On 9/11 we rolled our giant love notes and handed out 50 black markers to share our message of condolence to the first responders and residents of New York City. We invited people from every part of the world to express positive messages of love. What transpired would forever stay with us.

Our big city became a neighbourhood as 28 of us proudly marched, danced and played with the crowds while handing out YOU ARE LOVED notes by the thousands. We boldly carried signs that read HAVE THE BALLS TO SHOW YOUR LOVE and COME OUT AND PLAY, flaunting our love light amongst 500,000 friends.

The great thing about New York is the volume of people with their eyes wide open. So much goes down in this city. The food, architecture, art and culture. So when we brought our Big Love Balls to The Big Apple, we were embraced by open minds and open hearts.

We were friends, in real time and space, therefore I was not alerted with pings from any of my technological criers that he was gone. Among his many talents, Ralph is a world renowned expert on the writings of Dylan Thomas. In between moves like Jagger, he was reciting these words from ‘Fern Hill’…

My friend Dave Decarlo, a Vancouver artist who makes masterpieces from recycled stuff, allowed me to feature him with Big Love Ball, in celebration of PRIDE. Dave is approaching 70 and while many men tremble at the mere idea of PINK, Dave has spent his life standing tall and PROUD, in every colour.

Though he stands just 2’7”, Spencer West is a giant among us. Born with a severe deformity of the spine, his legs were completely amputated from the pelvis down at the age of five. This did not stop him from climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. On his hands.