Hunter Reynolds
Hunter Reynolds, a gay artist who appeared in elaborate gowns of his own design to raise awareness of HIV and fight homophobia, died July 12 at his Manhattan home of squamous cell carcinoma. He was 62. He began appearing as an alter ego named Patina du Prey around New York City in the late 1980s, shortly after he was diagnosed with HIV. One of his greatest creations was a gown inscribed with the names of 25,000 people who had died of AIDS complications, which he first wore at a Boston gallery in 1993. Reynolds created other types of art as well and was involved in ACT UP. He received numerous honors, including a Guggenheim fellowship.