AS A MATTER OF EQUALITY

On Sunday, the Razorback football team lost an amazing player, Garret Uekman.  Within hours people had posted pictures, quotes, and ribbons memorializing this outstanding athlete.  People from across the State of Arkansas and even from outside of the state were quickly establishing a memorial.  Monday night there was a vigil held for him that was attended by hundreds of people from the University of Arkansas campus.  It included students, staff, faculty, and administrators. While his family and close friends mourn the loss of such a young life it made me ask, “Where was the ribbon for Cassidy Vickers?”  Hardly anyone from the Community could answer that because almost all of them didn’t have a clue who she was.  Now before I go into this article it is not about sports nor is it about the loss of an athlete who sportscasters said could have made it to the NFL.  This is about a Community, our gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender Community and the absence of our collective mourning.

On Monday night, hundreds of people gathered together for the loss Garret.  On Sunday, 21 people from around NWA gathered together at the NWA Center for Equality to mourn the loss of 23 people who were murdered this year.  These 23 innocent human beings were transgendered.  One of these victims was Marcal Tye, of Forrest City, who was shot and then dragged behind a car.  This happened March 8th of this year.  I remember the loss of this life.  I remember seeing the news stories.  What is another horrifying aspect about this past weekend?  Three days before Transgender Day of Remembrance, which was yesterday, the 20th, in Hollywood, Cassidy Vickers was shot and killed.   Not one post did I see from anyone of the Community speak out against the loss of this life.  Her memory was memorialized at the Transgender Remembrance for which we lit a candle in honor of her.  To one individual who stated to me, “Why mourn those who dress like that to piss people off?”  I was speechless.  Yet, this is somewhat close, not really though, of what I’m trying to address.

It is also the wider Community that seems to not acknowledge the atrocities that befall our brothers and sisters.  A recent example is the unbelievable act of pure hatred that lead 3 men to nearly kill Burke Burnett in Texas.  It was a miracle that he survived.  Luckily his friends jumped in to stop the gay bashing and rushed him to the hospital.  Even though he did not die, he came close.  It was not because he was being obscene.  It was not because of him mouthing off to anyone.  It was not because he wanted to fight.  It *was* because he was one of us, gay.   People read the details of the attack and might have posted it on their Facebook wall or Tweeted it but that was it.

When I got home from work Monday afternoon I was browsing the latest Community news.  I was relieved to finally see that Lawrence King‘s killer has finally been handed a sentence of 21 years in prison.  Though I was happy to see this news, I was saddened that I came across it from CNN.  Where are those people whom I know that speak of equality, that seek to be able to live their lives with the full rights as citizens of this Nation, that “talk” about how they love who they are; be it gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or queer yet fall silent when darkness falls upon us?

Almost all of my “friends” on Facebook do not speak out against the hatred that is captured by the news that talks about the violence which is done to our Community.  Hardly anyone demands that we speak out against such ignorant violence that befalls us.  We are great to rejoice the amazing strides that are being done for full equality.  We fail when we ignore the tragic loss of life from our Community.

What mentality is it that allows some people to not take an interest, or better yet take a stand, when such horrendous acts of extremism are done to the Community?  Does the Community think, “That happened in that city, not ours” or “This could never happen to me” or finally, “Bad things happen and there’s no point in speaking out against it.”  Now let me tell you, these are not things that I assume people conjure up when such atrocities happen, these are quotes from people I’ve heard say.  These are individuals from the Community right here in Northwest Arkansas.

In a recent book I just finished reading,  Night, by Elie Wiesel, he talks about his experience before first being sent into the ghetto and then into concentration camps.  He talks about the rumors that people were circulating about what really happened at the concentration  death camps and how the community he lived in didn’t believe them.  They were so “out there” that no one could believe such inhumane acts could be done to an entire group of people.  It wasn’t until they saw what was happening that the “unbelievable” became a reality.  Today, there is Yad Vashem, “A place and a name,” in Israel where the memories of the lives taken will be remembered forever.

Is that what it will take for the Community to wake up and realize what is happening around us?  Is that what it will take for the Community to finally rally together and say, “No more! We will remember!”  But who knows.  All I know is that a  hundred of my friends, gay and ally, dedicated their Facebooks and Tweets to one individual but not one dedicated a picture, a quote, or a ribbon to Cassidy Vickers.

