As founder of the Octopus Club, Lew Aldridge is in charge of the amazing Art Erotica parties and the legendary Octo Tea Dances and a host of other events. His grassroots efforts over the years have inspired hundreds of enthusiastic young, gay volunteers to raise funds and awareness for AIDS relief in Austin. He has a powerful gift to be able to inspire others to take a stand and act for the common good, often for the first time in their lives. Lew is a quiet but strong leader of Austin's gay civil rights movement, and he's always in the center of the action for Austin's gay community-building efforts. He has been able to motivate so many to take positive action on issues that affect us all.
