On December 3, 2018, the Chicago Leather and Bear community was ripped apart by the news of the death of one of their beloved members. Many of them didn’t know DJ Dennis Murray had been battling cancer for almost two years. Dennis was diagnosed with Stage 4 Esophageal Cancer. For nearly two years, he went through chemo, radiation, and immunotherapy as well as researching and implementing natural immune system boosters. He was always full of life, ready with a bag of gummi bears or other snacks, and always looked out for anyone he came into contact with.
When he was first diagnosed, he said he didn’t want to become a statistic, he wanted to screw up the statistics. So, he went out and competed in the Mr. Illinois Bear Contest, winning the title of Mr. Illinois Cub. He volunteered all over the city, helping put together safer sex packets for Howard Brown Health Center, feeding the homeless, organizing clothes for children in need, as well as helping at the Leather Archives & Museum. He participated in the Light the Night Walk for the LLS and he counseled other cancer patients. He went to the gym twice a week and was leg pressing close to a thousand pounds. The average life expectancy of a Stage 4 Esophageal Cancer patient is 8-12 months. At the time that, statistically, he should have been lying in a hospital bed, he was participating in the Iowa Leather Weekend, Mr. Central IL Bear and North American Bear, honing his skills in bootblacking, marched in two pride parades, competed for Mr. World Bear, went to two P!NK concerts, raised some money for St. Jude in a Smoke-off. In his spare time, he was still working, driving his truck about 60 hours a week!
One of the things that Dennis believed in was the concept of #1commUNITY – that we needed to stop segregating ourselves by focusing on our differences. Instead, we should be using those differences to bring us together and learn more about ourselves. We need to look out for each other and be there in any way that we can.
Through #1commUNITY, Amethyst Phoenix Events and Macho Events will be partnering with other organizations and events, as well as creating its own events, to continue DJ’s mission to foster a true sense of community and family. From dance parties to fashion shows, Smoke-offs to volunteering, they will be highlighting and celebrating groups and individuals who strive to make the world a more loving, welcoming place for everyone.