Turner, Dan

At the 1985 Memorial Day Fight for the Living march, Dan, quoted in the B.A.R, said: I came to San Francisco for the sound of the word 'yes.' I hitchhiked here with $100.00 in my pocket and two Safeway bags. I like the tradition of candlelight marches because it reminds me of the sparks in gay men's eyes....

Dan was interviewed for Lon Nungesser's book, Epidemic of Courage: Facing AIDS in America, which was published in 1986. Here is an excerpt from the interview (in Dan's own words): It was recommended by a man who studied Chinese medicine that I express myself freely and not hold anything inside that could stagnate in my system. I began to express myself publicly in forums inside meeting halls and out on the street in rallies. I spoke on the radio and television and was interviewed in a feature TV show and for local gay newspapers. I became active as a person-with-AIDS on the board of a local AIDS organization from its inception to the present. I continue to serve as a member of another AIDS organization as well as the representative from San Francisco and People with AIDS on the board. ...All this work has been therapeutic. It has taken the fear away from me and given me a sense of accomplishment and control as opposed to loss and failure.

Dan Turner was very helpful. I was invited by another man, also here, Jeff Shannon, to take part in a A Time to Shine - gathering held by the well known gentlemen, Dan Turner and Leonard Matlowich. (He must be here too.) I made an interview with Dan Turner, and when he spoke he got more and more agitated. At the time a little girl had fallen down in to a well, and everyone in the USA was following the attempts to rescue her. Even President Reagan went there. And Dan Turner was furious, because the President had not yet been to SF or showed any interest or compassion for all the people that were sick and dying or had died of aids. I am not even sure the Presient had said the A word at the time.

Theatrical creative Dan Turner selected me as one of several for a backer's audition of his musical Cinderella II. His kindness and encouragement for all involved was a model for obtaining the best in our team effort in staging this wonderful musical comedy. This was an exceptional memory from my time living in San Francisco 1979-84. To this day, Dan's loss still affects me and, I'm sure, all who had the pleasure of his company.