Gay Pride PSA: It's every choice we make.

June 15th, 2010

My 2010 Gay Pride PSA (that will never air!).

What would I talk about if I had my very own public service announcement?

PrideGrab3 I’d probably waste the whole thing telling some embarrassing story about growing up gay. Or how much I hate being a queer man pushing 50. What if, though, I really allowed myself to cut the crap and get real?

The result, as it turns out, would be something like this: a little humor, a pinch of honesty, and a punch in the gut. Happy Gay Pride Month!

Tags: acting, Aging, aids, culture, gay, help others, hiv, meth, recovery, Sexuality

21 Responses to “My 2010 Gay Pride PSA (that will never air!).”

Frank Says:
June 15th, 2010 at 1:01 pm

Nice work Mark.
Sherri Lewis Says:
June 15th, 2010 at 3:21 pm

Love this video, love you! You are so talented! Funny, creative and got the message loud and clear. I’m glad you are proud of this video. It’s terrific. God bless you Mark.
OXOXOXO
Jeff Grigsby Says:
June 15th, 2010 at 3:29 pm

Hey Mark, That’s GREAT, made me chuckle then made me think.
R. J. Warner Says:
June 15th, 2010 at 4:59 pm

This needs to be run on those tv’s in every HIV/AIDS/Infectious Disease clinic across the country. I’m tired of watching Judge Judy, Maury, etc. It’s time we took over those important times waiting to be seen by a healthcare professional & got the message(s) across. As an ID nurse living with hiv/aids for 20 yrs. Mark struck home on many levels. I’m certain others would gain from this too. We have the MAGS in the clinic, let’s take it one level higher.
Robert Meek Says:
June 15th, 2010 at 5:03 pm

I wanna say “One of your best ever,” Mark, but well … it is, but I don’t wanna “put down” your prior ones that I also think are “your best ever,” too! I’m an OLD antique dawg that’s fallin’ apart, 52 going on 92 or 102, and you got me so conflicted, konfuzed, giddy, happy, pensive, introspective, all at the same time, and more than I can think thank thunk words for!!!
Michael Kearn s Says:
June 15th, 2010 at 8:11 pm

Bravo, Mark. I love your clear intent. It’s so refreshingly honest and transparently inspired.
paul stalbaum Says:
June 15th, 2010 at 10:24 pm

Bravo! Very witty and quite powerful. It is refreshing to to let it all go and just let it flow.
Eddie Says:
June 16th, 2010 at 7:47 am

Wonderful post, Mark. I understand now that you always pissed me off because your honesty and transparency reminded me of my lack thereof. And that only because I let fear rule. Like Paul wrote above, it is time to “let it all go and just let it flow.”
Good stuff.
Bubba D. Licious Says:
June 16th, 2010 at 5:38 pm

Will you join me in the Pride parade this year? This time you can twirl up front & the old lady “dragging” behind you will be me! Great work!
With Pride,
Bubba D

(That’s the best offer I’ve had all year. xo Mark)
warrior scout Says:
June 16th, 2010 at 11:00 pm

I’ve reposted at ontheten…. great job… cover charges and drink tickets… i think that says so much !!!

(Thanks. I was taking a little swipe at nightclub culture, for sure…. Mark)
Robert Says:
June 17th, 2010 at 2:35 pm

I wanted to leave a comment about this amazing video Mark. It made me laugh, brought a tear to my eye… and sparked some new pride within me. Thank you.
Tony Says:
June 18th, 2010 at 8:49 am

Outstanding!!!!!!
David Says:
June 18th, 2010 at 9:17 am

Really really funny………then after a while it’s the usual, should I laugh…..I’m glad there are guys with great humour and the ability to make someone laugh and then think about what they’re laughing at.
Paul Says:
June 18th, 2010 at 9:29 am

Funny, thought provoking and those that pay attention will be thinking about the message long after the giggling stops! Thanks for the Pride Pep Talk!
Mark Says:
June 18th, 2010 at 9:56 am

Wow. Very moving. Wonderful. Thank you.
Jason Says:
June 18th, 2010 at 11:04 am

Wonderful video…but i must say…the end part was exactly what i needed to hear today..thank you very much for what you do (even tho i don’t know you he he). keep shining!
Jim wall Says:
June 18th, 2010 at 12:15 pm

OMG!! this is a fantastic video!! at first, i thought it was going to be a humorous ending, and then you got serious… really, really serious, and the ending made me cry… reminding me of my youth when me and my friends partied for days and had orgies upon orgies and did not care about AIDS. And now, 98% of those friends are gone, as a result of contracting AIDS, and there is only a handful of us around today… and we are all more self-conscious of all of our behaviors; but it took the sacrifice of many good people for us to learn our lesson. Thank you so very very much for a fantastic Pride video!!!

(You’re welcome, Jim. I made it for you, and for our friends still “out there” who might be ready to hear this message. xoxo Mark)
Gali Says:
June 18th, 2010 at 10:13 pm

Irreverent, wry, silly, unorthodox and incisive! I met your charming, smart partner in So Cal last week and now I understand why he lit up when speaking of you.

(He’s pretty sly and charming himself! I’m a lucky man. — Mark)
Bobby Says:
June 21st, 2010 at 7:23 pm

gotta love this guy.
Tim Says:
June 22nd, 2010 at 7:55 pm

Great Ending!
George Medeiros Says:
September 4th, 2010 at 11:29 am

Great work- I connected.