Amsterdam

with Michael Thompson

After his immigration in April 1994 as Wolfgang's partner, Reggie gets a residence permit in the Netherlands and health insurance through Wolfgang's health plan.

In December 1994 Reggie writes his first "Letter from Amsterdam", which is published in the new gay magazine "Wilde" in March 1995:

Dear Friends,

I live my life as a Dutch housewife with a German lover.

Who would have thought two years ago, while I was attending the International AIDS Conference in Amsterdam, that I would someday soon be living here? (...) Read the letter

In Spring 1995, after he has survived Pneumocistis pneumonia (PCP), Reggie writes 'The Second Letter', which was never published.

Dear Readers:

I want to apologize for missing you in the last issue. Since my first article appeared in the premier issue of Wilde, I have been hospitalized two times. One of those times, I was in the hospital for about four weeks - much of which I don’t remember. I only know of that time what Wolfgang, a few close friends who visited from San Francisco and Los Angeles and two of my sisters have told me.

This situation all began after Wolfgang returned to Amsterdam from a short trip to Germany. He says that when he walked through the door I was sitting on the sofa, holding my chest. The first thing I said was, “I need to go to the hospital.” Four days later, I was in intensive care in the Amsterdam Medical Center (AMC). Read the letter

with Janherman Veenker (1950-2005)

in London, 1995

Third Letter from Amsterdam, written by Reggie in May 1995

On May 4th the Netherlands celebrated the end of World War II and the Day of Remembrance for those who were killed during the war. (...)

For me as a newcomer, and an outsider standing there listening to all the bells in the city ringing at the same time, it was a very moving experience. (...) Read the letter

In Amsterdam Reggie gets involved in AIDS prevention work, too.

'Strange Fruit The Real', a 'group for gays and lesbians of color and friends' organizes Safer Sex & Culture workshops from 1995 on. 'Brotha' Reggie is hosting the events at the COC.

November, 4, 1995 - Essex Hemphill dies. Please read Reggie's remarks at a Remembrance Service in Amsterdam:

(...) I am not here tonite to mourn Essex, but to celebrate his life. To celebrate the richness he gave us all, especially Black Gay Men.

Essex was one of my heroes, my idols, but more than anything, my friend.

Essex's works inspired, motivated, and helped us look inside ourselves to be able to empower ourselves to rise above homophobia, racism, sexism, and classism. To stand tall and proud as Black Gay men.(...) Read more

The Christmas Twins

Gregory (1931-1997) and Gary Christmas (1931-2009) waren bekend als dansers, entertainers en modeontwerpers, afkomstig van de Blackfoot -en Micmac Indianen en allebei openlijk homo. De Christmas Twins kwamen in de jaren zeventig naar Amsterdam: in de Utrechtsedwarsstraat openden ze een koffieshop/boetiek: ‘Backstage’.

Reggie's Second Home!

with Al Cunningham visiting

Documentary, made in Amsterdam about Gary Christmas. He and his brother used do shows. He's a wise man with a good look at the world. By Jeroen Puijn

July 1996 - Reggie is diagnosed with colon cancer.

Many hospital stays will follow.

At home in Amsterdam, Reggie taking his AIDS medication.

Filmed by W. Schreiber.

Amsterdam, December 1997.

Party at Reggie's and Wolfgang's home.

Our neighbor in 1998: Erica D. Moore!

1997

Amsterdam, 1998. Poetry Reading at Erica's, next door. Reggie reads "Brothers loving brothers" by Vega from the anthology "Brother to Brother"

Vacation on Gran Canaria Island, February 1998.

With Marten Schipper (1954-2003).

Filmed by Wolfgang Schreiber.

Spring 1998. Tram ride through the city with Wolfgang's father Rudolf Schreiber (1926-2002), and his brother Carsten with his girl friend Anne. Canal tour by boat through beautiful Amsterdam.