A letter from Donald Taylor, Jr.
NCCJ----Tampa Bay

Dear Louise,
I had the sordid pleasure of viewing The Gift last night as part of the Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival and was extremely moved by it. I am a 25 year old, gay male who is and wishes to remain negative. Your unflinching tail of HIV, seroconverstion, bareback parties and the other things touched on throughout the stellar documentary challenged me to renew my commitment of safe sex only. Other young gays need to see this documentary. I work with high school kids and they-----both gay and straight----are engaging in sexual activity at alarming rates. In fact, one middle school girl I work with came to me and told me about a "game" she and her classmates play to see who can give the most blowjobs to teen boys at a popular outdoor hangout here in St. Petersburg. wow!

But to intentionally seek out an HIV Positive sexual encounter for the sole purpose of becoming positive yourself was completely unknown to me. THank you for opening the doors to another aspect of my community. And thank you for perhaps saving my own life through the candid stories told by the positive men in the documentary.

Please let me know how my agency may go about obtaining a copy of the film so that I may facilitate a dialogue on the issue. And other issues your documentary didn't touch on that I feel so relevant as self acceptance, self love and appreciation, and seeking others who make you feel good about yourself no matter what. This film can be a great catalyst for lively, frank and life changing discussion----please allow me the opportunity to expose our youth to such a moving story.

Donald Taylor, Jr.