HIV-positive Jackson residents’ real stories take stage at Alamo

On Friday, Sept. 26, in the stillness of the evening from 8 pm to 10 pm, Americans were hugging their television sets to listen to the presidential debate on the Ole Miss campus. Amidst house parties, ears anxiously listened to Barack Obama and George McCain’s opposing viewpoints about how America should be run within the next few months.

During the same hours, however, approximately 145 Jackson residents, Gilead Sciences, and Cornerstone Theater Company of Los Angeles mingled at the historical Alamo Theater. They pondered over the impact of HIV/AIDS, a matter that, like the candidates’ visions, has many (young and old alike) restless in their search for answers.

The production “Beyond the Diagnosis” generated much enthusiasm from spectators who heard real stories of Jackson residents who have HIV/AIDS, called “the most serious epidemic of our time.”

Three 15-minute plays read with vigor and confidence, became the Alamo’s agenda: Page Leong’s “In a Word,” Sigrid Gilmer’s “Head Trip,” and Peter Howard’s “Long Term.” All, directed by Michael John Garces, reflected the passions and challenges faced daily by HIV-positive people and the healthcare professionals.

Play one’s message was that HIV has no concern for who it strikes. It touches all segments of society, despite gender, class, ethnicity, or status. In play two, one person’s story is told. He/she is held back by voices inside his/her head. Play three lends itself to relationships. The idea of honesty versus integrity peaks into existence. Care of self and family is emphasized.

Following each play, Garces engaged in a question/answer session with the audience. These sessions provided a wealth of information about the statistical impact of HIV/AIDS. Also, raffles for prizes were done.

Deborah Wafer, senior manager of Gilead Community Marketing Division stated, “We’ve done these plays about storytelling [because] HIV is a serious issue across black America, yet a lot of people don’t know that there is treatment and that people die. We wanted to speak in a language that people understand.” Laura Cruz, director of Community Marketing at Gilead, agreed and added: “”Everybody has the same challenges, and people need to know they’re not alone.”

Dr. Mark Colomb (president and C E O) of My Brother’s Keeper, Inc. in Jackson, said, “We have a lot of persons who are infected. People need to understand social and cultural aspects. My Brother’s Keeper provides services for people with HIV. Support group services, and links individuals with physicians, once diagnosed from the testing we provide. This event takes AIDS to another level.”

Just as television sets flooded homes and offices, and while Americans were hanging on or falling off every word of Obama and McCain, they should witness “Beyond the Diagnosis,” a production that says they will never be the same. They would learn quickly that finger-pointing is not the measuring rod for the deadly disease HIV/AIDS.

They would walk away wanting to offer a helping hand to persons, families, acquaintances, friends, and unknowns. They would move beyond routine and comfort with a created arena to address the disease without ceasing.

Bishop Avenue resident Eula Hines made her assessment about the production this way: “I think it’s a good event to bring to Jackson. It helps the community. I hope it brings people together…People should practice safe sex. Parties should be open and honest about sexual relations.”

Christina Ainsley, contact person for Gilead Sciences of California, contended that “The Jackson community needs to be aware because 90% of new HIV cases here are African American. This is one of the first steps to alert the people. We want everybody to be able to compete with the data [by knowing how to cope].”

Cornerstone Theater Company, a multiethnic, ensemble-based theater company, builds bridges between and within diverse communities in the United States. The company produces and commissions new plays that combine the artistry of professional and community collaborators.

For information regarding AIDS/HIV resources, contact My Brother’s Keeper, Inc. at 404 Orchard Park, Ridgeland, MS 39157 601-957-3625 or http://www.mbk-inc.org; Building Bridges, Inc., 2147 Henry Hill Dr. Suite 206, Jackson, MS 39204 601-922-0100 or http://www.bbims.org; Mississippi State Department of Health 570 E. Woodrow Wilson Dr., Jackson, MS 39216 601-576-7400 or http://www.msdh.state.ms.us/

For financial assistance contact AIDS Drug Assistance Program 217-782-4977 or www.idph.state.us/health/aids/adap.htm; Gilead Sciences Support Services (800-226-2056 or www.atdn.org/access/pa/truv.html

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