type of drugs eventually. Thus, one has to change the cocktail for it to be effective
as it recently occurred in Venus’s situation. Finally, females have the added
concern of giving birth. It is well documented that a woman can give birth without
passing on to her newborn child. Of course, a cessation is highly recommended.
There is less chance of transmission than a natural birth. Perez followed the doctors’
advice and delivered a healthy baby girl who tested negative for the virus.
There are good and bad days, ups and downs for a person
living with HIV/AIDS which is to b e expected. Yet, Perez
takes it all in stride depending on her spirituality to get her
through.
It must be recognized and accepted that the information presented has been
around for some time, and that is the point that Venus drive’s home. It must also be
recognized that not everyone is privy to such data especially those who are poor,
strung out on drugs, have a low self-esteem, and occupy the category of minority.
These are the people who are not getting basic knowledge concerning HIV/AIDS.
Thus, Venus Perez advocates that such fundamental facts should be disseminated
and publicized at a rapid constant pace through the media. The media should step
up this information to such an extent that’s it’s literally in your face.
-----------------------------------------------
For more info on Venus Perez: www.venusperez.com
For community resources: www.unitycoalition.org/LGBTOrgs.html
CLICK HERE for more Maria A. Hernandez
Copyright © AMBIENTE MAGAZINE. Do not reproduce without citing this source
as it recently occurred in Venus’s situation. Finally, females have the added
concern of giving birth. It is well documented that a woman can give birth without
passing on to her newborn child. Of course, a cessation is highly recommended.
There is less chance of transmission than a natural birth. Perez followed the doctors’
advice and delivered a healthy baby girl who tested negative for the virus.
There are good and bad days, ups and downs for a person
living with HIV/AIDS which is to b e expected. Yet, Perez
takes it all in stride depending on her spirituality to get her
through.
It must be recognized and accepted that the information presented has been
around for some time, and that is the point that Venus drive’s home. It must also be
recognized that not everyone is privy to such data especially those who are poor,
strung out on drugs, have a low self-esteem, and occupy the category of minority.
These are the people who are not getting basic knowledge concerning HIV/AIDS.
Thus, Venus Perez advocates that such fundamental facts should be disseminated
and publicized at a rapid constant pace through the media. The media should step
up this information to such an extent that’s it’s literally in your face.
-----------------------------------------------
For more info on Venus Perez: www.venusperez.com
For community resources: www.unitycoalition.org/LGBTOrgs.html
CLICK HERE for more Maria A. Hernandez
Copyright © AMBIENTE MAGAZINE. Do not reproduce without citing this source
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In Your Face | Interview with Venus Perez
by Maria A. Hernandez
HIV/AIDS…an unresolved issue …a plague…a dis-ease…a health crises…a non-
discriminatory virus….HIV/AIDS…it’s the last thing on your mind until it’s the only
thing on your mind. Across this nation and beyond, an endless number of
individuals have lost and are currently losing their battle against AIDS for
decades. Only recently within the past several years, instead of a decrease in
the quantity of HIV/AIDS cases there has been a resurgence of the virus. A few
of the populations affected are: the homosexuals, African American and
Hispanic communities. In addition among women and young adults, the death
toll keeps rising. From the scorching, barren desserts in Nigeria, Africa to the
scenic, mountainous terrain in Flagstaff, Arizona, HIV/AIDS has painted the
landscape of sexual mores and practices. As a civilization regardless of
ethnicity, customs or traditions, safe sex has colored our discourse, changed our
language, and crept into our schools, churches, our way of life. It’s been
normalized to such an extent that it’s no longer newsworthy for there’s nothing
new to report.
In ‘I’m still here’, 2nd edition, Venus Perez exacerbates this point. Perez initially
proceeds to offer information that has previously been recognized and
reported at length to the population as a whole. The historical trajectory,
statistics, facts displayed, both at the beginning of the book as well as the end,
can be easily researched by anyone interested in knowing more about the
complexities of this disease. Yet, it’s those who don’t have the tools to seek
such knowledge or who are paralyzed by the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS
that Perez is aiming to impart this knowledge.
