W. Benjamin Incerti, Boston AIDS activist, photographer, and co-owner of Hollywood Hair Salon, died May 13, 1993 at age 41 due to complications from AIDS.
Benjamin's last days were spent in the home he shared in the South End with Bob Sessions. his companion of close to 20 years. At his bedside at the time of his death were his lover Bob; his mother, Mrs. Angela Incerti of Cromwell, CT; and his brothers John of Santa Barbara, CA, and Nicolas of Essex, CT.
Benjamin will be remembered by his family and friends for his strong convictions and courage in fighting AIDS as a member of ACTUP Boston and the People With AIDS Coalition. Shortly before his death, be appeared in a videotape produced by ACT UP lobbying for compassionate use of the experimental drug TAT gene inhibitor.
As a photographer he documented the struggle for development and early release of new AIDS drug therapies that showed potential. His photos chronicaling AIDS activism were included at shows at Boston's Museum of Fine Arts. UMass/Boston, and in a one-man exhibit in the Gallery of the Boston Public Lbrary. Some of his work is displayed at: https://visualaids.org/artists/w.-benjamin-incerti
His other great love was his time spent aa the Hollywood Hair Salon on Beacon Hill, which he co-owned for over seven years with his friend Jim Wilson.
Benjamin's love of life, his courage and strength will endure in the hearts of all who loved him.