Michael Slocum

Michael Slocum (1956–1995, New York, NY) was a graphic artist, writer, and editor whose Zander Alexander, PWA comics combine humor and keen affective insight to express the realities of his experience as a gay African American living with AIDS.

Slocum eventually found his stride working for arts publications. His first significant position was at the magazine Art & Antiques, where he worked as an editor. While he found that editing suited him, he longed for more meaningful work that directly supported the Black community. Struggling with his sexuality and seeking solace from these frustrations, he turned to spirituality and later moved from New York to Seattle. During his time on the West Coast, Slocum came out as gay; he also contracted HIV and was soon diagnosed.

As a respected figure within the HIV-organizing community, he was selected in 1993 to serve as the editor-in-chief of Newsline, a monthly magazine produced by the People with AIDS Coalition of New York (PWAC/NY). Slocum served as editor  from 1993 until his death in March 1995, working closely with Mary Cotter, Becky Trotter, and other HIV/AIDS activists. He is remembered for his significant work in pushing the publication to be more inclusive, adding a column authored by incarcerated people living with HIV.