Joanna Gustafson

The lobby of the Bailiwick Theatre swarms with patrons snacking on brownies, cookies and, of course, booze.

Inside the actual theater, the crowd, dressed warmly and stylishly---plenty of cashmere scarves!---winds its way up onto the stage, where Daniel Sotomayor's comics are on display. Mounted on neon-bright paper, the comics themselves are in black and white, which lends to the acerbic wit.

Lori Cannon, who created the event, makes a short speech welcoming everyone as they arrive. Cannon, dressed in a lavish red top and a "Cure AIDS" pin, refers to herself as Barbara Streisand before getting serious in memory of her friend, saying, "we wanted to treat the city and honor his memory--Danny was a voice for the voiceless."

The event, called "When There Were Heroes: The Life and Times of Daniel Sotomayor," honors the political activist and cartoonist who died of AIDS fifteen years ago, at age 33. As guests mill around, about fifty in all, snacking on food and drinks, pop music plays through the speakers. Comics mounted on brightly colored paper address everything from AIDS to abortion, from George and Barbara Bush to Donna Summer. Cannon, greeting everyone with warm hugs, explains how Sotomayor changed AIDS activism. "Before Danny, the idea was sort of `we're managing, what's the big problem?' But Danny made it much more in-your-face."

Sotomayor grew up in Chicago's Humboldt Park neighborhood, of Puerto Rican and Mexican descent. He was diagnosed with AIDS in 1988 and became an "in-your-face" activist, as described by his close friend and the director of Equality Illinois, Rick Garcia. "He was a young activist, very cutting edge," Garcia explains. "Danny dramatically confronted the AIDS crisis, and ultimately people listened."

Sotomayor was unafraid to speak out and that transcended his comics. Garcia recalls getting arrested numerous times with Sotomayor during demonstrations, and Sotomayor's attacks on Mayor Daley. Choking up, Garcia points to a flag hanging on the wall that reads "Daley, tell the truth about AIDS" that Sotomayor once unfurled during a black-tie event at which Daley was present.

On the wall at Bailiwick, among Sotomayor's biting comics, hangs a quilt made for him after his death with some of his art, photos of him and quotes from friends sewn on. A documentary produced by PBS about Sotomayor's life and work is screened. Explains Cannon, "he spoke for everyone--he was a charismatic fighter."

Cleve Jones, who founded the AIDS Quilt, makes an appearance, as does Alderman Helen Shiller. Shiller, says Cannon, helped Sotomayor break into the budget office, where they together found two million dollars--which Shiller then lobbied into funding for AIDS. Smiling proudly, Cannon looks around at all those present. "I am very humbled by everyone who came out tonight," she says. "We are all remembering a champion."

(2007-02-06)

Also by Joanna Gustafson

Foie Gras Foes
Despite swirling snow and icy temperatures hovering around twenty degrees, a dedicated group of protestors--roughly two dozen--stand their ground outside popular eatery Bin 36. The activists are protesting Bin 36's continued offering of foie gras, which has been banned in Chicago since last April
(2007-01-30)

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