A family of gay friends go through the AIDS crisis in Vancouver during the 1980s and 90s. Told with much humor and compassion, a story of friendship, courage, loss, community, and sometimes drag.
In 1977, the author, then a naïve young man, escapes his pulp and paper mill town in northern New Brunswick and goes in search of his gay self. After two years studying in Toronto, he moves to Edmonton, begins his career as a prison guard and timidly comes out into the gay scene. A lasting and sometimes tumultuous friendship develops with Joe, a drag queen, and in the summer of 1982 they move to Vancouver in anticipation of fun times and promising futures. Their world soon changes when they’re swept into the eye of the AIDS storm, a time when testing positive for HIV was considered a death sentence. Based on the author’s diaries this is an intimate look at the impact AIDS had on his family of gay friends and those around them; as well, it’s an unflinching account of Joe’s journey from when testing positive for HIV in 1987 until his death in 1994. Our Story, will give you a better understanding of a time that was.
Robert Hamilton has been journaling his life since 1988. His memoir, OUR STORY: Coming out in the time of HIV and AIDS, is published by Renaissance Press; he a former Writer Resident at the Canadian Film Centre; twice Praxis Fellow, and developing his play “OUR STORY”, based on his memoir.
OUR STORY: Coming out in the time of HIV and AIDS.
Release date: September, 30, 2020
Retail Price: 20$
Genre: Gay/Aids Memoir
Page Count: 110
FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION – REVIEWS
“I received your book yesterday and went through cover to cover. Poignant. Raw. Having lived through these times, this resonated with my entire being. Laughable, loveable and full of tears. It brought back the rush of life and loves of the times. Thank you for being so open and honest with the telling of your story. Having known many of the same people as you did brought back an amazing array of emotions and remembrances of our lives back then. An eye opening experience for those who knew little of the trials and tribulations our brothers and sisters went through and a fond reawakening of memories lost. Thank you my friend, well done.”
“This book is a wonderful story about friendship and the forgotten Aids crisis that started in the 80’s. The book is funny, sad and filled with emotions of lives that passed too soon. It’s a reminder of where we come and not to forget these difficult times. Well written and easy read, I couldn’t put it down once I started.”
“Today I thought I’d start reading a few pages from “OUR STORY” I could not put this book down! It was heart wrenching, yet had some moments where I literally laughed out loud, and a few moments of I can’t believe he wrote that! It’s intimate, direct and a beautiful story of friendship and family! I laughed, cried and shook my head in disbelief. Facing homophobia, illness, death at such young ages, while dealing with oppression, so disheartening . These men, all so young, someone’s little boy dying of a disease that was perceived as so shameful. I cannot even imagine the physical and psychological suffering for these individuals and those who loved them. My mom heart breaks for them! Thank you for enlightening me, educating me, and sharing this part of your life! I’m so proud of you, not just for the publishing of your book, but for telling it like it was! The book cover, Joe’s photo, inspired a discussion and teachable moment in my home tonight, and I thank you for that!”
“I just finished reading Robert Hamilton’s latest book in 2 readings. It is a very moving story about people I knew and similar to others that I knew who are no longer with us, ex roommates and friends. Going through the HIV crisis for myself and others made us stronger in a way but sure wasn’t easy. This book shall be a witness to future generations of those days and also what real friendship is all about”
LINKS:
https://roberthamilton60.com/
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B08HM74J52/
https://www.facebook.com/robert.hamilton.984786