“Those who kept silent yesterday will remain silent tomorrow.” — Elie Wiesel

With Pride & Equality,

-Jason Rogers

The opinions expressed by the Contributor and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the NWA Center for Equality, its Members, or any employee thereof. The NWA Center for Equality is not responsible for the accuracy of any of the information supplied by the Contributor.

For so long since I’ve been “out” I have always known about HIV/AIDS. Of course, there’s a huge difference of “knowing” about HIV/AIDS to actually “understanding” what HIV/AIDS is.  Perhaps it was due to that I thought HIV is something I never have to deal with.  I didn’t really know of anyone who was actually Positive so it seemed as something I didn’t have to worry about.

It wasn’t until a close friend of mine was tested positive.  Here was the first time that someone I knew, who is like a brother to me, has HIV.  At that point I knew that I had to understand.I started reading up on HIV information.  I checked out HIV websites learning about medication, the history of the virus, statistics, and people’s personal stories.  It was a turning point for me.  Of course, this wouldn’t be the last person so far in my life who has helped me understand what it is like living with HIV.

About a year ago I met someone who has deeply impacted my life, and understanding, of what it is like living with HIV.  His name is Chris Dresing.  What he helped me understand is that when you know someone and love them, you won’t see the virus.  You will only see the person.  He has, and continues to be, an inspiration as someone living with HIV and makes his life worth something and doesn’t make his life only about the virus but what he aspires to be.  This is his story.

I post a lot of various articles and stories about the importance of HIV testing and treatment..  The fact that catching it early on can not only prevent you from inadvertently passing it to someone else but can also save your life..  Why do I feel so passionate about this? What makes me think so importantly of education regarding this matter?  Well, here’s my story..

Having had 2 relatives pass away from HIV related complications, the subject has always been important to me..  It’s always been a known risk to any sexual situation, whether it’s risky or not, whether you’re straight or gay (or somewhere in between), black/white or somewhere else in the spectrum, male or female..  It can affect ANYONE and it doesn’t discriminate..

In February of 2009, my life came to a brief pause when I went to get one of my regular HIV test done.. Lucky for me, my friend Brad was someone who performed HIV tests with his job so there was always a safe place for me to go get this done..  When I walked in, it was just like the many other times I had done this test before..  There wasn’t much of a concern (I had just gotten out of a relationship a few months prior) but it was still what I always did on a regular basis..  This was the last HIV I will have ever taken because that test came back Positive..

As with anyone who gets a positive test result, your mind isn’t quite sure what it should be thinking, you’re not really sure what it is that you should be doing..  All you can think about is “I’m HIV Positive..”  Again, luckily for me, Brad was there to guide me through this process and be the one to think clearly for me and what I need to be doing..  He gave me the necessary information and helped me along..

Regardless of how familiar you are with HIV and its effects, it’s still a whole new ball game when it hits home and affects you personally..  Crazy questions run through your mind.. Am I going to die soon?  What will my life be like?  Will anyone ever love me because I have this disease?  What will other people think of me because of this? Will people shun me away now?

A quick HIV lesson for those of you out there unfamiliar with the situation..  Two things you get tested for once you test positive and continually test during your life is your T-Cell (CD4) levels, which is an indication of the strength of your immune system, and your Viral Load (the amount of virus found in your blood)..  The first levels test I had done was a CD4 count of 511 and a viral load of about 38,000..  When I heard that number of 38,000, I panicked..  I began scouring the internet for information on viral loads and the like..  I soon realized that that number wasn’t extremely high like it sounds..  The doctors didn’t suggest medicating right away, that topic is still up for debate in the medical community..  We decided that it’d be best to just keep testing every 4 months and take it in stride and we can make that decision later..

A few months later, I finally had the awful pain in my back diagnosed..  It was Ankylosing Spondylitis..  Great, I have a diagnosis.. Now, how do we treat it and make my chronic spinal pain go away?!  Well, that’s the tricky part..  The medications that are used to treat this condition are immunosuppressant..  Yup, in order for the pain to go away, I’m going to take medication that reduces my immune system..  GREAT!!  After several doctor visits and conversations, we had decided that I’d move forward with treatment for my back condition as long as I started to medicate for the HIV..  It was a bit of a tricky decision since all the information the drug companies had to offer was simply “No.. Don’t take this medication if you’re HIV Positive..” But I needed my quality of life..  So I bit the bullet and started taking HIV meds to make sure they would work before I could start taking my injections for my back..

