Mason Alumnus Brian Picone Dead at 22

Mason alumnus Brian Picone, an active member of the Pride Alliance, died Monday night.  He was 22.

According to the "RIP Brian Picone" Facebook group, Picone died from cardiac arrest.

The Pride Alliance held a meeting to talk about and remember Picone Tuesday night.  Members of Counseling and Psychological Services were present to help facilitate the meeting.

Services will be Friday, Oct. 30 at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax at 2 PM.  His family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to either La Clinica del Pueblo or Tenants and Workers United.

Brian Picone speaks at Mason's first Lavender Graduation in May.  Click here to see photos from the event and hear Picone speak.  Photo by Mason Votes Director Christian Smith.

The following is an email sent to members of Mason's Pride Alliance announcing the news of Picone's death:

Dear Pride Alliance Members,

First of all, we would like to apologize for the abrupt cancellation of the Pride Alliance Halloween Party.  Although I'm sure that many of you were looking forward to a little R&R from midterm stressors, the Mason community has been rocked by an unforeseeable tragedy.

The Pride Alliance Executive Board is sad to announce the loss of a great friend and ally, Brian Picone, who passed away last night.  A recent graduate of Mason, he continued to give to Pride Alliance, and the Mason community as a whole, through his commitment with such groups as SafeZone, Women and Gender Studies, and New Century College.  Many of the newer students may know him as his alter ego, Brianna Spice, who hosted the energetic Mason Drag Show 2 weeks ago.

Therefore, in lieu of the Halloween Party, Pride Alliance is offering a meeting about Brian tonight at 7:30 PM, in Meeting Room D at the JC.  Whether it's about how you feel concerning his passing, or the special memories that connected Brian to individuals, or any of the gradations between, we wish to offer you a safe space (facilitated by Ric and members of CAPS) to talk, feel, and share your personal experiences with Brian.

For those individuals that are unable to attend this meeting, or feel that the meeting is insufficient in resolving issues concerning Brian's passing, the Executive Board would like to remind people about the wonderful services offered by CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services) through great individuals such as Adrienne Douglass.  For members interested in these services, location and contact information are listed below:

CAPS
Student Union 1, Room 364
Phone: 703-993-2380

For those individuals that believe this meeting may help, we look forward to see you there.  For individuals that will not be attending, we look forward to seeing you at future meetings.

Sincerely,

The Exec Board