Russell Contreras on Twitter: "Years later, as an intern at the @AP in New Jersey, my friend Aleena @NYChicana and her sis Norma asked me to help hand out water at the #PrideParade in NYC. I said yes. It was 2002. Someone held a sign: don’t forget about the AIDS victims. #Pride #PrideMonth (10 of 14)"

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Russell Contreras‏Verified account @RussContreras 2 Jun 2019

OK. Here’s my #pride #PrideMonth confession. This is dedicated to my high school photojournalism teacher Mark Dixon. (1 of 14)

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Russell Contreras‏Verified account @RussContreras 2 Jun 2019

As a freshman, I took Mr. Dixon’s photojournalism class. He was patient, kind, and let us listen to hip hop in the dark room. He also had a shrine to Tina Turner on a wall. #pride #pridemonth (2 of 14)pic.twitter.com/O2Sospc7Wn

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Russell Contreras‏Verified account @RussContreras 2 Jun 2019

Mr. Dixon didn’t have to say it, but we all knew. He was gay. It was 1988. The AIDS epidemic was growing. #pride #pridemonth (3 of 14)pic.twitter.com/qdyAUGXNUm

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Russell Contreras‏Verified account @RussContreras 2 Jun 2019

Mr. Dixon assigned me to take a photo of a photo that angered me. I got an image of brothers getting arrested amid the crack epidemic across the country. He said now go find this for real #pride #pridemonth (4 of 14)pic.twitter.com/nQYO4ZXqVT

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Russell Contreras‏Verified account @RussContreras 2 Jun 2019

That spring he asked me if I could help him with the annual “Most likely to” awards show. I was to take ticket money. During the night, an angry dude and his mother demanded their money back. A $20 fell on floor. I put it in my pocket #pride #pridemonth (5 of 14)

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Russell Contreras‏Verified account @RussContreras 2 Jun 2019

Mr. Dixon gave me the keys to his office and asked me to put the money up. I did but kept the $20. I used it to buy some Troop shoes I wanted (I think). The next week Mr. Dixon asked to speak with me #pride #pridemonth (6 of 14)pic.twitter.com/0tnkw3Qkyp

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Russell Contreras‏Verified account @RussContreras 2 Jun 2019

My locker was by his classroom. I couldn’t avoid him. He took me into his classroom when no one was there and gave me an envelope. Inside was a thank you card. I felt terrible #pride #pridemonth (7 of 14)

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Russell Contreras‏Verified account @RussContreras 2 Jun 2019

The next year Mr. Dixon took leave. He was sick. We heard the rumor: Mr. Dixon had it. But don’t worry. Doctors were working on a cure. No cure came. My shoes were stolen. #pride #pridemonth (8 of 14)

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Russell Contreras‏Verified account @RussContreras 2 Jun 2019

Mr. Dixon died. The yearbooks were late each year I was a student at Eisenhower High School in Houston. #pride #pridemonth (9 of 14)pic.twitter.com/xqi12lUodg

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Russell Contreras‏Verified account @RussContreras 2 Jun 2019

Years later, as an intern at the @AP in New Jersey, my friend Aleena @NYChicana and her sis Norma asked me to help hand out water at the #PrideParade in NYC. I said yes. It was 2002. Someone held a sign: don’t forget about the AIDS victims. #Pride #PrideMonth (10 of 14)