Living in Denver with HIV
Interview by Elena Brown

Graphic by - Christina Jenkins

There’s no clever opening when talking about AIDS or HIV. No flawless leading paragraph. When talking about AIDS and HIV, you get right down to it, no holds barred.

I conducted this interview with the promise of anonymity. He’ll tell me everything but his name.

He’ll write talk about being a black man, being gay and about being HIV positive.

Q: How long have you been HIV positive?

X: I was given a HIV positive diagnosis June 26, 2000.

Q: Where were you when you found out?

X: I was part of the VAXAGEN study at Denver Health.  This was a study regarding a potential HIV vaccination.  I must have been given the placebo!

Q: Tell me about life with HIV positive?

X: Well, to be quite honest, life with HIV is pretty much the same.  I have not experienced any major infections, and I don’t get sick any more than I did before my infection.

Q: How did your family and friends react?

X: I have only told my cousins in my family.  I do not want my father or my aunts and uncles to know; it would just burden them — we have had a lot of sickness in our family e.g. cancer.  My friends are all okay with it.  They just check in with me every now and again when I have the sniffles just to make sure that I am OK.

Q: What is the difference of having AIDS and being HIV positive?

X: Being HIV positive only means that you have HIV antibodies in your system.  An AIDS diagnosis is given to those who have a T—Cell count less than 200, as normal range is between 700-and1000, approximately.

Q: Is there a stigma within the gay community with AIDS/HIV positive people?

X: Well, it depends of which community you are speaking.  In the white gay community, they are pretty much very accepting of a person who is HIV positive. Not to say that they ALL are, but the majority are, and they are not fearful of those who are positive.  But that is not true in the black community.  I have had talks with many of my friends, and they seem to have a very archaic attitude about HIV and those who are infected with the virus.  They would never consider dating someone who is positive, and many of them – gay and straight – feel that it is still some punishment from God.

Q: There is constant talk about “building bridges” between the gay and straight            communities. What are your feeling about that?

X: Well over all, the straight community needs to understand that homosexuality is much more then just sex.  Sex is just a smaller part of an individual, but since most straight folks could not bear to see two men have sex (they are much more accepting of lesbians). That is all the straight community dwells on.  So, I do believe that there is much education and understanding that needs to be developed there.  I think that that black community has much further to go. Since our community tends to be much more religious, the Black Church needs to be much more accepting of its gay congregants and therefore promoting the same within its congregation.  Religion over all is very divisive, but I will save that for another interview.

Q: Are you involved with anyone? 

X: Yes, I am currently dating a man who is HIV negative.

Q: You’re a student at on the Auraria Campus-—What is your major?

X: Yes, I am a Metro student.  I am an independent studies major.

Q: You’ve received negative judgments from being black, gay, and being HIV positive, is one harder to tolerate than the others?

X: It is very difficult to tell someone, with whom I want to be romantically involved, that I am HIV positive.  There is an overwhelming fear of being rejected, or as one man put it, “tainted love.”  That hurts worse than anything. The fact that some men — and I exclusively date within my race — will not want to get to know me because of my HIV status.

Q: Do you know who gave you HIV positive? 

X: Well, I am not sure from whom I contracted the virus.

Q: Do you have to contact those you’ve been intimate with and reveal your condition? 

X: No, but it is a good idea, especially if I thought they had put themselves at risk.

Q: What was your first reaction after diagnosis? 

X: I was sort of in shock, a little disbelief, but I have to say I expected it.

Q: Is there a strong support group for you?

X: Yes, my friends and the family that I have disclosed to, are very supportive.

Q: Are you receiving any treatments? 

X: Nope, I am not taking any cocktails, as I don’t want to.  After having lost several family members to cancer, even after radiation and chemotherapy, I refuse to take those medications.  They make me feel sick and are a daily reminder of my HIV status.                                        

AIDS/HIV STATS

According to the Colorado AIDS Project, in Colorado, more than 28 percent of people newly infected with HIV are between the ages 20-29.

