“Having been there is partly why I contribute to the community. I am very fortunate because I have the means to live well -- a tremendous education, the benefit of recovery, a wonderful relationship with family and friends, and a spiritual relationship. By serving on ALRP’s Board and Panel I can share my experiences more with those who can benefit from it.”
Mark Delgado, ALRP Board Member & Panel Attorney

Mark Delgado finds one thing remarkable about AIDS: that it doesn’t discriminate. It affects people in every age group, and from every walk of life. He knows; he’s been there, to the point of losing faith in himself and his god.

Born and raised in El Paso, Texas, Mark’s parents were both community-minded schoolteachers. His brothers focused on athletics, but Mark was the “brainiac” of the family, focusing on school and math camp, even winning a scholarship to Yale. College changed Mark’s life, broadening his understanding of other cultures and religions, and teaching him to be deeply accepting. Now he views forgiveness “as simply giving up the right to resent someone.” At Yale, Mark became aware of HIV/AIDS and the broad discrimination that follows, such as when he was not allowed to donate blood because he is gay.

At Stanford Law School, Mark’s initial experience with community involvement was through the East Palo Alto Law Project, where he worked with abused women and children. It was frustrating, moving work for him, and cemented his desire to be of service. He came away believing that “you have to give people second chances, and when people demonstrate a willingness to improve their lives, you have to help them.”

Later, Mark worked for a large law firm in San Francisco, but his life fell apart from there. He went through a number of relationships and became addicted to crystal meth – an affliction that has ravaged the gay community. Moving to Los Angeles, Mark jumped around from firm to firm, and after he tested positive for HIV in 2001, his addiction got worse. Finally, his best friend drove to LA, packed his belongings and brought him back, helping him through a long, hard recovery process.

After he got sober, his partner, who was a client of ALRP, encouraged Mark to join the ALRP Panel. After several years he stepped up his commitment to ALRP by joining the Board. It is here that he finds he can most effectively share his experiences with those who need help. And here that he feels the greatest impact of ALRP’s collective work, when at each Board meeting, the Board shares some of ALRP’s recent client success stories.

Mark also realizes how easy it is for the broader community to forget that HIV/AIDS is still around, because it has been here for so long. His way of “keeping it on the front burner” is to stay active with ALRP. In addition to his financial support, Mark continues to volunteer as a Panel attorney. For those who are affected directly, though, Mark’s many generous contributions make a big difference in their lives. Mark is indeed one of God’s tender mercies.

Story by Nancy Coleman Consulting. Photography by Mark Rogers Photography.

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