Correction

In the July/August issue, Joyce Turner Keller was incorrectly listed as being on the Board of National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC). She is, however, on the Board of AAA+ and a member of NMAC, NAPWA, NAACP, and Women of the NAACP.

Compliments

I phoned earlier today to try and get some back copies of your Transgender and HIV issue for an upcoming symposium we’re having here in Newark. I mistakenly got Jeff Berry on the line. He was extremely helpful and took all of my info down and we had a very nice little chat. What a nice guy! I later got a call from “Joe the Distributor” who was just as friendly and took care of all of my requests.

I just want to say you folks are fabulous, and to thank you for being in existence. There really are people out here who appreciate all of your hard work, and I just felt like you should hear that every once in a while. So there! Thanks, and keep up the good work. Peace.

Sincerely,

Gary Paul Wright
Executive Director
African American Office of Gay Concerns

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Positively Aware will treat all communications (letters, faxes, e-mail, etc.) as letters to the editor unless otherwise instructed. We reserve the right to edit for length, style, or clarity. Please advise if we can use your name and city.

Write to:

Positively Aware,
5537 North Broadway
Chicago, IL 60640
Fax: (773) 989–9494
E-mail: readersforum@tpan.com

Dear Jeff,

I saw the printed letter from my patient, Patricia, in the July/August issue of Positively Aware. It was truly moving to see her words in print. She is a remarkable woman who really seems to have made the mental strides necessary to overcome her addiction. She is correct that getting arrested probably saved her life. She and I have exchanged many letters since she left Cook County Jail, and I am perpetually impressed by how intelligent, caring, and genuine she is. She will be coming home very soon and I know she will eventually grow into a leader who will help many others.
Thank you so much for printing her letter. We sometimes forget our incarcerated people living with HIV are real people, many of whom actually want to live better lives and just need a nudge in the right direction.

Warmest regards,

Chad Zawitz, M.D.

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Dear PA,

First things first—great issue addressing women and HIV, especially the article “Protect Yourselves, Ladies.” Thumbs up for all your efforts! I always learn something.

In the Readers Forum, a young lady wrote a personal story of her experiences, “Thanks to Dr. Z.” Patricia Douglass, thanks for your honesty. Not many people will share everything you did. You said you need help handling “coming out.” My advice is to do only what you’re comfortable with. I’m involved as a peer educator in the PACE (Prisoners AIDS Counseling and Education) Program here and I know it can be a big deal in prison. Regarding your fears of getting out of prison, remember the hard work you’ve done, stay focused, find programs and support groups. Good luck!

Sincerely,

William Lopez
Mid-State Correctional Facility
New York 

Positively Aware Welcomes New Columnist

Starting with this issue, Positively Aware, will contain “Salient Ramblings,” a column by Sal Iacopelli, longtime HIV-positive actor, author, and AIDS agencies veteran. Some may be familiar with his book Love, Sal, a collection of letters about his real-life experiences as a self-professed “bitchy bottom” while living in San Francisco in the 90s. Though he may be older and wiser, perhaps a bit less bitchy, his wit and humor remain intact, as evidenced by his first column relating his story of being diagnosed HIV-positive. “Salient Ramblings” joins “What’s Goin’On,” “The Wholistic Picture,” and “Get Sharp” in PA’s repertoire of columns that offer opinion, humor, human interest, and socially conscious commentary.

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