James Brian Kennedy
John Drummond
James Brian Kennedy, born May 3rd, 1965- died March 18th, 1996.
At 4:30 on Monday March 18th James Brian Kennedy died at home in the arms of
his friends William, Pansy, Philip, and Hope.
James was a talented painter, photographer and poet who dedicated his
life as a Queer to counseling and education. Among his many
accomplishments was his service as a member of the HIV Prevention Planning
Group, whose recommendations formed the basis of the 1996-99 Sonoma County
HIV Prevention Plan.
James worked as a counselor for Catholic Charities/Guerrero House and
18th Street services for several years and also served on the Mayors
Commision on AIDS in San Francisco.
With Hope Berry James co-wrote the curriculum for Queer Studies at New
College of California entitled Queer Cultures Queer Spaces.
James was a major contributor to Betty and Pansy's Severe Queer Review of
New York City. His photographs appeared in Wilde and Steam magazines.
James was an active participant of Queer Nation and Act-Up. He was a life
member of Homo Jihad, GI Go-Girls, Arch-Catholic Nation and Jackson Pollack
Nation which, unlike some Queer organizations, actually accomplished real
work. The repainting of the Rawhide II, Ross Perot (pronounced pee-rot)
Campain Headquarters, the administrative offices of the Roman Catholic
Archdioces of San Francisco, as well as numerous Bank of AmeriKKKa
billboards and ATM machines, Marlboro billboards and San Francisco
police cars. And lets not forget that nasty scene with the bench at
Hamilton Square Baptist Church (James did it!). Apologies... NOT!
Along with others James spearheaded the initial assualt on the Bay Bridge
as a protest against George Bush's missappropiation of health care dollars
to wage war against developing nations.
James is survived by his life partner, lover and friend William
Brown-Kennedy. His devoted, loving mother and caregiver Alva Kennedy of
Granite Bay, his father David M. Kennedy of Fresno and his son Simon Shawn
Stephens Kennedy of Santa Cruz and his grandparents Lawrence and Jean
Kennedy of Fresno.
Among those who will miss James most are his sassy and devoted friend Philip
Zaia, his longtime friend Sharin Graves (she and James took baths
together as children!), his friend and fellow trouble maker Ray Russ AKA
Barbie Jesus Exxon-Valdez Marilyn Kennedy...Jones, his friend and
caregiver Randi Stephens, his friend and Gal-Pal Melissa Marsh, his
friend and dissedent sister in arms Eric Ciasullo, his friend of so many
years we can't count them John Hamilton (phone him), his friend Rene
Prez-Garza Counselor to the Stars, his other trouble making friend
Marky-Mark Duran-Duran (big fag), his friend Tadd Tobias (something
special), his friend and sister Rhonda Carter, his friend, faculty
advisor and mentor Harry Britt, his friend and bitchy editor Betty Pearl,
his cherished friend and associate Hope Berry, Wayde Troxell (the dream
catcher and mojo bag), his friend and teacher Rose Frances and last but not
least his devoted trouble making friend and primary care-giver Pansy
Bradshaw (Panzola).
Special thanks to all the friends and volunteers for all their emotional
and practical help.
We would like to say a very special thanks to his nurses Jamie, Donna,
Helen, Mark, and Iris. As well as his very dedicated doctor Amy Tezza and
his home-care nurses Lisa and Dana.
Gratis to Scott and Mark (for the ride home).
And extra special super Thanks to the staff of Club Townsend especially
Audrey and Ty who not only employed James but, very obviously loved him too!
The memorial is planned for Easter Sunday at 2:00pm at 177 Townsend at
3rd. This will be an Impromptu ritual gathering and pot luck. Suggested
accouterment- Easter bonnets and baskets. Accouterment will be donated to
the Bridge for Kids/Un Puente Para Ninos.
James fought a valiant struggle against HIV and the system of managed
care of Kaiser-Permanente which colluded with the virus.
Pansy Bradshaw
William Brown-Kennedy
Alva Kennedy
Philip Zaia