A once too closed-mouth, behind-the-door topic has unveiled itself today to a freer forum nationally. In the late 1980s, three-letter acronyms became to appear in conversation and literature. HIV/AIDS was a real terror in the homosexual community that was killing many people. However, that fear ran rampant among the heterosexuals, as well, producing a widespread phobia.
Houlton’s Alan Lindquist has been fighting that stigma for most of his life and continues to educate others about the disease.
Lindquist was honored with the Cameron Duncan Award for his extraordinary accomplishment, commitment and service within the HIV/AIDS community.
“Obviously, it was an honor,” he said. “This award is given annually by the Equality of Maine Foundation. It is a lifetime achievement award for a person who has done the most work for people living with HIV/AIDS in Maine.”
Lindquist began his advocacy work in the late 1980s and early ‘90s while living in Seattle.
“I came of age in my early 20s as an openly gay man in a time when HIV was an epidemic,” he said. “In 1992, I went to 48 funerals. I was 23 years old. That was the atmosphere.”
Though not every homosexual was diagnosed with HIV, Lindquist noted, “We were watching our friends die and we were trying to do what we could to help.”
Lindquist helped to create an organization in Seattle, primarily focused on raising funds for organizations, to address the growing concern of HIV/AIDS.
“It was so desperately needed at that time,” he added.
Eventually, Lindquist relocated to Portland and worked as the development director for EqualityMaine before moving to Houlton in 2009.
“My work here ties more in with about my passion for this community,” he explained. “Houlton is a wonderful community. There are people, not necessarily in the town, but in the area that are living with this (HIV/AIDS). I want them to see it can be talked about. It is OK. That is why I am open about the work that I do in HIV/AIDS and my own sexuality. I want people to say, ‘I am still a part of Houlton,’ and it is OK, so you can be too.”
Lindquist’s latest work involves fundraising for the annual Winter Gathering during March in Bangor. The event is for anyone living in northern Maine, particularly rural northern Maine, who has HIV/AIDS. This is a fully-paid weekend of hotel, meals and seminars.
“This for them to learn about the latest on medications, while meeting doctors and dentists and all of that,” said Lindquist. “We lost funding for it six years ago. So, myself along with a group of volunteers, took the event over.
“I basically raise the money and do the behind-the-scenes work of hotels, catering and such,” he said. “The volunteer group works on getting the doctors and setting up the seminars. So, we have been able to fund it through private contributions for the last five years.”
What is next for Lindquist?
“I do not know,” he said. “That is what I am trying to figure out. Right now, my passion is mostly focused on Houlton, the town. The work I do with Houlton Rotary, the co-op and with the chamber of commerce. I think Houlton is at a tipping point and is on its way to turning around to be an up and coming town. And, I want to be part of it.”
Lindquist’s work did not go unnoticed and has served as an inspiration to others.
His biography for the award reads in part, “Knowing that rural areas do not often see or hear about the cutting edge research and best practices coming out of the HIV research, Alan took this as an opportunity to help people living with HIV/AIDS in northern Maine to come together, gather vital knowledge from experts in the field and to find community and support among each other.”