In Your Face | Interview with Venus Perez
by Maria A. Hernandez
HIV/AIDS…an unresolved issue …a plague…a dis-ease…a health crises…a non-
discriminatory virus….HIV/AIDS…it’s the last thing on your mind until it’s the only
thing on your mind. Across this nation and beyond, an endless number of
individuals have lost and are currently losing their battle against AIDS for
decades. Only recently within the past several years, instead of a decrease in
the quantity of HIV/AIDS cases there has been a resurgence of the virus. A few
of the populations affected are: the homosexuals, African American and
Hispanic communities. In addition among women and young adults, the death
toll keeps rising. From the scorching, barren desserts in Nigeria, Africa to the
scenic, mountainous terrain in Flagstaff, Arizona, HIV/AIDS has painted the
landscape of sexual mores and practices. As a civilization regardless of
ethnicity, customs or traditions, safe sex has colored our discourse, changed our
language, and crept into our schools, churches, our way of life. It’s been
normalized to such an extent that it’s no longer newsworthy for there’s nothing
new to report.
In ‘I’m still here’, 2nd edition, Venus Perez exacerbates this point. Perez initially
proceeds to offer information that has previously been recognized and
reported at length to the population as a whole. The historical trajectory,
statistics, facts displayed, both at the beginning of the book as well as the end,
can be easily researched by anyone interested in knowing more about the
complexities of this disease. Yet, it’s those who don’t have the tools to seek
such knowledge or who are paralyzed by the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS
that Perez is aiming to impart this knowledge.
Miami's Gay Performing Arts Festival July 7-11, 2010 outinthetropics.fundarte.us |
The introduction of the
book takes a
chronological approach
by tracing the events
leading up to the mass
hysteria and
misinformation that
arose in the 1980’s.where
it was mainly the gay
population that seemed
to be at risk. In a most
detailed, pain-staking,
manner possible, Perez
covers all the landmarks
concerning the virus
from the advancement
of knowledge about
HIV/AIDS, which many
take for granted today,
added by the medical
community to displaying
the political rhetoric and
government legislation
through the years to
showcase the latest
technologies more likely
to be integrated into the
gamut of tools equipped
book takes a
chronological approach
by tracing the events
leading up to the mass
hysteria and
misinformation that
arose in the 1980’s.where
it was mainly the gay
population that seemed
to be at risk. In a most
detailed, pain-staking,
manner possible, Perez
covers all the landmarks
concerning the virus
from the advancement
of knowledge about
HIV/AIDS, which many
take for granted today,
added by the medical
community to displaying
the political rhetoric and
government legislation
through the years to
showcase the latest
technologies more likely
to be integrated into the
gamut of tools equipped
for a wide-ranging line of attack for disease prevention. Her narrating journey ends
with an explicit, exhaustive discussion and graphic display of other STD’s. Generally
such information is undeniably common; however, her central theme throughout is
to impart such basic intelligence to minorities which compose the crux of new
cases, reported and unreported and who don’t have access to this information.
Perez, in her own words, states that “…people are perishing due to lack of
knowledge.” The ‘perishing of people’ is geared to a specific population: minorities,
the poor, drug users who are so strung out that they just aren’t equipped to deal
with such a life threatening disease.
An oblivious and overt challenge she proposes to the reader is her insistence to get
actively involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS whether by advocacy or
volunteerism or by joining a support group or by becoming a member to an
organization committed to teaching and helping those affected by the virus. There
is no question that Perez leads by example. Indeed, it is important for her to
‘practice what she promotes.” For her, actions speak louder than words. So Perez
does her best to practice what she preaches. In this vein she attended the Wilsey
Institute in 2001 for Nursing, Phlebotomy, and EKG certification. Presently, Ms. Perez
is a volunteer certified pre and post counselor and tester as well as Program
Director, of the Palace of Comfort, and Easy Access Resource. Both associations are
non-for-profit whose aim is to assist individuals who are medically frail, need
assistance to receive resources, and who are in crises situations. She is very
committed to help those in need “…to get housed, food, disability benefits.”
Helping others is a central theme throughout the book largely because she believes
that it fulfills the fear, anxiety, and discrimination felt upon having an incurable
disease. If interested, visit her website (www.venusperez.com) to get a total list of
her accomplishment.
with an explicit, exhaustive discussion and graphic display of other STD’s. Generally
such information is undeniably common; however, her central theme throughout is
to impart such basic intelligence to minorities which compose the crux of new
cases, reported and unreported and who don’t have access to this information.
