I’m very sorry to learn of the death of Harry Wielder, a community activist in NY around LGBT rights, transportation, and disability. This article at Gothamist has more [WARNING: Comments are a mess]:
Weider, 57, described himself on his Facebook page as a “disabled, gay, Jewish, leftist, middle aged dwarf who ambulates with crutches.”
…
Wieder first came to prominence in the 1980s with the activist group Act-Up. He was profiled in Betty Adelsen’s 2005 book, The Lives of Dwarfs: Their Journey from Public Curiosity Toward Social Liberation, and also written about by Jimmy Breslin for Newsday, who captured his “combative, roguish nature and his penchant for truth.”
Wielder died after being hit by a taxi when crossing the road to his car.
I am saddened by Harry Wielder’s death. I’d heard about him from my friend Will who met Harry Wielder at a rally. I commend Harry Wielder for being so active in the community, despite his disabilities. It makes me wonder why I use my disabilities as an excuse to stay fairly inactive! It’s pathetic that there are people spitting such vitriolic messages on the comments section of the website. Many of the things being said are downright offensive and in poor taste. I hope that Harry is in a better, more peaceful place now.
Just for correction’s sake: it’s “Wieder”, not “Wielder”. Much like Christmas, there’s no ‘L’. And you may throw rotten vegetables at me for that awful pun.