Gay HIV+ Latino vet is Olympic torch-bear-er in SF

This diary is cross-posted at my blog, where I've posted two great pictures, safe for work (!), of John, the hot, hot, hot muscle bear. If you're gay and turned on by the hirsute among us, John's picture will stimulate. ;-)

My friend John Caldera and I have seen each other recently, at the YMCA where we exercise, or at City Hall, where he volunteers in Sup. Ross Mirkarimi's office, and he hasn't said a thing to me about applying to be a torchbearer for the Olympic Torch when it passes through town.

I can't think of a better politically-motivated bear to use this sports-related opportunity to promote visibility of all the different parts of his identity, including having a well-developed muscle bear body and laid back attitude!

So today I found out he's been selected to carry the torch for a portion of it's route, according to a story posted on the Bay Area Reporter web site on Thursday, and I congratulate John for this honor:

 

 At least one of the 80 people who will carry the Olympic torch during its stop in San Francisco next week will be a gay, HIV-positive Navy veteran.

   John Caldera, 43, who serves on the city's Veterans Affairs Commission, revealed this week he has been tapped to carry the Olympic flame when it comes to town Wednesday, April 9 as it makes its round-the-world trip ahead of the 2008 Summer Games, which take place August 8-24 in Beijing, China. [...]

   Caldera told the Bay Area Reporter Thursday, April 3 that he was unaware if any other torchbearers will be members of the LGBT community. [...]

   Caldera said while he supports the protesters' right to speak out against Chinese policy, he saw no reason not to participate in the relay.

   "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. No one in my family has been a torchbearer," said Caldera. "Those who want to protest should be able to protest. I just hope I don't get hit with tomatoes." [...]

Naturally, I'm pleased the Chinese officials choose San Francisco as one city for the torch to pass through on the way to Beijing, all because it affords human rights advocates of many causes related to China to protest government policies.

Not only will the protesters lining the torch route send a loud message to Beijing, and the athletes participating in the games, but the choice of torchbearers in San Francisco, including John, will also a small signal for the Chinese government to respect its gays citizens and persons living with HIV.

•  What about differentlyabled?

  This is unacceptable!

  I'm starting a counter-march to stand up for lesbian, latina, HIV+, differentlyabled citizens! I see a real lack of diversity in this choice and it's unacceptable in our city. Doesn't everyone count? I feel excluded!

  by Shane Hensinger on Fri Apr 04, 2008 at 06:51:38 PM PDT

•  Thanks, Michael

  ...for the post.  May all the queer Buddhists also be represented along the way as the torch goes forth.

  I'll be thinking not only of all us queers, but also of Tibet, and all the ways in which workers and environmental interests  – U.S., Chinese, and others – are symbolically represented in all of this.

  I'm glad you're posting and look forward to many discussions of things queer and queer-relevant.  

  by RadioGirl on Fri Apr 04, 2008 at 07:28:23 PM PDT

•  Felicidades, mi hermano...

  I am proud for and of you.

  Thank you, MPetrelis, for letting us know.

  by nokkonwud on Fri Apr 04, 2008 at 07:30:51 PM PDT

•  I don't give a damn who he is....

  Carrying a torch for the Chinese in San Francisco is an endorsement of human rights violations on the parts of both the Chinese and American governments.

  The only outcome I can hope for is that I might see him refuse the torch from my government approved free-speech zone however far enough away Gavin "Scum" Newsom deems appropriate. Otherwise, your friend is just as bad as everyone else involved.

  by brianinca on Fri Apr 04, 2008 at 07:45:30 PM PDT

•  FREE TIBET

  by Erik W on Fri Apr 04, 2008 at 08:34:56 PM PDT

•  Race for Tibet April 7-9

  There are several actions scheduled in San Francisco and Berkeley to speak out about Tibet including a Freedom Torch Relay and a candlelight vigil.

  Race for Tibet -San Francisco

  by Munchkn on Fri Apr 04, 2008 at 09:12:06 PM PDT