'decided to grow up' when he saw so many people working so hard and taking so many risks on behalf of persons with HIV/AIDS. He joined ACT UP, a powerful organization that educated and agitated for justice, funding, and humane policies for those impacted by HIV/AIDS.
ACT UP had a tremendous influence on Wilson. He once commented that because of the ACT UP Women's Caucus, he developed a lifelong commitment to organizing against racism; for women's right to control their bodies; and for the rights of the poor and oppressed. Wilson also connected these fights to the struggles for LGBTQ liberation.
Wilson was also a champion for LGBTQ youth. He was the founder of Chicago Metro Area Gay Youth Coalition [ C-MAGYC ] , probably the first organization to form a gay-rights network to fight homophobia across high school and college boundaries in the Chicago area. In 1998, he was the primary organizer of the 'Across the Fruited Plain' conference, which brought together queer folk from the Midwest to network and organize for queer rights.
Wilson was a co-founder of the Coalition for Positive Sexuality ( CPS ) , which wrote and disseminated a safer-sex booklet to every high school in the city in the earlier days of the AIDS epidemic. The dissemination occurred at the risk of arrest by police or assault by enraged high school principals.
Constantly becoming involved in many organizations and events, Wilson was the 'wedding' planner for the commitment ceremony of two lesbian friends and was on the committee for Women's Heritage Month at the University of Illinois at Chicago ( UIC ) , where he obtained his Bachelor's degree. In addition, he was a member of the Radical Faeries, an international network of gay men who are feminist, pro-environment, and, according to its Web site, with its 'own path of Being.'
After attending UIC, Wilson obtained his MSW ( Master of Social Work ) degree in 2004. While in graduate school, he made many friends among students and professors and received awards for his contributions to the field of social work and progressive student activism. The awards included the prestigious Alumni Association Leadership Award ( 2003 ) ; Social Work Dean's Award ( 2003 ) ; and Chancellor's Student Service Award ( 1998, 1999, 2000 ) .
Wilson, who was known for always wearing headgear, grew up in Ohio. He is survived by his sister Shawn and her family, by his many friends, and by all the people for whom he fought for justice and a better world. In a phone interview with Windy City Times, Haysie commented that what she will miss most about Wilson will be the lack of a future together.
A celebration of Wilson's life is planned for Aug. 27. For more details, e-mail Haysie at carolhaysie@aol.com .
Keith Bussey
Funeral services for Keith Bussey will be held July 7, at the First Church of Deliverance, 4315 S. Wabash. Viewing will be at 10 a.m. with services at 1 p.m. Interment will occur afterwards at the Oakwood Cemetery at 67th and Cottage Grove.
According to an e-mail Windy City Times received from Howard Brown Health Center Executive Director Keith Waterbrook, Bussey was 'a dedicated and generous employee of Howard Brown.' He worked as a case manager and detox specialist with Haymarket, was on the HIV/AIDS Planning Counsel, the HIV Positive Action Coalition, and Test Positive Network Outreach. He was also an active member of the First Church of Deliverance, working within their AIDS ministry. He was also an original member of the TAP research project that began in 2002.
Waterbrook stated that Bussey will be missed by many. 'Friends, clients, and coworkers speak of his kindness and dedication, remarking that he worked tirelessly in the positive community right up until the time he was hospitalized. He was truly a special person, and the work we do here honors his memory,' he said.
