"Scott and Bruce were the hottest couple in church. Scott, a hula dancer, seemed destined for Bruce, the hunky "lumbersexual," and the church delighted when they got together. Their brief love affair sparkled before Bruce got sick and died. Their story is one of multiple "dress rehearsals"- when friends, family and lovers went through AIDS with their loved ones wondering who would be next and sometimes knowing it might be you."
"Singing Positive is a two-part documentary film about the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus (SFGMC) and its experience with AIDS that spans 15 years. The first film, which featured Scott, was produced in 1992 and is hard to find online. The second film, produced in 2009, saw the filmmakers return to SFGMC to explore the impact of AIDS on the chorus over time."
Scott and Bruce were a popular church couple whose relationship ended when Bruce fell ill and died, exemplifying repeated community losses. Friends, family, and lovers endured multiple 'dress rehearsals' of grief while confronting AIDS and fearing who might be next. Singing Positive documents the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus over 15 years, with a 1992 film featuring Scott and a 2009 follow-up that revisited the chorus's changing experience with AIDS. Scott taught at Nā Lei Hulu I Ka Wēkiu, which marked its 40th anniversary in 2025. Kumu Patrick Makuakāne joined the 2023 MacArthur Fellowship cohort and created Māhū with trans hula performers. Queer histories in Hawai‘i and MCC communities are noted.
Read at Slate Magazine
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