Miami Herald - November 28, 2004
Karl Ross, kross@herald.com

Your 20th high school reunion was nothing like this: Roman gladiators, revelers in sailor suits and silk pajamas, the pageantry of a carnaval in Rio. All at Miami's most swanky address, the Vizcaya Mansion.

"Welcome," says Charles Humphries, an HIV/AIDS activist and a deacon at St. Stephen's Church in Coconut Grove. As he greets guests at the entrance, he teases: "You are going to see things that are better than debauchery."

Yes, the 20th annual White Party was an unbridled spectacle -- the sort that attracts curiosity-seekers, circuit partygoers, celebrities and civic activists -- united in an effort to raise money for HIV/AIDS services.

"I see it as an evolution -- a looking back and a looking forward," said Rick Siclari, executive director of Care Resource, which produces the event and uses its proceeds to fund services throughout South Florida.

"We're thrilled that 20 years later White Party is bigger and better than ever. But one has mixed feelings that we still have to hold this event after so many years."

Siclari said complacency remains an obstacle to tackling the AIDS epidemic because medication is prolonging the lives of HIV-positive individuals and even lending them a deceptive appearance of health and vigor.

"People think they're not in imminent danger of dying anymore," Siclari said. "I guess we should be thankful for that, but we're still a long way from having the answer."

Siclari said the party and related events should raise about $1.1 million -- roughly one-fifth of the organization's annual budget. Care Resource provides AIDS counseling, intervention and testing services.

Partygoer Robert Soldo said this year's event would be his first. A "White Party virgin," one friend called him.

"I was invited -- it's a date," Soldo said, explaining his decision to attend. "I think it's going to be great."

Richard Burton Jr., known to some as "Fluffy," his cable television persona, said the event has become a ritual gathering for many.

"A 20-year reunion is what it's culminating as," Burton said. "People from the community, people from business, people from all over."

One White Party veteran reminisced about how the event had changed since he made his debut 16 years ago.

"Now it's turned into more of a circuit party," Noel Reynolds said. "It used to be more of a party for a cause. I think some people have forgotten about that cause."

Some in attendance noted the event has become something like a Calle Ocho festival for gays and lesbians. Vizcaya's famous gardens were lined with tables set up by sponsors providing food and beverages.

A new restaurant on Biscayne Boulevard, North One10, ladled out small portions of Thai beef salad over pumpkin carpacchio and marinated yuca.

The owner of a beauty salon offered samples of distilled essence of rose water in plastic cups.

Asked why people would drink such a concoction, Jimmy Wilson, owner of Arcayne salon in the Design District, answered: "It makes you horny."

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