Michael Callen

Michael Callen (April 11, 1955 - December 27, 1993) was a singer, songwriter, composer, author, and AIDS activist. He was a significant architect of the response to the AIDS crisis in the United States.

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First diagnosed with "Gay Related Immune Deficiency" in 1982, Callen quickly became a leader in the response to the epidemic, coining the phrase "people with AIDS (PWAs)" in contrast to the then-current "AIDS victims". He was a founding member of the People with AIDS Coalition among other organizations, and he testified before the President's Commission on AIDS and both houses of Congress.

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In 1983, he co-authored the book How to Have Sex in an Epidemic: One Approach, which outlined the tenets of safe(r) sex still in use today. In 1990, he wrote Surviving AIDS, which received an Honorable Mention from the American Medical Writers Association.

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He was frequently seen on television talking about AIDS. Appearances included Nightline, Good Morning America, 20/20 and The Phil Donahue Show. He wrote for several newspapers and magazines, including the Village Voice, The New York Native and Outweek; some of his articles are collected in Surviving and Thriving with AIDS, published by the People with AIDS Coalition in 1988.

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He was also a well-loved singer and songwriter in the gay community. He founded the gay male a cappella singing group, The Flirtations, with whom he recorded two albums. He also had a solo album, Purple Heart (Significant Other Records, 1988), which a review in The Advocate called, "the most remarkable gay independent release of the past decade." In partnership with Oscar winner Peter Allen and Marsha Melamet, he wrote his most enduring song, "Love Don't Need A Reason", which he sang frequently at gay pride and AIDS-related events around the country.

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Callen died of AIDS-related complications in Los Angeles, California on December 27, 1993. He was 38.

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1955: 1955 is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar....

December 27: December 27 is the 361st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. (362nd in a leap year). There are 4 days remaining....

1993: 1993 is a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar and marked the Beginning of the International Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1993-2003)....

Michael Callen related Images and Photos (experimental)

Michael	Michael (DVD)	Michael (DVD)	St. Michael
Michael J. Fox	Knighthood: Guelphs: St. Michael: St. George	Michael Redd	Michael Pare
Michael Vick	Michael York	Michael Ryder	Michael Caine