According to the Centers for Disease Control: AIDS among African-Americans, in 2001 African-Americans made up 12 percent of the population yet accounted for half or the new HIV cases reported.

HIV Symptoms

After a person is diagnosed with HIV, it could take anywhere from months to years before he or she begins to experience symptoms. There are a multitude of symptoms, which can vary in men and women. Any or several of the following conditions may exist:

*Lymph node swelling in the neck, armpits or groin (any combination or all).

*Persistent fever for an extended period of time.

*Night sweats with bed sheet usually totally soaked through.

*Unintentional weight loss of approximately 10% of the body weight not associated with other illness, dieting or exercise.

*Persistent diarrhea for an extended period of time.

*Skin rashes that do not respond well to treatment.

*Thrush, a yeast infection that causes cottage cheese like coating on the back and sides of the throat or tongue.

*Hacking cough, non-productive, severe and not related to other illness or smoking.

*Shingles caused by the same virus as chicken pox. The disease causes sores, most commonly around the torso, which follows the nerve lines, but can occur elsewhere.

Testing Center in Denver

Health Center at Auraria (303) 556-2525, Plaza Building on the Auraria Campus

Denver Health and Hospitals (303) 436-7221, 605 Bannock Street.
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Legend of a friend lives on through the name: Fueler John
Story by Jonathan Kuenne
Photos By Danny Holland

Drummer Brian Fasick, carries equipment into the Famous Door to set up for the their second performance together since the band started.

The legend of a friend lives on through the music of three guys, a set of drums and two guitars, in a small house at 311 Fox Street

Fueler John named themselves after their friend, airline-fueler, Joao Rodriguez, who died after suffering burns over ninety-five percent of his body.  They say that the best way to keep Joao alive is to use his name.

Joao Rodriguez was fueling a British Airways plane at DIA on September 5, 2001 when the tragedy happened.  Rodriguez was on a twenty-five foot ladder when something hit and something hissed.  Joao fell to the ground, engulfed in flames.   “Nobody knows exactly what happened, but somehow gas hit the engine and ignited,” said Russ Sands, a member of the band.  “It never happened before,” he added. 

Over ninety-five percent of Rodriguez’s body was burned, yet.  he lived for six more days before passing away on the morning of September 11, 2001.  Joao was a drummer of a band named Resonator.  His legend lives on through the music of Fueler John.  

“The last conversation I had with John was about music, and I remember him telling me that if music is what you love, that is what you should do.  Some people wouldn’t agree with naming ourselves after a person, but I think it is the greatest tribute you can give somebody.”  Sands said. 

Fueler John band members, right to left, Russ Sands, Brian Fasick and Dan Byron perform at the Famous Door Feb. 21. The Metro students recently formed the band, named after a friend that was killed while fueling a plane at DIA on Sept. 5, 2001. They felt that this was the best way to pay him tribute.

The band, consisting of Metro students, Russ Sands, Dan Byron and Brian Fasick,    made their second appearance at The Famous Door, last Friday.  When the band showed up to perform, the restaurant didn’t provide enough equipment, forcing the band members to quickly gather their own, in order to put on a show.

Russ Sands, lead vocalist and song-writer, says he writes music to make a difference in this world.  He says that no matter what obstacle he runs into, he will continue to write and perform music. “Music is such a powerful medium. I believe a lot of problems have been solved through music.  That is what I want to do,” Russ said. 

FUELER JOHN IS:

* Brian Fasick: drummer, The most experienced band member, with 17 years of experience, is a junior majoring in Political Science.  

* Dan Byron, , bass, a marketing major, has started an orchestra, and also has been playing since the fourth grade.

 * Russ Sands, , vocals, an environmental science major, taught himself  the guitar and everything he knows about music.

Bassist Dan Byron helps create an original alternative sound for the band.

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A passport to 10 cultures on campus
by Jonelle Wilkinson Seitz
The Metropolitan

The Cultural Event on Feb. 26 demonstrated the willingness of students and community members to communicate cross-culturally.  However, it also reinforced the need for more of this kind of dialogue on a regular basis. 

