Alive & Well
by Kyle
This past month, while the world acknowledged the ten-year anniversary of AIDS, the Living Room entered its third year of sharing empowerment with HIV challenged persons here in Cleveland.
This is an especially significant event because the Living Room, far from being just another AIDS service center, has the unique privilege of being the only drop-in center in the state of Ohio to be staffed and run by persons in the HIV spectrum. Love and support at the Living Room truly do come from within-beginning with its birth as an idea over two years ago and continuing today with opportunities for personal growth and empowerment. It's carrying a message of life to more people than ever before.
And this message is more important than ever before because AIDS is not going away. AIDS is right here and AIDS is right now. While it is often easy to hide in the "somebody else, somewhere else" shelter, this is a very dangerous sanctuary. AIDS is no longer a gay phenomenon in New York City and San Francisco; it's a local daily reality for too many people right here in Cleveland. AIDS is in our schools and safe suburban neighborhoods, it's in our places of employment and our favorite leisure activities. It doesn't matter whether you are black, white or Hispanic, young or old, male or female, gay or straight. AIDS has no prejudices. And we can't hide anymore. AIDS is affecting all of us everyday.
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This month, I would like to ask you to do three things: Listen, Learn, and Share. Whether you yourself are in the spectrum, care for someone who is in the spectrum, or are simply someone who cares, these three things are all it takes to make an important difference. Listen to the reality of AIDS in your community. Learn what you can do about it. Share your support. That's all it takes and maybe, someday, if we all work together AIDS will go away.
In the meantime, let me welcome you to the Living Room. The Living Room is a place of safety, a place of support, a place without prejudice. The first step is always the hardest and that's why we're here: so you don't have to take it alone. Whether you're in the spectrum, caregiver, or caring person, we are here to help. I would like to share with you the words of some of the many friends of the Living Room who welcome you with open arms:
“One of the greatest needs of those of us dealing daily with HIV infection is in having friends that are there for us. People who understand our fears and our joys. I've found this at the Living Room and the greatest reward is being with other people in the spectrum, people that are also motivated towards a positive approach in deal-
GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE
July, 1991 ing with their HIV status. Positiveness and love can be catching.
"More than any other single event in my life, my HIV status has shown me how much I need other people, and how important my just being there can mean to them." -Mike Holland
99
"Ever since Jimmy had a dream for Cleveland to have a place for people in the HIV spectrum to drop in and feel welcome, the Living Room has been my special place of solitude, refuge and peace." -Addae
"I've found the Living Room to be beneficial in many ways. The main thing is that I've established a network of friends who are there when I need them." -Joe Baisden
"Not just a first stop upon entering the HIV spectrum, the Living Room for me has become a base for support, friendship and healing power. It has enabled me to still experience life and friendship despite the threat of being HIV positive. It's my special place for giving and for receiving." -Walt Nalen
"I have had many positive experiences from my contact with the Living Room. I get a lot of support from the many friends I've made through my participation on support groups and my volunteer efforts." -Neil Caldwell
"In a world that seems increasingly private and forbidding, I find the Living
the 15th Anniversary of
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Room to be a rare thing: a public place for people in the spectrum."-Ernest
In closing, I would personally like to invite you to share any responses, comments or questions you might have. I will be happy to address these in future columns or personally via the Living Room. I look forward to hearing from you!
The Living Room is located at 1410 West 29th Street. Our drop in hours are from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please call 522-1998 for additional program information and to receive our calendar in the mail. ▼
The Living Room's programs include:
Massage Therapy Reiki
HIV Support Group Meditation Group Spiritual Discussion Group Haircuts
Healing Circles Grieving Circles Art Therapy Resource Center
Spectrum Bulletin Board Spectrum Outreach
Guest Workshops offering the latest medical information, legal information, and alternative healing therapies
Ongoing social events and special events
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