Roger-Luc Chayer
I was surprised to learn, a few months ago, that my favorite horror actor, Vincent Price, had been involved from the beginning of the HIV epidemic in awareness campaigns aimed at dramatizing the prejudices suffered by the carriers of the disease. We are talking about the ’85. So he was a forerunner in LGBT activism and, over time, some aspects of his private life became known and were able to explain his great compassion for what was considered at the time of contagious « gay cancer » without knowing the mechanism.
Vincent Price was married three times, but it was his daughter Victoria, born of a second marriage to Mary Grant in 1962, who publicly stated that she « was almost certain that her father had had intimate relationships and with men. Already in the 1970s, he was an honorary member of the national association « Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays », whose mission was to support and improve the quality of life of people in LGBT communities in the United States. The organization counts today 400 sections covering the entire US territory, with more than 200,000 members. Vincent Price was also involved as Victoria’s dad, who came out in the 80s. She had the opportunity to live her life openly with her father and it is thanks to the generosity of Victoria and his kindness that this edition was dedicated to him, as a tribute to what he did for our collective well-being, in addition to being an actor who made the history of culture in the world.
Victoria has been responsible for selecting the cover photo and is giving us an exclusive interview on page 7 of this edition. Do not miss! Vincent Price was unfortunately a heavy smoker, he was suffering from emphysema and Parkinson’s disease. He died of lung cancer on October 25, 1993, at the UCLA Medical Center at the age of 82. He was cremated and his ashes scattered on Point Dume in Malibu, California. His work has survived very actively since and even the younger audience appreciates the unique talent of this irreplaceable artist.