A shot in the dark

There's been a minor outbreak of bacterial meningitis among gay men in Chicago this week. Six cases have been reported; three men have died. And apparently that's enough to get the Chicago Department of Public Health concerned -- it's set up free vaccination clinics all week in all the gay neighborhoods.

So tonight after rehearsal, at least a hundred of us from the chorus marched down to the Boystown location to be vaccinated. The line was out the door and down the block, but it moved pretty quickly -- and the volunteer staff was organized, friendly and efficient. A quick release form and a virtually painless shot later, I'm apparently protected for the next three years.

But I go to bed tonight grieving for the unnamed victims of this outbreak -- and for their families, who lost loved ones to a rapid, painful death.