Perez, in her own words, states that “…people are perishing due to lack of
knowledge.” The ‘perishing of people’ is geared to a specific population: minorities,
the poor, drug users who are so strung out that they just aren’t equipped to deal
with such a life threatening disease.
An oblivious and overt challenge she proposes to the reader is her insistence to get
actively involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS whether by advocacy or
volunteerism or by joining a support group or by becoming a member to an
organization committed to teaching and helping those affected by the virus. There
is no question that Perez leads by example. Indeed, it is important for her to
‘practice what she promotes.” For her, actions speak louder than words. So Perez
does her best to practice what she preaches. In this vein she attended the Wilsey
Institute in 2001 for Nursing, Phlebotomy, and EKG certification. Presently, Ms. Perez
is a volunteer certified pre and post counselor and tester as well as Program
Director, of the Palace of Comfort, and Easy Access Resource. Both associations are
non-for-profit whose aim is to assist individuals who are medically frail, need
assistance to receive resources, and who are in crises situations. She is very
committed to help those in need “…to get housed, food, disability benefits.”
Helping others is a central theme throughout the book largely because she believes
that it fulfills the fear, anxiety, and discrimination felt upon having an incurable
disease. If interested, visit her website (www.venusperez.com) to get a total list of
her accomplishment.
| . |
Her work and message is quite effective mainly because she is
atypical, and the more she gets out there sharing her story the more
people are able to put a face to the disease. This way HIV/AIDS is
not just some untreatable condition. Rather, Perez hopes that it hits
close to home for people from all walks of life are able to witness
to her struggle, understand its authenticity, and see that she is a real
person who made a dreadful mistake. Thus, if she is subject to
contracting this disease so are they.
“Everyone believes that it can’t happen to them,” so they are careless in their
behavior. To drive this point home, one must consider every societal category she
represents: a woman with HIV/AIDS, a surviving woman with HIV/AIDS, a Hispanic
surviving woman, with HIV/AIDS, a surviving, heterosexual, Hispanic woman with
HIV/AIDS, a spiritually based surviving, Hispanic, heterosexual woman living with
HIV/AIDS.
The original piece of the text discloses s Perez’ own testimony which again shows
that anyone is subject to acquiring the disease if they don’t stop and think of the
consequences of their sexual behavior. Venus was born in Brooklyn, New York,
brought up in a middle-class family household, and is one of five children. Perez has
had her share of difficult obstacles to overcome. She’s a child of an alcoholic, grew
up in a house inhabited by several alcoholics, mother died of cancer, physically
abused by her partner, and not cognizant of ever practicing safe sex. Why should
she? It was never taught at home. Plus, Perez was young and under the
misconception that HIV/AIDS could never happen to her. After getting out of that
abusive relationship, her subsequent boyfriend eventually informed her that her ex
had died of AIDS which he contracted through intravenous drugs.
As in many traumatic life threatening experiences, Perez underwent the beginning
of a transformation. It’s been documented that individuals in such cases
experience an altering shift in their personalities, and a new appreciation for
atypical, and the more she gets out there sharing her story the more
people are able to put a face to the disease. This way HIV/AIDS is
not just some untreatable condition. Rather, Perez hopes that it hits
close to home for people from all walks of life are able to witness
to her struggle, understand its authenticity, and see that she is a real
person who made a dreadful mistake. Thus, if she is subject to
contracting this disease so are they.
“Everyone believes that it can’t happen to them,” so they are careless in their
behavior. To drive this point home, one must consider every societal category she
represents: a woman with HIV/AIDS, a surviving woman with HIV/AIDS, a Hispanic
surviving woman, with HIV/AIDS, a surviving, heterosexual, Hispanic woman with
HIV/AIDS, a spiritually based surviving, Hispanic, heterosexual woman living with
HIV/AIDS.
The original piece of the text discloses s Perez’ own testimony which again shows
that anyone is subject to acquiring the disease if they don’t stop and think of the
consequences of their sexual behavior. Venus was born in Brooklyn, New York,
brought up in a middle-class family household, and is one of five children. Perez has
had her share of difficult obstacles to overcome. She’s a child of an alcoholic, grew
up in a house inhabited by several alcoholics, mother died of cancer, physically
abused by her partner, and not cognizant of ever practicing safe sex. Why should
she? It was never taught at home. Plus, Perez was young and under the
misconception that HIV/AIDS could never happen to her. After getting out of that
abusive relationship, her subsequent boyfriend eventually informed her that her ex
had died of AIDS which he contracted through intravenous drugs.
