Russell ContrerasVerified account

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)

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)

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)

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)

A group at the parade was asking for donations to help homeless #LGBT teens who were HIV positive and had been abandoned by family. My mom had been briefly abandoned as a baby. I remembered Mr. Dixon. I gave $20 #pride #pridemonth (11 of 14)

Ever since that parade in 2002, I quietly donate $20 to an LGBT group during #PrideMonth in Mr Dixon’s honor. I’m a working journalist now and occasionally my photos appear on the wire. #pride #pridemonth (12 of 14)