Marc Hansen was serving as a Med Tech in the Air Force when he discovered that he was HIV positive in 1985, at the age of 22. The Laguana Beach, California, native, was determined that it would not be a death sentence, at a time when there were few options for treatment and even fewer services for patients.
When Hansen moved to South Florida in 1989, he dedicated himself to serving the community he loved, becoming president of Pride South Florida, organizers of PrideFest, the annual Fort Lauderdale Pride festival.
He also met and began a long-term relationship with Mark Maybee at the now-closed Hideaway Bar. At the time, Maybee was a manager at Hamburger Mary’s (now Rosie’s Bar & Grill), and the pair became a common sight at community functions and fundraisers.
According to Maybee, Hansen had been ill for months with a blood infection that ultimately caused his death.
Funeral and memorial services were still pending at press time.
