Curtis grew up in the Howe Elementary School neighborhood and attended Mellon Junior HS. In his younger years he was also known as Curtis Dubois. He was a kind hearted gentle person.
Curtis certainly stood out and he did not fit the typical high school student mold. He was wise beyond his years even at Julia Ward Howe Elementary. He was one of the kindest and most thoughtful people I ever met. Because of his unique personality, Curtis was often teased and the butt of many jokes from some of the more homophobic members of our high school. I always remember his neck scarves. I say this with all due respect and out of my fond memories of Curtis but anytime I would see Charles Nelson Reilly on TV I would think of Curtis. I pray that he is at peace.
Curtis was kind and was a wit; marching to the beat of different drummer, (remember the commercials for some men's cologne back in the 70's?), he often made me laugh in spite of myself, ie. my own misunderstanding -- and ignorance-- ...It wasn't until years later, working in the fashion world and hanging out with some of the more relaxed and "worldly" members of our society, that I only began to imagine how brave he must have been...
Not learning of his passing until today through this site, I am sad that though priviledged to have known him, I never made time to give him a hug. I'll just pass along this little phrase I heard him repeat often: "So, what's your point?" Rock on, Curtis!
I recall Curtis fondly and I was sad to see that there was no information here about his death so I found this NYTimes obituary online that I wanted to share with everyone. Although I have no specific recollections of the matter, I am sure that I didn't treat him with the care and respect he deserved and having watched many of my friends die of HIV/AIDS in the early years of the epidemic I want to make the smallest possible amend by remembering him here and sending out that care and concern and love that I neglected to give when I was a very stupid and thoughtless kid. Bless you, Kiki.
Kiki Mason, a brash advocate for people with AIDS who chronicled his own struggle with the disease in a column for Poz magazine, died yesterday at his home in Manhattan. He was 36.
The cause was complications from AIDS, said a friend, David France.
Mr. Mason was vice president of the board of the Community Research Initiative on AIDS, a nonprofit, independent organization that explores new medical treatments.
Born Curtis J. Mason, he grew up in Pittsburgh and graduated from Hunter College. He was active in the gay-rights movement in New York in the 1980's, serving as a spokesman for the Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Rights.
In 1993, Mr. Mason founded a group called Lesion Liberation to lobby for better medical treatment for those suffering -- as he was -- from Kaposi's sarcoma, an AIDS-related cancer that results in disfiguring lesions.
His column in Poz, a magazine about H.I.V. and AIDS, was called "Life" and had run regularly since the first issue in April 1994. Most recently, Mr. Mason republished a two-year-old declaration:
"I am not dying; I am being murdered. I am being sold down the river by people within this community who claim to be helping people with AIDS."
Maryann C. McGuire (Palmeter)
Curtis certainly stood out and he did not fit the typical high school student mold. He was wise beyond his years even at Julia Ward Howe Elementary. He was one of the kindest and most thoughtful people I ever met. Because of his unique personality, Curtis was often teased and the butt of many jokes from some of the more homophobic members of our high school. I always remember his neck scarves. I say this with all due respect and out of my fond memories of Curtis but anytime I would see Charles Nelson Reilly on TV I would think of Curtis. I pray that he is at peace.Susan M. White
I remember Curtis, he had sass and a great 'tude. We were lucky to have him in Mt. Lebanon.Joseph Geraud
Curtis was kind and was a wit; marching to the beat of different drummer, (remember the commercials for some men's cologne back in the 70's?), he often made me laugh in spite of myself, ie. my own misunderstanding -- and ignorance-- ...It wasn't until years later, working in the fashion world and hanging out with some of the more relaxed and "worldly" members of our society, that I only began to imagine how brave he must have been...
Not learning of his passing until today through this site, I am sad that though priviledged to have known him, I never made time to give him a hug. I'll just pass along this little phrase I heard him repeat often: "So, what's your point?" Rock on, Curtis!
Lance Langston
I recall Curtis fondly and I was sad to see that there was no information here about his death so I found this NYTimes obituary online that I wanted to share with everyone. Although I have no specific recollections of the matter, I am sure that I didn't treat him with the care and respect he deserved and having watched many of my friends die of HIV/AIDS in the early years of the epidemic I want to make the smallest possible amend by remembering him here and sending out that care and concern and love that I neglected to give when I was a very stupid and thoughtless kid. Bless you, Kiki.
http://www.nytimes.com/1996/06/20/nyregion/kiki-mason-a-writer-on-aids-dies-at-36.html
Kiki Mason, a Writer on AIDS, Dies at 36
Kiki Mason, a brash advocate for people with AIDS who chronicled his own struggle with the disease in a column for Poz magazine, died yesterday at his home in Manhattan. He was 36.
The cause was complications from AIDS, said a friend, David France.
Mr. Mason was vice president of the board of the Community Research Initiative on AIDS, a nonprofit, independent organization that explores new medical treatments.
Born Curtis J. Mason, he grew up in Pittsburgh and graduated from Hunter College. He was active in the gay-rights movement in New York in the 1980's, serving as a spokesman for the Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Rights.
In 1993, Mr. Mason founded a group called Lesion Liberation to lobby for better medical treatment for those suffering -- as he was -- from Kaposi's sarcoma, an AIDS-related cancer that results in disfiguring lesions.
His column in Poz, a magazine about H.I.V. and AIDS, was called "Life" and had run regularly since the first issue in April 1994. Most recently, Mr. Mason republished a two-year-old declaration:
"I am not dying; I am being murdered. I am being sold down the river by people within this community who claim to be helping people with AIDS."
Mr. Mason is survived by his mother, Marilyne.