When longtime Richmond resident John Cameron wrote a letter to the Richmond News’ editor last week, to quip about the fact he grew up gay and was never gifted a fondue set from his father, little did he know he’d be dipping strawberries in melted chocolate come this weekend.
Cameron had written the letter in reaction to a group of parents who he contends demonstrated “ignorance” when they opposed the formation of a special school district policy — to improve the learning conditions of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students — contending, among other things, it could convert a heterosexual into a homosexual.
Cameron, 70, a co-founder of Heart of Richmond AIDS Society (1997), said he was the first Richmond resident with AIDS to come out in public (to the local newspapers) and advocate for healthcare reform at Richmond Hospital in the mid-1990s.
The recent opposition to a discrete LGBT policy in schools sent Cameron back decades, including that childhood moment when dad tossed him a football instead.
“It’s the same thing with this. They wanted us, with AIDS, to move to the West End; to just get rid of all of us. So, I said, ‘No, I’ve been here all my life.’ I thought this was stupid,” explained Cameron.
In order to access services at the hospital, he filed a lawsuit.
“Within a week it was all fixed up,” said Cameron, who, back then, worked alongside community activist Frances Clark, co-founder of Richmond Centre for Disability.
It was Monday afternoon, under the sun, at a Starbucks patio, with two new friends, that Cameron reminisced about his life as a gay child and subsequent advocate for this marginalized group of people.
Sitting between Cameron were Richmond residents Kelli Stevenson and Alex dela Cuesta, who had just presented him with the fondue set he had longed for, care of donations from the Richmond Rants, Raves and Rapport Facebook group.
“The moment I read his letter, I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, I should get this man a fondue set!’” said Stevenson, who pitched the idea on the Richmond News Facebook page.
Dela Cuesta, like Stevenson, also took issue with the parents opposed to the policy.
“The biggest mistake I see with this whole discussion is that advocating for one group is not discrimination against another,” he said.
That, and the notion one can be converted to homosexuality.
“I knew when I was five,” said Cameron.
“What they’re saying is, they’re afraid of gay people,” said Stevenson.
“Which is utterly ridiculous,” replied dela Cuesta, who added that he was particularly disturbed by the insistence that students’ safety is in jeopardy inside washrooms, if a transgender person uses it.
So, dela Cuesta and Stevenson rallied the troops (a dozen or so group members), who ended up gifting Cameron the fondue set, as well as two cook books and $200 worth of gift cards for all of Cameron’s fondue needs.
“I’m really impressed,” said Cameron.
“Because what’s going on isn’t right,” added the retired engineer and teacher.
“It’s all based on fear and ignorance. I thought, this was the same old thing again,” said Cameron of the petition against the LGBT policy.
Stevenson, who, because she is raising two daughters — presently in elementary school — said she was particularly moved to take action and reach out to Cameron.
“In our schools we’re always telling kids to be yourself; there’s nobody better than yourself,” said Stevenson. “And then you get to the age where you’re exploring your sexuality and you’re told you can’t be yourself? Or, it’s an area that nobody’s talking about. I think it’s awesome, the initiative the school board is taking.”
Cameron, a Richmondite since 1954, concurred and once again harkened back to his childhood.
“When I went to school, everyone stayed in the closet, except for a few, who were so obvious. People got married to pretend.
“It’s much better,” he said, when asked if rights are progressing (although he is still very concerned about the treatment of transgender people).
“So, yes, there’s improvement. You’ve got gay kids going to grads with their boyfriends now, which I’m very resentful of,” Cameron smiled.
“Oh great! Now we’re going to have to put on a prom for John!” Stevenson fired back.
“Hey, I was going to step up for a fondue party. I don’t know about a prom,” dela Cuesta chuckled.
