community spotlight by lance perkins
aboard. We also want to make sure that everyone’s time and effort is effectively
focused on doing really good things. But it’s not all up to me as president. It is a
group, community effort to make all these things happen.”
Recently Golubski was awarded the Donald Snow Memorial Award at the Long
Beach LAMBDA Awards. Larry expresses, “I was extremely humbled. When I first
got the call last summer and was asked if I would be able to accept the award,
for two days I was extremely emotional. In 1993, I lost my partner of six and a half
years to AIDS. He actually was one of the sweetest men who could ever be known.
For all he went through and for everything that happened to flash back to me…,
within 14 months, I had seven good friends pass away. It got to the point when
you didn’t even know how to cry anymore. So fast forward to today, when I look at
old photos, I am the only one left of the group of friends. So as humbled as I was,
I was also almost embarrassed to get the award. I only did what I did because I
wanted to make a difference and make sure that all the people who weren’t there
anymore aren’t forgotten. So to be honored in the same league as one of those
individuals who give back was very humbling and emotional. It hit on so many
levels that I guess I wasn’t prepared to think about it at the time.”
Larry grew up in a catholic family in Pulaski, Wisconsin, a very small town with
one stoplight. Larry elaborates, “My dad and I had a very challenging relationship
Larry Golubski
growing up. He had no idea who I was or what I was about. I came to realize that
loved ones in our lives are our own choice. I choose to be around the ones who
love and support me. But none of us are promised that anyway. It’s really up to us
His strong Focus
to pave our own way. My father finally did come around but he lost all that time
he could have had with his son. If everybody just had the opportunity to come
For giving Back to tHe community
out to their friends, family and loved ones and just say, ‘this is me’ and didn’t play
into the family BS and bureaucracy, we would not live in the world that we live in
There are so many people in our community who have been volunteering their
today. I was a young man of 12 or 13 years of age when I first knew I was gay. I am
time and have dedicated themselves to giving back to the community. Larry
no less a gay man today, however I am probably far more of a gay man than I had
Golubski is a person who The Rage Monthly sees as a shining example of this. As
ever hoped to be.”
the current President of the Long Beach AIDS Foundation, Larry wears many hats.
Golubski moved to Long Beach in 1994, won the title of Mr. Long Beach Leather
Golubski explains, “I’ve been with the Long Beach AIDS Foundation for about five
in 2005 and went on to become the 1st runner up in the International Mr. Leather
years. I’ve done logistics and setup for various things like AIDS Walk Long Beach,
competition. He serves as an emcee for countless leather events around the
the Red Ribbon Affair, Casino Nights and World AIDS Day as a volunteer. I’ve been
country, spearheaded the 4th annual holiday clothing drive for the homeless
Events Chair on the Foundation’s events committee for all of the events we’ve
and is a tireless advocate for giving back to the community. Larry continues, “I can
had. Last year I took on being a Board Member for the Foundation and this year I
honestly say that there was a moment when I was at the awards for the Interna-
took on the President’s role.” Larry continues to explain his focus and concerns as
tional Mr. Leather when I was by myself and there was a big screen TV flashing all
president, “In the past we have done some great, phenomenal things but unfortu-
these photographs of the competitors and I realized that I had grown into the
nately with the economic downturn that is happening right now, we have to take
gay man that I had always wanted to be. I truly feel that we all just need to be the
a very strong look and stance on things in the next couple years. My main goal is to
people we are and be proud of who we are.”
get everyone involved onboard with the same message so we can move forward
stronger and survive. As a non-profit, it’s all based on volunteers. You have to have
For more information, a list of programs, upcoming events or to contact Larry Golubski, visit
a strong message and clear direction that you want to take people to keep them
lbaidsfoundation.org or call 562.987.5200.
8 RAGE monthly | november 2009
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