>Date: Wed, 29 Dec 1993 11:24:10 -0500 (EST)
>From: anon@queernet.org (Anonymous Sender)

MICHAEL CALLEN, WHO BATTLED AIDS IN SPOTLIGHT, DIES AT 38

LOS ANGELES -- Michael Callen, the composer, singer and writer
whose decade long struggle with AIDS was documented in dozens
of publications and on most of the country's national talk
shows, died of the disease Monday in Los Angeles, nearly 12
years after he was first diagnosed.
     Mr. Callen, 38, co-author of "Love Don't Need a Reason,"
which has become a signature song for the gay community in its
struggle against acquired immune deficiency syndrome, was
considered a pioneer in the gay and lesbian community for his
pronoucement a decade ago that "I'm going to wrestle this beast
(AIDS) to the ground."
     Mr. Callen was a frequent guest on news and talk shows,
among them "Good Morning America," "20/20," "Donahue" and "Ger-
aldo."  He also was seen in films, most recently being
"Philadelphia" and the Home Box Office special "Why Am I Gay."

-Los Angeles Times