As in many traumatic life threatening experiences, Perez underwent the beginning
of a transformation. It’s been documented that individuals in such cases
experience an altering shift in their personalities, and a new appreciation for
| . |
surviving the trauma. In most cases, behavior changes; an intense feeling of
gratitude overwhelms them. So, it is not abnormal or uncommon that Perez’s’
conversion occurred after she was diagnosed with the HIV virus. After much
thought, soul searching, and depression rather than envisioning a death sentence,
she made a conscious decision: she wanted to live. Venus made up her mind that
there was no way she would become a victim of this disease no matter what the
cost.
Though she lost many ‘friends’ due to the HIV/AIDS stigma, all the obstacles and
hardship she faced growing up “gave her the skills to deal with the results of testing
positive, and with the doctor’s diagnosis.” Indeed, becoming an HIV/AIDS
advocate, educating minorities that don’t have the means to fight this disease
effectively, and offering support to those affected has become her life’s mission.. It
is extremely important for her to assure these individuals that they are not alone.
They too can conquer their fear, anxiety, and most importantly live life to the fullest
by helping the person that will come after them. Spreading knowledge is definitely
her purpose for Perez believes right down to the core of her bones believes that
knowledge is power, and her ultimate goal is to not only parlay this information but
hopes that others will pay it forward.
Venus has had her share of medical problems beside the virus: open heart surgery;
gallbladder surgery, plus a hysterectomy. Yet, having the virus presents tribulations
which are uniquely distinctive to HIV/AIDS. For one, a person’s immune system is
extremely low which causes cold\flu symptoms to heighten. As a matter of fact, any
illness that ‘normal’ people have is amplified for a person living with HIV/AIDS.
Secondly, there is a continuous concern about what level is one’s T-cell. At present,
Perez’s “T-cell count is good.” There is no doubt that continuously monitoring one’s
count causes worry and anxiety. Thirdly, a person affected with such a disease has
to ingest what is known as a ‘cocktail’ on a regular basis. A cocktail is an antiviral
dosage of combined drugs which is not only required as part of the HIV regiment,
but also supposed to block the virus itself.. After several years, it is common for
someone to change his/her ‘cocktail. It seems that the body gets used to a certain
gratitude overwhelms them. So, it is not abnormal or uncommon that Perez’s’
conversion occurred after she was diagnosed with the HIV virus. After much
thought, soul searching, and depression rather than envisioning a death sentence,
she made a conscious decision: she wanted to live. Venus made up her mind that
there was no way she would become a victim of this disease no matter what the
cost.
Though she lost many ‘friends’ due to the HIV/AIDS stigma, all the obstacles and
hardship she faced growing up “gave her the skills to deal with the results of testing
positive, and with the doctor’s diagnosis.” Indeed, becoming an HIV/AIDS
advocate, educating minorities that don’t have the means to fight this disease
effectively, and offering support to those affected has become her life’s mission.. It
is extremely important for her to assure these individuals that they are not alone.
They too can conquer their fear, anxiety, and most importantly live life to the fullest
by helping the person that will come after them. Spreading knowledge is definitely
her purpose for Perez believes right down to the core of her bones believes that
knowledge is power, and her ultimate goal is to not only parlay this information but
hopes that others will pay it forward.
Venus has had her share of medical problems beside the virus: open heart surgery;
gallbladder surgery, plus a hysterectomy. Yet, having the virus presents tribulations
which are uniquely distinctive to HIV/AIDS. For one, a person’s immune system is
extremely low which causes cold\flu symptoms to heighten. As a matter of fact, any
illness that ‘normal’ people have is amplified for a person living with HIV/AIDS.
Secondly, there is a continuous concern about what level is one’s T-cell. At present,
Perez’s “T-cell count is good.” There is no doubt that continuously monitoring one’s
count causes worry and anxiety. Thirdly, a person affected with such a disease has
to ingest what is known as a ‘cocktail’ on a regular basis. A cocktail is an antiviral
dosage of combined drugs which is not only required as part of the HIV regiment,
but also supposed to block the virus itself.. After several years, it is common for
someone to change his/her ‘cocktail. It seems that the body gets used to a certain
| . |