Birdsley, Michael S

Thank You GLBT Historical Society and Bay Area Reporter for paying homage to the lives lost due to the AIDS pandemic. I met Mike in the Fall of 1986. We developed a friendship over a short period of time. Because I didn't live in San Francisco, and was involved in a kind man from Reno, meeting Mike was really just spontaneous. I was at Orphan Andy's having breakfast really late, and in walked this handsome stranger. Tears flow down my face as I type this. This little tribute is not just for Mike, but for all those men's lives lost during the first wave of AIDS. Finding Mike's obituary was like finding a needle in a haystack. May his spirit rest in eternal piece, and may his loved ones be blessed knowing Mike truly made a difference in the lives of others.

Michael died when I was just a baby, I am his niece and I missed out on knowing him, but I would like to think his memory served as an inspiration as I spent my early 20’s working in HIV prevention, testing, and education. He is greatly missed by my dad.

Mike was a classmate at Lewis Central in the suburbs of Council Bluffs, IA. I believe he moved to the neighborhood in the Junior High era. We became instant friends. He was intelligent, disarming and quick-witted. Mike was my piano accompanist when we took part in the regional music competition. I was performing on trumpet. We didn’t win, but we were pretty good. I am thankful for his patience with me and for being such a good friend. I lost track of him when I left LC in 1969. Michael will not be forgotten.