The big night finally arrived, the Youth Civic Reception, marking the end of the Pre-Conference. Held in the Olympic Spirit stadium in downtown Toronto, there were only 65 places for the 1000 or so youth delegates hoping to attend the main event downstairs, a talk delivered by singing superstar Alicia Keys.
The 65 participants from the Youth Pre-Conference lucky enough to get a pink wristband, giving them access to the VIP address included this young journalist and my colleague from Derry, Emmet Barr. I was able to get the last coveted pink wristband.
Queuing up to go downstairs, Ciaran, my Belfast based colleague, appeared wanting to know where he could get one. His face when I told him that I had nabbed the last one was too much to bear. His hope of marrying Alicia Keys would never materialize now, someone else got there first, but the next best thing would be to meet her. So I gave him my wristband. After all, I wasn’t losing out on much. I thought, what type of meaningful message could a celebrity deliver to the people anyway?
However this thought didn’t stop me from gladly joining Ciaran and Emmet in the underground theatre a little later, when two very kindly security guards let pass through the security cordon.
I got there just in time to hear two very good talks before it was Ms Keys turn to take her place on the podium. She blew my mind away. What kind of meaningful message can a celebrity deliver to the people? The kind that sends shivers up and down your spine and thoughts racing through your head.
I was about to go and protest on the streets of Toronto until I remembered I was a journalist. Alicia told the youth delegates, VIPS, and Press gathered, “There are people who are complacent about this pandemic, I hate those people”!
She ended her speech amid much applause and cheering. I just had to interview her. Her intelligence and compassion for the young and vulnerable affected by HIV and Aids had struck something within me hard and beaten me into submission. She was a celebrity, and she had something to say worth listening to.
My brain started sending messages to my body before my mind could kick in with any kind of rational for what I would do next. I was suddenly catapulting myself over the seat in front and striding towards her. I swear, if I didn’t look so young for my age her minder would surely have floored me. She kindly agreed to give me some of her time, and answer a question. She said, “What matters is how powerful your voice is, and what you do with it.” After posing for photographs with Ciaran, Emmet and I, them drooling all over her snow white suit, she gave me an autograph for my niece.
I was wrong about Alicia Keys, about celebrities in general. Some of them, like Alicia, use their voices on behalf of those who cannot be heard.
I’ve heard that my 10-year-old niece Laura has christened me with a new name, “favorite auntie Lyra”, since I got her Ms Keys’ autograph. And the boys are delighted with me for helping them meet the woman of their dreams. I was just doing my job, and boy do I love this job! So far it has been a great assignment. I am sure it can only get better.
Indeed as I sit here in the media centre at the Toronto Convention Centre the actor Richard Gere was ushered right past us. Nobody seemed to notice him. He passed by in complete anonymity. As it should be for he, too, is here to deliver some serious messages.
About this article
Lyra McKee was one of three Headliners journlists who covered the International AIDS conference in Toronto. Their work was published by BBC Blast.
