HAVE WE REALLY SURVIVED
We raised awareness and money and sometimes hell to help our brethren when no one else would. We were involved with ACTUP, the YIPPIES, Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC), Cures Not Wars and Equity Fights AIDS. We fought against politicians, Big Pharma, bureaucracies and bigots. We’ve dodged coughs, washed hands, avoided filth and worn masks for years. Sound familiar? The big difference this time is that the Covid 19 disease is not stigmatised and all efforts and expense have been immediately dedicated to a focused response. In fact, the rapid mRNA developments finally offer promise of an HIV vaccination eventually. We’ve enjoyed a more peaceful life here as Irish citizens benefiting from the advances that made HIV manageable and no longer deadly for most. HIV is no longer primarily in the gay community, but it is unnecessarily increasing again simply because of a lack of knowledge. Now for the sexually active community there is PrEP available to help prevent transmission. There is also the knowledge of U=U (undetectable equals untransmittable) that those testing positive and being successfully treated for HIV cannot pass it on to others . The huge irony now is that those that have been tested and treated if necessary are not a threat to others, but those who do not know their HIV status are a threat to the whole community. We worked for Civil Partnership then Marriage Equality here in Ireland and share in the pride of that achievement. After more than 30 years together we were glad to enjoy the benefits of marriage. But we have not achieved full equality and we still need a strong LBGTQ+ community effort, particularly in the South and rural Ireland, to combat lingering prejudice, isolation and injustices. Along with the HIV that has demanded our attention, are the real challenges of senior living: fixed income, isolation, bad health and dependence on institutions not friendly to our community. We have fought hard for equal legal, employment, domestic and marriage rights but we have not so far been able to address the remaining inequities and prejudices in education, health and social support.
We have an opportunity at the moment to stand against the continued control of vital information for the development of sexual attitudes and very survival of young LGBTQ+ people by religious interests, who cling to shame and bigotry and misinformation causing further deaths. We now must make progress against many subtle barriers that frustrate the LBGTQ+ community in service organisations that provide specialised care and support for those with diabetes, dementia, cancer, and nursing homes. For many years we have been battling to have more humane treatment and support for the HIV community, especially in the South and rural areas. The depth of services available in Dublin has never been equalled in Cork, and much stigma and secrecy remains even in the well-meaning volunteer organisations and the HSE. We must make sure that our community is welcome and represented in all areas and ages of life. People must be free to be themselves and this will take continued hard work as we seek to be visibly represented in the populations and on the boards and staff of these organisations so we can openly advocate for our needs. Bruce Coleman and his husband of 39 years, John Sheridan have been working for 35 years on issues of HIV treatment and stigma often saying “one of us “has” HIV, but we’ve both been “living” with it”. They lived in NYC where they were in the performing arts. They testified on HIV issues in the media, courts and the US Congress. They worked with the YIPPIES, GMHC, Equity Fights AIDS, Cures Not Wars, and ACTUP. They moved to Cork after the 9/11/01 bombings had further disrupted their lives. They have been participating citizens of Ireland for 14 years, John working for Amazon and volunteering, and Bruce doing some shows and short films. They have attended, and help advocate for, improvements at the HIV Clinic at CUH. They have helped to promote HIV patient support groups and services for the Sexual Health Centre, the Other Place, the Gay Project and help to start ACTUP Cork.
AGAIN? By Bruce Coleman
My husband and I got our second jabs and can now resume “normal” life? Easier said than done. We’ve spent nearly four decades living with AIDS. One of us has it but both of us live with it. In the 1980s in NYC our friends were dying all around us and we lived with daily stress and uncertainty. We never thought about getting old, just surviving with no help from the government, weak insurance cover and constant new physical challenges and lots of stigma. For the longest time there were no treatments, cures or vaccines and only confusing information about prevention and transmission. We did what we thought or heard would help us to survive. We were lucky enough
to have access to cutting edge doctors and survived numerous drug trials, set backs, and near death events.
Bruce Coleman and his husband of 39 years, John Sheridan
www.corkpride.com
#CorkPride2021
22
23
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker