Petrelis Files

HRC: Harry Wieder = 'Awful Body Odor'

(The late gay/AIDS activist Keith Cylar, on the left, and Harry Wieder, right, peeking at his meat-and-potatoes. This fab photo ran in Outweek's 1991 swimsuit issue. Photo credit: Michael Wakefield.)

Grief is never easy to process, today there's been lots of tears about the tragic loss of my friend Harry Wieder. He was a much-beloved man who crossed the boundaries of several communities. He was killed late Tuesday in NYC by a taxi driver who didn't see him crossing the street.

As I grieve, I find it impossible to obey normal rules for the Insiders/Out listserv operated by my friend Mike Rogers in DC. The listserv's cardinal rule is what is posted there, stays there and can't be shared. Well, I'm violating that rule and will happily suffer the consequences of being thrown off the listserv.

The dignity of Harry and his incredible life, demand that I speak out over obscene b.s. from Marty Rouse, a longtime top leader for the Human Rights Campaign.

Here's his message:

Marty Rouse <Marty.Rouse@hrc.org> Apr 29 12:06AM

Harry Wieder. I remember 3 things most of Harry, that have not been shared already (and I say this with affection): his awful body odor; his fondness for sexual innuendo; and his deep nasal voice. You could hear and smell Harry coming. And he always made me smile.

Marty Rouse
National Field Director
202-572-8936

What a lousy way to show affection. Of all the things to say, at any time -- never mind within a day of Harry's accidental death, HRC's Rouse not once, but twice mentions Harry's smell.

Marty Rouse may have an important job and make a lot of money -- more than $170,000 a year -- but he'll never stand as tall or have the integrity of Harry Weider.