The well-attended event was presented by the Metro Counseling Center in order to create an atmosphere that encourages cross-cultural dialogue.  The center believes that open communication between cultures and ethnic groups is built on “respect, dialogue and knowledge.”  This is the third year the center has presented the Cultural Event (in previous years it was called the Cultural Festival).

Ten cultures and ethnic groups were represented at the event.  Some of the exhibits focused on the cultures of other countries, while some represented cultures and ethnic groups within the United States.  Most exhibit tables were laden with photographs, souvenirs and fact sheets.    

Participants in the free event were given a “Passport” that listed the ten represented cultures.  At each table, participants could talk with the representatives of that culture, learn a fact about the culture and get their passports stamped.

At some tables, however, the representatives were shy about beginning the conversation, and some were so rushed that a random fact was thrown at participants without a chance for dialogue.  A few representatives could not give any insight about the souvenirs on their table, and the person who submitted them was unavailable.  

After procuring whatever information they could and receiving all ten stamps, participants could try multi-cultural foods at a buffet, and visit the prize table to win items such as world atlases and maps, books on multicultural subjects and, for the least lucky, candy. 

Russ Urrutia, a spokesperson for the Counseling Center and a representative at the Latino table, outlined the steps toward cross-cultural communication. 

“We need to eliminate bias, recognize stereotypes and practice dialoguing cross-culturally about differences,” he said.

Unfortunately, these steps are not always being taken.

Nekelia Taylor, President of the Black Student Alliance and a representative at the African-American table, is concerned about the lack of coverage of Black History Month events in The Metropolitan. 

“It’s become an issue,” she said.  

Children visiting from Mitchell Elementary learned a lesson about assumption when a young student asked Ruth Yamauchi, who represented the Japanese culture, where she was from.

“Los Angeles,” said Yamauchi.

The children wondered if Los Angeles was in China.  Yamauchi set them straight  and flipped a tiny origami frog in their direction.  At the sight of the paper creature, the children surrendered their attention to Yamauchi as she showed them how to make their own origami projects. 

            The other six tables represented Native American cultures, Italy, Sweden, Jewish culture, Ireland, the Philippines and Guatemala.  American folk dancers and Latino dancers performed.
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Too Loud
Rasheed Craig

Next week, special guest the Colorado Hip~Hop Juru (Jeff Campbell) will be on the show, the prerecorded interview with Brotha Seku, Dudes with Blues and ACid Jazz.

We can talk together at the end of the third section, or if you can make it for the entire show, we’ll make comments to provided direction throughout the entire show. Listed below is the article/sidebar to be publicated along with the article of Brotha Seku:

H.T.M.L.-Tikkun Haolam, dedication in improving the ailments of mother earth and humankind through community involvements and action.  The philosophy that it is every man’s and woman’s future and their children's children’s live.  What if GOD’s ultimate goal/objective in creating humankind throughout the entire globe of Earth was for them to see solidarity and understanding through all their different multifaceted doctrines & dogmas? These leaders used their culture to expand these philosophies.

“Let Me Clear My Throat” DJ Kool created Break-Beats for the B-boys & girls(Break-Boys & girls) and  to dance along to the song indefinitely.

“PLenet Rock”  Africa Ba Da-Da put a halt to gang fighting by inviting music as an alternative to the confrontation between opposing gangs.

“Rappers Delight” Sugar Hill Gang introduced the ‘The Crew’ as a group of individuals bonded together for the love they shared for music by organizing their skills in areas that would allow them to deliver a stronger message.

metradio.org on the road: (303) 556-0867
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37 Metro women called to active duty
by Krista Starns
The Metropolitan

As a war with Iraq becomes more of a possibility every day, reality is setting in and getting closer to home. Out of over 150 Colorado Reserve and National Guardsmen who are Metro students, 37 have withdrawn from school after being called to active duty.  The number has increased greatly in the past two weeks.

“There are some people ready to jump on a plane, ready for whenever and wherever, because little is holding them back,” said a Metro student in the military reserves, whose name can’t be released because of security reasons.

