Woman to woman
HIV 101
Prevention
Many thanks
Woman to woman
I just read your letter; it is so uplifting [“An Open Letter: Woman to Woman,” September/October]. Your approach to the virus and the stigma does make people like us who are still not so open about our status want to ask ourselves: “How long will you continue living a lie?” Strangely, I have disclosed to my partner who is negative and who [now] loves me more, just like you put it in your letter. My family members and my girlfriend know, and none of those people are treating me differently. But I cannot get myself to telling many other people in my life and that is so demeaning to me. I sometimes sit and wonder how other people would treat me [if they knew] my status. Would they still trust me if they eventually find out that I have been living silently with my condition? I think I am going to read the letter again and again until I get the right mental attitude toward the condition. I am really happy to have come across your article.
Name withheld, South Africa, via the Internet
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HIV 101
I am a case manager and a social worker at the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin in the Green Bay office. I had the opportunity to read the issue with the tag line “Everything You Always Wanted to Know About HIV,” [September/October] and I wanted to let you know I thought the issue was very well done. The articles were clear, concise, and comprehensive. We get many magazines and journals in our office every month, so I made sure to let my colleagues know how good a resource I think this particular issue could be. I wanted to express my thanks to your staff for their hard work. I think this will definitely be of assistance to the clients with whom I work.
Michael Larkey, MSW, via the Internet
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Prevention
Thanks, Jeff, for your editorial in Positively Aware [July/August]. This is the first time I’ve read this magazine and found this issue helpful. You raise the issue of prevention efforts. I don’t know how helpful they’ve been, but I suspect not much. Why? Maybe they’re not targeting the sources of the issue of HIV infection, drug addiction, suicidal thoughts, and so on. I find the same lack of focus to be the case with such organizations as the Human Rights Campaign and others. I work as an addictions counselor among gay and bi men (little do these labels reflect reality) of all races. The same shit keeps coming up… self-image. And, our fellow gays don’t help strengthen self-esteem among each other. I’m suggesting that a more varied approach is needed to target all the issues surrounding becoming infected with HIV. Self-esteem, child molestation, sexism/heterosexism and how we have been taught to suck it up like mother’s milk and live it out in our stereotypes of what it means to be queer/gay/masculine/men. I know this is brief and far from comprehensive, but you get, I hope, the drift of what I’m talking about. Until we start addressing sexism/heterosexism in our own midst, we will continue to seek other ways of being true to ourselves… or else run, hide, numb ourselves from feeling those feelings of “not good enough” with drugs, liposuctions, sarcasm, isolation, depression, etc.
I wish you the best in your work and life. We need loud voices of reason and compassion like yours.
Ken, via the Internet,
www.transitionpower.com
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Many thanks
I am writing to thank [Keith Green] for your inspiring story about your journey through life being HIV-positive [What’s Goin’ On: The Little Voice Within, July/August 2006]. I greatly admire the strength and zeal that you have for your life’s work. I have come across your story at a time in my life where I needed it a lot. Reading your story and becoming more educated on the life quality and life expectancy of HIV-positive people has really made me feel better about my prospects in life if, the Most High forbid, I come up to be HIV-positive. Again I must say that I thank you so very much and will most definitely pray for your health and happiness tonight before bed. I would greatly appreciate even a short e-mail of encouragement. If not I will still be so thankful for your openness and strength. May your faith keep you strong.
Crios, via the Internet
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