Luckily, the first medication I was prescribed to treat the HIV was a success..  My CD4 count rose to nearly 1,000 and my viral load went undetectable in my blood..  YAY!!  Now, it was time to cross our fingers and start taking my injections..  After months of taking both medications, my CD4 count still stayed very high (high 800’s last test about a month ago) and Viral Load still stayed undetectable..  The immunosuppressant aspect of my injections seemed to have no affect on the HIV progression and my health is amazing right now (at least physical! LoL).. Without knowing that I was HIV Positive, it would never be obvious..  I’m rarely sick and my immune system is doing amazing..

What was the point in telling you all of this medical back-story?  The point is this..  With early detection of the contraction of HIV, you can keep yourself monitored and healthy..  The faster you learn of your infection, the quicker you can take medications to reduce the progression..  Someone in their 20’s who is diagnosed HIV positive and starts take the medication for it in early stages has an average life expectancy of about 40+ additional years..  That’s quite a way we’ve come since the 80’s and 90’s when people died after just a few years..

If you’ve read this far, you can see why I’m such a huge advocate for testing and treatment..  As I like to say at the end of the postings I make on this nature, Get your ass tested!!  Not only to save your life, but that of others..  Today’s medical advances have downgraded HIV infection from a death sentence to that of a chronic condition..  If you take care of yourself in every day life and monitor/treat the condition, you can live a VERY long life ahead of you..  Yes, it may be scary in the beginning and you may think your life will never be the same..  Well, in a way, you’re correct..  Mine hasn’t been the same since..  I’ve learned that you can’t take things for granted, there’s a good side to every situation..  It makes you learn to appreciate things in a whole different way and be thankful that the medical advances have been made.. And hopefully, you can be there for others like I am, to help guide them along and educate others to reduce the chances of them contracting HIV.. And if they have already contacted HIV, be there to make sure they realize they can be strong and get through it..  It’s not the end of the world..

Here in NWA we are lucky to have a place where there is free confidential testing, NWA H.O.P.E., which is a program run by the NWA Center for Equality.  Getting tested is the only way of knowing if you are negative or positive.  You can’t guess or assume it.  As Chris points out in his story that HIV is no longer a death sentence.  The medical community has come so far in providing amazing treatment that people live normal lives.

The more people talk about their experience, their lives, and their triumphs overcoming this disease the less we will come to see HIV as something to be feared.

Here are some great websites about HIV/AIDS: POZ , The Body , Avert , CDC

On Sunday, October 16th, the NWA Center for Equality, and the NWA Community, lost a dear friend, Art Beeghly.  A service is being held tomorrow, Saturday, October 5th,  at 3:00 pm at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.

He moved to Arkansas 7 years ago and knew more about Arkansas history than most Arkansas historians, as one of Art’s favorite hobbies was reading.  Art was a friend to all who got the chance to know him.  Even his friends say that he was always there whenever someone needed him.  He received a Culinary Arts Certificate from Lancy College in Oakland, CA and received a BA degree in journalism from Berkley University.  Art was such believer in free speech that he went and had “journalism: the last hope” tattoo, completely enshrining another aspect of Art that everyone came to love about him.

In addition to Art’s hobbies for reading and journalism he was bi-lingual in Spanish, a world traveler, and a cat lover who always carried around a picture of his own cat, Mildred.  Everything that Art said or wrote always had something unique, and quirky, tone to that made him a joy to hear from.  Art always left a lovable impression on anyone who ever met him.

Art had always been involved with the NWA Center for Equality since it’s beginning 6 years ago.  He was a beloved member of the Board.  He was the Board Director for Events & Special Planning; which speaks highly of his dedication to the NWA Community through his hospitality.

He was a philanthropist at heart as he generously donated money to the United Way, Walton Arts Center, Human Rights Campaign,  Fayetteville Public Library Foundation, the University of Arkansas Foundation,the NWA Shrine Circus, the Shiloh Museum Association, the NWA Center for Equality, and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.

Art is survived by his niece, Alicia Beeghly-Fadiel.

Please come tomorrow as we will gather to remember a beloved friend.