GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

SECTION B

JULY 22, 1994

Evenings Out

AIDS 101 for a mainstream audience

by Jeff Hirst

"What About AIDS?" a national touring exhibit now at the Cleveland Health Museum, seems to be having an impact on the hearts and minds of visitors. Bob Schug, director of development at the museum, is pleased with the responses he's seen so far from people who filled out evaluation forms after viewing the exhibit.

"One of the most important findings of our survey," said Schug, "is that a lot of people said they will now be more likely to volunteer their time or give money to AIDS services."

He's pleased, but not surprised. Schug remembers his own reaction upon first seeing the exhibit last fall in Philadelphia.

"I thought I knew a lot about AIDS and HIV. But as I went through the exhibit, the subject became much more real to me. I gained a greater understanding of what it's like living with HIV and AIDS, and I felt more sympathetic toward people with the virus. It's a very touching, emotional exhibit."

AIDS

What is A Virus?

"What about AIDS?” gives a scientific explanation of AIDS in simple, hands-on terms.

"What About AIDS?" will be at the Health Museum through August 31. It was developed by the National AIDS Exhibit Consortium (an association of eight science museums), the Centers for Disease Control, and the American Medical Association.

The exhibit uses text, personal stories, photos, interactive video, and other handson devices to enlighten people about the science of AIDS and its impact on everyone's lives. It is divided into three sections designed to be seen in sequence:

"What Is HIV/AIDS?" contains a scientific explanation (in simple terms) of the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

"Protect Yourself" explains how to reduce risk.

"What Can Be Done About It?" examines the search for a cure and suggests things that each of us can do to help the causes of AIDS research, prevention, education and patient support services.

Schug explained that the museum wants "not only to reach as many people as possible with facts about AIDS and HIV, but also to reach as many different kinds of people as possible." The reason for targeting a broad audience is announced visually on one of the first display walls, where an inscription reads, "Anyone can get AIDS. It's not who you are, it's what you do."

Highly interactive, user-friendly and written in clear, concise text, "What About AIDS?" is in fact suitable for a wide range of age and education groups. A large-scale dice game illustrates the risk of unprotected sex. The AIDS virus is illustrated in a colorful hologram. You can pick up a phone and call one of the two AIDS hotlines.

Perhaps in the interest of not offending conservative factions, exhibit planners have portrayed gay people in a rather sanitized fashion. In some parts of the exhibit, homosexuality, though pertinent, is barely acknowledged. To illustrate no-risk activities, for example, an interactive video shows straight couples hugging and kissing, but

neglects to show gays in any obvious way. For an exhibit that otherwise approaches AIDS and risky behavior with candor, the muted portrayal of gay people is a surprising cop-out.

Still, "What About AIDS?" is an engrossing journey that takes the visitor on a path of invaluable information. It has, in fact, inspired many people to take notes on what they learn.

"We don't see that very often with other

displays," Bob Schug said. "People are really getting a lot out of this."

He wishes, however, that more people were benefiting from "What About AIDS?" Attendance has been good, but not as good as the museum had hoped.

"I think we haven't drawn bigger crowds because it's not a light and fun exhibit. Since AIDS education is so important, we wish people were breaking down the doors." Part of the problem, Schug theorized,

About AIDS?

Ambit will be h

Museum through August 31

may be that many people are still denying the existence of AIDS. He thinks another reason could be that people think it will be a depressing exhibit.

"But this is more enlightening and moving than depressing," he said. "It helps you see people living with AIDS, not dying from it."

Stories and photos of people with HIV and AIDS abound at the exhibit. Some stories are told in the subject's own words.

For example, we meet Lou DiJinio, 35, who has had AIDS for over three years. He's in several black and white photos, one showing him with his HIV-negative partner, John DiCarlo.

"Having AIDS today is not necessarily a death sentence, although I know it can feel like one," reads a quote from DiJinio. "There may not be an immediate cure, but I do feel that there is hope for people who are living with this disease and that they should not give up."

Other stories are more disturbing than DiJinio's. Canton native Chuckie Bair, 26, is shown in a photo essay of the last five months of his life. The essay ends with a photo of his body being wheeled out of his home, followed by a shot of his empty bed.

But such images of sadness and disintegration provide a necessary balance here. "What About AIDS?" succeeds in showing the ugly reality of AIDS along with the hope that awareness and activism can bring.

seum through August 31) include a photo essay caled "Children with AIDS: An Endangered AIDS Memorial Quit.

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museum's general admission fee: $3.50 for adults; and $2 for students for free when accompanied by an adult family

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