November 29, 2002

GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE 11

'The very first time I heard about AIDS'

Young people share thoughts about the disease that has always been there

Cleveland-With December 1 approaching, many people in our community will reflect on what HIV and AIDS mean to them. The past 20 years have instilled in us feelings of confusion, fear, hope, anger and activism, and we have forever changed our perspective on our community and the world around us. We are reminded that it is important-now more than ever-to continue working toward a cure, widespread prevention and increased care.

But what do young LGBT people, those born after the AIDS crisis began or those who came out after the inception of quality-of-life drugs, think about HIV and AIDS? Although

'My two greatest fears as a gay male are getting bashed and getting AIDS.'

there is much data on how LGBT youth are affected by the disease-estimates show at least half of all new HIV infections in the United States are among people under 25— the Cleveland Lesbian-Gay Center wanted to find out how the next generation of leaders in our community relates to the crisis.

On November 20, a group of LGBT youth met in the center's Living Room, the organization's health and wellness drop-in space. As part of the first in a series of new events for youth called True 2 You, they shared their thoughts, feelings, fears and perceptions around HIV and AIDS:

Dina, 18: The first thing that comes to mind is all the stereotypes people have. I was discussing with my friend once how people are so scared of what they don't understand. When most people think of AIDS and HIV, they automatically think the person who has it is gay or lesbian and that's just not true. Straight people have HIV/AIDS, too. I'm sick of people who don't even want to open their hearts to what is different to them. They are all so stuck in their own precious worlds, that they can't respect people no matter who they are or what they have.

Owen, 16: My two greatest fears as a gay male are getting bashed and getting AIDS. I think of death and how I am so scared of getting AIDS. I think of all the people that say God created AIDS to kill gay people and it makes me want to cry and hide away from it, like it's this gigantic monster stalking me. But then I feel safe because I know that there are people out there who feel the same, and we can protect each other. But there's still that fear. And I pray to nature that one day there will be a cure.

P.M., 16: Watching the movie Philadelphia with Tom Hanks was about the first time I can remember hearing about HIV/AIDS. After seeing it, I remember being afraid because I knew I was gay and so I thought of all other gay people as having the virus.

Steven, 18: This is what I think about when I hear "HIV” or “AIDS": Death. Decreased immune system. Don't have sex. Don't be afraid. Get tested. Know your partner. Practice safe sex. Always use protection. Never stop loving. Don't be scared to die. Your life is not over because you have HIV/ AIDS. Don't think you're alone. Never stop

living. Never give up on yourself, and don't begin to cry. Getting sick all the time. Being weak. Not being active. Stay happy. Always smile. The dripping of an I.V. bag. The sounds of the respirator. The sound of silence in an empty room, in an empty hospital wing. The sounds of distant laughter I will never hear. The sound of loneliness taking over the mind and soul.

During the evening, some also shared very personal accounts of being affected by HIV and AIDS, as friends of other young people who were infected with the virus and have since passed.

Brad, 18: The very first time I heard about AIDS was when I met John. I was 13 and just coming to terms with my sexuality, and he was the first gay person I met. I instantly fell in love with him. We had great times. But then I found out he had AIDS.

"What is AIDS?" I asked. His reply was hard to swallow. He told me in one word— the same word that haunts me to this day: "Death." I will never forget him or all the good times we had, but I never want to see another friend in the hospital because of AIDS. I never want to have another loved one die. The last thing he said to me was, "You were the only thing that kept me from loneliness, and I love you." I will always remember him. I miss you, John.

Steven, 18: I was ten years old when I met Adam. I didn't really speak to people, but he refused to accept that. Eventually, he began to befriend me. He was my first male friend. We hung out, did stuff I thought only privileged people got to do. Then I found out why Adam would miss school so much, and why he had to eventually leave and not come back. Adam had full-blown AIDS. He contracted it through a blood transfusion. He proved to be one of my best friends-possibly my only one---and I had to watch him die by the time he was 12. I still can't let him go, I hear him still and don't think I can ever stop. I'm not psychotic, just unwilling to accept the fact that he died so young.

"Wrestling with issues like HIV and AIDS is hard for everyone," said Aaron Patterson, the center's youth program coordinator. “It can be even more difficult for LGBT youth, who often face a lack of resources and support. That's why youth are such an important part of the center's programming around health and wellness. We created the True 2 You program to address the fear and confusion they expressed at the event."

TRINITY CATHEDRAL

Engage your Mind...Lift your Spirit! Sunday Services

8am Early Communion 9am Celebration Mass 10am Education for All 11am Choral Eucharist

Child care provided 9-Noon

5 pm Choral Evensong Tuesdays: 6 pm Labyrinth Walks Wednesdays: 6 pm Choral Evensong

The Very Rev. Tracey Lind, Dean The Rev. Gregory A. Jacobs, Canon: Daniel Hathaway, Canon

Kurt C. Wiesner, Pastoral Associate Trinity Commons is now open! Visit our new art gallery! Café Ah-Roma opening soon!

Euclid Ave & E 22nd 216.771.3630 www.trinitycleveland.org

All are welcome!

Affirmative counseling for growth, decision making, relationship issues, loss, life choices, and lesbian, gay,

questioning, and transgendered issues.

Jeffrey Mostade, PCC, NCC

www.senexcare.com

216.421.1793

G

SENEX

ELDERCARE COUNSELING TRAINING

12200 Fairhill Road Cleveland, OH 44120.

ANTHONY GLASSMAN

Volunteer Fran Twomey leads the True 2 You discussion at the center.

True 2 You is funded by the city of Cleveland and the support of members of the center. It is a "life skills" peer education program that explores healthy ways for youth to express themselves. Through experiential learning activities, youth examine physical, mental and social health to explore who they are, what they want and where they are going in life.

In order to continue offering these programs and services for LGBT young people,

furniture

lighting objects gifts

the center needs both the financial and volunteer support of the community. To join, make a donation, get involved, or for more information on the center, call us at 216-651-5428 or visit www.lgcsc.org. Your support will help make a positive impact in the lives of many young people.

This article was written by Cleveland Lesbian-Gay Center youth group members and staff.

Shop Mon-Fri 10-6, Sat-Sun 11-4

miss, anna

cork Screw

from Alessi

Invite this diva home for the holidays

Extraordinary shopping in an urban loft setting

SWEET &

ASSOCIATES

Itd.

Miss Anna is one example

of inspired holiday gifts from

the collection of Sweet

1001 Huron Road Playhouse Square 216.696.4000 www.sweetmodern.com