In Memory of my cousin. On AIDS Day

[KitchenWitch]

He was born in 1962 and died in 1990



Gods I miss him.

:cry::cry::cry:

[auntAgonist]

1. ..

:hug:

aA
kesha

[LaurenG]

2. ...

:hug:

[merh]

3. ...

:hug:

[Maddy McCall]

4. Here is my cousin's quilt panel.

Here is a resolution passed by the Oregon legislature in his memory; the capitol now has the Keeston Lowery Rose Garden, built as a memorial to him:

HON. MICHAEL J. KOPETSKI

in the House of Representatives

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1993


Mr. KOPETSKI. Mr. Speaker, Oregon lost a true friend and pioneer on August 29, 1993 with the death of Alan Keeston Lowery. Virtually all Oregonians respected Keeston Lowery for his zeal for life, love for Portland and the State of Oregon, and his unwavering commitment to civil rights.

Keeston Lowery, a longtime aide to Portland City Commissioner Mike Lindberg, was involved in Oregon politics for a number of years. As a member of Commissioner Lindberg's staff, Keeston worked on intergovernmental relations, with the water bureau, and in the formulation of film production policies for the City of Portland. Keeston also developed Portland's civil rights ordinance which bans discrimination based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and several other categories.

A Portland homeless advocate stated of Keeston Lowery, `His years at City Hall were spent fighting to open doors for those without political power.' Former Portland Mayor and Oregon Governor Neil Goldschmidt said, `For those of us who labor in this vineyard of city life, no one grew the grapes better than Keeston Lowery * * * You, Keeston, are my city's best friend.'

Keeston Lowery was instrumental in the founding of the Right to Privacy PAC, the political organization of Oregon's gay and lesbian community. A longtime voice and tireless representative of the gay and lesbian community, Keeston Lowery challenged stereotypes daily as he worked through his community and in Oregon. Commissioner Lindberg vocalized the feelings of so many Oregonians when he stated, `We loved Keeston Lowery * * * Keeston was an uncompromisingly humane spirit. He devoted himself to securing the human rights of gay and lesbian communities. His death was a great loss to the city of Portland and State of Oregon.'

Mr. Speaker, Oregon will miss Keeston Lowery. His life was a wonderful gift to the people of Oregon. The following is a news account from The Oregonian newspaper highlighting the many touching statements from Keeston's friends.



(BY DICK BELLA)
Some fought back tears, though most tried to recall happier times of pride in commitment, principle and progress.

Some of the 700 people at the Portland Rose Garden on Thursday wrung their hands, hurt and angry that death had taken a friend so accomplished and respected.

But all remembered Alan Keeston Lowery as a man whose humor, wit and unswerving dedication fought directly against the dark forces of ignorance, bigotry and hatred.

`For those of us who labor in this vineyard of city life, no one grew the grapes better than Keeston Lowery,' said former Gov. Neil Goldschmidt, who met Lowery while serving earlier as Portland mayor. `You, Keeston, are my city's best friend.

`We can keep freedom only by giving it away,' Goldschmidt continued. `You made a life of giving freedom away. Eventually, I believe we will be the people you dreamed of, the people you believed in and worked for.'

Lowery, an aide to Portland City Commissioner Mike Lindberg, was found dead Sunday in his Northwest Portland home after succumbing to the AIDS-related ailments he had been battling for several months. He was 43.

Lowery was best known as a gay activist who dedicated himself to civil rights issues. But his focus never was narrow, and he lend his energies to underdog causes across the board. Furthermore, his optimism and good cheer allowed him to cross many boundaries and act as a political conscience at-large.

The turnout at the Thursday morning memorial service was a testimony to Lowery's reach. Goldschmidt was joined by Gov. Barbara Roberts, former U.S. Rep. Les AuCoin, Attorney General Ted Kulongoski, Labor and Industries Commissioner Mary Wendy Roberts, Portland Mayor Vera Katz and host of state and local officials. The memorial, which lasted more than an hour and a half, was filled with testimony from friends and admirers.

Many recalled Lowery as a person who recovered quickly from disappointments, resetting his sights on a new cause as soon as possible. They said that his good will was infectious, and that he was an astute political observer who could intuitively plot winning strategies.

`It was Keeston's jaded optimism,' said Mark Cloutier, a long-time friend. `It was Keeston's ability to believe something good was going to happen despite all the obstacles working against it.'

Mary Volm, who works in the city's Office of Transportation, said that Lowery's self-image was positive and strong. Because he believed deeply in what he was doing, he never let critics dissuade him.

`When I'd stumble over life's roadblocks, he'd say, `Why do you let those people tell you what to think about yourself?' Volm said. `I've never met anyone who had a stronger sense of self. I'm going to miss you, Keeston.'

Lindberg said that Lowery sometimes could not understand all the hostility that his homosexuality seemed to trigger.

`He found it annoying and puzzling sometimes that we had to spend so much of our precious time on this planet working for the basic human right to love whom we choose,' Lindberg said. `He was not religious, but he was one of the most spiritual people I've ever known.

`In the area of human rights he was the 20th century's gift to the 21th century.'

Kitchie, I can certainly relate to your loss. Keeston was my "big brother."

:hug:

[KitchenWitch]

6. Illegal code, but I think you showed it to me before

:hug:

[Maddy McCall]

9. I fixed that.

Yes, we talked about it before.

His is the bottom left panel--the film strip.

:hug:

[KitchenWitch]

14. Really ironic story about Gary

His parents were gung-ho GOPers before he contracted AIDS. They saw how the Reagan administration and the other Republicans were crossing it off as "God's wrath against the abomination of homosexuality", and they loved their son, so they became Democrats, and vote Democratic to this day. My aunt was his caregiver through the day he died.

They are now very active in the Milwaukee AIDS community and have been Grand Marshalls at the Milwaukee Gay Pride Parade.

[miss_american_pie]

5. I'm sorry

:hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

7. ....

:hug: :hug:

[MadAsHellNewYorker]

8. .....

:hug:

[BarenakedLady]

10. I'm so sorry

:hug:

[bridgit]

11. .

:hug:

[NC_Nurse]

12. I'm very sorry, KW.

:hug:

[Parche]

13. day

I feel your pain

I lost 2friends back then 1989/1991

I saw the quilt in DC back in 1993 and it brought tears to my eyes

[lizziegrace]

15. For you

:hug:

I lost two friends in the late 80's to AIDS. :(

[hedgehog]

16. I share your grief.

I was just thinking of the cousin I lost to AIDS when I saw your post.

[WCGreen]

17. I haven't lost a relative but oh so many friends from my days

of working in the food service business...

I think I went to over 10 funerals in less than two years...

[billyskank]

18. KW

:hug:

[nini]

19. I'm sorry for your loss

I feel your pain :cry:

Here's too my brother's ex partner Byran, a high school buddy of mine Leon and my sister's best friend John.


They are all missed by all of us who loved them :cry:





:hug:

[Mrs.Matcom]

20. I'm sorry for your loss

:hug: :hug:

[graywarrior]

21. Sorry, friend.

:hug: :loveya: