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FEATURE Women and AIDS Cont'd from page 6 who are HIV+ may not find out until they are already symptomatic. Kathryn fears that the few women she and others are seeing with AIDS are only the tip of the iceberg. She is also troubled by the way soci ety's impressions categorize groups who might provide support for the HIV infect ed. Women and children with AIDS are perceived as "more tragic" because they are the "innocent victims.” The view that one group of infected individuals is some how more innocent than another creates distance between those that could be sup porting each other. "No one tries to inten tionally get a life-threatening disease!" Most of the AIDS-related organiza tions are involved in providing care, treat ment and support for persons with AIDS. Amy Thompson, Director of the AIDS Research Consortium of Atlanta is work ing more directly towards finding cures for opportunistic infections and eventual ly for the epidemic itself. Under Amy's direction, ARCA has made a concerted effort this year to involve more women and people of color in its drug and treat ment trials. She is in the enviable posi tion of being able to see her work translat ed into potential health improvement. Amy has a strong background in sci ence. Before she came to Atlanta to be Director of ARCA, she worked for a biotechnical company developing drugs for the treatment of AIDS. She finds the science involved in the treatment of this disease fascinating and is challenged by the continued search for a cure. Politically, Amy sees the AIDS epidemic as a human rights issue rather than a gay or minority issue. Angie Morales is the receptionist at AID Atlanta. Her cheerful, positive out look offers clients a bridge between the harsh facts surrounding AIDS and the faith they must have onto to survive. Angie is a transsexual who has been liv ing as a woman for 12 years. Many of the agency's clients know her as performer Apple Love and that makes them feel more comfortable when they walk through AID Atlanta’s doors. Her biggest rewards come when clients tell Director Sandy Thurman or their caseworker that Angie made their initial experience with AID Atlanta a pleasant one. The greatest difficulty in her job is when frustration overcomes clients and they become unmanageable. But Angie has shown herself capable in handling these situations. She was dubbed an hon orary case manager for her cool head in calming a potentially violent client. She says she rarely feels afraid for herself; fear is an emotion she reserves for the people who pass her desk every day. "Someone has to mother these people, their own mothers are turning them away." HIV+ Women Talking to women infected with HIV reveals new kinds of closets. "Lindsey” (not her real name) is a black, heterosexu al woman who was diagnosed as HIV+ in 1987. She might have gotten it from a man she was seeing, an ex-IV drug user and a drug counselor who was sleeping with one of his clients. Or maybe from her ex-husband, also an IV drug user. She is a nurse who was fired from Emory two weeks short of her first year of employ ment there. Blue Cioss/Blue Shield got a copy of her medical records stating she was HIV+; her insurance was canceled. Because she has no insurance and an abundance of medical bills, Lindsey has been forced to file for bankruptcy. Her doctor is understanding, but she is afraid to apply for health insurance at her new job, since insurance company computers might reveal her HIV status and she might be fired again. Lindsey used to be open about her HIV status, even speaking to groups about AIDS. She has been encouraged to quit working and apply for disability, but she wants to work as long as she can. She is not willing to risk another job. Lindsey has a boyfriend who is loving and understanding (and knows her status) and a son who needs her help, but she is Evett Bennett Angie Morales receptionist at AID Atlanta afraid to make plans. Her mother is already planning her funeral. Lindsey says each day is precious. She enjoys the trees. Even the air is beautiful. Debbie Dillon has been open about her HIV status from the beginning. She wrote an article about living with AIDS for an early issue of Southern Voice. That article makes it clear that Debbie is a het erosexual woman who might have gotten AIDS from a bisexual man she was see ing for a while. She prefers not to dwell on the possible source. One of the subjects of a video on AIDS, "Mending Hearts," and a book, "Epitaphs for the Living," Debbie is the only PWA from the video still living. She encourages people to ask questions and feels it is her responsibility to educate those who do ask. "Until people see it in their back yard, they're not going to do anything." She is also afraid of losing her job, so she isn't sure how much longer she will continue to be so open about her illness. "But I haven’t lost a pound," she quips good-naturedly. Some of the first people she had to educate were her family members. Debbie remembers an occasion when her gay brother was changing the sheets on his bed at their mother's house. Her other brothers jokingly refused to help because they "might get AIDS." She also had a husband for a while, one she met after her diagnosis and who knew her status. They were together a year and a half before they got married. Then, five months after they were mar ried, he left. Debbie has chosen to continue to have a sex life after she found out she had AIDS. She tells the men she sleeps with that she has AIDS. "You'd be surprised at the men I've told I had AIDS and offered a condom to, who chose not to use it." "Some of my strongest support has been from my gay friends," Debbie says adding that she admires the gay and les bian community's ability to pull together on this issue. She remembers when NAPWA was searching for a Christmas party location and Deana’s was the only place that welcomed them. She was impressed. But despite her sense of humor, Debbie is still plagued by nagging fears. "My brother's wife is young. When they have a baby, will she let me hold it?" And who will take care of her pets when she is no longer able? "I think I worry most about that dog." Give Something With An Edge. The best gifts are one of a kind. Individual. For that one of a kind individual. You’ll find great selections at The Great Frame Up. • Do-It-Yourself or Custom Framing • Large collection of posters and prims • Gift certificates Our selection is great. Our prices are low. And our gift ideas are off the wall. So come on in soon for personal gifts with an edge. t Uto0FQ6fiflpQii]0% Gift Center Buckhead 3085 Peachtree Rd. (comer of E. Paces Ferry) 231-9754 OPEN 7 DAYS & 5 NIGHTS, (present this ad for $10.00 off any purchase of $50.00 or more.) Not valid with any other offer. • Fresh Produce • Groceries • Breads • Pastries • Natural Foods • Beer • Wine and MORE Picnic • Party Supplies HOT & HEARTY SOUPS (Take-out Only) 1248 Virginia Ave. N.E. 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Twenty-five Lunch Special Items Priced from $3.75 to $6.25 • 7 DAYS A WEEK 618 Ponce de Leon Ave. • 872-2918 (Across from the old Sears Building) HU N Aft PALACE CPU PON ! 20% OFF ENTIRE CHECK j DINE IN OR TAKE OUT expires 12/2/90 Southern Voice/November 22, 1990 \\