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Brent Duane Foster

@brentdf_

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San Diego, CA
“You never know what the next life will bring, so make the most out of this one!”
♍️🏳️‍🌈🎼 🎶🎵

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Okay, cute kid in that first pic, right?

That's me, circa 1980.

But this post isn't about me, it's about the guy holding me up and in the other pics here.

That's my uncle, Steven Duane Jones (1956-1989)
My mom gave both my younger brother and I, the same middle names as her two brothers. I guess she had a hunch that there would be similarities in personality between each of us. Turns out, she was right.

My younger brother and uncle are very much alike and have a great relationship because of that. It's really funny and beautiful at the same time to witness.

You may wonder why I made mention of their relationship, when this is supposed to be about my Uncle Steven.
Well, that's kind of the reason for this post.

Unfortunately, I was not blessed to develop the same kind of relationship with Uncle Steven, as we lost him to an AIDS-related illness, when he was only 33 years old. I was almost ten years old at the time.

It would take 20 years for me to understand just how much of an impact his passing would have on my life and experiences. I came out at 31 years old, and as anyone in our community knows, navigating through those early "post-coming out" years is no walk in the park.

Like many in my generation, as we came after, the loss of lives also meant a loss of guidance and mentorship from that generation. There were many days where I wondered how much life would have been different for me, if Uncle Steven was around.

So many questions, forever unanswered.
So much potential, forever untapped.
So much wisdom and guidance lost.
So many experiences limited only to "What if...?"

Nevertheless, when I consider the progress, despite the adverse conditions of the present day, that has been made in society, I will always remember my Uncle Steven and the millions of people worldwide whom we have lost to this illness. It's their shoulders that we stand on today.

I love you, Uncle Steven. I hope I've made you proud. 🥲 🥲🥲❤️❤️❤️❤️ #untiltheresacure @theaidsmemorial taken in San Diego, California by @brentdf_

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2 months ago

On December 8, 1941, mere hours after the attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared that December 7th 1941 would be "a day that will live in infamy".

Nearly forty years, to the day, after he made that declaration, another day that also lives in infamy occurred.

That day was July 3, 1981.

It was the day that this small article in the New York Times was released, reporting on a rare illness that was taking predominantly gay men as its victims.

As the years passed, and with little to NO help or support from the government, religion, or society as a whole, the number of deaths from what we would later call "AIDS-related Illnesses" skyrocketed, claiming thousands of lives. Again, predominantly, the lives of gay men.

Today, 45 years after this article was published, while great progress has been made in the fight against HIV/AIDS, we are still without a cure, and the protections that have been fought for over the years are in danger of being repealed by the same group people in government who turned their backs initially.

So, as America celebrates its 250th birthday, may we be reminded of some of her history and shortcomings that have yet to be addressed.

To the hundreds of thousands of lives lost and to the many who are still living with it. The fight continues. #untiltheresacure #America250 #lgbtq🌈 by @brentdf_

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3 months ago

Just vibin' to an original track that I've been working on.

Not YET at the level where you see most musicians here, but I think it sounds good.

What do your ears think?#music #musicproducer #musicproduction taken in San Diego, California by @brentdf_

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4 months ago

~A HOMECOMING WEEKEND~

I'm just getting settled back here in San Diego after, quite honestly, an amazing weekend.

I took a road trip back to my hometown of Oakland, California, and I didn't think it would be the medicine for my soul that it was. A weekend full of family, friends, loved ones and all around great vibes.

Stayed with my younger brother @t_carter84, which I love him for.

Started off with a trip down memory lane while driving through the Town, which included stops at my alma mater @ohs_wildcats (Man, that field DID NOT look like that when I WAS THERE!!! C/O '97, WHAT UP!!) , and my mom's childhood home, which I also lived in as a child.

Side Note: I haven't been back home in OVER ten years, and yet, my sense of direction was like I never left.

Linked up with my ROAD DAWG @chunsung927 for a cool little function in Pleasanton. Let's just say all eyes were on my boy! 🤣🤣🤣

Shift over into Sunday for a lunch with my two BEAUTIFUL Aunts (Now y'all see where I get it from 😛😛😛), at @horatiosanleandro. Awesome seafood restaurant. Highly recommended.

THEN, capped it off by attending the live video recording of my BIG BRO @lbmuzac and the incredible @lbandfriendz.

This dude's talent is in a class by itself and I speak from PERSONAL experience. Love and proud of you, Man. I can only imagine what your next level is.

And he keeps some SANGIN' people around him.

Extra love to all of the folks I got a chance to see and embrace. For those who I missed, charge it to time and schedule and not my heart.

To summarize it, Oakland/Bay Area, no matter where I am, or how long I'm gone, you're always home, and I'm a proud son of this area.

I won't be gone for 10+ years next time. Promise! ❤️❤️❤️❤️ #oakland #bayarea taken in Oakland, California by @brentdf_

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5 months ago

I have been to a lot of concerts, and I can UNEQUIVOCALLY say that @brunomars "The Romantic Tour" is one of THE BEST!!! Alongside @anderson._paak who opened with a DJ set as "DJ Pee Wee", then did a "Silk Sonic" set (spoiler alert) later in the show, and @leonthomas who was also amazing, do yourself a favor and catch this show!!! #brunomars #theromantictour #andersonpaak #leonthomas taken in Allegiant Stadium by @brentdf_

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6 months ago

Caught a mood in my room over the weekend. taken in San Diego, California by @brentdf_

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7 months ago

Decided to catch the sunset. #sandiego #sunset #sunsetcliffssandiego taken in Sunset Cliffs, San Diego by @brentdf_

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9 months ago

Saturday morning at the office. taken in San Diego, California by @brentdf_

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9 months ago