“Then there are other people who are faithful to their commitment, but it’s different because they have family, jobs, people that rely on them.”

“I’m not stopping my life because of my commitment.  My commitment is part of my life.”

Graphic by - Christina Jenkins

“I have the full support of my family, and my children have grown up knowing all those things I believe in serving our country,” the student said.  “They support me 100 percent, but they share tears with me, too.”

She is a mother, wife, grandmother, daughter, and could be called at any time with just a few hours before being deployed, but she said that’s good compared to some people who only get a half-hour notice.

Her teenager told her that another student had stopped him in the hall and pulled him aside. The other teary-eyed teenager said they knew he would understand. Her dad, who was in the reserves, had left the night before.

“I was sitting there listening, straight faced, and said, ‘You’re prepared for me to tell you that, right?’ and he said, ‘I don’t know how I’m going to feel when you tell me that.’”

 There are inactive reservists and active reservists in the military.  Reservists train one weekend a month and two weeks a year in case they are called to protect their country.

Another student, sophomore Phil King, 25, an inactive reservist who served four years with the Air Force in a mobile construction unit, has a friend at Metro who recently was called to active duty and had to withdraw from classes.

“I know that before he was actually activated and shipped down to his station,

he was really nervous, he got pretty nervous, especially the night before,”

King said.  “He knows that he’s not going to get shipped overseas, he could still, but, so in that respect, he’s not as nervous as he was before he left when he didn’t know.”

His friend doesn’t agree with Bush, and King says of the people he’s talked with, half support the war and half don’t.

“I think I hear more people against it than I do for it,” he said. “But I also think that a lot of people don’t follow up on it or research it or study enough of it to really have the views that they have because they don’t follow it enough.”

Since about a fifth of the National Guardsmen and reservists who are Metro students have been activated, more face the possibility in the future. Some may have concerns about their financial aid and classes.

Classes that are dropped for military reasons receive an NC anytime in the semester.  Loans still need to be paid back, even if the course is not finished, but it all works out, said King, who works at the Office of Veteran Affairs.

“The other piece I think that many people experience in my position, when you’re sitting there waiting to get a call, it makes you realize how much you value the people in your life,” said the anonymous student. “You don’t take each day for granted, and you don’t take advantage of people and situations.”
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The office of homeland campus security
by Stan Brown
The Metropolitan

With war on the horizon and our alert system at Code Orange, one has to wonder: what is campus security doing to ensure our safety?  According to Heather Coogan, Chief of Campus Security, no war or terrorist related problems have been encountered.  Police visibility has been increased.  You can’t go far on campus without seeing a member of the security staff. There were some worries from students and staff about exchange students after 9/11, but there have been no problems, and according to officer Vigil, “that says something about our students.”

“It seems that Auraria is pretty safe place,” Chief Coogan said.  “We have one of the lowest crime rates for a campus our size.” This is partially due to campus security, but there are other factors. “The student population here is older and there are no residents on campus. The students are more interested in learning,” said Sgt. John Egan, a 22-year Auraria veteran.

The campus overall is a safe place, but there are problems.  In 2002, larceny and theft accounted for 219 of 335 total offenses. Officer Vigil called these, “crimes of opportunity.”  Leaving their belongings unattended in the lounges, or falling asleep with their things close by, makes students vulnerable to theft. Student’s bags are not the only thing in jeopardy. Bicycle theft is just as much of a problem. If bikes are not properly secured, locks are easily cut, and the thief is rarely found. In January of 2003, there had already been 13 reported offenses of theft and larceny. What can the students do the help the campus police?  “Report the activity when it’s happening, we can not do anything if you tell us afterwards,” said Sgt. Egan.  In regard to theft, all of those on the force said to just not leave your belongings unattended. Don’t give the thief an opportunity. Aside from the crimes of opportunity, the campus is fairly secure.  The officers on duty do a lot of watching and motorist assists (i.e. unlocking your keys out of your car) especially during cold weather and finals.  When asked how she would rate campus security, on a scale of one to ten, Chief Coogan said, a ten.
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