Positive Life NSW

by Alan Brotherton

Stephen Gallagher, who died on 21 March 2010, was one of the founders and leaders of NSW’s movement of people with HIV. His contribution to HIV prevention and improving the lives of people with HIV was immense, yet largely invisible to those not close to ‘the sector’.

Stephen led from the middle, influencing, arguing, innovating – he was present in most major debates and decisions, yet kept out of the limelight. This wasn’t the result of a cautious or shy personality – he was intelligent, sharp and fearlessly outspoken in his critiques and analysis. But his moments of grandness and extraordinary eloquence hid a genuine modesty, as well as immense personal loyalty and a commitment to making the lives of PLHIV ones of strength and dignity. Never one for mawkish sincerity and largely hostile to recognition and praise of his work, he was usually too busy engaging with the next challenge to be bothered dwelling on recent achievements.

There were many. Under his leadership at the Queensland AIDS Council and at ACON, original and thoughtful work was produced, including the first campaigns in Queensland to address disclosure and serodiscordance, and important work challenging treatment myths and empowering people to make informed choices.

Stephen took personal risks, appearing on television and in the media as a person with HIV and refusing always to play the supplicant or victim. He was, like many early PLHIV activists, a self-made scientist with a natural curiosity and great respect for the work of clinicians – a respect which proved well founded, as he battled both AIDS and emphysema, getting by on one functioning lung and denied the relief of fully lying down for over five years.

Stephen treated his increasing frailness less as a challenge or loss than an irritating impediment to a full social life. In the process, he generated treatment algorithms that sorely tested the skills of his clinicians. He spoke in wonder of their ability to find ways back out of St Vincent’s for him. Living, as he tried to help others to do, to the fullest extent possible, he went on entertaining, redecorating, partying and nurturing a lush sub-tropical garden on his balcony.

But there were losses. He loved to travel and mourned the inability to ever again return to India, his mother’s homeland and his own spiritual home. He dealt with this creatively, replacing long-haul travel with excursions to Sydney’s various restaurant enclaves – Cabramatta, Kingsford, Petersham. His enthusiasm and delight gave a new gloss to places many Sydneysiders take for granted.

Despite his highly visible illness and the portable oxygen tank he was obliged to carry, he always presented with full confidence, and he was always treated with respect and consideration. It probably never occurred to him to take any credit for what seemed such ready acceptance of a visibly ill and stylishly gay man in places far from the inner city. But I like to think this was more than a response to his charm and grace, and in some way a reward for his courage, tenacity and commitment over so many years.