Gary Cosgrove and Love Out Loud VII

Gary Cosgrove is a true Jersey boy reared in Wood-Ridge. A graduate of Rowan University with a degree in Education, Gary oversaw several youth recreation programs in Wood-Ridge from 1978 to 1983. In 1983 Gary was elected to the Wood-Ridge Town Council. At age 24, he was the youngest elected town councilman and a Democrat! He served on the Council for 3 years from 1983 to 1986. After leaving Public Office, Gary continued to serve his community. In 1989, Gary was confronted with the death of several very close friends who had lost their battle with AIDS. He decided to join the fight against the plague that has devastated our community. Through the Pfizer Philanthropy Department, Gary garnered a grant for Friends for Life in 1997. That same year Friend for Life named him their “Man of the Year”. In 2006, Gary served as President of the Board of Trustees for Friends for Life until 2008. Gary has been affiliated with the Imperial Court of New York for the last 15 years where he has continued to raise public consciousness of the continuing fight against AIDS and other life threatening disease. In his six years as President, Gary’s leadership has helped the Imperial Court of New York realize over $500,000 in corporate sponsorships and grants. Although small battles are continuously won, the war against AIDS is far from over. With the support of his family, friends and especially Damian, his “legal” husband for one year but his partner for over 15 years, he continues his fight. Their love and encouragement enable him to forge ahead in his commitment to not just the HIV/AIDS community, but to the LGBT Community as a whole. For that he is eternally grateful. Gary’s boundless energy and benevolent dedication are an inspiration for us all and we are honored to have him as part of Love Out Loud VII.