Oct 16, 2009   | COMMENTS     

It’s been a year of change and transition for Pat Hawkins, one of the Rainbow History pioneers being honored this month. She was laid off Dec. 31 after nearly 20 years at Whitman-Walker Clinic where she worked as a psychotherapist. She spent most of the year consulting, doing private practice and working on getting the Ryan White act reauthorized. She was approached by Peter Metasatos to start a new venture, the D.C. Community AIDS Network, where she’ll work as a psychotherapist and behavioral health consultant. Hawkins, 69, says there are so many pressing needs facing D.C.’s HIV-positive residents, there’s room for many service organizations. “So many with HIV and AIDS are not receiving care,” she says.

At last month’s White House AIDS town hall meeting, Hawkins sat one seat behind Donald Blanchon, her old boss at Whitman-Walker. Are there hard feelings? Hawkins says no and wishes the Clinic the best. Hawkins met her partner, Robin, also a psychologist, when both were working at the Southern Maryland Community Counseling Center. They knew each other five years before starting to date. Hawkins, a Michigan native, came out more than 50 years ago when she was still in college, but went back in the closet professionally until 1989, though she had girlfriends and lesbian friends during those years. She spent her pre-AIDS career as a social worker focusing on poverty and drug issues.

When AIDS hit in the early ’80s, it galvanized her and she found an arena in which she could put many of her skills to good use. Her work is still needed. Hawkins says about half of HIV/AIDS patients have mental health issues, often anxiety and depression centered on the life-threatening condition. Hawkins congratulates the Blade on its 40 anniversary and says the paper has been an important component of gay life in Washington. “It’s been a lifeline for people,” she says. “The Blade has been an indispensable part of the gay experience here. We wouldn’t be where we are as a community in Washington without the Blade. Other places aren’t as lucky as we are to have such a great paper.”

Hawkins says the pioneer honor means a lot to her because it’s given by her peers. She’s active in the Gertrude Stein Club, GLAA, the Mayor’s GLBT Advisory Committee and sits on the board of the Center, D.C.’s gay community center. Hawkins lives with her partner in Waldorf, Md. They have a second home in Keyser, W.Va., where they spend most weekends. They enjoy traveling — especially to ancient Mediterranean archeological sites — and spending time with their “many” cats. Hawkins reads mysteries and watches “Law & Order” to relax.


How long have you been out and who was the hardest person to tell?
I came out 52 years ago, during my freshman year in college. Hardest to come out to: high school friends
at my tenth high school reunion, but they were very supportive and wanted to meet my then partner.

Who’s your gay hero?
Hank Carde, who died in 1998. He galvanized the city’s government response to the AIDS epidemic and risked his military pension and benefits and sacrificed his health to move the fight forward.

What is Washington’s best nightspot then or now?
The Amber Room (then); Larry’s Lounge (now)

If gay marriage were legal, would you tie the knot?
We’ve tied the knot several times: during the ’93 March on Washington, in Canada in 2003, and in Provincetown on a whaleboat in 2004.

What non-gay issue are you most passionate about?
Apart from AIDS, which remains primarily a gay issue, a national AIDS memorial, and the plight of the mentally ill and of substance abusers, particularly the dually diagnosed, and the need to treat substance abuse as a health issue and not a criminal or moral issue.

What historical outcome would you change?
The death of Robert F. Kennedy, because he would have stopped the Vietnam War, built on the legacy of Martin Luther King and virtually eliminated poverty in the U.S.

What’s been the most memorable pop culture moment of your lifetime?
Seeing the original “West Side Story” on Broadway and knowing that “Somewhere there’s a place for us” was about me and being gay.

On what reality TV show would you fare best?
“House Hunters.” But I also like “Deadliest Catch” and “Ice Road Truckers,” because I have a lot of heart.

What item of clothing has been in your closet since high school?
Black British Navy watch sweater, which doesn’t fit anymore.

If your life were a book, what would the title be?
“Up the Rebels”

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