Charles M Lum

1958 - 2021
Charles passed away peacefully at home in New York City during the early morning of November 30 surrounded by friends and family after a two-year battle with cancer. Charly, as he was best known, was an HIV activist and long-term survivor who created numerous films, photo series, and other multimedia art that focused on providing an honest and desire-driven perspective of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in the gay community.

The youngest child of predeceased Donald and Marian Lum, he is survived by his sister, Susan, and two brothers, Peter and Christopher, as well as six niblings: Toby Slyman, Mia Lum, Josh Slyman, Christopher Lum II, Ian Creitz, and Jo Lum. He is also survived by many beloved chosen family, including but not limited to Barbie Painter, Michael "MAB" Bowles, Becky Moyer, Paul "Eggman" Wirhun, Todd Verow, Elaine Pentaleri, David "Finny" Greffenius, John Hastings, and Kelly Dopman, and was predeceased by chosen family Gary Keyes and Philly Abe.

Charly earned his degree at Carleton College, in Northfield, Minnesota, and later earned a Master of Fine Arts in Photography from the Art Institute of Chicago. He was also a career location manager and Directors Guild of America assistant director with 20 years' experience. Credits include Wall Street, Beat Street, CHUD, Angel Heart, Sid & Nancy, Mississippi Burning, Fatal Attraction, and commercials for most major advertisers. His video productions are still exhibited internationally at prominent gay film festivals around the world. Varied in content, most works deal confrontationally with gay sexuality ethics, how the changing realities of HIV affect culture, personal experience, and death.

Charly's most relished pastime was taking his boat on Panther Pond in Raymond, Maine to "the cove" to read The New York Times, swim off the boat, and watch the sunset. Described by loved ones as "overwhelmingly generous," Charly brought the energy and sparkle of an overly caffeinated teenager to everything he did, which left an indelible mark on all who met him. He opened his home in New York City to friends and acquaintances from all over the world. Clublum, as both Charly and his Greenwich Village home were affectionately called, has always been a safe haven for queer misfits and kinky freaks from around the world.

Charly was a huge personality with a sharp intellect and was always engaging with current events, politics, and artistic trends and personalities. He was a constant admirer of "his girls" Elizabeth Taylor, Debbie Harry, and Jamie Lee Curtis and prominently displayed photos of them clipped from The New York Times all over his home. He modeled bold, fiery, and unapologetic queer life for many younger people he knew. He was a friend, an event, a deeply beloved uncle and brother, a queer elder, a protector, a ride, a damn delight.

To honor his legacy, the family requests that any gifts be made in his memory to Visual AIDS in New York City. They are planning a memorial service this summer to be held in Raymond, Maine. To read full obituary go to https://everloved.com/life-of/charles-lum/obituary/.