GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE NOVEMBER 25, 1994

December 3rd

WINTERMA

The Ohio Union West Ballroom

at The Ohio State

University

Professionally Crafted Holiday Gifts

Vendor area

11AM to 7PM

Entertainment

Columbus Women's Chorus Columbus Gay Men's Chorus Strung Backwards

Comedy

Fran Pietrantano • Garbo Todd Lisa Angstadt • Debbie Kadlec

Women's Dance 8:30PM to 11PM $1.00 All day + Dance Presentation of Montreal Women's Memorial Award Collection for homeless women Drop boxes at Alternative Auto and Fan The Flames.

Presented by The Lesbian Business Association

Cosponsored by O.S.U. Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Student Services.

For information call 267-3953

That

OBITUARIES

Pedro Zamora

Pedro Zamora, AIDS Action board member, dedicated HIV/AIDS peer educator and cast member of MTV's The Real World, died on November 11 of AIDS. He was twentytwo years old. Family and friends were at his side. His companion, Sean Sasser, was also with him. "Pedro is a one-of-a-kind person," Sasser said, "I don't think I'll be as lucky again."

Zamora, who fled Cuba at the age of eight with his family during the Mariel boat lift in 1980, became infected with HIV as a freshman in high school. He began speaking publicly to groups of young people about AIDS soon after learning of his HIV infection. Zamora went on to become one of the nation's leading AIDS educators, appearing on television, nationally and internationally, telling his story to the National Commission on AIDS, to members of Congress and to thousands of young people around the country.

"Pedro dedicated his too-short life and work to educating and enlightening those around him," said Daniel T. Bross, AIDS Action Council executive director. "The simplicity, clarity and immediacy with which Pedro shared his experiences and ideas set an example for how we as a nation should be fighting this epidemic."

Zamora spent the first half of this year in San Francisco filming MTV's The Real World, a program that captures the adventures of and relationship between seven young adults living under one roof. MTV invited Pedro to the cast to portray exactly who he was: a young gay man living with HIV.

"His character added a new dimension and depth to the program and allowed Pedro to reach young people around the country with the message that AIDS happens to young people, yet people can live with AIDS," Bross said. MTV executive vice president Doug Herzog added, "With incredible courage and honesty, Pedro shared his life with millions on The Real World. We know through letters and calls that his life story has educated and inspired countless numbers of people." Herzog went on to say, "It was MTV's honor to have known and worked with Pedro. We will truly miss him."

Zamora testified repeatedly before congressional committees on HIV prevention and the need for health care reform. In July he told members, "I am frustrated with programs that are more concerned with offending people in the general public than with saving lives. If you want to reach me as a young gay man, especially a young gay man of color, then you need to give me information in a language a vocabulary I can understand and relate to. I will be much more likely to hear the message if it comes from someone to whom I can relate," he said.

Zamora added, "I needed positive messages about my sexuality, I needed to know about condoms, how to use them correctly and where to buy them. I needed to know that you can be sexual without having intercourse. I needed skills to negotiate relationships. I needed to know how to say, 'I don't want to have intercourse, I just want to be held.'"

In a statement issued by the White House, President Clinton said, "In his short life, Pedro educated and enlightened our nation. He taught all of us that AIDS is a disease with a human face and one that affects every American, indeed every citizen of the world. In the months ahead, let us rededicate ourselves to continuing Pedro's brave fight."

In lieu of flowers, the Zamora family has established the Pedro Zamora Memorial Fund at AIDS Action Foundation to help continue his advocacy in HIV prevention and care. Contributions to the fund may be made at 800-790-2332, or sent to AAF-Pedro Zamora Memorial Fund, c/o AIDS Action Foundation, 1875 Connecticut Ave., #700, Washington, DC 20009.

Obituaries

Obituaries may be placed in the Chronicle free of charge. They can be sent by mail or fax (see Community Forum page for address): but we can't take information over the phone. Include your name and phone, so we may contact you. A photo can be included; please send a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want it returned.

Headwaves

HAIR DESIGNS

Frank Spinelli

1710 W. Market St. • Akron, OH 44313 216/864-8877

That Place On Bellflower

Lunch & Dinner

Gorgeous Patio

Great Parties

Private Rooms

Please call or FAX for party information booklet

(216) 231-4469 • FAX (216) 231-0214

We would like to take this opportunity to introduce ourselves as an efficient billing service provider. Having your billing processed by an independent firm such as OURS Usually RESULTS IN UP TO 50% OVERHEAD SAVINGS FOR YOU.

•

you.

WE ALSO OFFER THESE OTHER services: •HANDLE YOUR ACCOUNTS Receivable. •Supply you with patient reports daily, weekly and/or monthly. ·Supply you with physician reports daily, weekly and/or MONTHLY.

•Customize reporTS TO FIT YOUR NEEDS. •Send Our Thank you letters on your letterhead. •SEND OUT FRIENdly Reminders. •Direct patient billing.

QUALITY

Medical Processing Inc.

P.O. Box 770087 Lakewood, Ohio 44107 (216) 226-9040 FAX (216) 226-9041 Ask for RON OR Bill